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Post by pawstothewall on Aug 14, 2012 17:14:54 GMT
I'm new to the forum and already have questions. I rescued 2 guinea pigs on sunday (Bear and Pudd'n) and Bear has some "issues". First, I know he's stressed out massively. He came from a home with young children (2 and 4) that decided to give him hair cuts. Some of those hair cuts are right to the skin and it even appears some may have been actually pulled out completely. He's skinny as can be and you can feel his ribs and hip bones. Their previous owner said they wouldn't eat hay so she stopped buying it for them, was feeding them Wal-Mart brand feed and the occasional lettuce leaves. There was a salt block tied to the side of the cage when I picked them up. The cage was nasty and the bottom of the tray is terribly stained. She had them in cedar chips and it smelled like sour milk. They got a bath as soon as they came in the house but still have a slight sour smell. The cage has been scrubbed and they are now on the recycled paper litter. We put hay in straight off and they attacked it as they did the veggies and anything else they could eat. I have added the vit c drops to the water bottle and am changing it out daily. Both piggies have small sores on the bottom of their back feet but those are healing quickly and almost gone at this point. Pudd'n is fat and happy and one of the most laid back, fluffy, sweet piggies I have ever met! I was worried at first Bear may have mange but Pudd'n shows no signs of it and they are cage mates. Any advice on extra things I can do for them would be appreciated. I feel so bad for poor little Bear and I want to spoil him rotten... ok I spoil all the critters rotten but he needs some extra TLC and serious weight gain!
Thanks for any advice in advance!!! Missy
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Post by Kayleigh on Aug 14, 2012 17:20:36 GMT
Well done for your rescue pigs! I would suggest treating them both with ivermectin and keep an eye on their skin/coat. Feed a good quality pellet and plenty of hay. Also offer a nice selection of fruit/veg. keep with the vit c drops for now to ensure they get what they need.
You can fatten them up by feeding rolled oats, bran and plenty of veg. Its best to do this slowly to prevent fatty eye creaping up!
Do you know their age? and they are both the same sex right?
Kayleigh
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Post by pawstothewall on Aug 14, 2012 18:27:21 GMT
Previous owner said they are about a year old. And it is quite obvious that they are boys... that was checked and double checked at pick up!! I have pour-on ivermectin I use for mice and rats... would that be ok to use on them too? It's just a watered down spray.
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Post by Kayleigh on Aug 14, 2012 18:36:47 GMT
Aslong as it contains ivermectin it should do just fine. Just put a dab behind their ears (on the small bald patch) just to be sure they dont have anything.
Keep them away from any of your own pigs to prevent anything spreading.
Im glad they are both male, and that you checked!! Id also take their weight now and again in a week, to ensure they are both gaining.
Kayleigh
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Post by Orlaith on Aug 15, 2012 13:32:56 GMT
Welcome to the forum. I hope you get on well with your pigs.
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Post by madmommy on Aug 15, 2012 14:45:21 GMT
Welcome! You sound like a loving piggie parent
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Post by pawstothewall on Aug 15, 2012 15:39:04 GMT
Thanks everyone! Bear is eating wonderfully and seems to be doing well. Pudd'n is a big cuddler so he gets cuddle time to give Bear time to chow down a bit extra til he gains weight. I never knew how wonderful guinea pigs were until I got 2 pregnant sows into my rescue... heart melted and it was over! Now I'm spreading the guinea pig love bug to my boyfriend and his kids. All of us fall apart for these little piggies!!! While Bear is gaining weight and getting healthy, us humans are planning on building a guinea pig city for them in the spare room. Keep your fingers crossed for him so he can move in when it's finished!!! Thanks again everyone!!!
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Post by piggiluv on Aug 16, 2012 19:15:04 GMT
Aw how lucky they are that you rescued them!
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