VoodooJoint
Cavy Champion, Previous Forum Moderator!
Cavy Slave
- Joined
- Sep 5, 2004
- Posts
- 8,865
- Joined
- Sep 5, 2004
- Messages
- 8,865
A tragic event today led me to want to request of all members to do regular safety checks of their cages. Please take the time after you read this story to do a thorough check of your cage. Check all connectors and zip ties to insure they are properly installed and still tight and functional. Check the stability and connections of second floors and any supports you may use. Check the lid (if you use one) to make certain it is safely held in place and well braced.
Today a friend of mine, whom I placed two rescued Guinea pigs with, suffered a tragic lose. Somehow the lid of her C&C cage (made of wire shelving) came loose and fell into the cage. It apparently struck one of the guinea pigs. We are unsure if the head or neck was struck but shortly after the lid fell her daughter saw the pig lying in the cage having seizures and breathing erratically. When she lifted her GP from the cage she saw blood coming from her nose and mouth. She rushed her quickly to a vet (while frantically explaining what happened to me on the phone at the same time). Unfortunately, even though she acted quickly, there was nothing the vet could do. The poor little girl's legs were already going cold and her breathing was stopping with only the occasional gasp for breath. The vet quickly euthanized her to save her from any further misery. It was a tragic accident and not one that she could have foreseen. She and her children are devastated (especially her little girl).
The only way to have avoided this tragedy would have been to closely inspect the lid connections. Over time connectors and zipties can fail. Please take the time to inspect and replace ones used on your cages. I would hate for this to happen to anyone else.
Today a friend of mine, whom I placed two rescued Guinea pigs with, suffered a tragic lose. Somehow the lid of her C&C cage (made of wire shelving) came loose and fell into the cage. It apparently struck one of the guinea pigs. We are unsure if the head or neck was struck but shortly after the lid fell her daughter saw the pig lying in the cage having seizures and breathing erratically. When she lifted her GP from the cage she saw blood coming from her nose and mouth. She rushed her quickly to a vet (while frantically explaining what happened to me on the phone at the same time). Unfortunately, even though she acted quickly, there was nothing the vet could do. The poor little girl's legs were already going cold and her breathing was stopping with only the occasional gasp for breath. The vet quickly euthanized her to save her from any further misery. It was a tragic accident and not one that she could have foreseen. She and her children are devastated (especially her little girl).
The only way to have avoided this tragedy would have been to closely inspect the lid connections. Over time connectors and zipties can fail. Please take the time to inspect and replace ones used on your cages. I would hate for this to happen to anyone else.