On Mar 14, 11:09=A0pm, Scorpio <mwhit...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> On Mar 15, 12:03=A0pm, Ted <Heather_pell...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Mar 13, 9:56=A0pm, Scorpio <mwhit...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>
> > > On Mar 14, 12:23=A0am, Ted <Heather_pell...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>
> > > > On Mar 12, 9:08=A0pm, Scorpio <mwhit...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>
> > > > > On Mar 13, 9:33=A0am, "wicked.witchy.of.the.no...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
"
>
> > > > > <wicked.witchy.of.the.no...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> > > > > > Hi folks.
> > > > > > I'm new to this group and new to the world of guinea pigs. My
da=
ughter
> > > > > > wanted and received a skinny pig for her birthday. I have a
ques=
tion
> > > > > > about bedding. I bought CareFresh, but was wondering if
shredded=
white
> > > > > > paper would be appropriate for the animal. We shred our bills
an=
d
> > > > > > other papers (no plastics or newsprint); if this would make an
> > > > > > appropriate bedding, it would save us/me a lot of money.
> > > > > > Any advice is appreciated.
> > > > > > Thanks.
> > > > > > Dominic
>
> > > > > Hi Dominic
>
> > > > > I use hay that I find when I'm out and about on the ground. =A0I
p=
ut
> > > > > this into a large shallow plastic bucket with a clean towel and
a
> > > > > clean fluffy blanket. =A0They snug down at night and are as warm
a=
s
> > > > > toast. =A0We've only had our 2 since Saturday. =A0Last night was
t=
he first
> > > > > night they didn't soil their sleeping quarters - hooraa!
>
> > > > > Megan
>
> > > > I'm not sure the towel and blanket will be a good idea - there is
> > > > going to be so much poop and wee that you will find it a real
chore =
to
> > > > keep the linens clean. Best opt for disposable bedding. I used to
us=
e
> > > > newspaper and change it daily. It's easy to roll up and dispose of
> > > > quickly. I worried massively that any 'print' might hurt them.
Moder=
n
> > > > print stays on the paper pretty well even when it's wet and one of
t=
he
> > > > piggies was white so I think I would have noticed if the print was
> > > > coming off. I don't think they were hurt by it - they lived a very
> > > > happy, healthy and long life (6.5 yrs and 7 years). Other people
use=
> > > > wood shavings but the dust from this can be a respiratory
irritant.
> > > > It's always difficult to know the right thing to do. The best hay
to=
> > > > use is Timothy hay - if you want to spoil them. Avoid collecting
hay=
> > > > from the roadside where it's been polluted by petrol fumes.
> > > > My experience agrees with what Kelvyn says - =A0that they poo and
we=
e
> > > > everywhere and are more than happy to lay in it. Rabbits on the
> > > > otherhand a bit more house proud but not half as friendly as our
> > > > favourite furry pigs!- Hide quoted text -
>
> > > > - Show quoted text -
>
> > > Oh ok I'd better stop with the roadside hay then and make my own
> > > instead. =A0A funny thing - they actually have stopped weeing and
pooi=
ng
> > > in their bed since I put the towel and blanket in. =A0I know what
you
> > > mean about the wa****ng thing. =A0I was prepared to do it for a
little
> > > while until they got used to their new home. =A0If they start
soiling
> > > their bed again, it will probably be newspaper and hay. =A0I do
worry
> > > that that wont be warm enough though as our winter will be here
before=
> > > we know it.
>
> > > Megan- Hide quoted text -
>
> > > - Show quoted text -
>
> > They do have some 'decency' with regard to wee and =A0poo and will
> > usually try not to soil you when you have them on your knee, but like
> > with babies this restraint happens when they have matured a bit and so
> > the odd accident will happen as you hold them when they are babes.-
Hide=
quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> We haven't handled our little darlings very much yet. =A0They seem to be
> slowly coming out of their shells and I don't want to over-do it.
> They at least come up to me now and let me put grass through the run
> cage. The slightest movement from me makes them dart off though...I'm
> looking forward to seeing "popcorn". =A0They scratch a bit. =A0I put
flea
> powder in their bed. Is this ok?
>
> Megan- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
Although guineas do get fleas occasionally it may not be the problem.
They will scratch a certain amount anyway. What you need to do is
examine their coats really thoroughly all over by systematically
parting the fur and see if you can see any fleas. However what is much
more likely and more common in guineas is that they get mites under
their skin and of course these are not visible to the ****d eye but do
make the animal scratch. Although some vets will not be keen to do
this, I recommend a prophylactic dose of Ivermectin periodically to
keep the mites at bay. You will not be able to do it on babies as the
drug is a little toxic but is harmless once the pigs are several
months old. The mites come to the fur from the hay ( sarcoptic mange
mites can cause scabies in humans) and from the grass when they graze
there. What you have to be careful of is that the animals don't
scratch so much that they break the skin and get infected wounds. You
should examine them reguarly if they continue scratching. Once they
are a bit older I recommend a lovely bath every month in medicated
shampoo - they hate it at first but soon get used to it. Use a bucket
( not your bath) with steep sides and very shallow warm water for the
first attempt and be ready for the animal to launch itself into outer
space as they think you are trying to drown them! Maintain plenty of
very close face and eye contact ( they can't see very far at all) and
give reassurance. Don't bathe them until they are several months old.
Another problem which guineas get is ringworm ( which is
transmissible to humans. It is not a worm it's a fungus) and again
they will catch it from hay harvested from fields where other animals
have grazed ( horses etc) and also the s****es from this fungus can
survive in moist soil for up to 7 years. Trim the nails regularly (not
in babies) to avoid lots of soil under there. Again this condition
will make an animal scratch and it is hard for even vets to
distinguish between these 2 skin ( mites and ringworm) conditions.
Treatment of ringworm is more difficult but appears on the skin as
red weepy circles and they scratch like crazy. An very good indicator
of a skin problem is a greasy dandruffy coat. This needs to be seen by
a vet.
Don't be in any way put off by all this, as I was unlucky enough to
acquire 5 animals which turned out to be infected by the breeder's
horse fields with ringworm. Now can you see why I don't recommend
blowing things around with a vacuum and why disposable bedding is
im****tant! Fluffy blankets which need to go in your wa****ng machine
are not wise.
These are gorgeous creatures and any hassle is well worth it but DO
remember that all animals come with parasites not just our favourite
furries. Examine your own skin regularly and wash your hair in Nizoral
shampoo once in a while should you discover a problem with your
piggies. Wash your hands after holding them and use disposable baby
changing sheets ( fold away neatly between uses and chage them often)
to have them on your knee.
Good luck and enjoy these wonderful llittle creatures.
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