OMG guinea pig moment

[Pat Shields]

After three months of reading here and looking at pictures, I have realized something terribly important and also distressing in that my ignorance of the true situation could have caused Red some harm (thank goodness it didn't).

You all know how small he was when I first got him. The woman who had him said he was about 3 months old, I believe. I didn't know anything then. While reading about a belly sore on another little one here, I thought back to Redemption when I first inspected him. Between his nipples there was a tiny black crusty spot, firmly attached. I tried to pick it off, thinking maybe it was a deer tick. It wouldn't budge, so I left it alone. Finally one day when I was combing him it came off; I think I recorded that instance here.

I just now realized that oh, my God, that was his umbilical cord stump healing. Not only was he not 3 months old, he probably wasn't even 3 weeks old, and it is therefore a true miracle that he survived at all, much less made it to 2 pounds in 3 months. I am horrified at thinking that he could have bled a lot if I had succeeded in picking it off. And it makes me even angrier that he had dry cat food in his cage the day I got him. How confused he must have been, poor thing! I am so glad I found this forum.

 

[CandyFloss]

Awww Red is soooo lucky to have found you. To think how young he was when you got him ...and he had cat food to eat .... wonder where his mum was ...

Glad you left the scab alone

x

 

[Hanwombat]

And its great that red has such a lovely mummy like you! x)

 

[gogoguineas]

Oh wow! What a discovery! This is testament to the wonderful care you have given Red and he's so lucky to have you, he really is!
Also shows again how useful this forum is!

 

[AndreaJane]

Just shows that Red has a loving and caring mum to look after him.

 

[doglovinpiggylover]

awww what a moving little story.

Bless Redemption and his long lost umbilical cord

 

[sport_billy]

Red is a credit to your care and devotion. You have done amazing for him, he is so lucky to have found you.

 

[Guinea pigs <3]

Aww bless Red, it is so lucky that he found you Pat! This forum really is brilliant xx>>>

 

[Glynis]

Oh gosh Pat must've scared the heck out of you when you realised! but yes i'd be more ANGRY bout the fact he wasn't as old........ thank goodness you found him ........ it makes it even worse :{

for Red xoxo and you xx>>>

 

[Sharon.Mackay]

What a lovely post, i agree its a brilliant forum. Ive had many good titbits of advice and support. I reckon Red is a lucky boy to have such a good mummy

 

[Wiebke]

Red is one lucky boy indeed to have crossed your path!

I have found the forum a great help, too. None of us is born knowing and we are all still learning.

It makes you just soooo angry when you think of all the other piggies who are not as lucky as Red...

 

[piggyfan]

Oh my god! That previous owner is a real nasty piece of work. mallethead

 

[Rhiannan]

Thank goodness you took care of him the way you did! I can't believe how young he was when you first had him.

I have learnt so many new things from joining this forum in a short space of time, it really is invaluble