New Pig(s): New and new to pigs...

[Simonmaal]

Welcome

For helpful advice, you are in the best place on the internet!

[lissie]

Yellow bugs sound like lice. http://www.guinealynx.info/lice.html
I don't think you can catch mites or lice from guinea pigs. Your itch probably caused by allergies.
Allergies
http://www.guinealynx.info/links.html#allergies

[ferndalezoo]

The "itch" could be just symathetic itchiness, too. My last foster dog had a terrible case of Demodex mange. It's not contagious to humans, but I was SOOOOO itchy just looking at her.

[diannfaith]

I just wanted to say thanks for all the advice on here. I have had a busy week and we took a trip to the vet. He did not detect mites on him but since I saw one we are treating with ivermectin. We also found out that "Buzz" formerly "Guinea Pig" is a girl. She is stuck with the name Buzz because my 4 year old is not grasping the concept of boy and girl names. We did get Buzz and friend my son named Pinky. She is currently on the ivermectin tx too.
They are happy and healthy and I think my son plays with them way to much. I am constantly telling him to put them back or he will stress them. They just sit there with him and dont seem to mind but I am not sure how much is to much?
We bought the Oxbow hay and pellets. They eat like little pigs and love there new toys. I was at the grocery store a few days ago and saw baby pools for sale and had a idea that it would be a great home for the guineas and they love it. So far it has worked well.
Here is Buzz and Pinky at play in there new home with Timothy and Alfalfa hay by Oxbow. It cracks me up. There is name brands for everything.
We chose to use the Carefresh bedding and the first bag was an ugly color so we went and bought the Ultra and its white. We mixed them but I do not think it matters.
So here is Buzz and Pinky (not from a petstore but a local rescue who was born there and is a himalayn?? not sure).






Oh, did I mention how freaking cute these kids are? There little mouths and nose. They are adorable and now I have another adiction to go alone with my bearded dragons.

[diannfaith]

[tehdoc809]

I'm going to be completely honest here and say I didn't read this entire thread, I read the first post then skimmed the rest only reading your most recent post.

It's good that Buzz is healthy but you should have quarantined Pinky for atleast three weeks before letting them play together, since they are already together its pointless to do it at this point but in the furture if you get more pigs you really should.

Second, the tub is a great idea but I'd give them a month before they are big enough to scale the sides then you'll have a fun time

Quick edit in here: You should look in the phone book for local farmers market/co-ops/feed stores in your area. Usually, they carry many different types of hay and realistically your piggers really need any grass hay besides alfalfa after six months. At a feed store/farmers market/co-op you should be able to get a bale of hay (~40-60lbs) for around 8 dollars. I prefer bermuda myself, I love the smell!

[diannfaith]

I asked my vet if they could go together and he said it would be fine that he was just going to treat them because I was so positive I saw a mite on Buzz. He did not see any or any signs of mites. That is why they are together. Pinky went to the vet before we brought her home witch happened to be the day after Buzz went to the vet.
They are both around 400 grams and are doing great. They love there Timothy and Alfalfa hay and he said as soon as they are 6 months old then I can switch them to other hay and grasses. He estimated them to be about 3-4 months of age. They eat play and make all kinds of noises.
The pool is 14 inches deep, how long do I have till they can jump over? Its slick so I do not think they will be able to climb.

[tehdoc809]

Really? It doesn't look that deep in the pictures, but if it is then it should be fine, you should still look into a CC cage for the assurance of proper space.

Secondly, yes pinky could look fine but she could be in the early stages of something. It can take a while, over a week, to start showing signs of an illness because piggies are prey animals and by nature very good at hiding sickness. So just because an intial vet visit turn out fine doesn't mean she doesn't have something.

[pigsforlife]

Congrats on your new additions.

You can NOT see mites - they are microscopic. They result in excessive scratching, hairloss and wounds as they burrow underneath the skin cause extreme irritation to the guinea pig. If left untreated, very severe cases can result in death.

Seeing as you saw something I would put my money on lice. They are visible to the eye and can be treated with Advantage or topical ivermectin. http://www.guinealynx.info/lice.html

[lmarieaa]

Your piggies are such cuties! No wonder your son can't put them down! I would have some trouble putting them down too, and I'm 20! :P haha!
Nice Idea with the pool, it looks huge.

[rabbitsncavyluv]

How cute! Nice set up too. Usually they don't jump out but I'd keep an eye out just in case.

You don't have any dogs or cats or any other pets? If not, they should be fine in that.

[wheekypigs]

Great idea with the baby pool!