Should I stop being so paranoid about my piggies?

[Squeaky_Ewok]

It seems like everything I hear about guinea pigs is bad and they seem so fragile but is this just because I'm being silly? Are guinea pigs stronger than what I've heard? when I had my old guinea pig they lived for I think eight years they never had any problems I can remember but this was quite a while ago when I was young I never knew about the lack of vitamin C or the many various foods they should eat although they were always given good veg and hay and all that stuff so after researching a lot before getting my new pigs I was surprised that they lived for that long, but I would like some advice on how to stop being so paranoid my new guinea pigs seem to be very sickly but that is due to the fact I got them from p@h oblivious of what they were like until I came on this forum however I would never change them but they seem to be an unlucky pair so are guinea pigs really fragile or should I stop worrying as long as I just make sure I give them everything they need?

 

[piglet_and_rogers_mama]

Pigs are tricky. If you think they are sickly then definitely take them to a cavy savvy vet for a once over. Once they have been given the all clear, it's about paying attention to what is normal for your individual pigs. Are they usually vocal and out for food when you feed them? If they seem subdued, it could be an indication something is wrong. All pigs have different pigsonalities, though! Get used to their normal . Any doubt of their health needs to be directed to the vet.

 

[Tbag]

Its funny as I've had a similar experience to you - when I was a child I had a pair of boars who both lived happily and healthily past 6 at least (my memory isn't too great on exactly how old they got to, I think Simba was 7 and Scurry might have gone at 6/7) and I had no idea about any of the important piggy care things I know now. I think the main thing is that now we know what extra things we can be doing, as long as we do them that's all that can be done. I also got my new piggies from pah (sadly ignorant of rescues at the time ) and they've had a small bout of mites and Tango has had ongoing toilet troubles.

Perhaps its because before we didnt know any signs of what to look for if our piggies were ill and so just missed anything? Or perhaps it is just the curse of pah? Either way its interesting to see someone whos had a very similar experience of piggies past and present!

I agree with piglet and rogers mama though that a really good piggy vet is essential!

 

[jenniferanneharris]

I think sometimes it gets easier once you know your piggys properly.. know all their quirks etc.. sometimes its easier to realise when they are ill or not quite right etc..

I can totally understand what you are saying and everyone else... I guess all we can do is just feed them a balanced diet etc and give them a good quality of life and ?(as has been said) also a piggy savvy vet is important.. its worth traveling an extra few miles for a vet who knows about piggies.

 

[Murmur]

Hi!

I think it's easy to worry about pigs when you research all the possible issues they might experience, especially if your pigs seem under the weather. However, as long as you are clued up on what symptoms to look out for and are giving them proper care, the risks for many issues are much reduced.

It's not silly to worry, but try and keep things in perspective. I think what you have to remember when researching online is that in many cases people post when their guinea pigs are ill and they need advice.

If you google anything, UTIs, URIs, impaction, anything, you'll find lots of HELP ME posts. Don't forget though, that for every sick piggie being posted about, there are hundreds of healthy piggies not being posted about

If it would make you feel better (and if you haven't already), maybe get together a piggie first aid kit with things like critical care and emergency vet contacts in it. Being prepared might help, and remember, IF your pigs do have problems in the future, many issues are manageable and treatment will become part of the daily routine.

If you have just got back into keeping pigs, you'll probably find yourself watching them like a hawk for any unusual symptoms - I was terrified the first time one of my pigs hiccuped! But like the others have said on this thread, get your pigs checked out by a savvy vet that you trust for peace of mind's sake. And as you get to know them you'll learn what's normal behaviour for them, and hopefully worry a little less


HTH!

 

[Squeaky_Ewok]

Oh yes very vocal they aren't sickly now it;s just that it's confused me on how quick they seem to have gotten ringworm which is healing nicely now and two weeks after I had them they seemed a bit sniffly but I changed their bedding which confused me again cause I thought wood shavings is fine as my old ones were always on that bedding :L Right now they seem to be doing fine it's just that I was worried on how much different these piggies were to my old ones just unlucky maybe? lol thanks for the advice if anything ops up though will be straight to the vet

 

[Squeaky_Ewok]

Ahh yes I thought mine had mites and of course ringworm popped up so I still don't know if they had mites because I gave them an over the counter treatment which seemed to clear up some patches around the rear but I heard they can get a fungal infection together with mites so wasn't surprised it was ringworm just shocking and confusing seeing I have only had them for less than two months I feel as if I can't look after them properly but felt less of failure when I found out the problem many people have had with p@h very disappointed with them thanks for the words of advice glad to know that someone else has had a similar thing happen

 

[Squeaky_Ewok]

Thanks for the advice if they start looking ill I will definitely consult a vet it's not that they seem sickly now it's just that I was worried all the things they did were strange to me as my old pigs never did much and were quite lazy tbh but they have got a balanced diet i hope and a good source of vit C

 

[Squeaky_Ewok]

Hello and it is very easy it's probably as bad as looking up symptoms for our illnesses and we always expect the worse lol and well I did put a post about preventatives asking for any help on how to reduce the chance of my piggies getting ringworm again as today they seem a bit more skittish than others one not so bad he has been from the start but one today seems more that usual he is eating normal though no noises suggesting pain I'm worried because I had to give their medication by mouth the whole ordeal might have caused some lack of trust? And yes when I heard them hiccup I thought omg they are choking or something or an infection but no signs of runny noses or anything else so I got use to that :L And thanks feel a lot better I think once I have them for a lil longer I'll get used to them being so different to my previous pigs

 

[Murmur]

Hello and it is very easy it's probably as bad as looking up symptoms for our illnesses and we always expect the worse lol and well I did put a post about preventatives asking for any help on how to reduce the chance of my piggies getting ringworm again as today they seem a bit more skittish than others one not so bad he has been from the start but one today seems more that usual he is eating normal though no noises suggesting pain I'm worried because I had to give their medication by mouth the whole ordeal might have caused some lack of trust? And yes when I heard them hiccup I thought omg they are choking or something or an infection but no signs of runny noses or anything else so I got use to that :L And thanks feel a lot better I think once I have them for a lil longer I'll get used to them being so different to my previous pigs

Oh crumbs, if the first thing you experienced was ringworm then no wonder you're a little paranoid! Unfortunately that does appear to be quite common with certain pet shop pigs I haven't got to your other thread but I think some people recommend F10 disinfectant for cleaning the cage, and if you haven't already read it this is a handy Guinea Lynx link about ringworm http://www.guinealynx.info/fungus.html

With regards to the bedding sniffles, some people find that wood shavings cause no problems at all, but others find that it can make their pigs a little sniffly. It depends on the pig really and you might find you try a couple of different beddings before you find one you all get on with

I wouldn't worry too much about having to give oral medications causing a lack of trust. They might get grumpy about it at the time, but they usually forgive you eventually If they're still young piggies then I think bursts of skittishness can be pretty normal, and eating well is a good thing!

HTH!