Ahmose Inarus
Well-known Member
Cavy Slave
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2013
- Posts
- 73
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2013
- Messages
- 73
Hello! I am a brand new, first time guardian for a pair of young guinea pigs. While they did kind of fall into my lap, the decision to take them in has NOT been a rash one... I've been working in a veterinary hospital for several years as a receptionist, and I am fortunate enough to work with two veterinarians who see exotics... including precious little piggies. With all the pigs we've treated over the years for a certain pet store, I have found myself longing to have one of my own.
About two months ago, a young brindle colored pig was brought into us very sick. He had a horrible head tilt, was walking in circles, not eating, very lethargic and dehydrated, and we soon found that he had come down with pneumonia. We didn't think he would make it. The vet gave him a vitamin C injection, fluids and antibiotics and after syringe feeding him, I found myself doing my closing duties with the little guy cuddled up on my chest, shivering and purring. I fell in love. HARD. For the next few days, I was syringe feeding him and giving him his medications, and despite the bleak prognosis, the little guy pulled through and recovered with nothing but a slight head tilt, that he will probably have all his life.
Since I decided to try to take him home, I have spent hours perusing the internet, and this site especially, learning all I could about Guinea Pig husbandry, and one thing I learned was that Guinea Pigs get lonely... Enter the little calico pig with an ear infection all his own, and an upper respiratory infection. Despite his illness, he was friendly as can be. Now cleared, other than, again, a slight head tilt, I have brought the little calico home as of two days ago, and the first brindle pig will be coming home tomorrow. Brindle and Calico are now, respectively, Phobos and Deimos. The introduction went well and they are now happily munching away at some hay in their cage.
Now, both pigs have lice. I am not afraid of that, I have the expertise of two great vets to guide me through treating them... but neither of them has ever kept guinea pigs before themselves... what has me anxious I guess is just seeing that they both settle in, both with one another, and with their new home in general. And of course, I want to encourage them to bond with me. I would be so grateful for any advice on what I can do, and what I can expect from Phobos & Deimos!
About two months ago, a young brindle colored pig was brought into us very sick. He had a horrible head tilt, was walking in circles, not eating, very lethargic and dehydrated, and we soon found that he had come down with pneumonia. We didn't think he would make it. The vet gave him a vitamin C injection, fluids and antibiotics and after syringe feeding him, I found myself doing my closing duties with the little guy cuddled up on my chest, shivering and purring. I fell in love. HARD. For the next few days, I was syringe feeding him and giving him his medications, and despite the bleak prognosis, the little guy pulled through and recovered with nothing but a slight head tilt, that he will probably have all his life.
Since I decided to try to take him home, I have spent hours perusing the internet, and this site especially, learning all I could about Guinea Pig husbandry, and one thing I learned was that Guinea Pigs get lonely... Enter the little calico pig with an ear infection all his own, and an upper respiratory infection. Despite his illness, he was friendly as can be. Now cleared, other than, again, a slight head tilt, I have brought the little calico home as of two days ago, and the first brindle pig will be coming home tomorrow. Brindle and Calico are now, respectively, Phobos and Deimos. The introduction went well and they are now happily munching away at some hay in their cage.
Now, both pigs have lice. I am not afraid of that, I have the expertise of two great vets to guide me through treating them... but neither of them has ever kept guinea pigs before themselves... what has me anxious I guess is just seeing that they both settle in, both with one another, and with their new home in general. And of course, I want to encourage them to bond with me. I would be so grateful for any advice on what I can do, and what I can expect from Phobos & Deimos!