Quarantine I guess I defeated the whole purpose?

[bobby108]

I got a new piggy from Petco yesterday.. Was just going for some toys, but I had to. She is in the same room as her, in Hazel's old store cage. Hazel is in a 2x3 grid cage. Hazel seems fine, doing her usual eating hay, hiding in her box of hay, drinking, etc.. The new girl, Mocha, last night I woke up to her drinking more and woke up to no hay, and still is back to her corner. I guess I defeated the whole purpose of quarantining because of airborne affects it can cause. It's only been one day, I guess too much to tell.. When I got Hazel, she was about 2-2/1 months old in March. I brought her home, had her for a few days, and noticed she had little crust in her eye, and normally thinking it was just morning crust, it was an early sign of a cold. I brought her back to petco (because it was within their 15 days and I could have her go to the vet for only $30.) and they treated her for about 3 weeks, and I finally got her back. Mocha's eyes seem fine and no runny nose... Is it too late to move to another room because if she does have any sicknesses, it is already in the air now..

 

[Varcoda]

it's still a good idea to keep them seperated. While just being in the same room increased the chance of passing on any potential nasties, it does not guarantee it. by putting them together now you will only increase the chances further. start moving her out to another room

also i hope you will expand your grid cage to make room for the new girl

 

[doglaurasmudge]

It was probably a URI not a cold, guinea pigs can't get cold. If they are together I'd separate them. Petco and Petsmart are known for selling out ill animals. Try to find another cavy-savvy vet adopt, don't shop next time!

Edit:

Also, are you certain what gender they are? Pet Shops also are known to give out mis-sexed piggies.

 

[KaileighRussell]

In addition to airborne viruses mites and fleas are transmitted through touch. If you're pigs are in the same room but no in contact with each other they will not pass mites/fleas. Still keep the quarantine going for the 2 weeks, you don't know what she could have picked up at the vet.

Because Petco and Petsmart have their piggies in smaller tanks with poor ventilation (just the top grid) they are very prone to URIs - which are very serious.

In future, if your piggy continues to develop symptoms look into vet care outside the Petco/Petsmart store. Their vets may be good but a specialized vet can make a large difference.

 

[poppycorn]

It's okay; I'm learning the hard way too. I made an oopsie and tried to quarantine the pigs in the same room. Both my boys seem to be okay at the moment, but you never know.

Just take as many precautions as you can--I have hand sanitizer by both my cages and use it every time I'm done with the new one and before and after I handle my old one. When I do care/feeding, I care for the old one and then do the new one. I don't mix supplies between the two and do my best to keep whatever has come close to the quarantine cage away from my other. While whatever is airborne may be in the air, try to reduce the risk by eliminating one source of germ contact--yourself and items.

Do the best you can; that's all anyone could ever ask for. c:

(Also, I hate the cages that the guinea pigs are kept in the pet stores. :[ It makes me adopt them because I feel so bad for them...)