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Rescued and in need of love!

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Scrappy

Hi all I'm new to this forum and have been having a browse through at all the excellent advice being given so am hoping someone out there can help!

I was asked if I would like a guinea pig, not a baby, but a 3 year old from a family who could no longer cope. I went to meet him and on seeing him decided to take him away immediatley! He was on his own in his cage he looked under weight his nails were very long and he is missing alot of hair from his back end and his skin is very dry.

On getting him home (he seemed to enjoy the car journey he was very alert and stood up on top of his bowl so he could look over the top of the box :) ) I put him into a clean cage with fresh food some greens and fresh water. I let him settle for a day and then took him to the vets.

She has given me a course of ivermectin and told us its possibly mites and sent us on our way (i have to admit I did'nt feel well educated on leaving!)

So, Scrappy has been here since Monday now he has had his first dose of ivermectin, he is eating very well and I have discovered he LOVES carrots and melon! I have cut his nails put him down and he ran off with a little pop on the way! He is still scratching alot and the vet was'nt clear on when this should stop. Does anyone know of anything I can give him to relieve the itching? Or does anyone have any experinece of mites and the treatment of? He also seems to be sneezing alot?

He seems to be settling in ok and earlier on today I had him on my lap for a cuddle and he was making lovely sounds of enjoyment for the first time since his been here! I also wanted to find out peoples thoughts on keeping a lone guinea pig? I have read conflicting information on this but most in favour of groups/pairs. Considering Scrappy has always been on his own (there were however guinea pigs in a close by cage) I'm not sure if I should introduce a friend? This may help his recovery?!

I had better stop there! I think I have rambled on a bit but I'm like a nervous new mum! Any tips hints or advice would greatly received!:)
 
Hello scrappy, If he does have mites the only useful info i can give you is that my friends girls both had it and they had an injection for mites and she was also told to use canestan cream for the itching. As for a buddy, Maybe you could get him one as tehy do like to live in pairs but he does seem to be getting on really well. Sorry i cant be more help. x
 
Many people here will advise you to try and give him a friend. A baby boar is the best for Scrappy. It's usually suggested that you adopt from a rescue, and as Scrappy has been on his own for so long, it is highly advisable to take him along so he can 'choose' a pal, which he may not if he's happy on his own. This would however avoid you the trouble of returning the baby in case it doesn't go as planned. where are you? There may be members you can help you locate your nearest rescue.

As for health issues, you may want to post in the health and illness section so people are clear it is a medical question.
 
Hi, it certainly sounds as though Scrappy has landed on his feet!

I def agree with the above advice regarding a baby boar.

In relation to his itching, try the Gorgeous Guineas website. Theres lots of lotions and potions and melts that will help his itching. If you email Chrissie she will advise you. Just mention the treatment he is already having.

Good luck and piccies soon, pretty please.
 
Thanks so much for your responses! Its so nice to know there is so many helpful people out there!

I will certainly have a look at those itch relief options, he is still scratching this morning, and as for a friend for Scrappy I am seriosly considering it!

I have seen at a local rescue centre they are loooking to rehome a young boar, he is about 1 and a half, or do you think I should look for a younger mate? Would'nt of thought of taking Scrappy along, what a great idea!

Will keep you updated and and get some pics of the wee man up too!:)

Thanks again - sorry I thought I had posted it in the right place, only new to this don't think I can move it now can I?:{
 
Unlikely that a 1.5 year old would bond well with your piggy. They are both too close in age, and hormonal. As clowny says you really need a baby, about 6 weeks old, then there should be no problem at all with them getting on. Your piggy will automatically be boss, and the little bub will follow him around and love him to bits. Where are you? Have you tried the Sokel website? x
 
If you can find a rescue to accept Scrappy in order to bond him there, it would be the best possible way. It's not only age, but also character that decides how well a bond they establish, i.e. for a very dominant boar you want a subservient or laid back boy...

But you will have to wait until the mites have subsided, as no rescue likes stowaways like that! The scratching should subside mostly within the next two weeks; the other treatments are to kill off eggs.

At least, the healing time will give you space to settle Scrappy, have a look around and consider your options. You may also need to pass a homecheck (only for the piggie set-up!), as most rescues require one to make sure their piggies are going to a proper home with enough speace and care.

More rescues can be found on this link: http://www.guineapigrehome.org.uk

Well done for saving him!
 
hi and welcome,:):)

my guinea pig love carrots to and a good chatter, i only have one guinea pig and he seems fine,i only have one for a similar reason he was on his own in the pet shop so i just had him, if you decide to just have one why not concider a toy that his the same size as your guinea to give him some company or a mirror so he can see other guinea pigs.:)
 
Hello Scrappy and welcome. Well done for taking in this adult male ... I am sure he will reward you lots and lots when he has settled in.

A baby boar is the recommended companion for an older, unneuteured boar. That way there is usually not dominance battle, the younger one knows that the older one is boss. However, that is not guaranteed though.

Do you know if your new boar already lived with a companion or has he been on his own for a while?
 
He sounds a sweet little chap, dont really know about lone boars and have no idea about mites but it seems like you have had some good advice from the others.
Just wanted to say welcome.... and would love to see your pics.
Hope the itching eases soon
Claire
 
happypiggy said:
hi and welcome,:):)

my guinea pig love carrots to and a good chatter, i only have one guinea pig and he seems fine,i only have one for a similar reason he was on his own in the pet shop so i just had him, if you decide to just have one why not concider a toy that his the same size as your guinea to give him some company or a mirror so he can see other guinea pigs.:)
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Hi there thanks for your response. Just wondered are you out at work all day so your pig is on his own or are you at home more? It breaks my heart when I go to work in the morning and leave scrappy!
 
adi mcv said:
He sounds a sweet little chap, dont really know about lone boars and have no idea about mites but it seems like you have had some good advice from the others.
Just wanted to say welcome.... and would love to see your pics.
Hope the itching eases soon
Claire
Click to expand...

Thanks Claire! Oh he is just adorable! He is at this very moment playing in one of my cotton shopping bags! Will get some pics up. Yesterday I was cleaning out his cage so he was having a wonder around the living room and I heard this rustling, I had left the bag of carrots on the floor and he was inside pulling one out!:))
 
Goldie said:
Hello Scrappy and welcome. Well done for taking in this adult male ... I am sure he will reward you lots and lots when he has settled in.

A baby boar is the recommended companion for an older, unneuteured boar. That way there is usually not dominance battle, the younger one knows that the older one is boss. However, that is not guaranteed though.

Do you know if your new boar already lived with a companion or has he been on his own for a while?
Click to expand...

Hello! Thanks for taking the time out to respond! Yes this is what makes me nervous, if I took on a baby and scrappy decides he does'nt want to share and then I end up with a lonely baby! its a tough one! Scrappy has been on his own since he was a baby, there were a group of females in a cage close by but they did'nt socialise together x
 
When all is said and done about bonding there is only one "rule" to follow.
Try it and see.
 
Thanks everyone! Great advice all round has really settled my mind!

Not sure if its the cream I applied to his skin, which is t-tree based or the meds kicking all already but Scrappy has had noticiably less scratching today which is great! Bought him some clover in from the garden to munch on and he has been having a good explore this afternoon :))

I will wait until the mites have cleared up and see how Scrappy is and we will make the decission on a buddy for him :)

Will keep you all posted x

Thanks again x>>
 
Hello,

I've just joined this site- great to be able to talk to other guinea pig owners about thier little furry friends :)

Until last week I had two male pigs who were brothers but sadly one of them has just gone to piggy heaven- he was only 3 :(
I now feel really sad for the one who's left- he looks so lonely on his own! He seems perfectly fine in himself though, eating and running about quite happily but I wasn't sure if we should get him a new friend.

I was interested to read about scrappy - hope he's doing well - have you decided what to do about getting him a friend?
My only concern is that if you introduce a young male as a companion we will have one pig older than the other and then end up in the same situation where the older one dies and we're left with one again- any thoughts anyone?

Thanks very much!
Susan
 
Hi Susan

Thanks so much for asking after Scrappy he is doing so well and he is already running rings round us :)) his hair is almost completely grown back now and we still have 2 treatments left to go!

He trusts me enough now that when i aproach his cage he will sit with his nose in the air waiting for me to pick him up and he loves to explore the house and loves to sit on his blanket on the arm of my chair while we watch TV! :)) He thinks nothing of running up to my feet to tell me when he's ready to go to bed or wants something else! He reminds me more of a small dog sometimes! The hoover 'pah' does't bother him at all! he will run up to it to see whats happening!

I would really love to get him a companion but I also have the same concerns as you. I don't want to end up again with a lone piggie if I take a baby boar :(

I won't be making any final decission until his treatment has finished but have wondered if a neutered female may be an option maybe from a rescue centre?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated xx

PS I have got some before and after shots of scrappy's hair growth, bit sad to look at the befores but just to show you all how great he is doing but i am having trouble attatching them?
 
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