Breeder block hutches

[Susan9608]

Oh Lilipution - I'm terribly sorry. I wasn't referring to you, which I should have made clear. I understand that sometimes circumstances create situations that are less than desirable. I was referring to the fact that this individual - GPperson - makes a general practice of keeping his/her pigs in small cages and letting them out for "yard" time; it seems that this is a lifestyle and not a necessity dictated by certain circumstances.

You have my apology - looking back, I see how condescending my previous post looks, since I didn't specify who my comment was directed at and why.

[daftscotslass]

Here's my two cents. I am in the UK. I have been around guinea pigs more than half my life. The only person I have ever heard call a baby guinea pig a piglet is one of the 9 year olds in the class that I teach. Anyone that knows anything will tell you they are called pups.

About the gastroenteritis. I have never heard of a guinea pig catching this - it is very, very rare. Did you know it is also highly infectious? I take it you quarantined the individuals that were ill and scrubbed EVERYTHING (including yourself!). It is pretty obvious that you didn't if you allowed 25 of your guinea pigs to die from it. It is pretty obvious that you cannot cope with it and more will probably die in the future. You really should re-assess your hygiene practices (the floors look pretty messy - this could attract vermin).

Do you tell your owners of the piggies that you breed about the bone problems that Satin cavies have? Do you tell them that they might have to face expensive vet visits in the future?

I know you care, but I think you have taken on more animals than you have the capability to care for.

[guineapigqueen]

single boars? I think you have been barking up the wrong tree!
I have 33 sows and 19 boars if you can do your maths that equals 52 guinea pigs!!
When you have boars from breeding you cannot house them with others because they will fight, I have 2 trios of non breeding boars and about 3 pairs of non breeding boars.

I know all about OD and My guineas are going to be tested!
I have the time and love to take care of all my animals, like I have said previously to all, stop being childish and writing things on your forum about people and confront them.

[Sawda]

Originally Posted by lilipution1013

Oh, yeah, and those hutches... they look like wood. Wood, which is porous, and absorbs guina pig urine which can (1) make it smell REALLY bad and (2) become a breeding ground for potentially dangerous bacteria. No wonder all your pigs died. They probably got infections... or were just too depressed from lack of space. The pigs in the photos on your site all look very small--I certainly hope that's because of the age they were when the photos were taken and not because of goldfish syndrome... y'know, how goldfish only grow to the size their environment can sustain. Put one in a bowl, it will stay small. Put one in a small lake and you get koi-sized goldfish. (That's not a medical term or anything, "goldfish syndrome," just a handy example.) With the fish, it's a matter of nitrogen balance and maintaining the nitrogen conversion cycle (and yeah, THAT is a technical term), but with pigs it would more likely be a result of minor infections stunting the growth, or too little stress on the bones and growth of the muscles as a result of strenuous activity.

You have just over stepped the mark.. your litterally saying she killed her pigs and that is not true, The owner is a very kind women who cares for her pigs, breeders breed because they love the animals! they are helping them by stopping Lethals, researching into OD etc etc
Also you spray the bottom and leave it to dry. the spray kills all germs and bacteria! seriously u lot need to think before you just say thiss sorta stuff, its not nice and its not fair.. its like your looking to have us come to back up our friends!
seriously.. this thread makes me feel sick how nasty it is

[Matt & Guins]

Again - pretty much as usual, I am not wanting to take any side on this situation.

All I can say is that this site really does get its nose out of joint when it comes across as website which is proven to belong to a breeder. Thats all the members need here to fule a massive argument and attack on breeders.

Basically, members here say "there is no good breeding" - so unfortunately any of those who disagree with that statment are not going to get anywhere - cause mods here are in charge and if they dont like what you're saying you will just get banned.

I'm sure that not all of the "anti-breeding" members here have their cavies in the 7.5 sq ft cages - before members start to attack others, I wish many of them would just look at how they take care of their own cavies.

In the end, this forum is anti-breeding, and any discussion on breeding/show etc etc should just be left to other forums - not even worth trying to defend it on here as its a losing battle.

[SkinnyGuineaPig]

WOW you guys have to be EXTREMLY bored to be mocking someone that takes care of there piggies like she does.She is clearly talking about the available cages that are sold in pet stores,and if you guys opened your eyeballs and read clearly she says cages have to be low so the piggies have air circulation. If you would look at her guinea pig pictures,you can clearly see that her pigs are plump and look healthy and happy.And for the person who said she didnt even give them hay,well look at the picture in the shed,theres a load of hay on the ground.What also angers me is that you all seem to say that "commercial cages" are crap and only to get the C&C cage,and if you get something else its not good enough.I baugth a huge commercial cage and im more then satified with it.

It angers me how people can judge other people just by looks.She is a great person and she takes care of her piggies really well.Why dont you guys pick on someone who doesnt take care of there animals.There's millions of animals out there that arent well cared for,its discusting and RUDE. This is why i chose to be in the Pimms forum,theres is no bashing around on other members.

She was hurt by these comments,and they shouldnt have been said,cause there wasnt a reason for it,so people please get a life and move on !

[daftscotslass]

Originally Posted by Sawda

Also you spray the bottom and leave it to dry. the spray kills all germs and bacteria! seriously u lot need to think before you just say thiss sorta stuff, its not nice and its not fair.. its like your looking to have us come to back up our friends!

It doesn't kill viruses, though. Not that viruses can be killed because they were never alive in the first place. ANYWAY! It is various viruses that cause gastroenteritis, and only the strictest of hygiene procedures would prevent the spread. Wood can rot, you cannot keep it truly clean.

Like Matt said, breeding is a sore spot on this site for obvious reasons. It's not that that is being questioned here - it is the housing conditions. I believe wooden hutches are inadequate. I'm not asking GPperson to agree with me. I had a wooden hutch at one point and found it exceptionally difficult to clean. The wood absorbed the pee (and hence bacteria), and no amount of disinfectant would get rid of the stains. If the stains are still there, the bacteria are still there. When you have a lot of cavies, is it really viable to leave it to dry completely before you put the bedding back in?

Out of curiosity, how have you helped in the research into OD and prevention of lethals?

Edit: This is all starting up again on other said website. Might be an idea to get this thread closed.

[Sawda]

Lethals: Teaching people why it shouldn't be done and making sure we don't breed dalXdal or roan to roan
OD: Breeders world wide are having there satins X-rayed to help studies into OD, if we keep it up this way we may figure out a way yo prevent it

Edit: no one has multiple IDs, your getting worried because people are helping a friend!

[daftscotslass]

Originally Posted by Sawda

Lethals: Teaching people why it shouldn't be done and making sure we don't breed dalXdal or roan to roan
OD: Breeders world wide are having there satins X-rayed to help studies into OD, if we keep it up this way we may figure out a way yo prevent it

Edit: no one has multiple IDs, your getting worried because people are helping a friend!

Good to know.

[guineapigqueen]

I am in talks with the lady in with UK, Karen I think she is called and I am recording the satins guineas life, weighing them etc.
I will be having a constulation with a local veterinarian to see if he can x-ray some of them if not all.
I totally understand what you are saying about the hutches and wood, and this is why they are being replaced in the New Year. also with the smalled boar hutches they will be made larger to all cat litter trays so the wood doesnt rot.

EDIT: Well if you feel sorry for my guineas why dont you all send me a C&C cage for my guineas? would that make you happy? LOL

[Rinoa]

I don't think there is anything wrong with wooden cages. Hmm somehow this forum is a bit biast being the CAVY CAGES forum. I am not a breeder but I don't have a problem with breeding as long as the guinea pigs are well kept after (i had to restrain myself from saying "piggies" due to the abuse i would recive for not using PROPER terms). By suggesting that it was her fault that all her pigies died, is just ludicrous. Who would ever want to go through that? GPperson is a saint to her piggies, and why would she even get that many if she couldnt look after them and WANTED them to die? who'd do that? Until I get a larger cage, mine are in wooden hutches at night, and a run at day. Which i don't see a problem with. They sleep mostly at night and active in day which is when they are runnig free (like GPpersons are) and they are fine about this. They never seem depressed. however I am upgrading later today, i don't see anything wrong with GPpersons arrangement. Why don't you stop assuming things, which iswhat you have all been doing (no hay..unsupervised..") before you find out the facts. You are so quick to flame. And why are you all so anti breeding? ITS A NATURAL THING GUINEA PIGS DO! Ok, so one or more of your guinea pigs die and soemone says its your fault? I had that happen to me. Its not nice. There is NO way you can 100% guarentee your guinea pigs safety. And hmm...so your guinea pig climbs out of its C&C cage...ITS YOUR FAULT YOU ARE EVIL GUINEA PIG OWNER!! hmm not so fair now is it?

[kathrynj]

Originally Posted by jennawing

http://www.petplace.com:


Just so you didn't miss that- lack of ... activity is the cause of gastroenteritis- lack of activity due to too-small living quarters. Your pigs died because they could not move around. Enough said.

Lack of activity is not the cause of gastroenteritis! How on earth did you manage to misinterpret that quote you used?
Ist of all I managed to locate it, in TREATMENT for ANTIBIOTIC ASSOCIATED ENTEROTOXEMIA IN GUINEA PIGS. It says that

[font=Arial]Antibiotic-associated enterotoxemia is a condition in which the use of antibiotics results in a disruption of the normal intestinal flora. Pathogenic (disease causing) bacteria such as Clostridial organisms, overpopulate the intestinal tract and produce bacterial toxins, or enterotoxins, that cause blood poisoning and diarrhea. [/font]

<LI> Antibiotics are controversial. They are the reason the problem occurred in the first place, and yet they may help reduce the numbers of clostridial organisms which are producing the toxins.

Analgesics (pain medications) help alleviate abdominal discomfort. Gastroenteritis will cause gas production and intestinal bloating which can be very uncomfortable. The pain causes guinea pigs to become anorexic and lethargic. The lack of ingested food and activity causes an ileus (slowing or stasis of the gastrointestinal tract) which allows for an increased absorption of the toxins. Banamine® (flunixin meglumine) is a good non-steroidal anti-inflamatory drug (NSAID) that is effective for gastrointestinal pain. Opiods (butorphanol, buprenorphine) are also used.

My interpretation is that antibiotics cause this particular illness, and that analgesics are needed to control the PAIN which causes ANOREXIA AND LETHARGY. NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.
In short you are accusing someone here of causing this deliberately.

[daftscotslass]

Originally Posted by Rinoa

There is NO way you can 100% guarentee your guinea pigs safety. And hmm...so your guinea pig climbs out of its C&C cage...ITS YOUR FAULT YOU ARE EVIL GUINEA PIG OWNER!! hmm not so fair now is it?

Must be some talented pig that could climb/jump 14 inches. You are right. No-one can guarantee their pig's safety, but everyone can do their best.

This thread has lived long enough, it's just causing the usual trouble with people from the other site signing up merely to kick up a fuss. How petty. Can a mod close and move please?

[guineapigqueen]

Aww well this has all blown over my head now, I went to see my happy pigs and give them a big treat of fresh grass.
Hopefully you will all move on and get on with your own lives, and stop interfering with mine.
I never came onto this forum because I know it is against people like me a breeder and someone who shows their animals. When you are getting slagged off you dont sit around? well some of you maybe but I certainly dont.

EDIT: I never came here for this slagging match someone told me about it

[kathrynj]

Originally Posted by daftscotslass

Must be some talented pig that could climb/jump 14 inches. You are right. No-one can guarantee their pig's safety, but everyone can do their best.

This thread has lived long enough, it's just causing the usual trouble with people from the other site signing up merely to kick up a fuss. How petty. Can a mod close and move please?

How rude. I certainly did not sign up specifically for this. This site used to be good and I recommended it. It is increasingly hard to do because of the attitude I see. I was a member before but lost my account, coz I just read and didn't post for too long. I have been the currrent user for at least 5 months.
I merely am pointing out a big misused misinterpreted quote.
There has been lots of name calling and innuendo in this thread. To you who say there is nothing to apologise for I don't want to be your freind, coz that's not how I treat people.
The person involved here is innocent, you have targetted her in this petty thread, while the REAL piggie neglecters and cruelty cases are still there.

[Myspoiltpiggies]

Originally Posted by SkinnyGuineaPig

if you guys opened your eyeballs and read clearly she says cages have to be low so the piggies have air circulation

So how comes she has some cages which are eye-level??