Alright, so I have a couple of questions about my piggy Griffin who (I am almost positive) has a URI. Today I went in to pet his nose (which he loves), and I noticed a slight discharge. Then, I shooed him into a sack to get a closer look and check for other URI symptoms. I noticed some eye crust, so I got on Guinea Lynx to do some more research about URIs. Toni had a URI once, but it was mild and easily treated as I caught it early.
I called the vet today, but as I didn't notice his symptoms until around 6:15, it was the best that I could do to leave a message to explain the situation and ask for a call back. Tomorrow, I will call again and try to schedule an appointment with the vet.
Anyway, on Sunday I went to PetSmart and bought the piggies some new goodies. I put a bed and a twig tunnel in the cage, and the piggies loved it! However, I think that it might be possible that Griffin got sick from one of the new goodies. Here is my theory:
Say that an employee of PetSmart was filling up the hay or pellets for some of the pigs. Then, they touched a pig that had a URI. They proceeded to go and restock the piggy aisle without washing their hands, therefore infecting the bed and tunnel that I proceeded to buy. I didn't wash the items (which I realize now would've been a good idea). However, as the tunnel was made out of twigs I don't know what I would've done to clean it.
Is that a plausible theory? I don't know if that is how it could've happened, but Griffin didn't have any symptoms until I brought home the new goodies.
Alright, second question. The other time that I had experience with a URI, I was able to get my pig to the vet right away. However, since I have to wait overnight and possibly through tomorrow, what it be okay to temporarily divide the cage in half with grids? That way I could monitor Griffin's eating, drinking, pooping, etc. and make sure that Toni doesn't take his food. He seems to be eating okay, but I have noticed that since I gave the pigs fresh water yesterday hardly a drop is gone.
Thank you so much! As of right now, Griffin's only symptoms seem to be nasal discharge and eye crust. He doesn't seem lethargic, and his cage mate has no symptoms that I am aware of. I'll keep a close eye on both of them, and get them to the vet as soon as I can.
I called the vet today, but as I didn't notice his symptoms until around 6:15, it was the best that I could do to leave a message to explain the situation and ask for a call back. Tomorrow, I will call again and try to schedule an appointment with the vet.
Anyway, on Sunday I went to PetSmart and bought the piggies some new goodies. I put a bed and a twig tunnel in the cage, and the piggies loved it! However, I think that it might be possible that Griffin got sick from one of the new goodies. Here is my theory:
Say that an employee of PetSmart was filling up the hay or pellets for some of the pigs. Then, they touched a pig that had a URI. They proceeded to go and restock the piggy aisle without washing their hands, therefore infecting the bed and tunnel that I proceeded to buy. I didn't wash the items (which I realize now would've been a good idea). However, as the tunnel was made out of twigs I don't know what I would've done to clean it.
Is that a plausible theory? I don't know if that is how it could've happened, but Griffin didn't have any symptoms until I brought home the new goodies.
Alright, second question. The other time that I had experience with a URI, I was able to get my pig to the vet right away. However, since I have to wait overnight and possibly through tomorrow, what it be okay to temporarily divide the cage in half with grids? That way I could monitor Griffin's eating, drinking, pooping, etc. and make sure that Toni doesn't take his food. He seems to be eating okay, but I have noticed that since I gave the pigs fresh water yesterday hardly a drop is gone.
Thank you so much! As of right now, Griffin's only symptoms seem to be nasal discharge and eye crust. He doesn't seem lethargic, and his cage mate has no symptoms that I am aware of. I'll keep a close eye on both of them, and get them to the vet as soon as I can.