Blind piggy floor time...

[MerryPip]

Not sure if this is a question or a statement...

All of our boys get loads of time out on the floor. Bascially if we are in teh house then they are out and about.

Hamish is finding it a little tricky with his reduced vision and the fact his guide-pig Angus keeps leaving him behind! He loves to run really fast around the floor and only bumps into stuff now and again... Most often it's Angus' bum as he follows so closely behind him!

He only goes around the outside of the room as well where as Angus and the other boys will go anywhere.

If they chew things they are not supposed to then I usually shout but Hamish doesn't hear noise at our voice pitch, he only seems to hear really low or really high (almost so we can't hear it) noises so I have to bang on the floor to get his attention!

He can get a fright quite easily and sometimes I don't know what's bothered him then he just hids in a corner and rumbles...

Does this match anyone elses experience of visually imparied or lethal pigs or is Hamish just a bit 'special'?

 

[Wiebke]

It could well be that Hamish has hearing problems as well as sight problems. Your experiences are normal.

Have you considered adding more scent based enrichment for Hamish' run time, like scent trails, saucers or bowls you have swished with a bit of fruit juice, heaps of dirty used rags to burrow in (they love those!), dry apple or pear tree leaves, fresh herb pots to climb up or pull over or a cut-and- come tray you have sprinkled with some wild bird seed, covered with cling film until the seeds sprouted and then left to its own devices outside?

You can always mark entrances to cardboard boxes/houses with different dabs of fruit juice or other scents to help Hamish along.

Blind or sight impaired piggies can take fright more easiliy because they can't brace themselves with what happens, especially if they also only hear certain sharp sounds.

I never had a fully congenital blind piggy, but I have and have had several cataract piggies.

 

[MerryPip]

OOh great idea. The vet confirmed Hamish is blind and deaf but we don't know to what extent. He is obviously aware of some movements and sounds but not everything.

The smelly things idea sounds good. Angus is so mad and loves floor time, I'm sure he will join in too.

Will have to give that a try so he can have an investigate. He definately uses his nose heaps as he always finds his noms before Angus and is always up for trying something new even if Angusisn't so sure!

 

[Guinea pig slave]

OOh great idea. The vet confirmed Hamish is blind and deaf but we don't know to what extent. He is obviously aware of some movements and sounds but not everything.

The smelly things idea sounds good. Angus is so mad and loves floor time, I'm sure he will join in too.

Will have to give that a try so he can have an investigate. He definately uses his nose heaps as he always finds his noms before Angus and is always up for trying something new even if Angusisn't so sure!

Aw, he sounds a little treasure - thank god you spotted these boys and went with your instincts. I dread to think what life he may have endured if you'd not seen him
The smell trail sounds great, I suppose like people, the extra sensories kick in if there's an impairment elsewhere.
Let us know how things go with your lovely new boys p