Is quarantine for three weeks necessary?

[mummy2niamhy]

I am getting two new piggies on Sunday, they have been quarantiend in the rescue place for three weeks, with a few others that were brought in around the same time. They have been treated for mites and worms and stuff as a precaution, and had two vet checks.

Do I still need to quarantine them as they have been kept like this for around 3 weeks?...I will check on how long when I get there, if it hasn't been three weeks, then I will definitly quarantine them for the rest of the time.

[5guinea5pig5]

I would do 2 weeks just in case if it has been 3 weeks. Better safe then sorry!

[Taboo]

Its always necessary to quarantine. whether its a fish, mouse, rabbit, bird (birds especially) etc.

[mummy2niamhy]

I know the type of animal doesn't matter, but the point I was making is that they have already been quarantined for at least 2 weeks, most likely three.

If it is two weeks, can I just do it for the one week? If any of the other animals have come ill or needed treating for anything, then I will obv quarantine for the full three weeks.

[RainKindle]

CavySpirit website says:
"When you bring home a new friend for an existing guinea pig, or you get two guinea pigs from two different sources, then BEFORE you try putting them together, you need to keep them apart for two to three weeks to make sure the new guinea pig does not have any medical problems which could be transmitted to the other."
on Guinea Pigs Social Life
and Guinea Lynx says:
"The safest way to introduce a new guinea pig to a pet you already have is to quarantine any new pig for 2 to 3 weeks behind closed doors."
and GuineaLynx also says when quarantine can be broken although not the wisest:
"Cavy appears healthy, is adopted from reputable rescue that has already treated the guinea pig for mites and has had him/her quarantined for several weeks. "
Guinea Lynx :: Quarantine

Personal experience:
When sugar came straight home from her foster from the humane society, I knew that she had been treated for mites, and had been closely watched for 4 weeks. I still did the minimum 2 weeks and I felt extremely comfortable before introductions that she wasn't sick. I did not make the decision until after the minimum two weeks.
When Willow came home, not from foster care, but straight from the humane society, it took 3 weeks for the worst of her sickness to show.
She was never introduced, and she is the only one I lost.

[rabbitsncavyluv]

If you are getting them from a reputable rescue, you don't have to quarantine.

[Percy's Mom]

I would absolutely say to quarantine. If your new pig was quarantined by the rescue and treated for mites, perhaps only quarantine for a week to two weeks. Just moving can be extremely stressful for an animal, and giving a brief quarantine period can give a new family member time to calm down and get used to new surroundings before you introduce to the already established cavies.

[Deenanicole08]

I too, would say to quarantine, at least for 2 weeks. Stress comes easily to cavies and the big move and a new house could bring out an illness. When they (or anything for that matter) is under stress the immune system is temporarily weaker than normal so it could get sick after you picked them up and you wouldn't know. Also it gives a good time to adjust and bond with you one on one before meeting new friends.

You dont want to put to much on them at one time, they will get overwhelmed.