Should I or shouldn't I?

[Wheekie]

You guys have helped me so much over the last 3 years and I'm afraid I need your input again! My friend is taking her cats to the 'Blessing of the Animals' at her church and she wants me to go with my Piggies. In the five years that she's been going, she's seen one Guinea Pig and a few rabbits, but it's mostly just cats and dogs. I'm hesitant about going because I'm afraid that there might be some sick animals there and my beautiful little guys might catch some airbourne germ that could hurt or kill them...something that maybe a healthy cat or dog could handle, but a fragile little piggy couldn't! Even when we go to the Vet, they don't let us sit in the main waiting room with all the dogs and cats...they hustle us into a private examining room to wait for the doctor. I know that I'm overprotective, but my Babies are my heart! I'd really appreciate some thoughts on my little problem! Thanks!

[RainKindle]

Go with your gut, and don't go with your guineas. It clearly isn't worth it to you to risk their health. If you listen to your own post, you know the answer. If you explain your fears, you might be able to set up a private blessing.
The vet you mentioned is probably only experienced with cats and dogs. That type of vet is not worth seeing for a guinea, free or not.
Also, it sounds like a stressful environment to bring you guinea to.
By typing up a list of pros and cons, the cons are greater than the pros already.
If your friend is exerting pressure for you to take them, perhaps you should teach her about the fragile immune system of a guinea, and how non-exotic focused vets could be dangerous to your guineas.
The best blessing your guineas can get is a parent like you! A parent that is firstly concerned with their health. It sounds like your piggies are already blessed!

[PiggieMamaKelly]

I'd be more worried about all the people germs than the animal ones. Everyone will want to pet your pigs and put their grubby hands all over them.

[Wheekie]

Thank you,PiggyMamaKelly and RainKindle! I knew I could count on you guys! I will go with my gut and I won't go. I didn't even think about the people germs and I should have cause I don't let anybody handle them but me, for exactly that reason. Personally, I think our Piggies are already blessed anyway!

[Bennalaya]

Originally Posted by PiggieMamaKelly

I'd be more worried about all the people germs than the animal ones. Everyone will want to pet your pigs and put their grubby hands all over them.

That would be my biggest concern also, especially since school is back in now and everyone seems to be sick. And some parents are just daft enough to take a sick child out in public "to pet the cute animals".

[Wheekie]

One thing that I wanted to clarify is that my vet is a cavy vet...he only cares for exotics, but he specializes in guinea pigs (he has 4 himself). His office is in a vet hospital and he just happens to share a waiting room with some other vets. That's why he doesn't let me sit out there with all the germs! And RainKindle, thanks for the kind words about me being a good piggy parent. That meant alot cause I really do try hard! I sometimes can't believe how much I love those little guys!

[Paula]

I wouldn't take my pigs. It's a sweet gesture and all but aside from all the obvious health risks, all the potential people wanting to see and touch them, it's going to totally stress the pigs out to be in an environment like that.

[Trace_n_Ripley]

I actually took my girls to one of these at my church once. However, I go to a small church and I kept them in their carrier away from the few other critters that came. I did not allow just anyone to say hello to them either. They were also at church one other time for a small evening service (about 8 people -- including our priest) and class (about the same size) in the evening before a vet appointment and they did quite well. Again, they stayed in their carrier most of the time, except when we were asked to come up for blessings. I brought them up in my arms and they were so happy to see our priest they were just chirping like crazy. They really like her and vice versa. They were very quiet duing the rest of the service and class though (such well-behaved girls I have). Again, it was a very small group and they spent most all of the time in their carrier.

I would certainly not take them where there is a larger group of people or animals. I also go to a smaller vets office so they are not around many other sick animals.

What I really worry about is when I'M not feeling well. I don't want to give them any of the viruses being passed around at work. I also wash my hands after taking the bus home from work, just in case. There are a lot of school kids on the city buses here.

If this is a large affair (more then ten people & animals), I would definitely go with a private blessing with the priest/minister.

[RainKindle]

Originally Posted by Trace_n_Ripley

What I really worry about is when I'M not feeling well.

I relate. I am so scared right now. I've barely touched my guinea that last couple of days.
I have a head cold and I'm freaked out because it is the first time I've been sick as a guinea mommy.
I didn't weigh Maple yesterday which is the day of the week I normally thoroughly check her over because I was dripping from the nose and eyes.
I was so bummed because I was afraid to do lap time. Going without lap time is harder on me than her.
I was lucky that I already had veggies separated out for the week, because I could just dump them in her bowl and not worry about touching her food.
My veggie preparedness runs out Friday morning so I hope that I'm better by then.

[cavyinhawaii]

I worked at a church office for a year. Call your church and have your pigs blessed by themselves. Our Chaplains loved that kind of thing. I wouldn't want my babies around other animals.

[Wheekie]

Just an update! I'm not going and I told my friend...at first, she thought I was being silly, but hey!who cares?! My Guys health and well-being is the most important thing! But now that she's thought about it, she's not going to take her kitty for the same reasons! And she could catch a germ and take it home to her other cats, too.Sooo....Success! More animals in the safety zone! Thanks a bunch everybody! Love you all!!!