Wilbur&Otis
Junior Guinea Pig
Hiya, I've been reading up on all the illnesses that piggies can get and am now petrified of my boys getting poorly! I panic any time they scratch or sneeze and am just a nervous wreck! In particular I'm worried about bloat, kidney stones and dental problems as these are all things that I could be affecting with their diet.
They get plenty of hay and burgess pellets and up to now have had quite a lot of different veg too as I've tried them with allsorts this last couple of months to see what they like best. (They're about 4.5 months old) Now I'm worried that they've been getting too much calcium and iron. Should a healthy piggie be on a low calcium diet to reduce the risk of kidney stones or should I be giving them plenty of calcium until they're fully grown and then reduce it? Also is there any comination of foods that should be avoided to reduce the risk of bloat / gas? Argggh can you tell I'm a nervous wreck! Yesterday they ate some apple, cabbage and alfalfa hay at the same time and I spent ages thinking OMG what if it reacts in their tiny tummies (I know cabbage has this effect on my OH)
Lastly - I've been thinking of getting a few medical supplies in incase of an emergeny. Stuff like critical care, syringes etc. Is this a good idea and if so what other things would be a good idea to keep in stock? (Charcoal tablets incase of poisoning etc)
Thanks! Paranoid piggie owner, Natalie x
They get plenty of hay and burgess pellets and up to now have had quite a lot of different veg too as I've tried them with allsorts this last couple of months to see what they like best. (They're about 4.5 months old) Now I'm worried that they've been getting too much calcium and iron. Should a healthy piggie be on a low calcium diet to reduce the risk of kidney stones or should I be giving them plenty of calcium until they're fully grown and then reduce it? Also is there any comination of foods that should be avoided to reduce the risk of bloat / gas? Argggh can you tell I'm a nervous wreck! Yesterday they ate some apple, cabbage and alfalfa hay at the same time and I spent ages thinking OMG what if it reacts in their tiny tummies (I know cabbage has this effect on my OH)
Lastly - I've been thinking of getting a few medical supplies in incase of an emergeny. Stuff like critical care, syringes etc. Is this a good idea and if so what other things would be a good idea to keep in stock? (Charcoal tablets incase of poisoning etc)
Thanks! Paranoid piggie owner, Natalie x
