Bath And Cut Fail :(

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Effie&Winnie

Effie&Winnie

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Today I decided to bath my two guinea pigs for the first time as my long haired guinea pig looked like she really needed one. However, it didn't quite go how I was expecting and I was left feeling horribly cruel and upset. My long haired texel guinea pig Effie has had knots around her bum and legs for a while now but whenever I tried to cut them she would squeal and kick so it was pretty Impossible. I was recommended gorgeous guineas posh 'n' go shampoo to try ease the knots out that way which is what I tried today. Despite my best efforts to keep her calm she was frantic as I btried to bath her and I didn't get chance to ease the knots. After her bath I attemped to cut the knots but again she squealed and tried to run off. I managed to trim her hair shorter so that will hopefully prevent more knots but I'm really worried about these knots and I just feel really disheartened tonight because I'm unable to do what I need to for her.
 
oh bless you hun, is there anyone who can give you a hand in holding her while you cut them. Maybe give her some of her favourite veg to distract her? I have a very fussy wiggly girl who is hard to deal with, she kicked out just as I was trimming her nails the other day and there was blood everywhere! (I have caught the quick before but never cut that much off). It can make you feel awful, if only they weren't so fussy heh
 
how did you do the bath? I have a peruvian and had a texel that hated baths but put a towel on the bottom of the bath and filled it leg height and just let them paddle then gently put water over them.They got used to it. Werent mad keen on getting trimmed but as long as you use blunt ended scissors you will be fine. They will be picking up on your nervousness as well. Of i lived near you would come and help. Good luck
 
Lady Kelly said:
oh bless you hun, is there anyone who can give you a hand in holding her while you cut them. Maybe give her some of her favourite veg to distract her? I have a very fussy wiggly girl who is hard to deal with, she kicked out just as I was trimming her nails the other day and there was blood everywhere! (I have caught the quick before but never cut that much off). It can make you feel awful, if only they weren't so fussy heh
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Thank you, I will try getting someone to help me next time. I know it's so horrible when all you want to do it care for them properly but you end up feeling awful.
 
madguinealady said:
how did you do the bath? I have a peruvian and had a texel that hated baths but put a towel on the bottom of the bath and filled it leg height and just let them paddle then gently put water over them.They got used to it. Werent mad keen on getting trimmed but as long as you use blunt ended scissors you will be fine. They will be picking up on your nervousness as well. Of i lived near you would come and help. Good luck
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I put an old tea towel down so that they would have a bit of grip but Effie just wanted to jump straight out of the bowl. I guess I will just have to persevere and do the best I can. Thank you :)
 
I have some pigs whom just won't settle when bathing, we all agree I am going to have a bath with them, or a shower in some cases...

In terms of knots, try a pair of electric clippers. I use an abandoned men's shaver with an electric shaving bit on the end...well ok, the husband reluctantly donated it when I was trying to clip flossie who kicks and bucks when I trim her. She's better with that plus I know I won't hurt her.
 
My bf and I always do that together. it's not nice and the piggies especially hate the claw cutting, but seem happier afterwards. I usually hold them and my bf cuts the claws because his hands are better - mine are always slightly shaky due to essential tremor.
 
I used to trim my wriggly young Dougal (he passed away back in August 2009) on my lap. He was a bit of a lap pig - but didn't like being groomed or trimmed.

I'd sit him on my lap on a towel to catch the hair. He'd know what was coming at that point and burrow his head up into the dark space along my arm. I found that by wrapping my left arm round his back and 'flicking' his long coat up hair dresser style between my fingers I could trim him whilst he wriggled about - but know I was only cutting his coat along my fingers and wasn't at any risk of nicking him. Does that make sense?

After the job was finished I'd take the towel away and allow him to relax on my lap with a special treat - usually parsley or if he was very lucky a seedless grape.
 
I've used a small set of hand held clippers in the past to clip my old Peruvian's coat (Bum hair), they did an excellent job, and he was happy to let me do this. Maybe see what she's like with this, perhaps she'll find it shouldn't pull her knots. Please note, these are a very small battery operated set, so shouldn't hurt your piggies if used correctly and with patience.
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my long haired guinea, munchkin, was disgusting around the bum... her hair didnt stop growing. to begin with she hated being bathed but after she got used to it she let me bath, blow dry and clip her. like mentioned above, get yourself a wee set of cordless trimmers (mens grooming) the cordless arent just as powerful so theres less noise, but because its a trimmer it will shave the hair close to the skin without razor burn. it might take a while for your gp to get used to it, may i suggest that you let her hear the hum of the clipper as youre feeding him the veggies, get him used to the noise meaning something nice. if there is a juicy veggie, like a hunk of cucumber or melon try it while youre grooming the bum area... most of all dont feel bad, some guineas dont get baths and this amount of loving... just remember that youre caring for your gp the very best u can! good luck!
 
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