Question about cages...

[OSUCavies]

This is my first time to the website!

I have seen all of these AMAZING cages that so many people have built for their bigs.

I was just wondering what things I would need to do the same. Where do the little fences come from that are all around the sides? And what should be used for the bottom of the cage (for the bedding, etc)

I've had my guinea pig, Layla, for over a year now. I use an aquarium for her now, but plan to get another. Actually, my boyfriend just bought one from Petco last night. A female that can't be but a few weeks old. We got out at the store and realized she had green crusties in one of her eyes. We alerted the manager, and she sold her to us anyway, telling us that if it continues to bring her back so they can take her to the vet. Even after we got her home and put her in her new home (an older aquarium that is separate from the one I use for Layla) and she would barely open her eye. We took her back immediately today to find out she would be back in the store after the vet visit for up to 17 days! It's so sad we have to wait for her to get back for that long!

Anyway, we tried to introduce the new guinea pig to Layla and Layla would barely acknowledge Shelby (the baby). I could tell Shelby kept looking for a nipple on Layla and Layla almost snapped at her. I just hope one day I could build one large cage and let them be in it together. Is this possible with Layla being so much older and used to getting all the attention?

Sorry I have so many questions! Thanks for reading. Any suggestions are appreciated. <3

[rabbitsncavyluv]

Wait, did you take the pig back to Petco or not? The poor pig is probably either dead already or sitting in the back room without treatment.

Aquariums are not suitable housing especially if the pig already has URI.

If you have the sick baby, you shouldn't have introduced them. You have to quarantine any new pig you get unless you get her from a reputable rescue. The baby probably passed on mites and URI to yours.

The instructions for the cages are on the main page. http://www.guineapigcages.com/cubes.htm

[OSUCavies]

Well after visiting this site I have decided to build a cage suitable for Layla and the new baby.

I have returned her to Petco and the other salesperson (not the one that sold it) seemed flabbergasted that the manager sold it knowing it could possibly have an infection.

The manager seemed okay with selling it, so I didn't think it would be TOO severe. That's why we brought her home and hoped it would be okay. After seeing the way it looked this morning, we decided to take her back. They said it would be taken to the vet immediately. We're calling them on Monday or Tuesday to make sure.

How does having an eye infection lead to mites or URI?
And if my guinea pig Layla DOES get anything from this other baby, I will be making Petco pay for her vet visits or either contacting a lawyer for them selling me a sick pig.
However, other than pink eye (or conjunctivitis) I don't think she could've caught anything else from the baby?

I actually didn't let them really touch one another. But between handling the pigs, I washed my hands thoroughly to make sure I didn't give Layla anything. She is a very healthy and happy pig. But like I said, if she does end up with a runny eye or anything out of the ordinary, Petco will be paying for her vet visits or medical expenses.

[OSUCavies]

Also, I read something online that said that guinea pigs are prone to pink eye within the first to three weeks that it is born. Considering this guinea was young, I am assuming the problem came from just an eye infection and not something worse.

[Hansel]

It is a 99.9% chance that the pet store pig had a URI. It is also very likely that if you introduced her to your pig, your pig will catch it. Be on the look out for snotty nose, sneezing, eye crusties etc and the second you notice it get her to your vet. Make the petstore pay later! URI's can be deadly without immediate treatment.

Before you ever introduce a new pig you need to quarintine her 3 weeks before you introduce. This will eliminate getting your pigs sick and to give proper time to notice anything that could be wrong.

If you are considering a new pig, please rescue one. You have already seen the truth behind how pet stores "care" for their animals and it is a shame to support it. By buying her, you are condoning selling sick pigs.

[VoodooJoint]

Oh no! You took her back?! Did they give you your money back? If not then please go immediatly and take the GP back, do not sign anything that absolves them of any liability. It is unlikely that they will treat her properly, if at all. Normally petshops put a sick animal in a back room to take it's chances all by itself. Take her to a good exotic vet and submit your bills to Petco.

Petstores are well known for selling sick or pregnant animals that often don't survive or need extensive treatment Here is a thread to read up on some horror stories. http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/...r-threads.html

The green crusties most likely aren't an eye infection. It's an URI. Mites are on all animals and lie dorment until stress or weakness allowes them to take hold.

Here is another thread from a couple of days ago with a person having the same problem. You may learn more there http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/...ffy-noses.html

In the future please, please, please do not buy from petshops. Nothing at all. No food, no animals, no bedding, nothing. We can help you find MUCH better food and supplies then the petshops carry as they are known to carry poor quality foods that are geared to make the humans buy them because of pretty packaging, boastful claims and pretty colored bits that look like treats.They are animal abusers that cause HUGE problems for animals that most consumers do not see. There are rescues everywhere with GPs and other animals begging for a new chance at life. We can help you find these animals.

[OSUCavies]

I'm just curious as to how certain you are that it's a URI?

I bought my guinea pig that I've had for over a year from Petco and she had no problems whatsoever.

Also, my guinea pig has sneezed every so often for a while now. I just assumed it might be because of the perfume or some other scents in my room. She's never had a snotty nose or runny eyes.

[OSUCavies]

If the baby did have a URI, HOW likely is it that my guinea pig will get it?

They weren't in the same cage at all. They were barely around one another. We didn't really even let them touch. AND I washed my hands thoroughly between handling them.

Is it that likely?
I'm getting really scared now. If something happened to Layla, I'd probably die.

[littlebear]

What you are discribing to us is very serious in my opinion. And if your pig has such an eye infection it is very likley that when you introduced the two your older pig Layla may now have this condition.

[OSUCavies]

When I took her back, they said it would be taken to the vet "asap" which meaning probably not til tuesday because of the holidays? I dont know if vets are open on Sundays or New Years Day.

Then they said it would be taken back to Petco to finish the medication (within 14 days) and then they'd hold her for 72 hours after that to make sure the meds were working. So up to 17 days before we could buy her back.
They did give us the money back...they said that was the only way to get them to take her to their vet was to make a 'return'

[Hansel]

Years of experiance and the symptoms you listed are sure signs of a URI. If you have had no problems with your Petno pig consider yourself lucky.

Guinea pigs are VERY succeptable to URI's something such as a fluxuation in temperature can trigger one. Pet stores for one, do not know how to properly care for their pigs, and for two buy from breeder mills that do not take care of their pigs. They come from unhealthy conditions to the pet store, and the pet store does nothing but try to sell them asap.

You are at the right place for advice. There are YEARS of experiance behind this forum and many have learned the hard way.

[Hansel]

Your pig will likely catch anything nasty the pet store pig had, because URI's are highly contagious. When Hansel had conjunctivitus (pink eye) my vet said that it was not contagious and did not prescribe anything for my other pig Charlie. He did not catch pink eye from Hansel. URI's on the other hand are very contagious.

Just keep an eye on Layla for now and if you do not have a vet, check online or in the phone book and get one lined up. That way if you notice any symptoms you will be all set.

[littlebear]

Yikes. Petco is a very scary buisness to warn you. Since you technicly "sold" her back to them she is there property. And if you have read the numerous reports of cruelty and scandal that the company has been ingaged in, in the past several years I would be very worried. The vets that they have staffed are reported to be very poor. I think you should rather have taken her to a private vet were you can talk to the vet and have him/her discuss the problem, tell you what they are going to do, tell you about the medicine perscribed, and let you do it at home. Also if they have not declared this case un-treatable (which could happen) the store staff is probably going to be assigned the responsibility of giving her the meds, and the staff might be a bit lazy, and not care much about what there doing. So I think this is a very sticky situation to deal with.

[VoodooJoint]

Originally Posted by GuineaLover12

Then they said it would be taken back to Petco to finish the medication (within 14 days) and then they'd hold her for 72 hours after that to make sure the meds were working. So up to 17 days before we could buy her back.
They did give us the money back...they said that was the only way to get them to take her to their vet was to make a 'return'

This is standard Petco policy. I hope things work out for your GP.

You didn't happen to belong to another GP forum did you? One where you posted about this and were upset about the responses you got?

[OSUCavies]

I am very upset right now. I just started crying hysterically thinking of Layla getting ill. She is my baby. I love her and am so attached to her like most people are attached to their dogs or children, as I'm sure most of you can relate to.

If she gets sick, I will be so upset. When should I start looking for any signs? And what EXACTLY do I need to look for? How soon would any symptoms start if she got anything

[OSUCavies]

I've never gone to any other pet forum before.

All of this happened last night/this afternoon.

I am upset about the responses, haha, but not because I'm angry with anyone, more out of concern.

[VoodooJoint]

Symptoms can include mucus or crustiness around eyes and/or nose, sneezing or wheezing, lack of appetite, depression.

Do you have a small household scale? If so start weighing her at least every other day for a while and record her weight. Often the first sign of illness in prey animals is weight loss.

You may want to consider a well check at a good vet after the holidays jus to be sure.

Don't worry too much. You are aware that she could have caught something and you will be watchful and be able to catch any illness early on. I'm sure she will be okay.

[littlebear]

To find signs of URI and other information about it visit Guinea Lynx.
Guinea Lynx :: URI
That page will help you a lot it gives you all the symptoms, etc. If any of the above ocur. Rush her to a private cavy savy vet, not Petco please.

[OSUCavies]

I posted earlier that Layla does sneeze every now and again, but has never had any other symptoms of a URI.

she eats (a lot, like a guinea pig does) she drinks often, she chews on EVERYTHING, she is very playful....so should i be concerned about the sneezing?
although I know the sneezing would not be a sign of anything from the sick pig, this has happened way before we bought the baby piggie.

so could her sneezing just be a little allergy from my perfume or other household smells? or maybe her bedding?

[Hansel]

More than likely she will be ok, like the others said, just keep a close eye out for any symptoms. GL is a great resource too!

Daily weighing is a wise idea, if you do not have a scale, they are not too expensive to buy. I got mine at WalMart.