Charlie's Medical Thread

[Rayvn]

Right. Farm life is just very different. Although farm kids are raised to love and respect an animal, we are also taught that things are pretty black and white. The chick baby may be fun and cuddly, but in a few months, it will be in a pot for dinner. The cow makes funny noises, and we must hire a vet to make sure he is in full health for slaughter. We pet him, hug him, feed him the best food, and when its his time, a strong electric current will send him to heaven...its a "cirle of life," kind of thinking. We are also taught to look at cost effective matters. It is hard, growing up like that, and then trying to explain to your family why babies aren't the best idea! They look at u like u have lost it!

I live on a farm myself, and it is hard. I also go to long lengths to care for my animals, and sometimes my Mom thinks I'm crazy. "Why does he need such a big cage?", "Why are you spending so much on vet bills?". Most of these are rhetorical, of course, and she respects my affection for them, but she doesn't really understand.

 

[Wildcavy]

"And when the time comes, a strong electric current will send him to heaven."

Okay. Well. I think I just stopped breathing.

At a minimum, though, if you eat animals, why can't a division be made between animals that you eat and animals that are your companions? Sure, you grow up and/or live on a farm. Do you keep your horses in a tiny walk-in stall with no access to pasture because it makes their meat nice and soft, even though you have no intention of eating them? Or do you treat them well, box stall and open pasture, because they are your companions?

Do you keep your cat in a tiny cage, alone? Or a dog penned up inside the house? If you are not planning on eating your guinea pig, then why don't you give your pig the same respect as any other companion animal?

I used to eat guinea pigs, by the way, it was normal where I lived. I cannot bear the memory now. And I can't see why, even if you eat meat and animal products, you would make some sort of fantasy "well we live on a farm" argument and apply it to companion animals. If you are raising the guinea pig as a production machine, whether to sell its babies or eat it, then be honest and be done with it. Otherwise, you should be speaking of the pig in the same manner as any other companion animal.

There have been many victims of many species where the abusers have said, "But that's the way we do it here" or "But that's the way it's always been done" or "You just don't understand because you aren't from around here."

 

[Rayvn]

"And when the time comes, a strong electric current will send him to heaven."

Okay. Well. I think I just stopped breathing.

At a minimum, though, if you eat animals, why can't a division be made between animals that you eat and animals that are your companions? Sure, you grow up and/or live on a farm. Do you keep your horses in a tiny walk-in stall with no access to pasture because it makes their meat nice and soft, even though you have no intention of eating them? Or do you treat them well, box stall and open pasture, because they are your companions?

Do you keep your cat in a tiny cage, alone? Or a dog penned up inside the house? If you are not planning on eating your guinea pig, then why don't you give your pig the same respect as any other companion animal?

I used to eat guinea pigs, by the way, it was normal where I lived. I cannot bear the memory now. And I can't see why, even if you eat meat and animal products, you would make some sort of fantasy "well we live on a farm" argument and apply it to companion animals. If you are raising the guinea pig as a production machine, whether to sell its babies or eat it, then be honest and be done with it. Otherwise, you should be speaking of the pig in the same manner as any other companion animal.

There have been many victims of many species where the abusers have said, "But that's the way we do it here" or "But that's the way it's always been done" or "You just don't understand because you aren't from around here."

I'm not really sure what you're referring to when you say "Do you keep your horses in a tiny walk-in stall with no access to pasture because it makes their meat nice and soft, even though you have no intention of eating them?". Looking out the window, I see a herd of roughly 30 cows (They don't belong to my family, they belong to the landlord) that are happily munching on a fertile field right now. They hardly ever get confined unless the weather prevents them from going outside. Our chickens are free range, too. Our ducks have access to a pond that they love to swim in. It's not as though all animal farmers practice "factory farming".

 

[NarwhalsRock]

I get what Rayvn is saying... (S)he means that you don't treat an animal like it's going to be food, if it's not. Right, Rayvn?

 

[charliespet]

"And when the time comes, a strong electric current will send him to heaven."

Okay. Well. I think I just stopped breathing.

At a minimum, though, if you eat animals, why can't a division be made between animals that you eat and animals that are your companions? Sure, you grow up and/or live on a farm. Do you keep your horses in a tiny walk-in stall with no access to pasture because it makes their meat nice and soft, even though you have no intention of eating them? Or do you treat them well, box stall and open pasture, because they are your companions?

Do you keep your cat in a tiny cage, alone? Or a dog penned up inside the house? If you are not planning on eating your guinea pig, then why don't you give your pig the same respect as any other companion animal?

I used to eat guinea pigs, by the way, it was normal where I lived. I cannot bear the memory now. And I can't see why, even if you eat meat and animal products, you would make some sort of fantasy "well we live on a farm" argument and apply it to companion animals. If you are raising the guinea pig as a production machine, whether to sell its babies or eat it, then be honest and be done with it. Otherwise, you should be speaking of the pig in the same manner as any other companion animal.

There have been many victims of many species where the abusers have said, "But that's the way we do it here" or "But that's the way it's always been done" or "You just don't understand because you aren't from around here."

Right, not all farmers practice in humane tactics. When an animal does come to the point it is "ready" to be slaughterd for meat, it has to be killed some how. That's what I meant about the electric current. Some farmers use it because it is more humane than guns or blades. And I was also confused because, both me and the other poster were saying how we DO treat our GP's differently, and sometimes its hard for our families or other farm community members to understand. All of my pigs, past and present are companions, and they get the best care...that's why I'm here on this forum, to make sure she gets the best advice!

 

[Rayvn]

I'm just trying to say that raising something for food doesn't mean it is inherently treated badly, as many people seem to think.

 

[Wildcavy]

[MENTION=19705]Rayvn[/MENTION], I am not saying that everyone practices factory farming. I am saying that using farm-oriented approaches and applying them to pets is wrong. Some on this thread are using the excuse that they live or grew up on a farm to justify that they treat their cavies like farm animals and not like companions.

If you wouldn't treat a pet horse like a veal calf, then why treat a pet cavy like a food cavy? The ability to electrocute or bolt a cow or other food animal shouldn't have a bearing on one's companion animals. I get tired of people saying that because they grew up on a farm, then they have a different set of standards and some how get a free pass on being cold toward the animals they bring into their homes.

I come from a long line of old world dirt farmers. I don't use that as a reason to discount my animals. And if anything, it convicts my soul of what I have done before, without thought. I can't claim ignorance anymore.

In any case, I'm not talking about your landlord's cows.

 

[Rayvn]

@Rayvn , I am not saying that everyone practices factory farming. I am saying that using farm-oriented approaches and applying them to pets is wrong. Some on this thread are using the excuse that they live or grew up on a farm to justify that they treat their cavies like farm animals and not like companions.

If you wouldn't treat a pet horse like a veal calf, then why treat a pet cavy like a food cavy? The ability to electrocute or bolt a cow or other food animal shouldn't have a bearing on one's companion animals. I get tired of people saying that because they grew up on a farm, then they have a different set of standards and some how get a free pass on being cold toward the animals they bring into their homes.

I come from a long line of old world dirt farmers. I don't use that as a reason to discount my animals. And if anything, it convicts my soul of what I have done before, without thought. I can't claim ignorance anymore.

In any case, I'm not talking about your landlord's cows.

I see your point. Sorry about getting worked up :sorry:.

 

[charliespet]

[MENTION=19254]Wildcavy[/MENTION] Yeah I def agree, ppl should not treat a pet the same way as an animal raised for profit, food etc...but then there is this whole other side, the farm animals, the means by which they are treated and slaughtered. It should all be humane, they should all get love, proper food and medical care, I guess its just the end that is really different. Either way, I have always had a hard time with the death of anything... except fleas. haha

 

[ellisa]

@Rayvn , I am not saying that everyone practices factory farming. I am saying that using farm-oriented approaches and applying them to pets is wrong. Some on this thread are using the excuse that they live or grew up on a farm to justify that they treat their cavies like farm animals and not like companions.

If you wouldn't treat a pet horse like a veal calf, then why treat a pet cavy like a food cavy? The ability to electrocute or bolt a cow or other food animal shouldn't have a bearing on one's companion animals. I get tired of people saying that because they grew up on a farm, then they have a different set of standards and some how get a free pass on being cold toward the animals they bring into their homes.

I come from a long line of old world dirt farmers. I don't use that as a reason to discount my animals. And if anything, it convicts my soul of what I have done before, without thought. I can't claim ignorance anymore.

In any case, I'm not talking about your landlord's cows.

[MENTION=19254]Wildcavy[/MENTION] , I hope you don't think that I treat my animals like this just because of my post. I was just saying that I understand what it's like to have family that thinks I'm crazy because of the lengths I go to for my pets.
I have family that does exactly what you're talking about, and it drives me crazy. They think I'm the crazy one for giving my pets the best care.

 

[charliespet]

[MENTION=17918]ellisa[/MENTION] No I think you worded everything great. I knew what you meant for sure. Some ppl have never had the oppurtunity to bond with an animal esp not a GP and they don't know how rewarding it is. GPs seem to actually recognize their owners, they communicate. I Don't know if all animals are this way, such as a goat. (I've never had one...LOL) but when ppl don't get to have that bond with an animal esp one they don't know much about, they can't always see the value...I've had friends who were scared of pigs hold mine and smile and smile. Exclaiming they never knew they "purred," or interacted. Or they thought they would bite, etc...

 

[Wildcavy]

GPs seem to actually recognize their owners, they communicate.

Especially when we have food! Or we don't have food, and they think we should. My Aby gets a particularly judgmental look ....lol

 

[charliespet]

Especially when we have food! Or we don't have food, and they think we should. My Aby gets a particularly judgmental look ....lol

Yep I have seen that look! HAHAHA They are very intelligent for their small size. Sometimes I crinkle a bag just to get Charlie to come out of her hut and she looks at me like, "Really? You resort to tricks now?" Haha.

 

[charliespet]

??? Is this normal>

My GP makes a strange sound when she wheeks. Its like the higher pitched she tries to go, only air comes out like wheek wheeeeekk weeepfffffff I don't know how else to describe it...its a dry air sound. Is this normal?

 

[nibbler100]

Re: ??? Is this normal>

My pig does this to and I toke her to the vet and he said that her lungs sounded fine but just in case he did give me some anti biotic for her but she still does it. I'd take her to the vet just to make sour though.. If its breathing she has a problem with then its something that can not wait.

 

[Dee_E]

Re: ??? Is this normal>

I know my Poppy is a quiet wheeker, when he tries to get loud it sounds kind of of what you are describing.

However, there are more knowledgeable people to answer your question.

 

[charliespet]

Re: ??? Is this normal>

Yeah, my other pig did it too. But I am thinking of making her an appointment she is pregnant unfortuantly, and she will need a post natal checkup as well. She is due in a few days. She looks shiny and healthy, no running nose or listlessness or anything. She's done this for a while, but the first time I noticed it, I was just figuring on keeping an eye on it, because she doesn't squeak much at all. Honestly I haven't heard it, because she never wheeks. For some reason today she just seems to have a burst of energy and running around wheeking at me when I got home. She has sneezed a few times in the past week, but nothing abnormal. I just don't want to haul her to the vet when she could have the babies any time now.

 

[charliespet]

Re: ??? Is this normal>

Oh an shes eating for sure...water and food like crazy.

 

[nibbler100]

Re: ??? Is this normal>

yeah then it could just be a her thing.. when my girl Riley does it, i cring... it almost sounds like it hurts her or that shes been smoking for 20 million years XD

 

[TCTrun]

Truth be told, I've never had senior pigs. When the time comes, I probably would get them surgeries to prolong their lives after 5 years etc... It's one of those things where you have to experience it yourself. I thought my parents were unreasonable to get surgery for their 14 year old dog that died 4 months later anyway. If it was my dog that I'd been attached to for 14 years, however, I most likely would have done the same darn thing!