Guinea pigs out at sea

bigbrother · #1 06-29-06, 11:48 pm

Hey everyone,
I was just wondering if there is any health dangerous of my two guinea pigs being out at sea with me. I work on a tuna boat and stay there for a week or two. I have brang them out with me once. Becuase other people get sick of taking care of them. The boat is about 7 cars long if that will help you visulaize(sp).

Also they get all there feed and normal vegies....
P.S Im am a dude!

**cavy-cool-crazy** · #2 06-30-06, 07:35 am

Interesting question. My pigs have only been out to sea once but that was only an hour long crossing on a ferry over the Irish Sea!!

I wouldn't advise it. Mainly because if the pigs gets sick and need urgent veterinary attention, you can't get to a vet. If pellets, hay and veggies are as normal then that's fine, but for the veterinary reason I would avoid it. Also floor time I would imagine could become an issue, plus I can't see a cage of the minimum recommendations (www.cavycages.com) being placed safely in a boat.

It's a very unique question you've asked; I hoped I've helped you answer it somehow!

bigbrother · #3 06-30-06, 08:00 am

I Live in a remote area and there is no vet

, Also the cage minimum recommendations are not quite there but..... They did get alot of floor time on the deck. I fill the holes of deck with foam I shaped. Also I am answering this on a laptop connected to a mobile phone.Its not much fun out on the ocean but the pigs keep me compony from the other idoits I work with. Do you think it is fesible Now?

**Coopdog** · #4 06-30-06, 08:23 am

My goodness...a tuna fisherman with cavies on board! That is something new!

Well, since it's only for a week or two at a time, and since there is no vet available anyway, then I guess they're better off with you watching them. They do make wonderful companions, don't they? I hope the "other idiots" don't give you too hard a time!

I guess the only things I would really be concerned about are keeping them out of the sun when they're on deck, and the possibility of them getting tossed about if the sea gets rough. Do you have a secure place for them if things get a little stormy?

**Percy's Mom** · #5 06-30-06, 08:28 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbrother

I Live in a remote area and there is no vet

So, do you NEVER have a vet for your guinea pigs, or just while you're on the boat? If you never have access to a vet, I would seriously reconsider whether you should have a pet at all.

**C&K** · #6 06-30-06, 08:38 am

Well, I think it would be better to have them with you with proper care vs with someone who does not know or care how to properly take care of them. Vet or no Vet, if that person does not take them, then staying behind is not what is best for them!

My biggest concern would be, is the waterbottle stable enough that they can drink from it? I know in a car they vibrate pretty bad ad dump out on the floor. Perhaps a way to get around this it so give them lots of water soaked veggies, like leaf lettuces so that they get their water that way.

Also, you will want to make sure they are not exposed to cold drafts. Otherwise, for a week or two, it should be fine. Not ideal, but fine I would think!

bigbrother · #7 06-30-06, 08:41 am

Well I wash the deck with the deckhose before they go on it. They have a little pigloo in the at the back of the boat in the shade. I made it out of a old plastic bucket. They hide in there the most of the time.They get about 2 hours of decktime a day! You see them running around playing chasey and things. Also with the stormy weather my boars have there own little section so the dont move around too much. You could say they have sea legs, Also percy's mom I never have a vet. You know the funnest thing about having guinea pigs on the boat is when the other crew open the fridge all the guinea pig food falls out!. I think it is worth it having them out there apart from the other crew giving me heaps of crap about having them. My skipper likes them tho. He gives them a pat when he feels abit down when we dont catch anything. So there...

**C&K** · #8 06-30-06, 08:45 am

Quote:

Also percy's mom I never have a vet.

So your only option if or when they get sick is going to be to watch them die? This is a controversial issue, is it really fair to own an animal if you can't properly take care of it?

**Percy's Mom** · #9 06-30-06, 08:50 am

Honestly, if you don't ever have a vet, you shouldn't have animals at all. On land or on a boat, you need to be able to properly and humanely take care of your pets, and you're obviously not doing that.

bigbrother · #10 06-30-06, 08:51 am

I know its controversial but what can I do about it. After I got them I relised there is no vet. We all make mistacts, But they do make good compains after all. Who else has taken them out on boats?

**Percy's Mom** · #11 06-30-06, 09:00 am

It's not just controversial, it's cruel. Would you have a child if you had no doctor nearby? I certainly hope not. It should be the same for a pet. You need to find out about the veterinarians before you get them. There's nothing to be done about your guinea pigs unfortunately, but I certainly hope you don't get any more animals.

**Coopdog** · #12 06-30-06, 09:06 am

What you can do is give them the best care you can provide, given your situation, which is what you appear to be doing. Kudos for coming here to learn. There is a wealth of information on this site that I hope you have time to check out. Take a look around at all the suggested links and find out as much as you can, since you will be the one to help them if something does go wrong.

Perhaps you can find a vet in another port? You seem to really care about your little guys, so a long drive to another town might not be an issue if a vet can be located (make sure it's a vet who knows about guinea pigs; not all of them do). Hopefully, the need will never occur, but you never know.

bigbrother · #13 06-30-06, 09:07 am

I wont get anymore, But I do take good care of them. I think they do enjoy the fresh crisp ocean air.You have to admit they chance of them getting sick is pretty low. Does anyone else on the whole forum not have access to a vet?
Help me out here guys.....

We do travel up and down the coast so I surpose I may be able to take them to a vet when we go to a port to refuel.

**citronsoul** · #14 06-30-06, 09:12 am

If I recall correctly, someone else took their guinea pig with them on a boat when they went fishing.

(Some of you may remember Louis.)

bigbrother · #15 06-30-06, 09:16 am

Did Louis take as much care as I did? Also I saw saw on tv some army people take there guinea pigs out on submerines(sp). I dont think I am alone

**PinkGrass** · #16 06-30-06, 10:59 am

Heehee. I'm sorry, but I'm having the cutest vision of piggies sailing with little hats on!

Anywho.. Here's how I feel about the subject.
You seem like a concerned individual about bringing your pigs with you. That's why you're here, no? Vet or no vet, you're seemingly taking good care of your pigs, and as long as there is good observation, feeding, and so-on, I doubt too much could happen in 1-2 weeks that would greatly effect the life of your guinea pig at sea if you are already taking good care of them. If a medical issue did come up, it would have to be something didn't matter if you were on or off sea. Unless it had something to do with the movement on the boat, and say a guinea pig was injured because something fell or the cage was damaged etc. That'd be my only concern.

I have a feeling that if something did come up, you'd be willing to find help no matter how far. I love it when I hear people call their pets are their companions and not just pets.. because It's the intention that counts. And the life of a companion means more. :] Some people have a vet right down the road and still don't do anything.

**clover-crystal** · #17 06-30-06, 11:11 am

I'm not being stupid, but what if the sea was really rough, wouldn't the cavy cage been thrown about resulting in injury?

**Crysta** · #18 06-30-06, 03:16 pm

I am sure that just because he does not have a vet for his pigs does not make him a bad owner and it is not cruel. I am also sure that if something were to happen to his pigs, instead of him watching them die, he would find a vet to take them too. See people can be too judgemental without asking the right questions first. I dont' have a vet for my guinea pig, cause the city I live in the vets do not specialize in exotic pets and i do not have a vehicle so i can't bring them to another city, but that does not mean I am cruel or a bad guinea pig owner. If my pet does get sick, I will do what is necessary to make her better instead of just dying. I am sorry if you all are offended by this and what to call me a bad and cruel guinea pig owner, but personally I know I am not, so your words about me will mea

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