simple questions

[Pepperdog]

I am sure there are simple answers to my questions but I would rather ask them and appear stupid (or simple) than not ask and get things wrong.

Anyway, first question is - how long can a single piggie spend away from their herd without needing to be re-introduced.

If I took one to the vets for instance and then brought them back an hour later would it be fine to plonk them back in the pen with no harm done or would it be safer to take all 4 (which would be a car trip then rather than a walk as they are heavy :... ) I ask because i knew someone years back had 3 gerbils, all sisters and had to take one to the vets, when she brought her back as she smelt different the others rejected her so if I needed to take one of my gerbils I would take both, but then they dont weigh as much as 4 piggies.

And that leads me onto my next question......
If I bath just one piggie, once dry would I have an issue putting them back in with the herd as they will smell different having been bathed and the others hadnt.

Again I ask because crystal is going to need regular baths to help with her skin treatment and sensitive skin issue, I have been putting neem oil on her sratched patches (which are much much better now 8) ) with no issues really from the others than a bit of following around sniffing her, I dont want to have to bath all 4 each time I bath or skin treat crystal if they will just accept she will smell lovely for a day (as I am sure she can manage to smell of them shortly after putting her back in the pen)

And my final question......
If I had a routine of bathing or treating crystal every 2 or so weeks to keep her irritated skin down to a minimum thanks to having all the lotions and potions from gorgeous guineas now, is 2 weeks too soon to bath her, or should I set it to 3 or even 4 weekly baths?

I dont want to keep having to sooth a skin flair up and would rather stay ontop of her rashes/reactions, she is super sensitive to the ivormec spot on (I suspect if the vets permitted me to inject - dont panic I have been fully trained, she would still react to the chemicals), I dont want to administer it monthly as I dont think she will benifit (have lice powder that I can use instead), and perhaps limit the ivormec to bymonthly as prevention and limit the reaction for her as it makes her so uncomfortable. But on the other hand I dont want to over wash or treat her hair thus creating an issue with stripping the natural oils from her skin and coat and making matters worse. So what would be the happy medium for her, is it monthly baths maximum?

Sorry I have asked such daft question, I want to do whats best for crystal without creating any further issue and now I have got her skin to calm down again I dont want a repeat of it. I thought the summer incident was a one off but sadly before christmas she had it flare up again so I know this is something that I will have to make sure we stay ontop of and prevent her becoming too irritated. Poor love, she is just taking after her slave who also is super sensitive to chemicals and drugs, at least I can understand how she feels

 

[Wiebke]

Piggies can survive a separation of two days without problems, but I have just returned my medical piggies, which have been boarded for 6 days, back to their respective herds without any major trouble apart from some minor dominance issues.

As a rule, I always take a "paw holding" piggy for company when one of mine needs to see the vet. Piggy freak out worse when they are alone. Just a short vet trip won't upset your group.

Baths are generally not a problem; some of mine had to have medical baths and were accepted back straight away.

How often you bathe depends on the treatment and the recommendations on there or your vet's recommendations.

 

[Pepperdog]

I hope you dont mind me saying but I was thrilled to see you had replied, you have always been a great sounding board for my daft questions and I thank you deeply for putting up with me

I love the fact that gorgeous guineas give you idiot sheets to use the products properly

 

[Little Piggles]

I agree with Wiebke.

I've had vet trips (most recently Boris and Hettie for injections for mites - the other girls were unaffected) and both went back home with no trouble. To be honest, very little seems to phase Boris, but Hettie seemed very glad of the company and the opportunity to hide behind him rolleyes

Pixel has had a bath on her own before now, due to being a mucky white piggie who seems to love getting grubby and went back home easily too.

Just thought I'd add the experiences of my gang if it can help

 

[doglovinpiggylover]

i think they are good questions

 

[Pepperdog]

thank you for your experiences, taking two along is certainly a good idea and a lot less heavy, but at least I know I can take a trip to the vets (as touch wood has not been needed) without any problems once I get home.