Wow, well I certainly admire you for looking after all those piggies =) Because personally I think I can only handle 2 at most. I worry about the expensive if I had more than 1 or 2 piggies. I want to give the best care to the one I already have, if you see what I mean.
I know exactly where you're coming from about people here not bothering with vets etc etc. For expensive reasons or whatever. People treat animals pretty badly, generally speaking. The rich seem to be mostly the only ones that treat their animals in a more "part of the family" kind of way. But I'm not rich and I doubt you are either. If it meant I didn't eat to look after my piggies I would (stupid eh?). I donno... I believe every creature on the earth deserves to be treated well.
I also find cheaper ways to care for my piggy. I use old newpapers for floor lining and shredded newpaper and rags. I do use vit C suppliment my piggies water bottle, but when that fails I give her 1/2 a tomato a day since it's high in vit C.
What I find ridiculous is they sell Guinea pigs here but don't sell the things to accommidate them. Hay, pellets, Aspen wood shavings vit C? Silly. But of course I doubt if they stocked those things it would make them much money, so they don't.
I think we deserve an award! lol. Oh well, done moaning now hehe.
(Sorry, long too hehe)