Hi,
New to this forum so hope this is the correct place to post.
I have an elderly male guinea pig who's been impacted for the past few months. I'm cleaning him out every day but he hates it. Some background might help - I've had him 4 years and the lady I got him from had never picked him (or his mate who died a couple of yrs ago) so they were totally unhandled when I took them on. I worked to get them use to handling in case I ever needed to pick them up......neither ever liked been picked up but would tolerate so I could check them, brush, clip nails etc.
Anyhow since he's been impacted I've been cleaning him out which as I said above he hates....firstly he doesn't like been picked up and secondly he hates me cleaning him. I've managed so far but like night he fitted and curled up onto his side. I thought I'd lost him but after a couple of seconds massaging him he came round........I've just about finished cleaning him at this point so was able to put him back in his cage and feed shortly after. Checked on him many times last night and this morning and he seems himself (He's quite happy in his cage)
I'm now wondering whether its fair to keep him alive.....I've not got a problem cleaning him but he obviously hates it and seems to get very stressed. Last night was the first time he 'fitted' but I'm worried about this happened again.
Has anyone been in this situation? What did you do? Any advice would be appreciated.....please no judgemental responses.....even thinking about it is upsetting.
New to this forum so hope this is the correct place to post.
I have an elderly male guinea pig who's been impacted for the past few months. I'm cleaning him out every day but he hates it. Some background might help - I've had him 4 years and the lady I got him from had never picked him (or his mate who died a couple of yrs ago) so they were totally unhandled when I took them on. I worked to get them use to handling in case I ever needed to pick them up......neither ever liked been picked up but would tolerate so I could check them, brush, clip nails etc.
Anyhow since he's been impacted I've been cleaning him out which as I said above he hates....firstly he doesn't like been picked up and secondly he hates me cleaning him. I've managed so far but like night he fitted and curled up onto his side. I thought I'd lost him but after a couple of seconds massaging him he came round........I've just about finished cleaning him at this point so was able to put him back in his cage and feed shortly after. Checked on him many times last night and this morning and he seems himself (He's quite happy in his cage)
I'm now wondering whether its fair to keep him alive.....I've not got a problem cleaning him but he obviously hates it and seems to get very stressed. Last night was the first time he 'fitted' but I'm worried about this happened again.
Has anyone been in this situation? What did you do? Any advice would be appreciated.....please no judgemental responses.....even thinking about it is upsetting.