The indignity of it all

[Pepperdog]

well since the introduction of the full hutch which includes the ramp (with tunnel to make it safer to use), I have introduced examine time into the morning routine when I have spot cleaned the hutch and the girls are not enjoying it at all.

I let them settle in, got them used to me and being handled a little bit but they are still a little skittish at times and when I want to pick them up and put them in the run I would rather they were not screaming at me because they think I am doing something bad to them.

Although observation can spot a lot of issues I wanted to get the girls used to being properly handled - for instance being able to look at their faces and mouths for obvious teeth issues (will be getting them used to me looking at their teeth fully as the trust levels improve). I am very hands on with all my pets, even pepper gets a full once over each day.

I think its funny how all three of them now are getting used to this - they are not impressed by the picking up process, they scream at me, but once I manage to get my other hand underneath them they quiet down - its like "HELP HELP HELP oh, its you, hello" crystal is of course the most placid, fudge can get wriggly as she knows I have just put the veg in and even this morning, mintu to my surprise didnt try to run (she still wasnt happy) and she was actually the quietist of the three of them.

So far I have noticed the pale stripe on fudges nose that I was concerned it might have been a fungal is infact very light very thin white stripe of hairs on her nose. And minty who I noticed yesterday has a small patch of hair missing on the side of her nose towards her face is just a small area of fur missing and trimmed which I am keeping an eye on incase it is something more sinister than just a baldish patch (its very small, irregular in shape, like two lines about the size of a letter on this forum).

 

[flintstones]

Thats good news, I am very OCD about checking my piggles. They are handled daily to check for lumps and bumps. The longer you have pigs you find things you should watch out for.

It really is amazing what I find, I surprise myself at times.

As for there teeth I check there front incisors. Fred just had a dental, weightloss is normally the first sign. I do also watch them eat, so I know whats normal and they are all hand fed veggies. That way I know how fast they are eating.

They are weighed every Tuesday morning before breakfast, I swear by weighing!

I do find at times, they let you know when something is up, well mine do very rarely do I not notice but it is tiny signs!

I'm glad your taking such good care of your little ones, Guinea pigs in my mind aren't hardy, but they very good at pretending they are fine when they aren't.

 

[Pepperdog]

I am glad I am not the only one who is a little obsessive about keeping a close eye on them. I feel that by "manhandling" them rather than just putting them in my hands or cuddle cup as its easier, now that they are much better with me it will make them easier to handle if I have to administer medicine or trim nails for instance as they will be used to being held in a different position to a normal cuddle - and then I give them all a cuddle

 

[flintstones]

My pigs get sick alot, people tell me how hardy there pigs are and then I look at mine and think yes ok, so they are.

Pebbles had a lump under her neck at the time it was diagnosed as a swollen lobe. I think now more likely an abscess but now there glands are checked reguarly.

Bette died of Diabetes, yes as paranoid as I am. I do have test strips for there urine, and I have been known to do one or two tests.

Wilma, Pebbles and Patrick all had UTI's, I now know the pain Squeak the minute I hear it.

Wilma, now has a potential stone which she was Xrayed for nothing showed I couldn't feel it. It has since returned and I can feel it in the urethra, so that will be a vet visit but it does go to show what you can feel.

Fred I am always watching him eat due to his overgrown teeth.

Milo has hormone issues, so he has symmetrical baldness which we aren't treating as it doesn't bother him but it's something I need to observe. If he's affected by the condition further tests will need done.

It's no wonder I'm paranoid! rolleyes

Manhandling and knowing your pigs is a must!