Hi, I'm new

[pigsforlife]

Hi

I started participating on this forum the day before yesterday (Wednesday). I have used this site before, mainly for information about C&C cages, toys, floor time, cleaning, that sort of thing, but never realised that there was a forum!

I got my first guinea pig, Lily, just under 3 months ago, she was a scrawny, under fed, little guinea pig, a tortoise shell and white, short haired. Out of all of the guinea pigs she was the only one that was doing laps around the cage, playing with the other guinea pigs but at the same time being bullyed (in a guinea pig sort of way).

It only took me 3 seconds to choose her and I am glad that I did. I took her home and introduced her to her new cage, it was (and still is) a fantastically big cage, with a castle (similar to an igloo), water bottle and 2 clip on food containers. After about 1 week she was fattened up to the point of actually being healthy.

My friend had an elderly guinea pig (never sure of her age), who never squeaked at all but prefered to stay in her cage (has sinced pasted on). Which was probably why I fretted when I heard Lily squeaking, she would squeak and squeak, for days I tormented myself, telling myself that it was the way I was holding her or that I was doing something wrong. I was so worked up that I took her to the vet, the vet laughed my worries off, telling me that it was purely her personality. Lily certainly has a big personality, not only does she squeak alot but she eats like there is no tomorrow. I took her out one day with a sprig of parsley in my hand. Within seconds it had gone!!

After about 2 weeks I decided that it was time to get Lily a cage mate. I got Buttercup, a cream self, and have had her now for just over 2 months. Buttercup was (and still is) a bundle of joy, when I held her for the first time my heart melted, she was so placid and just sat in my arms, slowly chomping (reminded me of a turtle) on a piece of romaine.

I was suprised at how quite Buttercup was, and how still she sat. I took her home and placed her in her quarintine cage. It too was a big cage, yet not as big as Lilys. I got up the next day and realised she had diarrhea. I went into panic (as new mums do!!), I rang my vet and she gave me a great method. I made this paste and coated her favourite vegetable, then gave it to her to eat. It worked and she has never had diarrhea again. I then noticed the beginnings of a fungal infection on the tips of both of her ears, it wasn't serious and because she was in quarintine I did not have to worry about Lily. I went to the vet and here they gave me some topical cream. With in days it had all cleared up.

After honouring the quarintine period I introduced both girls to each other following the basic steps on cavy spirit. It was an amusing experience, watching Lily (who was previously bullied) now becoming boss over the older, but more timid Buttercup. After the usual squabbles they became the best of friends and inseperable. If I was patting Lily, with Buttercup left in the cage, Buttercup would (still does) tries to climb the edge of the cage and squeals loudly until she is back with her friend.

Everything was going great, so I began to think about getting another guinea pig, I had the room and the time, plus I was sure that Lily and Buttercup would be accepting of the new one. So after a month, and alot of planning I went and got Toffee. Toffee was quite, although she let me know if she wanted something, and she too was extremely placid.

Yet again, I fell in love, and I came home with another guinea pig. Toffee, was a beautiful golden brown and white rex, it wasn't till after I got her that I noticed a gap between her teeth. Fretting I searched the net and I found out that scurvy starts in the gums and affects the teeth in the way that it was affecting Toffees. I continued giving her high vitamin c foods but also supplemented it with a chewable (kids) vitamin c tablet a day. Since then it has improved heaps.

After doing the 3 week quarintine period, I introduced them together, this time in the bath (with no water) as a pose to the lounge. They did not get along well, everyone was fighting, no-one would let Toffee eat, and it was heart breaking to see, yet I sticked to my guns. I was overwelmed when this behaviour seized a couple of days later, now when they are out for floor time they all follow each other, Toffee follows Buttercup who follows Lily.

You can always guarantee that when you go and see them, that Toffee is hiding in the castle, Buttercup in the cuddle cup I made (following the excellent instructions on a different thread), and Lily on top of the castle! Lily is now in perfect health and 19 weeks old, Buttercup is plump (I suspected that she was pregnant but I doubt this now) but a good weight and is now 21 weeks, Toffee whom I only got last week is 13 weeks and her teeth are slowly improving.

I am currently in the process of enlarging my cage even further so any helpful tips would be greatly appreciated.

[pigsforlife]

Just to clarify, I have had Toffee for 1 month, they have been all together for 1 week.

I forgot to add some pictures, these ones were taking last week:

Here is Lily:

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/b..._0521/Lily.jpg

Here is Buttercup:

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/b.../Buttercup.jpg

Here is Toffee:

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/b...521/Toffee.jpg

Here is all 3:

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/b...ll3eating3.jpg

[Jenni_Feathers]

They are so cute, welcome to the forum!

[CavyHubby]

They look so happy!....and cute!

Safe Journies
Samuel