Ignorant Pig Owners - My Rant - Page 3

**Susan9608** · #41 10-18-07, 09:57 pm

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Then I think about how many pigs are like this all over the world. I feel depressed in a way, I can't explain it.

And another activist is born.

Seriously, most animal activists have been right where you are, when the depression caused by the apathy of others sets in. It's hard not to be depressed, when you think about how much innocent non-human animals endure.

But, the good news is that you are one more person who IS aware and who is empathetic instead of apathetic. YOU can help make a difference ... you can turn your depression on the issue into something really, really productive.

Action of one of the best antidotes to depression; I encourage you to take your personal perspective on this and turn it into action that will benefit all those other non human animals out there.

**piggiesinpa** · #42 10-19-07, 05:54 am

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A longer quarantine period would give you more time to socialize and bond with him.

I was thinking that myself. I was considering a 4 week instead of a three week. Maybe even longer if he needs it. I need to sterilize everything he's touched. How do you sterilize those wooden houses for small animals?

Quote:

But just curious but do you plan on trying to introduce Porkchop to your other four boys?

I want advice on this and I was planning on asking about this. I have 4 pigs in the big cage but 3 live on one side and the fourth on the other. I have one pig who just hasn't really been able to live with anyone else without excessive bullying or attacking. I was thinking about trying him out with Porkchop to see if they could be a match but I don't want to cause anymore trauma to PC than necessary. I think he'd fit right in with my other three pigs. Moe (the dominant one) is pretty laid back and accepts others pretty well as long as they don't bother him excessively. I have made posts about the situation in the past (3 together, 4 alone) so I will find them and post the links here so everyone can get to them with ease. This will help you understand my past issues with all 4 together and HG's behavior. Hopefully you guys can help me and we can go from there. I'd like to see if he can deal with HG or if I should just consider moving him in with the others.

Susan - While I always felt like I understood the points made here and agreed with them, I never saw or dealt with it first hand. Now I am. It's more clear to me even more disheartening. I am involved with a rescue where I live and I try to help another one in Jersey find fosters and save piggies. I am happy to report that the Petsmart near me hasn't sold small animals for at least 2 months now. All the aquariums for the small animals have been empty for quite some time. Maybe because they had a breakout of disease or something tragic - I don't know, but at least they aren't making sales. I have been going to the SPCA nearly every other week (I can't go a lot, I always want to save those animals and it breaks my heart) to make sure the pigs are being taken care of. I look for signs of illness and alert staff. I don't think they are too knowledgeable on cavies.

My boyfriend has been really supportive. He suggests keeping everyone here updated and getting advice about Porkchop's health as well as his future living arrangements. He really likes the little guy.

**piggiesinpa** · #43 10-19-07, 03:44 pm

Here are links some of the old threads I have posted about my piggies:

http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/...-bullying.html
http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/...ing-today.html

I think it's only fair to describe my pigs so that way I can think about who Porkchop should be placed with.

Moe - the oldest. His main concern in life is sleeping and eating. He hoards. He is dominant but doesn't really fight for it. He just yells at Tumbleweed and Milkdud to stop fighting when they argue. He is only aggressive when another pig is being relentless. This has only happened with HG.

Tumbleweed - Confused at most times. Tumbleweed is a follower. He is going through puberty, but it really isn't bad at all. He argues with Milkdud but they are inseperable. He's still skittish and nervous about some things. He didn't like living with HG so he is now with Moe and Milkdud.

Milkdud- The Youngest. He is the loudest and the most demanding. Milkdud is a diva. He is going through puberty as well but only argues with Tumblweed. It's not bad at all. Milkdud likes to pretend he is not afraid of anything but when it comes down to it, he runs.

HG Wells - Aggressive, aggressive. He loves to beat up pigs. He doesn't like to be alone though, I think he hates it. He is completely aware of his surroundings at all times. He doesn't trust either. I'm not completely sure of his background but I think it's comparable to Porkchop's. HG was a 'free to good home pig'. I believe he was either hardly touched or manhandled. He's the sweetest thing when you hold him but he's just downright mean to anything in his path. I'm pretty sure he is a sadist.

Those are the run down on personalities. If anyone has any suggestions on where to place Porkchop when he is ready, I'd love to hear them.

**TX_2_Pigs** · #44 10-19-07, 03:55 pm

It sure would be better if you could have all 5 guys in the same cage. Personally, I would at least try to introduce them all together. Adding the 5th pig changes the dynamics and could somehow calm the poor pigger who has to live alone right now making him more acceptable/accepted in the herd. Of course it may do just the opposite and result in 5 little flying balls of fur.

And be sure to have someone there to help out. 5 piggers is a lot to handle all at once.

**piggiesinpa** · #45 10-19-07, 03:59 pm

Yes, my boyfriend will be on site with a towel. I thought about trying all 5, I want them all to live together so badly. I just wish HG would take a breather and realize life isn't so bad if you have to share.
I am fearful that it will cause unnecessary stress though if it goes poorly.

**pigsforlife** · #46 10-19-07, 06:08 pm

Have you thought about a Buddy Bath?

**piggiesinpa** · #47 10-19-07, 06:10 pm

Of course I have. I've been through intro's dozens of times before. But I am just curious if I should mix all 5 of the pigs in at once or if I should put him in alone with HG or with the other 3 pigs. I don't want to cause Porkchop trauma on his first day with the other pigs.

**pigsforlife** · #48 10-19-07, 06:14 pm

Ow..I would try introducing all 5 together, if blood is drawn then perhaps try a buddy bath. I think that all would benefit from being together, so I would personally give it a shot.

**newpiggiemama** · #49 10-19-07, 10:35 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by pigsforlife

Ow..I would try introducing all 5 together, if blood is drawn then perhaps try a buddy bath. I think that all would benefit from being together, so I would personally give it a shot.

What is a buddy bath?

**pigsforlife** · #50 10-20-07, 12:23 am

Instructions on buddy baths can be found at the end of this link http://www.cavyspirit.com/sociallife.htm. Basically what a buddy bath does is scares the guinea pigs into being friends and is used as a last resort.

**piggiesinpa** · #51 10-20-07, 01:58 pm

Excellent news! The wall has come down. HG has been re-introduced to all of the pigs again. This is going very well so far. Hopefully it will continue. All the pigs are all laying down right now. Moe and HG had argued just a wee bit but nothing causing blood.

**newpiggiemama** · #52 10-20-07, 02:00 pm

Yey

Good Luck!

**piggiesinpa** · #53 10-21-07, 09:37 pm

Well that certainly didn't last long. Milkdud and HG scrapped this time. Ah well, some pigs just don't know how to be nice.

I get a call from the vet tomorrow morning to discuss Porkchop's progress. Any recommendations or suggestions of what I should ask? I plan on saying that Porkchop has progressed just a little bit but it still far from a full recovery. I might mention switching to Baytril.

**piggiesinpa** · #54 10-23-07, 08:26 am

I went back to the vet today!
I got my switch to Baytril.

Vet actually suggested it before I got to. My vet said it was originally a URI and he somehow survived that and it progressed into chronic pneumonia. How this little pig did so well with this and had no treatment until last Monday is beyond me.

I had him listen to his heart and make sure there was no murmur or abnormalities. We have 10 days on the Baytril and if that doesn't knock it out I go back for xrays. I got a quote on those and they are only $60-$80 (depending on the view). I was floored, I was expecting him to tell me $300. I told him that it was a wonderful price and that I was expecting something much higher and he responded 'Oh no, we don't do things like that here'. He really goes the extra mile for the animals and I'm sending him a thank-you card. He has made a life-long client.

**Chaos&Order** · #55 10-23-07, 10:09 am

He sounds like a little trooper. I hope the Baytril will work.

**chiiilover** · #56 10-23-07, 03:33 pm

I wish someone would have told me that. It's become apparent to me that it's easier to take care of my housecat!! & I used to think Guinea pigs were okay for kids!

See, my little sister is the same as that boy, which is why I adopted the guinea pigs from her. I'm trying my best to learn things about Guinea pigs (I already posted this in the introduction area). Thankfully, there are people who put this knowledge online and there are people who can (eventually) find it.

**aaronmeister** · #57 10-24-07, 10:47 pm

For me, guinea pigs only take time and effort when you clean the cage. But once you move to a c&c cage, half that work is eliminated.

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