Vet First Veterinarian Appointment!

[Zuidy]

Hey everyone!

Just wanted to let everyone know that my Guinea Pigs are getting their first checkup on Thursday, the 29th of February. My girls, Lil' Babe and Big Sis', don't have anything wrong with them (noticeably) and I just thought it would be a good idea to take them in for a vet appointment to see how I have been doing in my job as a piggy dad and overall caretaker.

Both pigs are 5 months old, 3 of which I have owned them. I love them both to death!

__

Now, I am taking them to a vet that has told me and has advertised on their website that they have small animal specialists, more specifically rodents, Rabbits and Guinea Pigs. So, I know they should be competent (in their getup, anyhow. I will have to wait until I make any judgement upon them) in Guinea Pig care.

I was wondering a few things:

My piggies DO NOT like to be handled. I have tried. They allowed at first, but they were just frozen with fear and couldn't do much else. Now, I have found that both Cavies don't care to be held, handled, etc...

I am bringing them in a large Small Animal Carrier. This carrier is large enough for both piggies (I believe) Here is a link to a picture of the exact carrier:

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gJfVXwxeTlU/TojnvisoM5I/AAAAAAAAAP8/buh-Mgy4eF4/s1600/DSCN4465.JPG

(broken link removed)_

Anyway, I was wondering if that would be an alright size for 2 Guinea Pigs? My Piggies don't mind sitting together in it, and they each have some shoulder room once inside. So, would this be OK for them? The trip is about 10-20 minutes in length. Should I get another carrier, or would one be OK?

My Piggies are rather skittish, as mentioned above. So, will they present problems for the vet?

Everyone, pray this trip goes over well for me! I know that I am. But, I am not worried it will go over bad at all. I might need to get another carrier, but, oh well!

So, thanks all!

____

 

[ech90]

Hi Zuidy! It's hard to tell how big that carrier is from the picture, but since your piggies are only 5 months old they probably aren't super huge. When I brought my girls to the vet, they were both in the same cat carrier! Since they are a little skittish, I would definitely suggest putting a piece of nice cuddly fleece or something in the carrier that they can burrow under and make the trip less stressful for them. Also, even though your girls are skittish, a cavy savvy vet should be experienced enough in knowing how to handle them to complete the exam!

 

[bpatters]

Put food in there with them, and take a little extra along with you. Nothing like a good snack to calm a piggy's heart.

 

[kourt1313]

I have that same carrier and only my 5 month old fits in it, I wouldn't be able to get another pig in there with him. I personally wouldn't recommend it for two but that's just me (keep in mind it may be 10-20 minutes there and 10-20 back but consider the time while there as well, my concern is it would become too cramped after a bit).

 

[Gigabyte]

I have that carrier. It's too small.

 

[bpatters]

I just now looked at the carrier. It's too small. Put them in a cardboard box if you don't have anything else.

 

[Frapplove]

The first time I brought mine to the vet, I had a long cardboard box and made it a mini-replica of their cage, complete from the bottom layer to a towel to some fleece. I attached a water bottle (just took three little holes in the side), put in some hay and veggies, their pink bed, and draped a fleece blanket over the top. Even though we were there for a while, they had the comforts of home, and felt sheltered even though they were only in a box it only took materials I already had.

 

[Zuidy]

I just now looked at the carrier. It's too small. Put them in a cardboard box if you don't have anything else.

Could I get another carrier of the same size and take one in each?

 

[bpatters]

Yes, but they'd be happier together in a cardboard box than separated into two carriers. The only time I had one sick enough to go to the vet, I took them both so the sick one would have moral support.

Do you have a small cat cage you could use? Or could you borrow one? You'd of course have to clean it very well first.

 

[Zuidy]

Yes, but they'd be happier together in a cardboard box than separated into two carriers. The only time I had one sick enough to go to the vet, I took them both so the sick one would have moral support.

Do you have a small cat cage you could use? Or could you borrow one? You'd of course have to clean it very well first.

Thanks!

Not sure what I am going to do...... I understand the issue of them being separated, and I want what is best for them.

Haha, I think I am just emotionally attached to the carrier's stylin' stripes!

 

[Petlovr]

Dont forget to protect them from drafts. And honestly, for $20-$25 a small cat carrier would be better. Every time I put an animal in a box, they got out. And pigs chew, so cardboard makes me nervous. Also, you can seatbelt a carrier in the car, which is important so you aren't distracted.

 

[bpatters]

Ditto Petlovr. Good ideas.

 

[Zuidy]

I know I may get slammed for it, but @bpatters will it be bad if I just get another carrier and TRY it this way the first time? I think because I have had it set in my mind that this was the way to do it I would like to give it a shot the first time.

People have their own ways of doing things, correct?

 

[bpatters]

Yes, Zuidy, people have their own way of doing things, but that doesn't mean that they're best for the animals involved.

I may have misunderstood this, but are you going to have to go buy another carrier so you can take both pigs? If so, then I think you should put your money toward a carrier they will both fit in. This is going to be a stressful trip for them, and they're going to need each other's company. That's more important than the "stylin' stripes" on your carrier.

 

[Zuidy]

Yes, Zuidy, people have their own way of doing things, but that doesn't mean that they're best for the animals involved.

I may have misunderstood this, but are you going to have to go buy another carrier so you can take both pigs? If so, then I think you should put your money toward a carrier they will both fit in. This is going to be a stressful trip for them, and they're going to need each other's company. That's more important than the "stylin' stripes" on your carrier.

When I said "Stylin' Stripes" I didn't want that to come off as "Oh I love the stripes so I am going to keep it and get another" I just said that because I liked the design. OK, I will work on getting a carrier.

But, wouldn't it be easier for the vet to get them out if they weren't in the same thing?

 

[Zuidy]

Also, to add, I want what's best for the piggies.

 

[bpatters]

It's problem to get them out at the vet. They huddle at the back of the carrier, and there's nowhere to run, so you just put your hand and catch one. If it's not the right one, you hand it to the vet to hold, like I did, while you catch the one who's sick.

There are pet carriers that aren't as big as a wire cage for a cat, and I'll bet you could find a stylin' striped one if you look.

 

[Nicolene]

Get a bigger carrier and take them to the vet together. I really does help their stress level. You can use a laundry basket or a box or get a second hand carrier from Goodwill, I get all mine there. I just bought a cat sized one for my bunny for $7 at Goodwill.

 

[foggycreekcavy]

I get those carriers donated to the rescue all the time. Here's why I don't like them--

1. They aren't very stiff. If you have to stop quickly, if something falls on it, or it falls, the sides of the carrier won't protect them.

2. Pigs chew them. If the pigs spend any amount of time in there, they are going to chew on the seams and the plastic lining.

My favorite carriers for taking pigs to the vet are small cat carriers. They are sturdy and have lots of room, enough for a small food dish and hay, and you can attach a small water bottle to the door in case you have to leave the pigs at the vet's for a while.

 

[Zuidy]

Thank you guys! This Saturday my mother and I are going to look for a Cat carrier. The ones I have seen just by looking so far cost nearly the same as my carrier did....... :O

Thanks again, everyone! Oh, and @bpatters, you did know nothing was wrong with the piggies, right? I am just kinda maybe over-stressing this a bit. But, by me over-stressing, in the long run it will cause LESS STRESS for the piggies.