Hello, vets (uk, leeds) adoption and care

[Tinkstar]

Hello all.

Firstly thank you for the forum, there are some lovely pinned threads that i have enjoyed reading, especially the food part and the cage layouts, always love seeing other layouts.

My history, so i have had 3 rabbits and several hamsters from being a child to under 20.

Currently have a 300litre fish tank

Adopted a single male boar of a friend whos child was allergic.

My daughter 4, has been asking for 6 months prior for a pet and a guinea pig (another friend has two lady pigs) so i did jump at the chance of a free pig and cage etc.

Now i know 1 is bad, so this is my first question.

I have messaged my local vets, non of them neuter pigs on a regular basis and are charging £85

Is anyone from the leeds area and know a trusted vet? Happy to travel within reason.

As the first plan is to adopt 2 females to go with my male as this seems the prefered option.

Secondly i plan to build my own cage to accomodate, and to utilise space the best i am thinking of building a 3 layered cage so each pig can basically have their own space if required, with a floor pen to be open and closed for floor time. (Most likely open as its a spare room)

Is there any problems with 3 storey cage? I see 2 is common...

Each floor will have food, house, water, 120cm length about 60cm wide, with a 1sqm floor space effectively.

I cant offer much more, is this barely adequate? Or would this be good for them?

Although the piggy (nibbles) is my daughters i 100% know its down to me to care for them but my daughter cleans the cage already, feeds, talks, refills water etc.

I just do it with her.

Alternative i was looking at sending nibbles to an adoption place to see if they could bond him with another male, as i would adopt the male so a win for them and nibbles.

Happy to hear all thoughts etc.

Not taking any sudden drastic changes but if the neutered route is best i would like to get that done asap as i am aware i need to wait 6 weeks and i know he needs a friend or two.

While he is away bonding i will build the new cage so its a new start for all 3, i have the wood and tools etc and plan to buy fleece etc.

Thank you again for the forum as there are truly some great pinned threads.

Thanks chris

 

[Wiebke]

Hello all.

Firstly thank you for the forum, there are some lovely pinned threads that i have enjoyed reading, especially the food part and the cage layouts, always love seeing other layouts.

My history, so i have had 3 rabbits and several hamsters from being a child to under 20.

Currently have a 300litre fish tank

Adopted a single male boar of a friend whos child was allergic.

My daughter 4, has been asking for 6 months prior for a pet and a guinea pig (another friend has two lady pigs) so i did jump at the chance of a free pig and cage etc.

Now i know 1 is bad, so this is my first question.

I have messaged my local vets, non of them neuter pigs on a regular basis and are charging £85

Is anyone from the leeds area and know a trusted vet? Happy to travel within reason.

As the first plan is to adopt 2 females to go with my male as this seems the prefered option.

Secondly i plan to build my own cage to accomodate, and to utilise space the best i am thinking of building a 3 layered cage so each pig can basically have their own space if required, with a floor pen to be open and closed for floor time. (Most likely open as its a spare room)

Is there any problems with 3 storey cage? I see 2 is common...

Each floor will have food, house, water, 120cm length about 60cm wide, with a 1sqm floor space effectively.

I cant offer much more, is this barely adequate? Or would this be good for them?

Although the piggy (nibbles) is my daughters i 100% know its down to me to care for them but my daughter cleans the cage already, feeds, talks, refills water etc.

I just do it with her.

Alternative i was looking at sending nibbles to an adoption place to see if they could bond him with another male, as i would adopt the male so a win for them and nibbles.

Happy to hear all thoughts etc.

Not taking any sudden drastic changes but if the neutered route is best i would like to get that done asap as i am aware i need to wait 6 weeks and i know he needs a friend or two.

While he is away bonding i will build the new cage so its a new start for all 3, i have the wood and tools etc and plan to buy fleece etc.

Thank you again for the forum as there are truly some great pinned threads.

Thanks chris

Hi and welcome

Please get in contact with Milhaven Guinea Pig Rescue in Keighley re. rescue bonding (which they offer for all genders) or neutering vet recommendations (as their vet is likely the most practised in that respect in your area).

Neutering cost can vary quite a lot; vet prices have gone up in line with higher medication cost - whether you want just minimal no-frills service with a very limited range of available medication or whether you want more. They also reflect what kind of post-op recovery service your piggy is getting. However if you have the option for residential boar dating (which you have), then you will find that a lot easier. Your is going on a holiday to Keighley and coming back with a friend... and no bonding/illness/potential pet shop or breeder pregnancy headaches for you!
Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths, Facts and Post-op Care

You can find both our recommended vets and recommended good standard rescues locators on the top bar where you can also find a guide shortcut to our full range of information threads laid out in order. Our guide format allows us to keep our information updated and to extend it as much as we have time.
Here is our new owners' guide collection that addesses spefically all the areas we get the most questions and concerns from new owners about. It also contains our vet and rescue locators links: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

It would help us a lot while we are jumping between threads from people from all over the world if you please added your city or county to location in your account details (accessed by clicking on your username on the top bar) so we can always tailor any advice and recommendations for your area straight away with just a quick glance to the left. It saves us all time as you can imagine background, climate, vet/rescue access, brandnames etc. can vary enormously! Thank you!

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum. Glad it’s been helpful.
Looking forward to getting to know you and we’d love to see photos.

 

[Piggies&buns]

In addition to the help advice above, I am afraid a 120cm cage for three piggies is not big enough. Three layers is also not ideal. Piggies are ground roaming and require their floor space to be one large flat area so the one layer needs to be big enough for them all, not split over three levels. One Upper loft level is common but is only a bonus space and as piggies are ground roaming, upper levels but don’t increase the floor size, meaning that the cage you propose is not big enough for three piggies. You require a single level cage measuring ideally 180cm in length to house 3 Piggies. 150cm would be the minimum for three piggies. 120cm is the welfare minimum for two piggies. Cage Size Guide. Lack of space can be a recipe for falls outs.

However, If you were to change your plans and get him one male friend instead, then they would require a 150cm cage rather than a minimum 120cm cage as two boys need more room.

I note you say they could have more floor space with a playpen. That’s fine, but any space they get locked into for any length of time still need to be big enough.