Advice on rescuing another guinea pig?

[koolkathan]

Hey all!

I'm sorry that I didn't know where to put this, but I was just looking for some advice.

I'm honestly thinking about getting another guineapig to go with Stan, not in the same cage but in a cage side by side, so they could see each other but not contact, as Stan has territory issues with other guinea's. That's why he had to be rescued by himself. Anyway onto the point.

I have seen a ideal guineapig for rehoming, from the same place. His name is Marshall, he is two years old. So, apparently he is up for adopting because he wasn't treated right at his old home, his cage mate died, also he has to be on a specific diet because they let his teeth overgrow, and he also contracted bumblefoot and ringworm. I would really want to get him despite him having these health issues, but I don't really have a clue about bumblefoot? and apart from that I have to be really careful with ones that had ringworm as once I had managed to catch it from a animal, so I'm a little weary. Does anyone have any advice? Should i still get him? He's been waiting for a home since the first of november. :c

 

[squeaksandcarrots]

Marshall sounds like he needs a loving owner, and I think that person is you Do you know how long he has had bumblefoot and ringworm? I personally know nothing about either of those things, but I feel like rescuing him is a great idea.

 

[koolkathan]

Marshall sounds like he needs a loving owner, and I think that person is you Do you know how long he has had bumblefoot and ringworm? I personally know nothing about either of those things, but I feel like rescuing him is a great idea.

To be honest with you, I'm not sure, apparently is was because of how his previous owners treated him, so that could have been anything from two years ago. But apparently they have sorted it but the new owner just needs to keep ontop of it, which of course I would do. but he would need this special confetti type bedding they was saying.

 

[squeaksandcarrots]

I feel like you'd be the perfect, responsible owner for his care

 

[dannif_piggies]

It sounds like your current piggy would benefit from a little bar to bar interaction, and that Marshal could certainly do with a loving home. Bumble foot is usually contracted by being kept on wire flooring, or lack of clean bedding and so where guide apigs paws are so delicate, the sitting in urine makes them even more soft and therefore sore, ultimately bumblefoot is an inflammation of the pads and in very severe cases and when left untreated it can ultimately mean amputation of the leg. However if Marshal has been in the care of a rescue for some time now, I would have thought this would've been treated with medication, and the soft bedding would more be a case that his feet are just sore from the bumble foot. Put it into perspective if you has sore feet for quite some time, would you then want to walk on wood shavings or nice soft paper bedding or fleece?
That leads me onto my next point, I believe the confetti bedding you mentioned is the carefresh paper based bedding (I may be wrong) but if this is the case, this bedding can be quite expensive, I use this for my hamster and as she's only small it lasts very well but I couldn't imagine the cost using it as a guinea pig bedding. However, this is obviously down to individual finances. Following on from this, of the reason you've been recommended this bedding is for the softness of it, potentially fleece could be an option just for Marshal (if it's not something you want to use for both your piggies). It's soft, reusable, and you can get fleece blankets for as cheap at £4 (I have actually occasionally found them cheaper).

In terms of ringworm, I don't know much about it, but I think it's the same kind of situation that once it's treated thoroughly it's not something that just stays there. However I've read that it can be very difficult to contain and a lot of cleaning is involved. And due to it being so contagious, if this is something you're concerned about, I personally wouldn't put Marshal near your Stan straight away to ensure that ringworm is not "lingering" on Marshal. This would prevent contamination to Stan and also would prevent a big disinfectant job for you. However again, the rescue should ensure Marshal is in the best health possible before sending him to a new home.

Long story short, I think Marshal could do with a loving home with you, but just consider a few things beforehand

 

[Wiebke]

Hey all!

I'm sorry that I didn't know where to put this, but I was just looking for some advice.

I'm honestly thinking about getting another guineapig to go with Stan, not in the same cage but in a cage side by side, so they could see each other but not contact, as Stan has territory issues with other guinea's. That's why he had to be rescued by himself. Anyway onto the point.

I have seen a ideal guineapig for rehoming, from the same place. His name is Marshall, he is two years old. So, apparently he is up for adopting because he wasn't treated right at his old home, his cage mate died, also he has to be on a specific diet because they let his teeth overgrow, and he also contracted bumblefoot and ringworm. I would really want to get him despite him having these health issues, but I don't really have a clue about bumblefoot? and apart from that I have to be really careful with ones that had ringworm as once I had managed to catch it from a animal, so I'm a little weary. Does anyone have any advice? Should i still get him? He's been waiting for a home since the first of november. :c

Hi! I would strongly recommend to speak for to the rescue and the treating vet about the bumblefoot problem. If it is cured, then there shouldn't be a problem.
In some bad and advanced cases bumblefoot is uncurable. Your piggy can live quite a while with it, but you have to be aware that it can come back worse than ever at some point. It doesn't say that you cannot adopt and give the boy a happy life, but you have to be aware of this.

As to ringworm: Please make sure that your boy has had a bath either before he leaves the rescue or upon arrival at your home to make sure that he isn't carrying any spores across in his coat. That is the most common cause of later break-outs in ex-ringworm piggies or their companions in my own experience. You will find our ringworm hygiene tips hopefully helpful as they are all based on practical experience. The guide also deals with how you minimise the risk of getting infected yourself.
Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures

In the end it is down to you whether you want to take the plunge/make the commitment or not and to the rescue whether they are OK with a next-door solution; and whether you have the financial resources to deal with any medical issues as and if they are coming up. As long as you are doing it with your eyes open, then yes, you can adopt a piggy that most people would pass up.