3 Hour Train Journey.

Cavy Kung-Fu

Cavy Kung-Fu

Adult Guinea Pig
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I'm worrying about the trip to Northampton tomorrow so I had a look at the travel guide and have some concerns.

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^ I have one of these that I usually take him to the vets in, would that be too small for a long trip? I saw that cat carriers were on the travel guide. I had hoped it would be warmer as well as easier to cart onto 3 trains and take on the underground.

He will be travelling on his own so I worry about that too. I'm thinking about getting a small water bottle to take with me to offer him fluids and a syringe in case he won't take from a bottle. I will bring veg and hay and I have fleeces and a snuggle sack for him in there.

How can I make it easier for him? He's been through so much and although I'm sure he'll be fine I'm worried about him being stressed (I'm also pretty stressed :))).
 
I think it's fine but I'm not sure usually what I do with my Pigs before I travel I leave the carrier in her cage so she can explore it and get use to it. So when It's time to go I just shut it and she's calm but these are short 40-50 minute car rides. Maybe the others have better ideas?
 
SunshinePiggy said:
I think it's fine but I'm not sure usually what I do with my Pigs before I travel I leave the carrier in her cage so she can explore it and get use to it. So when It's time to go I just shut it and she's calm but these are short 40-50 minute car rides. Maybe the others have better ideas?
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Yea I've always down short journeys too, and with the girls I can always take them in pairs and I take a cat sized carrier as I normally go by car... This is really stressing me out if I'm honest, I'm dreading the trip! :no:
 
SunshinePiggy said:
How many Pigs are you taking Sorry for Asking
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Oh no worries! I'll just be taking the one, Iggy. He's not properly bonded with the girls yet and although I think he could get along with one of two of them as a possible travel companion I wouldn't want to risk a possible fall out on the way :yikes:
 
I'm not sure maybe you can bring stuff with the scent of the girls so he still can smell them? Not sure how to explain this
 
SunshinePiggy said:
I'm not sure maybe you can bring stuff with the scent of the girls so he still can smell them? Not sure how to explain this
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That's a good idea, I think I'll put one of their teddies in with the girls now ready for the scent tomorrow! Thanks!
 
Ive taken Bramble on 2+ hour journeys before while she was very unwell, then home the next day for the same amount of time. I find slices of cucumber much easier than trying to offer water while on the move, although it might be easier on the train than in a car! She actually loves to travel, she either sleeps or asks to look out the window for a bit... your carrier should do the job fine, smaller spaces reduce chance of injury should you need to stop suddenly. A good handful of hay, some pellets, a bit of cucumber and he'll be good to go :)
 
Eriathwen said:
Ive taken Bramble on 2+ hour journeys before while she was very unwell, then home the next day for the same amount of time. I find slices of cucumber much easier than trying to offer water while on the move, although it might be easier on the train than in a car! She actually loves to travel, she either sleeps or asks to look out the window for a bit... your carrier should do the job fine, smaller spaces reduce chance of injury should you need to stop suddenly. A good handful of hay, some pellets, a bit of cucumber and he'll be good to go :)
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Thank you, you've echoed my thoughts so that's a relief! I'm still really nervous as it's going to be a long day but I feel a bit better now!
 
Good luck I'm sure everything will be fine! Iggy might want to come out too. He'll certainly be a talking point on the train! Don't forget to take some pee pads with you just in case! x
 
Snuggle sack is a great idea and take some cucumber for fluids during the trip too. Hope it goes well x
 
Betsy said:
Good luck I'm sure everything will be fine! Iggy might want to come out too. He'll certainly be a talking point on the train! Don't forget to take some pee pads with you just in case! x
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To go in the carrier with him? I was thinking of putting a towel, fleece and his snuggle sack in there similar to his cage would that be enough?

SunshinePiggy said:
I have a question are you coming back on the train also if you you might want extra
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Yes I'll be coming back by train, I shall hopefully be taking enough veg, hay and water for the journey back. Not sure if I'm missing anything? Might take some nuggets too.

sport_billy said:
Snuggle sack is a great idea and take some cucumber for fluids during the trip too. Hope it goes well x
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Thanks! I'm nervous as hell but he's none the wiser. I've bought some extra cucumber today, do you think cucumber would be enough for fluids of should I syringe him some water at some point? It will possibly be an 8-10 hour round trip.
 
Cavy Kung-Fu said:
To go in the carrier with him? I was thinking of putting a towel, fleece and his snuggle sack in there similar to his cage would that be enough?
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That should be enough in the carrier. I was thinking more if he wants to come out of the carrier and look out the window for protection for your clothes.
 
Betsy said:
That should be enough in the carrier. I was thinking more if he wants to come out of the carrier and look out the window for protection for your clothes.
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That's true! I'm not sure if I would be brave enough to take him out though haha I don't think he'd run off but I worry XD We'll see! I might have to think about bringing a puppy pad but they're so big!
 
So I have prepped a hay, dried apple leaf and oat grass mix to get him to eat, nuggets and pee pads. I've prepped his carrier with a snuggle house inside and will be putting him in in a snuggle sack for extra warmth with a bear with the girls scent on. I've got 2 old medicine bottles and syringe by the kettle ready to make Pro-C and water for the trip in the morning. I'll prep veg in the morning too... Am I forgetting anything?
 
Cavy Kung-Fu said:
So I have prepped a hay, dried apple leaf and oat grass mix to get him to eat, nuggets and pee pads. I've prepped his carrier with a snuggle house inside and will be putting him in in a snuggle sack for extra warmth with a bear with the girls scent on. I've got 2 old medicine bottles and syringe by the kettle ready to make Pro-C and water for the trip in the morning. I'll prep veg in the morning too... Am I forgetting anything?
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A bottle of water and some snacks for you?
 
Yes, as PiggyOwner says don't forget to look after yourself. I wish you and Iggy good luck tomorrow, hope you get some answers. Hugs to you both.
 
PiggyOwner said:
A bottle of water and some snacks for you?
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Oh yea me :)) I must remember that! Having said that I haven't been eating much as I've been so worried XD

piggieminder said:
Yes, as PiggyOwner says don't forget to look after yourself. I wish you and Iggy good luck tomorrow, hope you get some answers. Hugs to you both.
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Thank you, I'm far more worried about him though! I'm just concerned about getting answers for him. I hope I can sleep tonight!
 
Oh I've also packed some metacam incase he gets any pain on the journey.

I'm now going to bed, ready to get up at 4am to do all 5's medication and get other bits ready. It's going to be a long day!

If you guys think of anything else I need to do I'll check back in the morning, thanks so much everyone :)
 
I've had pig's travel with me on multiple occasions 8-10 hours. I find no one ever looks at the water bottle and they tend just to hide although a few of my pigs will happily munch veggies once they settle down. Cucumber is the best veg for hydration.

It sounds like you have everything covered honestly he will be fine travelling don't worry if he's quiet as he will be out of his comfort zone. I have also had pigs on the underground I'm fairly certain it was me who least enjoyed that experience.

Good Luck tomorrow and get a good night sleep.
 
flintstones said:
I've had pig's travel with me on multiple occasions 8-10 hours. I find no one ever looks at the water bottle and they tend just to hide although a few of my pigs will happily munch veggies once they settle down. Cucumber is the best veg for hydration.

It sounds like you have everything covered honestly he will be fine travelling don't worry if he's quiet as he will be out of his comfort zone. I have also had pigs on the underground I'm fairly certain it was me who least enjoyed that experience.

Good Luck tomorrow and get a good night sleep.
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Thank you, yes I'm sure he'll handle it better than I will :)) Hate the underground!

Betsy said:
You seem well prepared. Just don't forget your sarnies and a drink! Good luck tomorrow!
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Thanks! I'll need it! :)

Going to bed for real now, I remembered something I needed haha :))
 
Cavy Kung-Fu said:
To go in the carrier with him? I was thinking of putting a towel, fleece and his snuggle sack in there similar to his cage would that be enough?



Yes I'll be coming back by train, I shall hopefully be taking enough veg, hay and water for the journey back. Not sure if I'm missing anything? Might take some nuggets too.



Thanks! I'm nervous as hell but he's none the wiser. I've bought some extra cucumber today, do you think cucumber would be enough for fluids of should I syringe him some water at some point? It will possibly be an 8-10 hour round trip.
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I'd syringe him some as well. You driving up?
 
flintstones said:
I've had pig's travel with me on multiple occasions 8-10 hours. I find no one ever looks at the water bottle and they tend just to hide although a few of my pigs will happily munch veggies once they settle down. Cucumber is the best veg for hydration.

It sounds like you have everything covered honestly he will be fine travelling don't worry if he's quiet as he will be out of his comfort zone. I have also had pigs on the underground I'm fairly certain it was me who least enjoyed that experience.

Good Luck tomorrow and get a good night sleep.
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:) Jo wonderful to see your avatar. Great advice. Hope you are well mate x
 
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