Nibbles is making a very funny noise.

[BellasMummy]

I torture myself by looking on gumtree and seeing the poor unwanted animals. I wish I could help them.

If you think about it, if you took in lots of unwanted animals then your pets would start to suffer as you might not be able to cope with them all.
I only have 2 pigs and even looking after them takes up alot of time. Of course I would like to help more pigs but know I wouldn't be able to keep up with all the cleaning out etc.
Don't torture yourself about it, sometimes there is nothing anyone else can do.

 

[piggyfan]

Yes you are so right. I took my rabbit from somebody who was mistreating him and the poor thing needed so many operations and treatments.

 

[Beebs]

Bottom line, if you cant afford the vet, dont get a pet....

SORT IT OUT, ITS CRUEL AS THEY CANT TELL YOU WHEN THEY ARE IN PAIN.....:o

 

[AndreaJane]

my dad said it wasnt affecting him so we would wait until the lump got bigger and it hasnt but he has got skinnier and is wheezing, i was wondering if you knew what it was?

Unfortunately your dad is mistaken - it's not for him to say how serious the lump is and he's legally obliged to provide a vet for your piggie if he's not well. It must be very upsetting for you if you're not being allowed to take your guinea pig for help but if you can't convince your parents to take your piggie to the vet then maybe you should find a rescue who can provide the urgent care he needs before it's too late?

 

[Wiiiiieek!]

Nibbles101, please also ALWAYS remember that Guinea Pigs are, by nature, prey animals and while they may not be to such a degree in our homes as they would be in their natural environment... think about it, prey animals "put on a front" and pretend they are in perfect health, run and jump around so they wont LOOK sick and in pain and be picked of for that reason by a predator - until they are so ill they just cant do it anymore.

To be honest, a vet check-up and treatment is not that expensive when you compare it to the value of your pet's life at all. I mean, we pay £15 for a pig to be seen and more often than not, another £5/6 for the treatment. That's it! The only time we've paid something higher like £40 was for neutering. You could at least take the pig to be seen and then make an informed decision on it. Obviously everyone one here wants to help and is therefore telling you to take the pig to the vet - which is absolutely the correct thing to do and the correct advice to give you but we cant make you or your parents do anything.

If you won't take it from us, as fellow Guinea Pig owners, then please take my word for it as a Zoologist, I know what I am talking about, I have been taught about this kind of stuff and I practice it regularly, as do the other people on here and all we want to do is help.

I must also agree though that any pet's welfare is the LEGAL responsibility of the parent. BY LAW ALL pet owners MUST provide each and every pet with each of the 5 Freedoms.

1. Freedom from Hunger and Thirst - by ready access to fresh water and a suitable diet to maintain full health and vigour.

2. Freedom from Discomfort - by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.

3. Freedom from Pain, Injury or Disease - by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.

4. Freedom to Express Normal Behaviour - by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal's own kind.

5. Freedom from Fear and Distress - by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.

Those who do not provide these can and have been prosecuted in the past. It is that important. I'm not trying to scare you or bully you into taking my advice and the advice of the others here - I'm just trying to help you see that what we are saying is in the best interests of everyone, especially your pig.

I sincerely hope you do take your Guinea Pig to a vet asap... if not, that's up to you but even if you gave up the pig to someone who could take him/ her for treatment, wouldn't that be better for the pig? - Just make sure they know what they're letting themselves in for if that is the route you take.

Please think about it at least.

 

[Glynis]

Hi Nibbles owner whee really hope you can get to a vet as it does sound like your piggy Nibbles is a sick piggie :...
Perhaps you could chat to your Dad, even offer to work around the house to help earn some money to pay for Nibbles visit.


HEALING WHEEEEEEEEEEEKS FOR LITTLE NIBBLES XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

 

[missy]

Hi Nibbles101,

I agree that Nibbles does sound like a sick piggy and, as someone has already said, guinea pigs are known for being VERY good at trying to hide how ill they really are, so Nibbles will probably be more poorly than you realise.

Everyone on this forum is very passionate about guinea pigs, so that's why they get upset about adults not looking after their pets in the way that we think all pets deserve. You don't say how old you are but I assume that you're not an adult yourself.

Anyway I'm glad that you came to ask for help here - lots of people can help to give useful advice, based on our own experiences, but we are not Vets and sick piggies do need a Vet.

If lack of money is the reason why your Dad won't take Nibbles to the Vet then there have been great suggestions here...you might have a PDSA nearby (they treat sick pets when their owners can't afford it, if they live in certain areas and are on certain benefits), there may be other animal charities or rescues which can help you, or someone may be able to recommend a good Vet which is cheaper than others in your local area (cheaper is not always good but there are some good vets which have a policy of being affordable.) Perhaps if you tell us which town/city you live in we can try to see if any of these things are available to you.

Nibbles101, I know that you must care about Nibbles otherwise you wouldn't have asked for help. If you really are unable to get your guinea pig seen by a Vet very soon then I would urge you to think about giving Nibbles to an animal rescue for them to keep, preferably a guinea pig rescue. They would take Nibbles to a Vet and make sure that piggy wasn't in any pain.

If you're not able to take Nibbles to the Vet then please find someone else who will, even if it means that they have to keep your piggy to do so. I know that would be very sad for you but the most important thing must be to give Nibbles the best chance possible and making sure that this piggy doesn't suffer. As I said, if you let us know roughly which area you live in then perhaps someone here may know of a place which can help do that.

Please keep us updated and please don't think that anybody is getting at you - we all just really care about piggies and want the best for poor little Nibbles who does sound very poorly from what you've described x