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Just Rescued 9 Year Old Boar V. Lonely And Dirty

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Pigpi

Pigpi

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi,
A few days ago a friend of ours gave us their guinea pig Pippin. Both the children had gone to uni and poor pippin had been left behind with the parents who didn't really want him.
Consequently he is rather overweight and he is a peruvian long hair who hasn't had a bath or brush in a while. His hair is super matted and he hates having it brushed, also it's very greasy and full of dandruff. We have cut his nails and he has had a health check and he has no illnesses. He's pretty old now so we aren't going to introduce him to my 2 year old boars as they are very close and don't get on well with other pigs. However he lost he friend a few years ago and he still seems very bereaved and lonely, we don't really want to get another piggy.
He needs a bath but hates been touched does anyone have any suggestions on how to get rid of his tangles as they are really close to the skin also how to make his hair not greasy and dandruff free again. Or how to keep him entertained ?
Thanks
Pip and family
 
Poor guy. I think you may have to bite the bullet and bath him anyway (hold him securely and make it quick, then lots of treats) the more baths they have the better they are, as they get used to it. If there's dandruff, I'd used a good human dandruff shampoo and some conditioner too. The easiest thing would be to cut the tangles out, rather than trying to brush them, so perhaps a severe hair cut would be the best (and cooler for him in this weather).

Entertainment is more tricky. At 9 he is an elderly gent, so finding him a friend is probably not the best option. Could he live next door to your other two, within sight and maybe nose touching distance, so he has someone to talk to without being able to get into any big scraps. I've had that arrangement for my two boars, who couldn't live together, but are more than happy to rumble at each other through the mesh.

Please let us know how you get on.
 
I agree with Elwickcavies about housing him close to the others so that he'll have other piggies & their sounds & smells close by.

If you do need to give him a haircut, I find these baby scissors with the rounded ends much safer:-

http://www.boots.com/en/Boots-Baby-Nail-Clippers-Scissors-1-x-Set_1219139/

http://www.kiddicare.com/webapp/wcs...gclid=CJCh_cv0tb4CFZShtAod5VgAvg&gclsrc=aw.ds

You should be able to get these from most chemists. The boots ones come with clippers which you shouldn't use on your piggies.
 
I agree that he needs a bath in a shampoo like Alphosyl, Polytar or even Nizoral. I tend to follow with Pantene Ice shine conditioner. Patch test first though for 48 hours. I also agree it is best to cut out the matted hair. We did that when Mrs Fuzzy arrived.

Living alongside is a good idea but please quarantine first if you can due to the fact he is likely to have mild fungal.
 
Thank you so much, little pippin is living below my two but he just seems so depressed, he only eats food if he's literally starving even though he has fresh pellets daily (a mix of burgess excel, selective , musli and veg). I have tried cutting out the tangles with my dad but they are really close the the skin so I'm going to try and ease them out after a bath this weekend. Thanks so much for you help! So can I just use the human conditioner or should I get some pet shampoo to go along side. As for the scissors we have ordered a pair off a different site but they are practically the same so a big thank you for the idea !
Pip x
 
You can use the Pantene though other members may have other suggestions. Use it after an anti -dandruff shampoo though like Nizoral or Polytar (if you can get it). If you use Alphosyl you shouldn't need conditioner as it is a 2 in 1. Please patch test first though for 48 hours behind the ear.

If he is not eating it would be a good idea to get him checked by a vet. Is he pooing ok?
 
Oh bless him! I love the oldies, makes me so sad when people don't want them anymore. 9 years old is impressive. I agree with the others, my boy is currently by himself and really benefits from being in the centre of the action in the house - he gets very depressed if nothing is happening. Just talk to him lots, bring him out for a brush and lap time (try a comb perhaps? My previous boy was a coronet and he hated brushes but didn't mind a comb) and definitely just cut as much hair and matts off as possible, don't try and brush them out if you can help it. It might look choppy but will grow back nice if its kept brushed.

If he hates a bath I also recommend sitting him in the bath and using a warm very light flow shower - gets the job done super quick and doesn't have them freaking out when their feet are submerged in water as it all goes down the drain. I used piggy shampoo bought from pets at home a couple of years ago, seems to do the trick.

I hope he recovers well and gets used to his new home!
 
If he really hates baths, maybe use a 2 in 1 initially as this would be quicker? He's lucky to have such a caring owner!
 
Gorgeous Guineas shampoo is very good and good for their skin too, definitely recommend this as its also free from chemicals at his age you need to be as gentle as possible.

Poor poor boy. Thank goodness you now have him. Do you think he would cuddle up to a childs teddy bear or something? Could he sit with you indoors with the telly or radio on? Just to interest him in something?
 
Poor boy! Best give him a short haircut, then a bath and then go carefully over the remaining mats close to the skin. Check for fungal problems which can easily develop under a matted thick fur coat. That way, his hair has got a chance of growing out properly again. Best keep it short at the back and o the sides, where it tends to mat quickest.

Having next door company will hopefully perk him up!
 
Hi, it looks like you have a wonderful piggy! No photos? I find that piggies love the scent of lavender, "Pippin" might like a small plant to chew on. Some vets recommend soap made of aloe and oatmeal, also very mild dishwashing detergent, if he's very oily. Piggies really appreciate every little thing you do for them. Don't worry.
 
Thanks everyone for all the lovely comments :) Luckily we were able to bath him on Thursday. We also cut his hair short like recommended :) although I haven't posted I have been reading all the comments so thank you so much, they really helped. Sadly yesterday morning he took a turn for the worst. My dad took him to the vets and it turns out he has a respiratory problem I think it's called URI ? I'm not sure but my dad knows.
I can't send pictures as I'm not entirely sure how and we don't have a camera at the moment.

We are keeping him comfortable and his condition wasn't caused by the bath as he hasn't been right for a while.
He has been brought inside in a dog carrier, he is in a fleecy bed all the time surrounded by fresh veggies, hay, nuggets and water. He is on medication so maybe he will pull round as the whole family are quite attached to our little pippin. Still we are very glad we bathed him when we did as he looks very comfortable and is able to get cuddly.

Thanks again for all your advice! It was really appreciated, and we probably couldn't have given him a bath without your advice. Thanks again soooo much and if anyone has any ideas how to keep him even more comfy please say :)

Thanks again
Pip and family x
 
lisaali said:
We use Gorgeous guinea products when bathing our piggies, You can get trial sizes too. It is worth giving them a call or email for recommendations for which type of product is best for your piggies condition..

http://www.gorgeousguineas.com
Click to expand...

i second this the shampoos are amazing made hattie who was in a state when we got her tangle free she was quite rattly too but this has cleared up over time ..well done you for taking him on your amazing and if you get him a wife you will make his day...lucky boy! probably see his eating improve if he has company to eat with.
 
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Hi, Pigpi, would you consider giving extra petting while Pippin is in the carrier, talking to him, showing him his favorite toys. Did the vet say anything about syringe feeding and hydration? How is Pippin eating? Some members mush pellets with boiled water and syringe feed that, as well as a paste made by Oxbow called Critical Care, and probiotics. I have read here that it is important to keep their guts moving. My point is that you might want to call your vet and ask him about some of these things. My very best wishes for Pippin's recuperation.
 
Thanks, we are syrringe feeding pippin on our Laps warm mushy pellets. We are giving him as much as he wants but he never takes a lot. We also syringe feed him water every 3 hours or so but usually he drinks from bottle. We are giving him tonnes of cuddles and loads of attention but he just seems like a shadow. He just sits there and breathes heavily, he doesn't seem focused or alert. Thank you guinea slave for suggesting getting him a teddy bear, we have and 'Bobo' the elephant is now pippins favourite thing to sleep on.
 
Well done for taking him on, he's a grand old age!

I don't have much advice but when my boar was to be neutered we gave him a cuddly toy to keep him happy too!

I wish him better for you and he recovers well!
 
You are doing all you can for him. Please continue with the hand feeding. Loss of appetite is a symptom of a URI, as the need to breathe comes before the need to drink and then the need to eat. It is a good sign that he is still willing to drink!
Here is more information on URI: http://www.guinealynx.info/uri.html
 
He is still ploughing through. We have attached a indoor run around the carrier so if he wants some more space he can but he just seems to be getting worse. His breathing is laboured and heavy and he is hardly eating at all.
 
If his breathing is laboured, has the vet mentioned anything about fluid on his chest? if so he will need diuretics.
 
Sadly pippin passed away last night on my lap. It was very peaceful and he didnt seem to be in any pain. Thanks everyone for your help over the past few weeks, we couldn't have made his last few days as comfortable without you. ❤
 
I am so sorry for your loss. He would have spent his remaining time with love and care.
 
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