Warning -massive temp drop - keep a close eye on your piggies!

[Pebble]

Today the temperature in the south east started at plus 2 and by 6pm tonight was -7.5deg C. That is a massive temp drop and it's getting worse tonight.

To anyone keeping their piggies
a) outside
b) in a shed
c) indoors with the central heating going off at night

Make sure they have plenty of hay/crumpled up newspaper/snugglesafe heatpads.......and also monitor them closely over the next 7 days for signs of weight loss.i.e. weigh them every day.....A steady but slow loss would be an early indication of URI which many pigs suffer (and die from) at this time of year owing to massive temperature fluctuations. They just don;t show the symptoms of crusty eyes, snuffles or heavy breathing until it's too late. If in doubt about an infinitessimle change in behaviour/weight/breathing - then go straight to a cavy savvy vet for antibioitics......better safe than sorry!

Hope all piggies are and will be OK
x

 

[kay_xx]

I'm so glad I brought my older boar in last week before temps started to drop. Hope all outdoor piggies are kept warm as possible

 

[Pebble]

Bumping this for tomorow

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

I've got indoor and shed piggies, and to be honest it's the indoor ones that suffer the biggest temperature drop. There is no way I can afford to keep heating on over night.

My shed piggies have never felt cold when I go in each morning. They all have plenty of hay and are covered over with carpet and blankets. The older ones have heat pads. I do weigh them more regularly through the winter months, but I don't feel they are at risk. They are dry and there are no draughts, as I feel damp and draughty conditions are the most dangerous for guinea pigs.

It can't be too cold in the shed either as I haven't had any frozen water bottles this winter.

 

[Puzzlepigs]

Mine are kept inside but the room does get quite cold at night. They always have hay in their hayrack and on the floor. They also have loads of hideys and they have blankets and pillowcases draped over the top on the spare C&C grids. We keep the heater on in the day and up until after dinner and then we turn it off. Then as soon as I come down to feed them - I turn it on again.

I find that the piggaloo (igloo!) is great - they both snuggle up in there and it keeps them toasty warm. They also like snuggling up underneath the top level of the cage and under the ramp - especially in the dark corner closest to the wall - because that is where it is the warmest.

I too shall be keeping an eye on their weight - they always get weighed regularly, even though they never seem to particularly enjoy it!