Suzygpr
Senior Guinea Pig
Guido's story - he was the result of a petshop pregnancy when a rather surprised owner of a lovely pair of girls woke up to find more piggies than she bargain for shortly after buying them. He was homed privately by the owner of the mum. The home seemed perfect, indoors with a new male companion. Months later she returned to find them living in a small damp hutch outside in the sub-zero temps of the winter, in appalling condition. She persuaded the owner to let them come into rescue as she obviously had no intention of getting them treatment.
Guido was suffering dreadfully from overwhelming fungal and mite infection, he was having seizures too, 6-8 a day, during which he could have had a heart attack at any point. He was very determined to survive and tolerated his painful treatment well. Guido discovered the joy of syringe feeding and polished off over 20 ml each feed. It took 2 weeks of intensive care to get him strong enough for a vet exam, up until then he was far too fragile to withstand it. The prognosis wasn't good and it was clear he was unlikely to survive.
Many weeks of treatment followed and finally the last patch of infected hair could be removed to allow his skin to heal - the crusting on his body and face was 5mm thick. He made good progress but the biggest hurdle to his recovery is a small area on his back - if he manages to scratch it he triggers another seizure. He has to wear a protective coat to prevent this and he copes very well now.
He and Luigi and the very best of friends and as Guido needs lifelong treatment and management of his condition both are staying here at the rescue.
Please visit the rescue's website to see the other piggies that are more fortunate then Guido and are fit and healthy, ready to leave the rescue for their new homes. Perhaps, if you are unable to home a rescue pig or two but you would still like to help all the pigs in the rescue have a look at the wishlist link on the 'How you can help' page.
http://guinearescue.blogspot.com/
Suzy x