Sallyvh, that is a nice size cage too. You're a lot more creative than I am. I'm bad at just looking at a cage and seeing what "it is" not what "it could be".

I totally understand being busy, and feeling guilty, but can't you just focus on the future and get through the busy times now? I'm a PhD student, I teach at 4 colleges full time (3 face-to-face with 40 miles between them), I attend classes full time, I live on a horse farm with 40 horses and I...

Wow. Those cages look awesome! Thanks for the information. The cage she is in is way too small, and I wanted to get her into a bin cage asap, but I've just been super busy. Getting her was an impulse decision. I went to the shelter looking for a guinea pig because my oldest pig passed away. I...

I've adopted a hamster. It's been a while since I've had a hamster. This particular hamster has mad ninja skills. I have her in a glass aquarium (while I work on building a bin cage), with a screen lid. But, the first night she got the screen lid off and escaped. The second night, she got the...

That's normal. I've had pigs now for 7 years, and I've never had a pig that was like, "yes, please hold me!" I've had some who were more okay with being held than others, but overall guinea pigs run when you try to pick them up. Even if you were used to it, if a giant hand the size of your body...

If she does have a mental disability it doesn't mean she can't live a long healthy life. My 3 year old pig Indiana has a neurological problem, likely the result of an untreated ear infection. When I adopted her I was told she would likely not live for more than a few months, when I took her to...

My suggestion was going to be the new undiscovered perlino piggy hehe. But, can't pull that off based on that picture.

Growing up on a large horse farm I was taught if they are eating, drinking and pooping then let them live. Not everyone lives by that motto, but it's served me well. To be honest, I'm an optimist though, and I always assume they're going to have better days. I had a guinea pig dying of...

I have a 6 year old (almost 7) pig who still hates being held (I've had her 7 years in March). Different animals have different personalities. My 3 year old pig is terrified of me, and my new pig I've had less than a month lets me pick her up without any problem. I've had 5 pigs now, and two of...

If a human had a stroke they would go to the doctor. You do not know for sure your pig had a stroke. You are assuming your pig had a stroke, but there could be other problems that you can't see. For example, your pig could have a tumor or other neurological problem. If you couldn't move would...

I'm not sure where you are, but it might be worth a try to contact the Veterinary Med School at the University of Florida. Sometimes (very rarely, but it doesn't hurt to ask) teaching schools are willing to work with exotics owners because they do not see them that often, and they can use it as...

Good for you. Do you have mandated reporters? If you do, I suppose you could always claim that you think you are one (or maybe you are one), if she does suspect you were the one who reported her. Or I'm sure the RSPC is a mandated reporter of some type and you could say you wanted them to view...

Thanks. Since I use paper bedding it works easier to use bowls because otherwise the paper sticks to the veggies. The hay usually still get everywhere anyway, but it starts out clean.

Bambi is the newest addition to the household. Bambi is the apricot and white on the top. Clementine is the black one, and Indiana is just visible in the bottom center (she's brown, tan and white). Bambi is about 1 year old and was adopted from a local shelter. Her name was already Bambi, and I...

Have you considered not getting a guinea pig until your situation changes, and you are able to adopt instead of shop? It's part of the joys of maturity, making decisions that stink but are in the best interest of the animals involved. I am sorry you had an accident that scared you from long...

Where are you located? Maybe someone knows of a vet closer to you that can help you.

Having worked at PetSmart, I can tell you from experience, do not take your pig to the PetSmart vet. I decided to try them once because I thought they'd be cheaper than my regular vet. Not only were they about twice what my regular vet was my guinea pig was misdiagnosed and almost died as a...

This looks a lot like how my Indiana was when I brought her home at around 3 months. She has neurological problems. As she has aged (she's 3 now) her behaviors have mostly become "normal", but if she gets excited or scared they come back. She also has scared pig events where she acts like she's...

That's good to hear she's doing better.

If you are learning Chinese then being there would help. But, have you considered integrating yourself into Chinese student organizations on college campuses in the U.S? Most of my college friends over the past few years have been Chinese students, and if I was trying to learn Mandarin I think...