Guinea pig first aid kit - What should be in it?

Status
Not open for further replies.

lovelygirl

Adult Guinea Pig
Joined
Jul 27, 2009
Messages
3,807
Reaction score
5
Points
310
Location
Bristol
Hi

Ok well i was thinking that i should get together a first aid kit for the guinea pigs but being new have no idea what to put in it? Was thinking that all you experienced people can suggest lots of things - and what they are useful for

All suggestions welcome rolleyes
 
1ml and 5ml Syringe
Vitamin C Tablets 100mg Chewables
Vitrate Rehydration Fluids
Acidophius Probiotic Powder
Critical Care Sachet
Betadine liquid
Malaseb
Nail clippers
tweezers
scissors
External Mite Wash
Ivomec or Revolution for internal mites
Disposable Gloves
Some herbal supplements that can be stored
Glucose - although alot of the rehydrate/electrlite replacements actually contain glucose which is handy as these store better ).
Disinfecting wipes or swabs
Cotton Buds
Ear Drops ( Surolan or other suitable )
Eye Drops
Painkillers ( metacam - only avail with vet appt )

this is all the stuff i am aiming to have in my first aid kit xxxxxxxxx

forgot to add some of this stuff isnt available in the uk or comes under a different name as this is an aussie list x
 
Last edited:
1ml and 5ml Syringe
Vitamin C Tablets 100mg Chewables
Vitrate Rehydration Fluids
Acidophius Probiotic Powder
Critical Care Sachet
Betadine liquid
Malaseb
Nail clippers
tweezers
scissors
External Mite Wash
Ivomec or Revolution for internal mites
Disposable Gloves
Some herbal supplements that can be stored
Glucose - although alot of the rehydrate/electrlite replacements actually contain glucose which is handy as these store better ).
Disinfecting wipes or swabs
Cotton Buds
Ear Drops ( Surolan or other suitable )
Eye Drops
Painkillers ( metacam - only avail with vet appt )

this is all the stuff i am aiming to have in my first aid kit xxxxxxxxx

forgot to add some of this stuff isnt available in the uk or comes under a different name as this is an aussie list x

this looks like a long list of useful stuff not sure i would know what to do with alot of it... Think i also need to invest in a big box to store it all in too

what sort of herbally things?
 
it is a big list but i think it covers most things that can go wrong,herbally things isnt a must its something that i use almost like a tonic thats safe for humans and all animals and you cannot overdose them on it,i believe it extended my piggies quality of life,
I'm also giving it to my sick rat and she has perked up and is eating again quicker than what the vet predicted.Its called Coloidal silver if your interested i swear by it xxxxxxxx
 
Unfortunately i am now a "grown up" in the loosest sense of the word, and my mum used homeopathy on all my childhood pets. My rabbit poppy lived till he was 13.5 yrs old and fought back from myxmatosis aged 8 and rabbit flu at 10 much to the surprise of the vet. Was planning on having arnica gel and aloe vera gel
 
Unfortunately i am now a "grown up" in the loosest sense of the word, and my mum used homeopathy on all my childhood pets. My rabbit poppy lived till he was 13.5 yrs old and fought back from myxmatosis aged 8 and rabbit flu at 10 much to the surprise of the vet. Was planning on having arnica gel and aloe vera gel

i also keep aloe vera gel and believe it works to especially for open wounds,yes my mum is studying to be a natropath so she is teaching me how to naturally treat my animals x
 
I can give you some syringes on Thursday just remind me when you come to get me. I can also get a sachet of recovery food for you as have loads in stock currently.
 
I can give you some syringes on Thursday just remind me when you come to get me. I can also get a sachet of recovery food for you as have loads in stock currently.

Thanks very much will have to give chris a list at the way i am going.... spending money on piggies like it is going out of fashion!x>>
 
Thinking of you today and wishing you the best with your new girls!
I'm sure that with fi. you are in the best of hands!
 
very very excited was awake at 6.30 am, woke bf to check that it was really thursday and now trying to while away the hours until i can go and get my new best friends who will probably be cuddled within an inch of their lives and kissed to death. Have convinced my bfs mum to teach me how to use a sewing machine so i can make them beds and lap mats. The grids for the second storey of their c and c home hopefully should arrive today, it is all go here!
 
I put the UK equivalents of Bonnie's list in brackets for you next to the products and some of the things each is used for - just for anyone who is interested.

1ml and 5ml Syringe
Vitamin C Tablets 100mg Chewables - supplement if animal is ill/not eating normally
Vitrate Rehydration Fluids - UK equivalent: Dioralyte or Lectade. Given to prevent/treat early dehydration. Useful in cases of diarrhea.
Acidophius Probiotic Powder - Pro-C Probiotic, Bio-Lapis or Avipro Plus are the most common animal probiotics in UK. Given to balance/restore gut flora when animal ill/on medication/has diarrhea.
Critical Care Sachet - Science Recovery or Nutripowder are UK alternatives. Mix up with water and syringe to guinea pigs who are not eating.
Betadine liquid - Povidone Iodine. Dilute with water - 1 part Iodine to 10 parts water. Used as an antiseptic and occasionally used for skin complaints.
Malaseb - antifungal shampoo, to treat fungal skin conditions. Malaseb is usually a Prescription-Only Medicine (POM); alternatives that you can buy in pharmacies include Nizoral and Alphosyl. Better yet, www.gorgeousguineas.com specialise in such shampoos.
Nail clippers
tweezers
scissors
External Mite Wash
Ivomec or Revolution for internal mites - Can be given orally every 3 months as a "wormer" (and to treat/prevent internal parasites), alonside Panacur/Valbazen.
Disposable Gloves
Some herbal supplements that can be stored
Glucose - although alot of the rehydrate/electrlite replacements actually contain glucose which is handy as these store better ).
Disinfecting wipes or swabs
Cotton Buds
Ear Drops ( Surolan or other suitable )
Eye Drops
Painkillers ( metacam - only avail with vet appt )

this is all the stuff i am aiming to have in my first aid kit xxxxxxxxx

forgot to add some of this stuff isnt available in the uk or comes under a different name as this is an aussie list x

I have a varied first aid kit, but my absolute minimums are:

Painkillers (children's Nurofen, and Metacam)
Buscopan - for treating minor bloat (I have two pigs prone to bloat/gas buildup)
Probiotic
Oxbow Vitamin C tablets
Oxbow Critical Care (Fine Grind) - I prefer the Fine Grind as I don't need to butcher the syringes to syringe the feed! :))
Bepanthen - for topical skin problems/sores
Povidone Iodine
Ivomec
Panacur - given at same time as Ivomec, once every three months.
Daktarin Oral Gel - useful for all oral and dental trouble. My pigs had sore mouths before and after dental work, this gel helped hugely and got the pigs eating much quicker after having dental work done. My first port of call when a pig is having oral difficulties.
Sudafed Expectorant - this is handy for my pigs who suffer from allergies, since it stops the raspy/grumbly breathing with just a one-off dose. Can also be used in conjunction with POMs in minor respiratory infections where coughing is troublesome.

I also have a stethoscope, disposable gloves, two types of nail clippers, dental rasps and buccal pad separators (training is essential before using these!), a supply of 1ml syringes, a pill crusher (pestle and mortar), a Snugglesafe heatpad, tweezers, bowls and spoons (for making up syringe-feeds), a stack of towels and pillowcases (for wrapping/bathing) and of course...weighing scales!

Three years ago, I would never have dreamed of using most of the products in my kit, I was one of the most uptight people about what I put in my pigs. Circumstances, however, led me to having to try some of them and all of the above were extremely useful both in emergencies, and as complemetary medicines alongside veterinary treatments. I know what I'm doing with the meds, I know the safe doses, frequency, length of course etc. and I am training in rodentology - I never give anything I am remotely unsure about.

It must be said that a veterinary diagnosis and advice is extremely important, whether you use anything in your first aid kit or not. It's best that everyone views their first aid kit as just that - first aid. Things that will help until you can get to a vet, and then you can discuss treatment with those "qualified" and if necessary continue with the same treatment. Do make sure you have a good vet though - don't wait until you actually need the vet to find out whether s/he is experienced enough in guinea pig medical care!

Good luck today. :)
 
Last edited:
not planning to do any dentristry myself, planning to join the cambridge cavy trust as my mum lives just down the road, i just prefer to be prepared and it is funny how much stuff i already have! and how much more i can pinch from my mum (good old mum). I am planning on borrowing the homeopathy for animals book my mum has and have a good read.

CCC4 - all the best in learning to be a rodentologist we need as many as we can get!
 
My day has changed. Would you like me to bring them to you now? I will also try your mobile.
 
Thanks a lot for the first aid kid list.

CCC4 can you tell me where you can get Povidone Iodine in the UK?

Thank you!
 
How exciting, which girlies are you getting?
 
Thats brill. :)

I have been lurking a bit online, mostly when I am at work though as have been very busy looking after my siblings. Fortunately I have a very good boss who has let me leave early to pick them up from school. Thee Docs think my step mum will be off work for 6 months but good news is they think they cut all the cancer out.

Also I am moving house the weekend after next. Will have a much bigger garden with lots and lots of grass for the furries. If you have any tips on how to stop the piggies getting stressed I'd apreciate it. We are thinking of leaving them in a quite spot away from the hussle and bustle and moving them last so I can set their hutch up and put them straight in so there's not too much distruption for them.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top