Hello from MN

HollyLeaf · Dec 24, 2015

Hello everyone! It's so great to be apart of the cavy community!
I joined so I could learn more about guinea pigs and be the best piggy parent I can be. So, while I'm writing this thread, I'd like to ask a few questions and hopefully find some answers..
I have two piggies, Charlotte and Pansy. I did buy them from Petsmart a few weeks ago, before I realized I could adopt elsewhere.. But they are beautiful and so much fun and I love them anyway. My concern today is with little Pansy.. I noticed a few days ago that there was a hint of pink in her urine. After researching, I realized I was giving too much high calcium veggies, like collards and red peppers every day.. So I stopped giving those every day, as well as going out and buying a much wider range of veggies. I made a menu with varying veggies for every day, and it have since not seen any pink in her urine. But I've also noticed her sneezing a lot more. They both sneeze a bit, and I think it's my bedding ( I use pets pick natural kiln dried pine, which despite what the bag says is not completely dust free...). I had half a bag left over from when I had hamsters, and it wanted to use it up, but I planned to buy a big bag of aspen to use next time. Unfortunately my walmart does not carry the large bag of aspen, only the little tiny bag, and the large bags are twice as expensive everywhere else. I can't find the large bag of that brand online either. But I needed bedding right away since I just finished my C&C cage and I ran short with the old bag. So I had the buy the large bag of the pine again. I still plan to keep looking for aspen in bulk, but the pine has to do for now. But I worry for the pigs' health. I'm still familiarizing myself with their personalities and quirks, so I don't know if it's normal or not but Pansy seems to sleep a lot during the day. She still zooms around her cage and plays with Charlotte but it seems every time I walk into my room or wake up in the morning she's napping in the corner. She's also skinnier then her sister, but she's been that way since I got her. She's actually much skinnier compared to Charlotte, but then again char is a bit of a chunk haha. Anyway she eats normal and drinks normal and still seems to have energy. But I worry about her sneezing and sleeping so much. They're both so young yet, I find it hard to believe they could sleep for long. But hey, I'm no expert, yet. I just wonder if the bedding dust is irritating them. They seem to like it otherwise.

I plan on taking them to the vet as soon as possible after Christmas for a check up, and to rule out a URI, which is what I'm worried about. But any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. Also, please don't recommend fleece to me. I've already looked it up, and weighed the pros and cons, and I have to say I don't care to go that direction. I've always used bedding for my critters, I don't intend to stop now. Not to mention the deal I made with my parents says I cannot allow the cage to smell at all, and from what I've read fleece tends to be stinky. I don't mind spending the money on bedding, I've been doing it for a while already. But any other advice would be great!

One more thing, thoughts on forti-diet or Kaytee Timothy hay? That's what my walmart sells and I work there so it's easier than buying the extremely expensive stuff at petsmart. Same thing with that brand pellets?

Thanks! Nice to meet everyone!
Merry Christmas!

peachyteen · Dec 25, 2015

You could try switching to paper bedding, I feel like it has less dust than shavings.
Also, Kaytee hay is okay if it's green, but I recommend oxbow or kms. For pellets, don't use kaytee, it's really not good for your pig. Oxbow is the best in store brand, but if you have the money and ability to order online, get KMS. We ordered a 10lb bag of kms, we've gone through about half in 2 months w/ 2 bigs, just so you can get an idea of how long it would last.

bpatters · Dec 25, 2015

Kaytee stuff is pretty much crap -- KMS or Oxbow are much better choices, and much healthier for your pigs. But buying hay in small packages in the store will cost you three times as much as buying in larger quantities online. It's also drier and dustier.

The absolute best bedding for odor control is wood pellets, either that made as stove fuel or horse bedding. You just have to make sure it doesn't have a strong pine odor. You can go months without replacing pellets, and they're very cheap.

I find that it's easier to put a layer of thin fleece over the pellets (they're the absorbent layer), simply because it makes it easier to lift the fleece out and shake the hay and poop off of it. But it's not totally necessary. If you choose not to use it, you might want to put some small fleece pads or soft hideys in for them to sleep on.

HollyLeaf · Dec 25, 2015

Thanks for the tips so far, guys! I'll definitely look into those ideas.

unfortunately right now I have no idea when I will get in to see my vet. She usually has a week long waiting list from what I hear, and I can't call till tomorrow. Pansy seems to be acting normal other than all the sleeping, she eats normal and drinks. But I can't help but worry. I've read how most pigs from pet stores already come sick with something, but petsmart has usually always been good to me, I would never go to petco or some other crap little pet store. But who knows.. I just know all my hamsters have come healthy from there, and lived long lives. I'm also worried about the cost to get both checked up at the vet and if either or both have URIs.. Money's a tad tight right now with Christmas just getting out of the way and my bills. Our vet is very cheap usually but takes great care of our animals, but I've never taken guinea pigs there. I wonder if I call and ask they could give me an estimate?

HollyLeaf · Dec 25, 2015

bpatters said:
The absolute best bedding for odor control is wood pellets, either that made as stove fuel or horse bedding. You just have to make sure it doesn't have a strong pine odor. You can go months without replacing pellets, and they're very cheap.

I find that it's easier to put a layer of thin fleece over the pellets (they're the absorbent layer), simply because it makes it easier to lift the fleece out and shake the hay and poop off of it. But it's not totally necessary. If you choose not to use it, you might want to put some small fleece pads or soft hideys in for them to sleep on.

And as for those pellets, where do you buy them, and what brand is the best? I've never heard of that idea before, and it sounds appealing. Much less dusty I assume.

bpatters · Dec 25, 2015

You should be able to find stove pellets where you are. Be sure they don't have an accelerant added, and that they don't have a strong pine odor. Places like Lowes and Home Depot usually sell them. They're a seasonal item, and once winter is over, you can't get them again until the weather turns cold in the fall. So if you like them, stock up.

If there are horses in your area, you may be able to buy horse stall bedding. Same thing applies about the pine odor, but you don't have to worry about accelerants with them. I use a brand called TerrAmigo, and I buy them at a local feed store. You'll have to google them in your area to find them. They're usually produced and sold regionally because of the weight involved in shipping.

HollyLeaf · Dec 25, 2015

bpatters said:
You should be able to find stove pellets where you are. Be sure they don't have an accelerant added, and that they don't have a strong pine odor. Places like Lowes and Home Depot usually sell them. They're a seasonal item, and once winter is over, you can't get them again until the weather turns cold in the fall. So if you like them, stock up.

If there are horses in your area, you may be able to buy horse stall bedding. Same thing applies about the pine odor, but you don't have to worry about accelerants with them. I use a brand called TerrAmigo, and I buy them at a local feed store. You'll have to google them in your area to find them. They're usually produced and sold regionally because of the weight involved in shipping.

Awesome, thanks, I'll have to look into those.

On another note, is there anything you might be able to tell me about my pig's odd behavior? I mean, I don't know if it's odd, maybe she's just a sleeper, but I'm worried regardless. I've now deeply researched everything about URIs and I've also looked into allergies. The only symptoms I really see is the sneezing now and again and the sleepiness. She's flopped in the corner right now by the hayrack as I type this, and sometimes she even closes her eyes, which I know is rare for them to do. Oh, but now she's up and eating pellets. Anyway, she seems much more lethargic than her sister, who's always running and eating it seems, with short catnaps here and there. Pansy is up and running like a spaz at times too, then she seems to eat for a bit then take another nap. Is this normal? I've read in multiple different places different things about this, some places say they are active in the morning and evening, others say lots of sleep is not normal at all. She also seems to shed a lot more than Charlotte? And a bit smaller and skinnier than her sister.

Ill take them to the vet ASAP for a checkup regardless, but a little peace of mind would be nice right now, heh.

peachyteen · Dec 25, 2015

Our girls tend to nap after eating, and they do close their eyes when they sleep when they feel safe/comfortable. Same goes with "flopping over". Peanut usually sleeps on one hip and her head normal (usually, occasionally she'll lay with her head to the side).
Also, guinea pigs come in all sizes. Peanut is almost 2lbs and Olive is a bit under 1.5lbs, and they're only a month or so apart.

bpatters · Dec 25, 2015

It's not rare for them to close their eyes at all. Pigs in a new place, and especially young pigs, will often sleep with their eyes open, but older, settled pigs usually close them.

They are crepuscular animals, which means they're more active at dawn and dusk. But I think that really applies more to their wild ancestors. Our pigs live in warm houses, and get used to our routines. Mine have always eaten/napped/eaten/napped/etc, and have had plenty of naps during the day.

Some pigs can just be lazier than others. I had two sows who were litter mates. One of them was definitely more active than the other -- ran more zoomies, moved around the cage more during the day. So the lack of activity isn't necessarily worrisome. It could be a problem, and I'd probably want an x-ray to see if there's any enlargement of the heart that might be causing it. But it might also be nothing.

HollyLeaf · Dec 26, 2015

Thanks so much for the help guys! I feel a lot better about the whole situation. I think maybe I was just overreacting, as any new pig mom would I guess. They were both zooming around the cage this morning and Pansy seems to be very happy at the moment. I called the vet, but I guess they're closed until Monday. Pooh. Hopefully soon I can get them in for a checkup.

HollyLeaf · Jan 1, 2016

I just realized I haven't posted any pictures of my girls yet so here are a few. Charlotte is the brown and white one and pansy is the brindle.

HollyLeaf · Jan 4, 2016

I'm just going to bump this by saying I got my piggies into the vet this morning for their first wellness exam and despite all my paranoia and worries my vet says they're perfectly healthy! She was very knowledgable and handled them very well, I didn't ask but I'm going to guess she has pigs or has had them at some point. She asked me lots of questions about how I'm taking care of them, what kinds of foods, toys, etc, and she was very pleased with all my answers. All the things I was worrying about are apparently normal and illness is nonexistent, which is a very good thing considering they did come from a pet store. She said they didn't even seem stressed at all about being away from home which is great, and how their personalities really shine through. She gave me lots of extra tips on keeping them happy and healthy, and we even discussed bringing them outside in the summer time and what kinds of things to be aware of. Anyway both my pigs are very happy and healthy and I only paid a whopping $10 for the both of them to have their check up!

My vet was great, very thorough, and the prices were fantastic! We always love seeing her, we've been bringing our dogs and cat there for the last 5 years or so, and she's always been so great, and the prices very reasonable. If there's anyone in the twin cities metro/central MN area looking for a good, reasonably priced vet for their pigs or other animals, I Highly recommend Dr. Sarah Sneller in Annandale.

PiggyGrandma15 · Jan 4, 2016

Oh that is great to hear!

Side note, I'm insanely jealous of that nonexistent vet fee!

HollyLeaf · Jan 4, 2016

PiggyGrandma15 said:
Oh that is great to hear!

Side note, I'm insanely jealous of that nonexistent vet fee!

I could hardly believe that was what they charged me! I expected at least 20$, and especially since i looked around on this forum and many other people were saying how a good price was around $30 per pig, and thats if youre lucky. Im incredibly happy with my vet.

SillyMolly · Jan 6, 2016

Hi, I'm from MN too! I live in Willmar, but I'm originally from Waconia. I got an coronet guinea pig from the St.Cloud Petsmart, I named her Molly, and I love her so much! I got her June 29th,2015 with my staff from the group home I live in. All my staff have been very supportive of Molly and I, and I feel so thankful. Your Guineas are adorable and I can tell you care about them very much. I'm new to this site, but I stumbled across it a few times as I looked up facts and recommendations before I went and brought her. I'm excited to start using this site more regularly.

HollyLeaf · Jan 6, 2016

SillyMolly said:
Hi, I'm from MN too! I live in Willmar, but I'm originally from Waconia. I got an coronet guinea pig from the St.Cloud Petsmart, I named her Molly, and I love her so much! I got her June 29th,2015 with my staff from the group home I live in. All my staff have been very supportive of Molly and I, and I feel so thankful. Your Guineas are adorable and I can tell you care about them very much. I'm new to this site, but I stumbled across it a few times as I looked up facts and recommendations before I went and brought her. I'm excited to start using this site more regularly.

Welcome! Braving the bitter mn cold too, huh?
Ive been using this site for just about every question i have, its really great and the users are so knowledgable! Ive learned a ton in just the few weeks ive been here.
You say you picked your guinea up at a petsmart also? If i were you id take her in for a vet check, just to make sure shes illness-free. I discovered after i got my pigs that typically pet store pigs have illnesses. I was lucky, my pigs are super healthy. But next time ill definitely be adopting. Im more educated on that subject now, haha.

Also, id highly recommend you get her a friend. My mom surprising me the next day with Charlotte really did a great thing for Pansy. She was immediately a happier pig. Its better for your pigs overall health to have at least 2.

SillyMolly · Jan 6, 2016

Yeah, I had her checked out three days after I got her and she's perfectly healthy except the pet store didn't provide chew toys, so she had to have her teeth trimmed. I also did some research on guinea pigs a couple weeks before I got her. Molly has two friends at the house, my room mate Lola also got a guinea pig when she came with me to Petsmart to get her, and she got her second Guinea Pig when I was getting help with my depression. Their names are Ana and Oreo, they all play together during the day in the big Piggy Pen we brought. They are all happy together for now but Lola will be moving out in March so that's when I have to buy a second friend for Molly.

Thanks for the advice, I feel really welcomed here

I going to buy from a breeder next time, but I love my Molly no matter where she came from!

HollyLeaf · Jan 6, 2016

Im with you there. I love my girls to death even though they came from the store.

bpatters · Jan 6, 2016

Guinea pigs do NOT need chew toys to keep their teeth trimmed. It's the grinding action of the molars when they're chewing hay that keeps the front teeth at the right length. You'll need to provide her with unlimited good quality long-strand grass hay (timothy, blue, orchard, meadow, brome). If you want to buy toys, that's fine, but they're absolutely not necessary.

SillyMolly · Jan 6, 2016

HollyLeaf said:
Im with you there. I love my girls to death even though they came from the store.

That's wonderful, I'm glad

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