Questions about piggie sneezes and BIG moves

[angela_jane]

Well, I was originally going to make this post only about a big move we are making in Sept, but my piggie just sneezed for the second time today (and he sneezed a few times yesturday) and i'm getting a little worried.
Either way, they (I have 2 piggies, Gandolf and Legolas) are due for a checkup, just thought I'd get some input about piggie snuffles.

On to the moving. Currently i live in British Columbia (just south of vancouver) and we are planning on moving to Texas this Sept. We are driving down with a uhual and it's going to be a long trip. We have one lizard (Pico a bearded dragon) and my two guineas. Does anyone have any good advice as to how to make the week+ trip any easier for my little guys? I had thought about flying them down instead, but I'm not sure if that's ok... any and ALL suggestions would be SUPER helpful!!!!

Thank you SO much!
angela jane

 

[Wheekwheek]

For the snuffles =) put your ear near your piggies mouth.. I do not recommend this if they bite. Mine don't. Are they coughing? Do you hear a bit of wheezing. Hold the pig to your chest so its comfortable and cup your hand around the chest area. My Peaches and cream has pneumonia at the moment. But doing very well I can already tell her congestion is down. Trust me you can't miss when they got it and your holding them and listening to their breathing. If you suspect something I say go with your instincts and get them checked up. It will not only calm your fears but catch something early and thats the best time to catch it to get them to speedy recovery.

Ack no don't fly animals if you can help it unless they are small enough and the plane allows you to take them on as carry on! There are countless cases where people have flown dogs and due to unregulated temps in the cargo hold the animals died. I can't imagine what it would be like for little piggies or for cold blooded animals.

Hmm this is a tough one, whats great for you is you got time to plan. I've done the whole Uhaul thing many a time but never that far a trip. Do you have a car? Are you going to be attaching the car to the Uhaul? Perhaps you could follow the Uhaul down but thats alot of gas money at a very bad time. Large Uhauls usually have air conditioning inside the cab and very spacious seating. A small travel cage for your piggies and a seperate one of course for your dragon might be a good option with a little seatbelt tightening in the middle. I think it really depends on how many are coming with you and what size truck your getting. I've traveled in a Uhaul with two cat carriers before and there was room. Its tight and cozy but there is alot of floor space in the larger versions.

Wheekwheek

 

[angela_jane]

For the snuffles =) put your ear near your piggies mouth.. I do not recommend this if they bite. Mine don't. Are they coughing? Do you hear a bit of wheezing. Hold the pig to your chest so its comfortable and cup your hand around the chest area. My Peaches and cream has pneumonia at the moment. But doing very well I can already tell her congestion is down. Trust me you can't miss when they got it and your holding them and listening to their breathing. If you suspect something I say go with your instincts and get them checked up. It will not only calm your fears but catch something early and thats the best time to catch it to get them to speedy recovery.

Ack no don't fly animals if you can help it unless they are small enough and the plane allows you to take them on as carry on! There are countless cases where people have flown dogs and due to unregulated temps in the cargo hold the animals died. I can't imagine what it would be like for little piggies or for cold blooded animals.

Hmm this is a tough one, whats great for you is you got time to plan. I've done the whole Uhaul thing many a time but never that far a trip. Do you have a car? Are you going to be attaching the car to the Uhaul? Perhaps you could follow the Uhaul down but thats alot of gas money at a very bad time. Large Uhauls usually have air conditioning inside the cab and very spacious seating. A small travel cage for your piggies and a seperate one of course for your dragon might be a good option with a little seatbelt tightening in the middle. I think it really depends on how many are coming with you and what size truck your getting. I've traveled in a Uhaul with two cat carriers before and there was room. Its tight and cozy but there is alot of floor space in the larger versions.

Wheekwheek

I think Gandolf does sound a bit wheezy, so he will be off to the vet on Monday. It doesn't sound bad, but it also doesn't sound normal. Good luck to your peaches, I can't imagine pnemonia in a little piggie.

As for the move, we are driving my toyota tacoma down with a uhaul trailor attached. It's extended cab so I was thinking about getting 2 good sized boxes or carriers and having the kids in the back seat. I feel bad, not being able to have them in a larger space, but at least they'll be in the car with us where we can keep them cool/warm.

I have seen people who take their animals (cats and sm. dogs) as carry ons on flights, that's why I was asking about flying. I don't know how it would effect their ears though.

I know either way they are gonna be stressed, just trying to figure out the least stressful way!!! Thank you for your advice!!!

angela

 

[Wheekwheek]

Your welcome, thats very good your driving down in your own vehicle. Alot less stress on everyone. I would just try to do business as normal. Take a small cooler packed with ice and veggies. Give them extra treats and cuddle them up on breaks. Give them a place to hide so they think their safe... Good luck to you I think you'll do just fine. I don't know about the plane ride on piggies ears. I would make that a conversation with the vet. I have known people who take small dogs and hamsters on the plane and they were fine.


Wheekwheek

 

[bare2feet]

A small note worth consideration. If they are use to TV or radio sounds it would help to drowned out some of the noise of the traffic and sound more like home. Maybe take as much water from your home from them as possible so that water from pit stops doesn't upset there bellies (some places water is perticularly gross). Also something in the box that you put them in that smells like you since I am sure you will need to get out of the vehicle once in awhile. Hope it helps ... good luck with the move (LONG trip !)

 

[My Baby Mu]

In the box before you a while before you leave I would put some of your dirty shirts in there and leave them in there (you could wash them the day before you leave) so it smells like you and not like a box.

 

[Ly&Pigs]

Sometimes sneezing may be the only indication of a URI (Upper Respiratory Infection). If your piggie is sneezing several times a day everyday, whether he (I am assuming your pigs are boars by their names) has other symptoms or not, it's better to get him checked out by a cavy savvy vet because pigs are known to hide illnesses. If you don't have him checked and he is getting sick, the move is only going to stress him more and make him more sick because of the stress.

 

[KatieJean]

its not that big of a deal to fly down with your animals. might even be easier since it would be a lot shorter trip. just get a good kennel that fits under the seat in front of you.
I've flown with a hamster and she was just fine, and i've flown with my weiner dog all the time.
just make sure you reserve a space for your animals ahead of time, because most airlines only allow so many ppl to carry on animals,
also make sure they allow animals, because the budget airlines don't.
and it will probably cost you $75. at least it does for dogs and cats.

 

[angela_jane]

Thank you everyone! I am calling to make an apt. first thing tommorrow morning. I'm hoping to at least get an answering machine there has been no more sneezing (knock on wood) since my first post, but my piggies need a nail trim anyway (I have cut them a couple of times but I'd rather a pro do it, it makes me nervous).

As for the moving box ideas, awesome! Thank y'all SO much! I can't wait to get my little ones to Texas!!! It's FREEZING up here in BC!!! Another reason I am afraid Gandolf caught a cold :-/

Thanks again!
Angela

 

[angela_jane]

its not that big of a deal to fly down with your animals. might even be easier since it would be a lot shorter trip. just get a good kennel that fits under the seat in front of you.
I've flown with a hamster and she was just fine, and i've flown with my weiner dog all the time.
just make sure you reserve a space for your animals ahead of time, because most airlines only allow so many ppl to carry on animals,
also make sure they allow animals, because the budget airlines don't.
and it will probably cost you $75. at least it does for dogs and cats.

Thanks for the $$ quote. I had a friend tell me that animals were free to fly and I hadn't had a chance to get an airline quote. I figured there would be some sort of charge.

I don't know if I'll have the chance to fly home before we move, but I will definately look into which airlines allow carry on piggies

Thanks again!!!