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ashamed really

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Crackle & Pop

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") well basically ive been ill since the end of september (tonsilitis, flu, cold) so ive been finding it really hard to clean the piggies (especially seen as i had a broken toe) i hadnt cleaned my piggies cages for the last few weeks (this is taken alot to admit as i normally do well) so the cages were very dirty. ive cleaned them up now, given them a bath so they are all ok now. i heard something about urine burns on feet and I'm scared my guinea pigs could have them as i dont check the bottom of the feet very often. they are all ok now, they werent that bad the cages as hay was on top but i feel so bad, has anyone else had similar times when its been so bad or am i the only one not coping.

ps. I'm only a child, younger than 14 so 4 piggies, 5 hammies and 2 school piggies is alot of cages.
please dont call the rspca on me 8...

edit: a photo of urine burns would help?
 
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Do you think your pigs have urine burns?

As I read earlier, I believe your pigs are outside, where cleaning out is easy to ignore. My pigs are in my bedroom if I did not clean them out they would stink to high heaven's. I do think if you are not well then it is your parents responsibility to help as they are the adults.
 
they do help massively with feeding and cuddling but its always been my responsibility, they normally help if they see ive been struggles but I'm not very good at asking for help and sometimes ive been adament that they dont so they just dont ask anymore, its not their fault
 
I dont want to be harsh and I am not trying to be harsh but my way or writing usually makes me sound awful :-)

You have done a big thing to admit to doing wrong so well done on that.

Surely at 14 you live with parents/guardians/others that would have helped you with the animals? I know not every family will help each other but in times of actual illness most will help each other to some extent. I also fail to see how a broken toe or a cold or even flu stops anyone doing a basic (not thorough) cage clean though, maybe not every day but for weeks on end surely not, but thats another matter, I am sure you had your reasons. If your sickness is like to reoccur I would suggest talking to somebody you live with and asking if they will help when you're desperate (I am sure that in the eyes of the law seen as you're a child the pets are your adults responsibility anyway and if neglect occurs it will be them that sufers?). Illness is not a reason to let animals suffer, however if they seem fine its likely that no permanent damage has been done, just look at the state rescue piggies can come in and the dirt they have lived in and most are usually fine.

I have no photos of urine burn but id say dont let this happen again
 
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Some information on urine scalds. http://www.guinealynx.info/urine_scald.html

I do think you have to speak to your parents as by the sounds of things you are struggling to cope, if it's leading to your animals having health problems it needs to be addressed, giving the choice I would rather accept help than have ill guinea pigs due to neglect.

It's great your parents help with the cuddling but hygiene is important and as no animal should be the responsibility of a child they should know how often you are cleaning there cage, at the end of the day I'm fairly certain it will be there money that is used for the vet bill.
 
I'm really sorry :'(
my guinea pigs live outdoors, it would be very hard to go out in crutches.
I'm very sorry i feel awful
i should never have posted it on here, ill just be judged
 
Crackle & Pop said:
they do help massively with feeding and cuddling but its always been my responsibility, they normally help if they see ive been struggles but I'm not very good at asking for help and sometimes ive been adament that they dont so they just dont ask anymore, its not their fault
Click to expand...

I guess that you have to learn to find the right balance between independence and when you need help - it is not easy at your age when you want to have as much independence as possible.

Your series of illnesses has left you very weak and tired. Caring for pets on top of the demands of school (or work) can be very taxing for anybody who goes through a bad spell. Many of us have been there at one point or other.

See it like that: asking for help when you really can't cope is not shameful - it shows that you are a responsible, mature person who knows their limits and is putting the welfare of others (people or pets) before her own pride. Life happens and we can't always be on top of it. You can always offer to do your parents a favour back whenever they are not feeling well and could do with your support!
 
Crackle & Pop said:
I'm really sorry, does every1 forgive me?
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Of COURSE!
You've been very brave, and honest to post this on here. You obviously care about your piggies and know not to do it again. Dont beat yourself up about it, we all make mistakes, we just have to learn from them :)
No one is going to hold a grudge on you, you've been through a tough time and I'm sure it must have been hard. As long as you know not to do it again, then of course we'll all forgive you :)
Xx
 
Sometimes in this life, the hardest thing is to know when to ask for help. And sorry hun, but it doesn't get easier as you get older lol. When you find yourself in a predicament like this again (and you will, it's inevitable that there will be times when you will just not be capable of functioning as you are used to) it's so important to let those around you know what you are capable of doing and what you aren't. The rule in my home is that the animals are taken care of before us humans, as they are truly helpless in most regards. I am glad to hear that you are on the mend and hope that you and your family enjoy the holidays. :D
 
Nobody is beating you up about it - your bad conscience and your honesty show that at heart you are a caring person. I am sure that you won't make that particular mistake again! We all make our mistakes; the only thing you can try in your life to avoid making the same mistake all over again. It's not getting any easier when you become an adult - you only discover a whole new range of pitfalls you never had an idea about until you stumble into them!

But you have your heart in the right place and if you continue to listen to it, You have as good a guideline to get through life as you can!
 
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I think you did a great thing admitting it, but i do think you need to learn to ask for help in the future, seriously.

Its a big responsibility being a piggy slave, but we are only human at the end of the day. I dont think you will be judged, but i do think you will get support and offers of advice for future times.

Hope your piggies are ok sweets x
 
Hi. I echo what everyone else has said and yes, as you are a child, your parents are responsible for the animals.

Take this experience on board and ask for help if things get on top of you again. I am sure your parents will only be too happy to help.

I have been ill myself for the past few months and had to send my pigs to my parents house 100 miles away as my hubby was just to busy to look after them. At the ages of 29 and 30 we had to except that we needed help with animal care.

Wiebke has given you a good link there. If your pigs have urine scold, please get them treated and treat this as a life experience.

I hope you feel better soon x
 
I know you love animals but maybe you have taken on too many? Four guinea pigs is enough without the school ones too. How about you tell the school you can no longer look after their piggies? I do not know how you cope with five hamsters to care for too. It is brave to admit you have taken on too much and need support it is also in the best interest of your animals.
 
I have always found this to be a helpful forum - not a judging one - as you will be coming up for your G.C.S.E's soon and lots of course work (my son has just turned 16 so I know the amount of work you will get ) I think you do need to ask for help from your parents - it may also help you to write out a sort of time- table ie - 5- 6pm Monday Wednesday & Fridays (or whatever) clean out piggies - 7- 8pm homework etc - planning and organizing might help you ,and is also a very useful life skill for the workplace - xx
 
As a mum myself I am surprised your parents haven't checked on the piggies for you, despite you saying you didn't need help, at your age they surely must know to make sure you/piggies/hammies or whatever are okay?

Don't worry about it now, but please at least tell your mum your worries & get her to check them over with you & maybe help you on clean out day until you are feeling more up to it :)
 
a lesson learnt really, with no harm done.

There are times that even adults find it hard to cope with our animals and the bravest thing is knowing when to ask for help, if it be from family or friends or from other people its a hard lesson to learn and one I am still learning at the ripe age of 34 (not for caring for my pets, for me its help with my health issue).
 
Hi x

I think that's a really great idea of having a timetable - atleast then, if you find yourself with something debilitating like proper flu, a broken limb etc (hopefully not! ;) ) then you'll be able to show your mum/dad your timetable and ask them to do it for you.

Maybe you could even have a chat with them, explain you fell behind a bit, and to prevent it happening again show them the basics of feeding/cleaning 'just incase' of the above.

I also think that, as someone said, because of your age and GCSE years coming up, you may have too many animals? I would definitely suggest not taking on any more, and also letting someone else take over the responsibility of the school ones, or atleast sharing that. If they really are your responsibility then a timetable may be your answer!

I am just recovering from a concussion - basically the car boot fell down (hard, and very fast!) on my head when I was at Tesco! I was extremely sleepy, dizzy, in pain, and under hospital orders to rest. So my husband cleaned out our chickens and guinea pigs! I found it hard to let him as he hadn't ever done either before - actually he'd done the chickens once - but with a little guidance (ha ha!), he did a great job. Ok, maybe things weren't in exactly the right 'spots' as usual but it taught me that it didn't really matter, as long as they were clean and hygenic. Even adults need to accept help now and again, there's nothing wrong with that.

Hope you feel 100% soon! Enjoy your animals, and prepare a backup plan just in case! Take care x x x:rose
 
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