woodshavings and respiratory infection?

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kristie

hi!

my piggy has recently contracted a respiratory infection and
i was wondering if this could of been caused by the fact i use wood shavings (dust extracted) in their cage (however i use fleece on the level where they sleep)?
iv told my boyfriend this could be the problem however he seems to think I'm worrying about nothing and that woodshavings are fine because everyone uses them? i just want to avoid them getting sick again?




iv looked at vet bed but it does seem expensive, and i would need 45 x 30, does anyone in the uk know where i could get this amount for cheap? (i live in manchester).

thanks
 
Many people won't use shavings - the oils in the pine are so strong and their noses are so very close to it. It can dry out oils in the skin and cause URIs, irritate skin, noses, eyes and feet. A good test would be to get a handful of shavings in front of your nose and see if you can rub them between your hands for several minutes and see how it feels after a few seconds. If you contact Thistle Cavies, www.thistlecaviesrescue.com they have just sent out a newsletter with valuable info about shavings, and may be able to email you with the same info :)

The fact that they are so readily available is so misleading to owners who really don't know about anything else, but there are so many alternatives to shavings or sawdust, take a look at the Housing Board to see them :)

As for vet fleece, I get ours from this seller - Here and if you email her she may be able to give you a quote - she also does next day shipping, we've used this seller a number of times. Also, Pupps sell it for a reasonable rate. There are some imitation vetbeds which aren't so good as Profleece or official vetbed, so it's worth paying a couple of quid extra for the proper stuff!

Any of these links don't work, let me know and I will fix it :)
 
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If you get the newsletter from Thistles I would be interested in reading it.

I won't rehome guinea pigs to live on wood shavings, for the reasons mentioned. So I'd be interested in what Thistles have to say about it.

Thanks

Layla
 
the fact that my OH is allergic to woodshavings gives you an idea of what it can do to such small furries... My boys liked it but vet bed has been a god send and I'm no longer sweeping 3 times a day!
 
When I first got my piggies I used woodshavings but after finding out information on it through this forum, I now use Megazorb and can't fault it - plus you get a massive bag for your money and it lasts for months.
 
thanks for all your comments and i will show that article to my boyfriend!

i am going to order vet bed tommorrow for my piggys! i just hope my piggy gets better once there is no wood shavings!
xx
 
Washing tip - when you wash your vetbed, make sure that you don't use fabric softener as it can make the fleece less absorbant. Most are machine washable up to about 60 degrees.

Good luck! :)
 
i was just wondering what the best colour to have is because i obviously want one which wont show dirt easlily and the poos wont stand out that much! (i like pink but *** know if that will show dirt)
 
I have the white as it shows up any kind of abnormal things, like red wee for example, but you are right about the poos, they will stand out on lighter colours!
 
yes that is the seller that I'm going to order from tommorrow! do you have a fave colour as i want one thats not 2 dark but at the same time dosnt show up white wee stains and loads of poos! i love pink but my pink dog bed that i have 4 my pigs is pink and their wee stains show up on it! i was thinking lite gray or mink?
 
Mine is white but I know you can get beige or grey too.
 
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