Hello my name is Krissy, and I have been keeping guinea pigs for about 4 years now. I got my first guinea pig as a birthday present. I went into the pet store (local owned, with knowledgeable people who actually know what they're saying) to get dwarf hamsters and fell in live with the guinea pigs. two of my sisters and I each got a guinea pig.
We had Cara, Cookie, and Shae. They were older when we got them, and Cara got a URI and passed away, despite receiving treatment as soon as we recognized the problem. She was separated from our other two. Before she passed, we let Cookie and Shae each say their good byes. The reason we let them near each other to say good byes is because despite treatment, she was losing weight, refusing to eat or drink, and just deteriorating very rapidly. She had a bit of a sneeze before she was taken to the vet, but by the time she showed symptoms, it was just too late.
About a year later, Cookie, my guinea pig, showed the same symptoms. We took her to the vet, they put her on critical care and pedialyte. Unfortunately, we got the same result and she passed away a few days later. Shae was then our only GP left, and she started to refuse to eat and drink. She only showed symptoms of depression from losing Cookie. Shae passed away a couple days later from a broken heart.
About two months later, my mom said I could get two more guinea pigs. This time I got two 6 week old babies. They are named Domino and Lissie. They are doing great, spoiled rotten little brats.
The reason I am posting this is because on tuesday, I rescued a guinea pig from the local and control where I volunteer. She went to the vet yesterday (thursday)(a different one than my other three were registered at, and a much more knowledgeable one), and she has fleas which she is being treated for. My other two are being treated for them as well. My new baby girl's name is Puzzle. She is not housed with my other two yet, until she is free of fleas.
My question is does anyone have any tips on introducing them to each other? I know to clean the entire cage well and replace all the toys with fresh ones, and clean the houses or buy a new one, when they can safely be put in together. Domino and Lissie are housed in a C&C cage that I built (as were the previous three guinea pigs) so I have extra grids to make separate pens for introduction. I jst want additional tips because I am nervous that it won't work, and they will have to be housed separately. I would really like them to all get along, ideally, but I know this isn't necessarily what will happen.
Please give me tips. I am 18, and I have never had to introduce a guinea pig to my existing small group. They are all girls, and Puzzle is only about 8 months. My other two girls are about a year and a half now. I do not want to have to give Puzzle up if they do not get along, which I refuse to do even if my mom tries to make me. (I'm an LPN but still live at home). Puzzle is my baby girl now too, and it was love at first site. She is in her forever home, even if she and my other two do not get along. I do not mind building another cage just for her, although I imagine my mom will.
Anyways, enough of my rambling. Please give me any advice you can. thank you
We had Cara, Cookie, and Shae. They were older when we got them, and Cara got a URI and passed away, despite receiving treatment as soon as we recognized the problem. She was separated from our other two. Before she passed, we let Cookie and Shae each say their good byes. The reason we let them near each other to say good byes is because despite treatment, she was losing weight, refusing to eat or drink, and just deteriorating very rapidly. She had a bit of a sneeze before she was taken to the vet, but by the time she showed symptoms, it was just too late.
About a year later, Cookie, my guinea pig, showed the same symptoms. We took her to the vet, they put her on critical care and pedialyte. Unfortunately, we got the same result and she passed away a few days later. Shae was then our only GP left, and she started to refuse to eat and drink. She only showed symptoms of depression from losing Cookie. Shae passed away a couple days later from a broken heart.
About two months later, my mom said I could get two more guinea pigs. This time I got two 6 week old babies. They are named Domino and Lissie. They are doing great, spoiled rotten little brats.
The reason I am posting this is because on tuesday, I rescued a guinea pig from the local and control where I volunteer. She went to the vet yesterday (thursday)(a different one than my other three were registered at, and a much more knowledgeable one), and she has fleas which she is being treated for. My other two are being treated for them as well. My new baby girl's name is Puzzle. She is not housed with my other two yet, until she is free of fleas.
My question is does anyone have any tips on introducing them to each other? I know to clean the entire cage well and replace all the toys with fresh ones, and clean the houses or buy a new one, when they can safely be put in together. Domino and Lissie are housed in a C&C cage that I built (as were the previous three guinea pigs) so I have extra grids to make separate pens for introduction. I jst want additional tips because I am nervous that it won't work, and they will have to be housed separately. I would really like them to all get along, ideally, but I know this isn't necessarily what will happen.
Please give me tips. I am 18, and I have never had to introduce a guinea pig to my existing small group. They are all girls, and Puzzle is only about 8 months. My other two girls are about a year and a half now. I do not want to have to give Puzzle up if they do not get along, which I refuse to do even if my mom tries to make me. (I'm an LPN but still live at home). Puzzle is my baby girl now too, and it was love at first site. She is in her forever home, even if she and my other two do not get along. I do not mind building another cage just for her, although I imagine my mom will.
Anyways, enough of my rambling. Please give me any advice you can. thank you
I am unsure why.
