Post by Dawn - Admin on Sept 14, 2005 8:45:20 GMT
Caring for your Guinea Pig
E-mail: karen@readingguineapigrescue.co.uk
Copyright © Reading Guinea Pig Rescue 2005 .
All rights reserved.
· Avoid colds and pneumonia by always putting your guinea pig on dry grass - never wet. Guinea pig's tummies are close to the ground and get wet easily. Remember to bring your guinea pig in before the evening dew.
· Avoid putting him in his run on cold, windy days.
· Beware of the sun. As well as providing shelter in the run (cardboard boxes etc), the run itself must be in the shade, or towels / old curtains laid across the top to give shade. Remember to check throughout the day that the run is still in the shade. Don't forget that your guinea pig also needs water available in his run.
. Provide boxes in the run that have a floor, so that your guinea pig can get off the grass.
. Check regularly (at least weekly) for any unusual lumps or bumps on your guinea pig. Anything unusual / different could be a sign that there is something going on elsewhere.
· Try to bath monthly or 6 weekly. In between baths, keep a check on the condition of the skin.
· Keep nails trimmed, ears clean, and check to see that teeth are OK.
. Check eyes and nose daily for a discharge of any sort. In a healthy guinea pig, there should be no discharge.
· Listen to your guinea pig's breathing (both sides), so that you know what "normal breathing" sounds like.
· Prepare for the worst– be equipped with at least two syringes for syringe feeding, Buscopan for abdominal pain relief and Infacol in case of bloat. Calpol can be given as a pain relief. There are many other items you can buy but these are used in an emergency (under the direction of CCT or your guinea friendly vet) and can save Guinea’s life. OXBOW Critical Care is needed for syringe feeding though baby food (Carrot and potato etc) can be given short term.
· Most importantly, get to know your guinea pig so that you notice any changes - either in habits or appearance.
Thanks again Karen for allowing me to use info from your wonderful site www.readingguineapigrescue.co.uk
E-mail: karen@readingguineapigrescue.co.uk
Copyright © Reading Guinea Pig Rescue 2005 .
All rights reserved.
· Avoid colds and pneumonia by always putting your guinea pig on dry grass - never wet. Guinea pig's tummies are close to the ground and get wet easily. Remember to bring your guinea pig in before the evening dew.
· Avoid putting him in his run on cold, windy days.
· Beware of the sun. As well as providing shelter in the run (cardboard boxes etc), the run itself must be in the shade, or towels / old curtains laid across the top to give shade. Remember to check throughout the day that the run is still in the shade. Don't forget that your guinea pig also needs water available in his run.
. Provide boxes in the run that have a floor, so that your guinea pig can get off the grass.
. Check regularly (at least weekly) for any unusual lumps or bumps on your guinea pig. Anything unusual / different could be a sign that there is something going on elsewhere.
· Try to bath monthly or 6 weekly. In between baths, keep a check on the condition of the skin.
· Keep nails trimmed, ears clean, and check to see that teeth are OK.
. Check eyes and nose daily for a discharge of any sort. In a healthy guinea pig, there should be no discharge.
· Listen to your guinea pig's breathing (both sides), so that you know what "normal breathing" sounds like.
· Prepare for the worst– be equipped with at least two syringes for syringe feeding, Buscopan for abdominal pain relief and Infacol in case of bloat. Calpol can be given as a pain relief. There are many other items you can buy but these are used in an emergency (under the direction of CCT or your guinea friendly vet) and can save Guinea’s life. OXBOW Critical Care is needed for syringe feeding though baby food (Carrot and potato etc) can be given short term.
· Most importantly, get to know your guinea pig so that you notice any changes - either in habits or appearance.
Thanks again Karen for allowing me to use info from your wonderful site www.readingguineapigrescue.co.uk
