Disabled & chronic fatigue with 4 guinea pigs

[miminyx]

Hey everyone! I have had 4 beautiful piggies for about 18 months now, and they're my everything. Unfotunately I've become quite unwell with conditions that won't resolve and that makes caring for them quite hard. Some days are hard to get out of bed, and due to not working, financials are tough and will continue to be until may when I can get on a payment. My parents are pushing at me rehoming because they can see that I'm stressed, but I really don't want to unless there comes a time where I cannot provide for them even at my own expense.

Just wondering if anyone had anyone had any ideas that might make looking after my babies a bit easier, or cheaper. I am thinking about getting a friend to help me sew cage liners so there is less linen to worry about, and maybe get a heavy duty air purifier in may once I can afford one, to keep on top of the dust.

Any ideas at all will be so incredibly greatly appreciated. I appreciate you all <3

 

[Truffolo]

I hope you can get to keep your piggies, they must be a comfort to you. Perhaps there is a charity that would help disabled people care for their pets near you. I hope things work out.

 

[CTWC]

Hi firstly I'm so sorry for the situation you are in Please don't answer anything you don't want to but what do you find most difficult cleaning them out? Also what restrictions does your illness cause you? Do you have girls or boys and do they live together?

 

[Mrs Tiggy Winkle]

Unfotunately I've become quite unwell with conditions that won't resolve and that makes caring for them quite hard. Some days are hard to get out of bed,

I'm sorry about that! I also understand for what sounds like similar reasons. I had guineas for about 20 years, took a little break, then another 3 years, and am back to no guineas. I miss them terribly but I can't care for them adequately. I hope for you that you can keep yours because they're a tremendous emotional support, I found. Even helping me get out of bed and on with my day on so-so days. I've lived alone for years, so they were company for me too.

One of your problems is temporary. February is almost at an end, March and April will pass and then it will be May and you will get more money.

There are people who just love to help, so maybe you can find somebody who would help you till then at no cost? Even if only sometimes? I sometimes got help that way with claw-clipping etc.

Good luck!

@CTWC idk about for @miminyx but sometimes it can be difficult to help somebody understand how difficult it can be to do the 'easiest' of tasks when you have chronic fatigue.

 

[weepweeps]

Hello and welcome to the forum. I’m sorry you are unwell.

Can your parents help you clean them out once a week? Do you have and friends or family members who could help you too?

Maybe you could ask someone’s older child to help at the weekends. I now I would have loved to help look after someone’s pets for them.

Good luck I hope you can find a solution.

 

[Posyrose]

I am disabled and find doing a cage clean difficult to do on my own, although I have found ways to do spot cleaning and changing bath mats/pee pads. I'm very lucky that I have a cleaner who helps me with the full cage clean. She does it when she cleans the house and it hardly takes her any time ( I help where I can) so costs very little. @weepweeps makes some very sensible suggestions and the idea of having an older child help is excellent.

A lightweight cordless vacuum really helps me spot clean and clean up stray hay from the floor/rest of the house! Would it help having the cage on a table so you could sit down to do it. Mine are on the floor and I sit on a gardening stool both to clean them and interact with them.

I hope you find a way around your difficulties. There are quite a few people on here in a similar situation where they have been advised to remove their piggies as they find it difficult looking after them but have managed to keep them. They are very important family members that make life better.

 

[JaseChase]

I’m also disabled and have chronic fatigue (how lovely to not be alone on here!) and agree with what everyone has said. Here are some additional things that help me cope

- I have a PA to help me manage household tasks and she will do the cage cleaning on days I can’t manage

- I use sewn fleece and have a bunch of extras in because I find it easier to keep on top of the laundry when I have plenty of spares. I also enjoy sewing on the days I can manage it so it ties in with a hobby

- I have the boys’ cage on a raised table so that I can sit on a stool to spot clean and it’s level with my arms. Also much easier for me to get them in and out without bending down. On days where my symptoms are high, I get my partner to pick them up and hand them to me so I can remain sitting

- I get hay delivered and keep it in bags beneath the cage, within easy reach. Then I don’t have to reliably get out to a shop to feed them

- I have recently discovered local pet taxi services that help with getting to and from vet trips. They also offer services to come in and assist with pet care at home, which can be cheaper than a cleaner if finances are tight, so it might be worth investigating if you have anything similar local to you

I have worried about being well enough to care for pets in the past. It isn’t always easy, especially during a flare, but if you’re able to ask for help and find support then it can work, and we all know the emotional benefits that come with keeping them

 

[Merab]

I can’t add to what has already been said but please know that I am holding you in my heart at this difficult time

 

[WWDrew]

Taking care of my 5 piggies is hard with my health too but I’ve adapted.

I have hang the fleece on my fence and I use a drill brush. It’s a spinning brush that fits into the drill. The drill does most of the work it’s been a life saver and the cheaper the drill the better because it’s usually lighter in weight.

Are your piggies cage on a table to make it easier?

Maybe make a bunch of hay bags and you can have 5 ready to go? I have 5 hay logs hold hay I use myself ready to go and I just swap them out.

The most cost effective air filter has been the ones from IKEA. They suck dust through a cloth cover and then a filter. I’m always cleaning the cloth cover outside with the drill brush and rarely even need to change the actual filter.

I hope your health gets better and there is something helpful for everyone posts.