Piggy Medicine Cabinet

[Paula]

This is a list of the items that are a good idea to have in your "piggy medicine cabinet." As we all know, quick action is key when our pigs get sick, so I thought I'd put together a list of things that might help in determining if your pig is ill and when you're waiting to get him/her into a vet.

Some are prescription products and therefore might not be that easy to get ahold of, but if you have a good relationship with your vet, it wouldn't hurt to ask if they might be willing to give you a small amount of these things to keep on hand in case of emergency.

These are things I generally have on hand. Feel free to add to the list if there's anything you've found to be helpful to keep around the house for when/if your pig gets sick.

General Care
Digital Scale
Mineral Oil
Fingernail Clippers
Q-Tips
Weekly Weight Chart for each pig

Diagnostics
Stethoscope
Ear Thermometer


Eye Care
Eye Wash
GenTeal Eye Drops
Terramycin Ointment (Rx)

Ear Care
Oticlens

Wound Care
Hibiclens
Betadine
Chlorhexiderm
Cotton Swabs
Cotton Pads
Unscented Baby Wipes
Styptic Powder
VetWrap Bandage (or other elastic self-stick bandages)

Medications
Baytril (Rx)
SMZ (Rx)
Metacam (Rx)
Reglan (Rx)
Simethicone
Kaolin Pectin
Lactated Ringers Solution (Rx)

Skin Care
Ivermectin
Revolution (Rx)
Advantage (Rx)
Humilac Spray
Coconut Oil
Bunny Bath or similar safe, gentle shampoo
Monistat

Syringes
1 cc Oral
3 cc Oral
5 cc Oral
10 cc Oral
12 cc Curved
60 cc Oral (for subcues)
23 gauge Butterfly
28 gauge Insulin

Boar Care
KY Jelly

Other
Critical Care (I keep mine in the freezer)
Plain Pedialyte
Probiotics (may need to be refrigerated)
Vitamin C Tabs or Liquid
Snuggle Safe or Hot Water Bottle
Pill Splitter
Pill Crusher

 

[Ibbet]

Wow, thanks for the list!
This is actually very helpful, since I was thinking about dog/cat first aid kits and was wondering what to put in a guinea pig one.
I'm gonna talk to my parents about getting the stuff I don't already have and a storage box to put it in.

Thanks again.

 

[Paula]

I also wanted to add that a great place to find many of these items, and many other great piggy items, is This Little Piggie Marketplace.

 

[wigglesgiggles1]

Wow, thank you Paula! This is very usefull.

 

[salana]

To clarify, Terramycin is only safe as an eye ointment, and it's prescription-only.

 

[EmilyRose93]

Hi,

I like this list, but could someone tell me what the medications are actually used for?

Sorry, I'm just not familiar with cavy meds

 

[BubuCandyBlue]

I would actually like to add to the list maybe a vitamin B12 complex -liquid (0.25 ml/cc needed). One of my piggies is ill, he's been very weak, not eating, he's on Critical Care, was on antibiotics that took away his appetite and all.

 

[RoxieJo]

Thanks for this list. I do have a question... what is Monistat used for with piggies?

 

[Hdale85]

And KY Jelly for boars?

 

[sdpiggylvr]

I think the KY Jelly is for boars' grease glands, or possibly the anal sac?

 

[foggycreekcavy]

The monistat is for topical fungus.

 

[KiwiCavyAdorer]

Adding to other requests for further info ... I'm also keen to find in one simple place the meds and directions for a quick reference guide if its possible for someone with the knowledge to do so - its such a good post to reference! and I am keen to have everything in order well before my piggies eventuate - but like others I just don't know what some of these things are used for.