Help for Peppa

[Peppa+Delilah]

Hi guinea pig owners,
I'm brand new to the guinea pig world but am already currently obsessed with my two girls and love to spend as much time with them, reading up about them and just trying to improve their life as much as possible...

However tonight after doing the girls weekly checks I've noticed Peppa my black dominant sow has got a rather large wound (seems to be healing) on her upper belly...

The girls seem fine in themselves and are in pair, recently got them from a known breeder... They are eating fine, seem active, popcorning and doing zoomies as most happy pigs do, however I am really worried about peppas wound.. it seems clean and is scabbing over, no pus or discharge, etc.. Does anyone have any idea what this could possibly be? Or how it happened and how or if it's needs treating or whether it just needs an eye kept on it and bedding to be maintained daily like normal..

They have nothing in their cage that I can think that would hurt them at all... They have a cardboard tunnel that's purple and green... Two wicker baskets to hide in... Lots of hay, a litter tray- smooth plastic, sea grass ball for play, water bottle, and boredom chews which are hung above the cage and dangle to the side so they can reach...

They are usually always cleaned out twice a day... Or at least once... I've only had them about 12 days and have changed the bedding completely twice..

The smaller more shy female seems to squeak alot when followed by the larger girl and have noticed that Peppa has chased her and almost play nipped her a few times

Apart from this when apart the girls seem to miss each other and when reunited seem to be best of friends but obviously breakfast and dinner time seem to be when most arguing happens...

Any advice would be much appreciated as I'm new and have limited knowledge however much I read up and research them...

 

[Peppa+Delilah]

 

[Siikibam]

Could it be she came with it from the breeder? I’d consider getting it checked out and also speak to the breeder and see what they say.

Nipping and chasing is part of dominance behaviour. They’re still new and it takes two weeks for them to settle into their hierarchy. I would take them both out together rather than split them if possible. And what do you mean by arguing when eating? Have two hay areas and scatter feed or put the veg in bowls at least one body length apart.

Anotherthing we suggest is to have piggies given the once over by thevet. I would book that soon.

New Owners' Most Helpful How-To Guides and Information
Vet Locator

 

[Peppa+Delilah]

Hi at the moment we are in tier 5 lockdown... This happened since we got the girls and have noticed that vets are only taking in extreme emergency's... For example not eating, drinking, not wanting to do normal things they always do etc... Been run over, huge fights etc etc...

We normally see the pdsa, however unless an absolute emergency they are not seeing anyone again due to covid.

This is what I am thinking that perhaps she's been like this since we've got her and obviously cause she's so furry not noticed until we have given her a really good check over... I have contacted the breeder, but no response as of yet. But I will give it a few more days to hear back.

As regards to the arguing basically the top sow will normally steal food from the other ones mouth some times, in which the submissive ones response is squealing at her... She will also chase her off but not chase her around even if there are 2 bowls which we have...

I've started putting two bowls in about 2-3 feet apart but they seem to like to share the same bowl...

They have come together from the breeder and were with about 12-15 other girls when I chose them.

Does anyone think this looks like any sort of parasite or fungal problem? As I've been reading alot up about illness etc and the mark doesn't seem to match any description or pictures...

 

[Siikibam]

Stealing food from mouths is normal piggy behaviour. So is top pig getting choice of where to eat. It’s not arguing. I would scatter feed the pellets and veg. It gives them the more ‘natural’ way of feeding and eliminates the chance of hoarding.

We won’t be able to tell you what it is to be honest. It does look like it’s healing over though. I would try and get her booked in with another vet if you can. And even email over a clear photo with a description as well. As for the breeder...they may respond but even then they may not know what happened. I don’t want to be rude because not everyone is the same. But they’re in it to breed (and make money).

 

[Peppa+Delilah]

Hi this is most vets where I am... I've called round quite a few and all are not doing checks and routine treatment only emergencies and even then say they will ask alot of questions to see if you actually warrant coming in due to covid...

My mum's dog for example was completely off her food sleeping all day, had diarrhea and they said it's not an emergency unless she's like that for over a week. Turned out she's got lymphoma and needed steroids asap... She almost died all because of covid and vets not allowing them in...

I have read in many places that guinea pigs are quite good in regards to not seeing the vet very often and maybe only once in their life time all being correct diet substrate and housing is given... Regular checks, and prevention methods put in place... But this still doesn't make me worry any less about her

Got off the phone from the breeder and he seems to think that this most likely happened while I had them and that could be caused via fighting.. he seems helpful and like he cares that I'm being a good owner... Not had the Impression he only cares about money as it seems like a family business and cares quite a bit for them..

As regards to scatter feeding the girls are on wood chips, would this cause them to ingest any substrate ? As I've been trying to add enrichment to the cage... We had a veg string above the cage do they had to find and work to get it( not too much) had hay and herbs in loo rolls, hay and veg or forage in paper bags.. hid it in the house or tunnel etc... Is there anything else I can give to enrich their lives and keep them happy and free of boredom? Thankyou again for the advice..

 

[Peppa+Delilah]

If this is normal piggy behaviour the submissive Female Is an absolute drama queen as likes to act as though she's been murdered with those high pitched squeaking, look over to them and the black one is just eating or walking about...
Could be evil eyes ?

 

[Piggies&buns]

If this is normal piggy behaviour the submissive Female Is an absolute drama queen as likes to act as though she's been murdered with those high pitched squeaking, look over to them and the black one is just eating or walking about...
Could be evil eyes ?

the high pitched squeaking is normal also. As a submissive piggy, the squealing is her way of telling the dominant that she accepts her position in the hierarchy

 

[Siikibam]

Okay that’s fair. Sorry to hear about your dog! They (guinea pigs) don’t necessarily see the vet often but when they’re ill it’s best to get them seen to. They have a tendency to hide illnesses well and can go downhill rapidly. Urgency can depend on what’s wrong but always best to have anything checked out.

How long have you had the girls?

 

[Peppa+Delilah]

the high pitched squeaking is normal also. As a submissive piggy, the squealing is her way of telling the dominant that she accepts her position in the hierarchy

Oh ok.. I'm thinking there's some stink eye going on and the dominant females being bossy, seem to love each other otherwise but squealing a few times a day

 

[Peppa+Delilah]

Hi siiki bam only had the girls for around 2 weeks but feel like it's been longer... Didn't realise the extent of care they needed and amount of poops that they can do even being babies ... Husband is currently complaining I am already spending too much time with them and I think is a bit jealous... Lol

I would definitely take one to the vet if I noticed something bad but they seem healthy still running around doing zoomies and popcorning, eating and playing normally no issues there....

They do itch themselves a bit but seems to have minimised sieving the dust from the bedding and hay and giving them beaphar for rabbits and guinea pigs....

I'm thinking about also using an anti fungal shampoo designed for most animals to help prevent any future issues with this...

Any thoughts?

 

[Siikibam]

We don’t recommend home treating I’m afraid. You don’t know what you’re treating and it can sometimes be made worse. Over the counter meds (beaphar being one of them) won’t have the right strength to treat whatever it is. And you can’t be sure what you’re treating is what’s wrong. Always vet as you can.

Don’t worry your husband will come round! Mine was...okay about the boys coming home. Not so enamoured when the girls came home (I kind of ‘pushed’ him into getting them ). But he absolutely adores them now. I wouldn’t go so far as to say love. He kept the middle bits of lettuce for them yesterday. When he was clearing the garden he collected dandelion leaves for them. And when he buys carrots he reminds me to give them a sliver

 

[Piggies&buns]

please don’t routinely treat with low dosed products or shampoos. There is no need. They can create resistance so if you really do have a parasite outbreak, then it’s so much harder to deal with. If you suspect parasites or a fungal infection, then you need to vet diagnosis and prescribed treatment to deal with it straight away. Don’t waste time using products which are highly unlikely to deal with it

 

[Peppa+Delilah]

Hi thanks for letting me know ladies/gents...

What are you feeding your piggies daily? I'm trying to feed a low calcium diet with lots of vit c and then pellets and lots and lots of hay...

Obviously the girls are still babies so I don't want to cut out all calcium... They normally get dill and parsley about 3 times a week

Rough idea of their diet routine is as follows
10am - fresh water and fresh veg
Broccoli 2 half floret
Orange and yellow peppers x 2 (2" pieces each)
Bok choi
Cucumber half an inch cut in half
Green beans 1 each
Savoy cabbage 2 small pieces
Green and purple romaine lettuce 1 small leaf each
Carrot 1/4" piece each
3 times a week get 1" piece of celery each
Apple 2 times a week maybe one or two 1/4" pieces each
Parsley as a treat for forage box or toilet roll..

They are having quite a few different veggies and normally no issues with leaving anything out however for the first few days I had them was getting dill and parsley quite alot as they are obsessed and helped with hand feeding and toys...

They get lots and lots of fresh hay all over the cage in about 2-4 different spots.

Then in the evening about 9-10pm they get exactly the same again with addition of about 25g each of pellets however if this is exceeded they don't eat everything upto next afternoon...

They have forage boxes and loo rolls which have hay and herbs in to keep them busy

Have knaw sticks always hanging up that are made from hay and carrots etc..

Different forage mixes that have Dandelion hay grass flowers and leaves etc...

Any thoughts please and is this right?

Hay is normally 100% meadow as it's softer and as they love to live it it, but in the short time I've had them have also had a few good handfuls of Timothy...

What greens does everyone safely feed their guinea pigs daily

 

[Peppa+Delilah]

Girls seem to love each other even with the squealing

 

[Piggies&buns]

have you measured out the pellets you give using a tablespoon measure? It depends hugely on brand, but I know of the pellets I use, one tablespoon weighs 6g. Piggies under four months of age can have one tablespoon of baby pellets; If fed adult pellets then they can have two tablespoons per day until four months of age and then drop it down to one tablespoon per day. (It’s because baby pellets are already adjusted nutritionally so they don’t need as many vs adult pellets to get the same nutrient levels).
Pellets (even low calcium ones) and unfiltered drinking water contain a lot of calcium and pellets contain more calcium than the highest calcium veg. You are absolutely right, you don’t want to cut calcium down too far, but if they have more than the recommended amount of pellets (I only say this due to the weight 25g of pellets each per day sounds a lot, but it does depend on brand as to how much one tablespoon actually weighs) and high calcium veg more than once per week, then it is possible they’re getting quite a bit of calcium - just something to watch out for going forward

In the morning mine have half a tablespoon of pellets each (of the pellets I use, it works out to around 3 grams of pellets each) with hay top up, a lettuce leaf and a slice of cucumber. Their hay gets topped up twice more during the day. In the evening they get a couple of slices of pepper, sprigs of coriander and another herb, plus anything else which I may have in the fridge (such as a green bean each or broccoli), along with another top up of hay. They have around a cup of veg each per day (perhaps a little more, I don’t weigh their veg out). At this time of year they then get their heat pads at around 8pm and another top up of hay and a handful of forage. I used to just feed their veg in the evening but have had a change of routine now I’m home more and can prep some veg in the mornings now I don’t have the rush out the house!
I don’t tend to feed fruit or carrot often at all (they can be fed once per week though), perhaps a couple of times a year. I also don’t tend to use high calcium veggies much (parsley, spinach, kale) perhaps once every couple of months.
In summer, they are on the lawn eating grass for 12-14 hours a day so I tend to give them a little less veg (regular hay top ups and 3 grams of pellets each per day remains though). They still get their forage in the evening when I put them back in their hutch at around 9pm.

 

[Siikibam]

You should also be careful with veg like cabbage and broccoli. They can cause gas when fed too much. I wouldn’t feed cabbage and broccoli every day. I’d also cut back on apple to once a week max. And parsley once a week and only 1-2 sprigs. Same for carrot. Have a read of the feeding guide, it’s a lot of info but useful.

As comparison, mine get a lettuce leaf in the morning. Then at dinner they’ll get a slice of pepper, cucumber and some coriander. They’ll also get a green bean if I have any and a piece of celery if I have some in (though not every day).
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

 

[Peppa+Delilah]

So basically being a new and excited guinea pig mummy am feeding to much... The girls are getting adult pellets and on the bag is 55g each which seems alot which is why I was only feeding 50 ISH between them... Will start with the two table spoons as it's hard one seems a bit chubby and the other a bit slender..

Are things like forage ok to feed a few times a week? Or not really?

If I reduce their greens will they drink more water as they are not drinking from the water bottle hardly ever... Maybe seen them drink about 2-3 times since I've had them and it's only been a couple seconds

What about toys how do you keep your girls happy and not bored

Thanks

 

[Peppa+Delilah]

So basically daily veg should be as follows
1 leaf of romaine or other lettuce each.
Slice of pepper
Slice of cucumber
1 green bean between them
1 slice of cucumber each

? Does this seem like a decent breakfast/dinner going forward?

Thankyou again for all the advice and guidance being a new member to the guinea pig world

 

[Piggies&buns]

So basically being a new and excited guinea pig mummy am feeding to much... The girls are getting adult pellets and on the bag is 55g each which seems alot which is why I was only feeding 50 ISH between them... Will start with the two table spoons as it's hard one seems a bit chubby and the other a bit slender..

Are things like forage ok to feed a few times a week? Or not really?

If I reduce their greens will they drink more water as they are not drinking from the water bottle hardly ever... Maybe seen them drink about 2-3 times since I've had them and it's only been a couple seconds

What about toys how do you keep your girls happy and not bored

Thanks

Dont go by what the pellet packaging says - they always say to give far too much. They just want to sell their product. Too many pellets is bad for their health. They are the junk food of the piggy world and are full of fillers and potentially unhealthy things. The more hay your piggies eat, the healthier they will be!

Some forages are fine daily, some aren’t - it depends what you are giving. Anything with dandelion I would only give once per week due to their high calcium content.

I don’t use commercial toys for my boys at all. They enjoy a big pile of hay to play in more than anything! Cardboard boxes and cardboard tunnels and they are happy!

Ive just noticed on your picture you’ve got two hanging treat sticks. I would not recommend giving these to them At all. The ingredients in them are unhealthy and sometimes unsafe (where they contain seeds and honey for example).

 

[Peppa+Delilah]

Ok so I'll remove the treat Sticks... I have actually made them some home made treats from dried grass pellets, fresh veg and a little fruit and some hay dust(bottom of hay bag) they seemed to really love them? Is this a healthier option as long as they don't get them everyday and perhaps once a week.... Went down a treat with the girls... But obviously I know we all like bad things we shouldnt have

 

[Piggies&buns]

Ok so I'll remove the treat Sticks... I have actually made them some home made treats from dried grass pellets, fresh veg and a little fruit and some hay dust(bottom of hay bag) they seemed to really love them? Is this a healthier option as long as they don't get them everyday and perhaps once a week.... Went down a treat with the girls... But obviously I know we all like bad things we shouldnt have

Something like that is much healthier as a treat than anything commercial.

 

[Peppa+Delilah]

Thank you everyone for your input and advice... I'm sure my girls will be much healthier and happier now...

On another note what shelters are you using and how many would you have for your pigs as there are two... I have some fleece bags coming as it will be nice to give them somewhere soft to sleep... But I do not like the plastic type... Just can't find any wooden reasonably priced homes for the girls.... They did have two seagrass tunnels that they loved and chewed but with in a week ruined and am worried about placing these back in the cage incase they hurt themselves....

I can attach a picture of the old houses if you think these would be still usable

Thanks again

 

[Piggies&buns]

Thank you everyone for your input and advice... I'm sure my girls will be much healthier and happier now...

On another note what shelters are you using and how many would you have for your pigs as there are two... I have some fleece bags coming as it will be nice to give them somewhere soft to sleep... But I do not like the plastic type... Just can't find any wooden reasonably priced homes for the girls.... They did have two seagrass tunnels that they loved and chewed but with in a week ruined and am worried about placing these back in the cage incase they hurt themselves....

I can attach a picture of the old houses if you think these would be still usable

Thanks again

My boys live in my shed so I use wooden bendy log huts. I do have one Elmato three exit hide as well but that wasn’t cheap. All my hides are two exit (tunnels) and I can only really use fleece in summer (fleece outside in winter doesn’t work well) but they do get a fleece tunnel each overnight when it’s cold which is then dried daily. I have four hides available in their hutch at any one time along with another four out in their shed playspace (In winter they only have daytime access to the shed floor and are locked in their hutch at night, but in summer it’s continuous free flow from hutch to shed floor day and night)

 

[Peppa+Delilah]

Hi my girls are permanently inside.. we don't have any garden but am planning on growing them their own grass at home come spring..

I've bought 3 sets of fleece pouches so that they can be changed every other day.. and will keep their normal houses in to..

What about the way of piggy enrichment.. they have a cardboard tube with hay and herbs, hay and forage box and a veggie washing line as we like to call it. Each day a different toy.. a tunnel and wicker/sea grass ball.. all of which they seem to love...

Is this to much or can they never have too much to keep them entertained

 

[Piggies&buns]

Hi my girls are permanently inside.. we don't have any garden but am planning on growing them their own grass at home come spring..

I've bought 3 sets of fleece pouches so that they can be changed every other day.. and will keep their normal houses in to..

What about the way of piggy enrichment.. they have a cardboard tube with hay and herbs, hay and forage box and a veggie washing line as we like to call it. Each day a different toy.. a tunnel and wicker/sea grass ball.. all of which they seem to love...

Is this to much or can they never have too much to keep them entertained

that all sounds fine. I’d perhaps not change toys out every day, perhaps change once per week, but that’s just me. Ive got boys though and too much territory changing can cause problems. Just ensure if you’re using single entry pouches that there aren’t problems occurring. Fall outs can occur when one piggy gets cornered in an item by the other piggy.

 

[Peppa+Delilah]

Even in our two exit houses the dominant female will always push the other out.. then move to her house then back almost as if she's missing out on something, but no scraps touch wood... I am a self taught seamstress so can change them to a tube if needed...

Basically more houses the better... They are cute though love cuddling though I heard this stops as they get older and I suppose more grouchy or territorial...

 

[Peppa+Delilah]

How do you know if the piggies are bored as I do worry as if they don't have different toys they seem to just sleep and eat and that's it, no adventuring out, no popcorning or running etc... They seem to like their homes changed up and will happily run and pop corn about after they see the new house.

I'm just worried about them getting bored and depressed as it can't be much life in the same 6-7 ft cage...

 

[Piggies&buns]

Even in our two exit houses the dominant female will always push the other out.. then move to her house then back almost as if she's missing out on something, but no scraps touch wood... I am a self taught seamstress so can change them to a tube if needed...

Basically more houses the better... They are cute though love cuddling though I heard this stops as they get older and I suppose more grouchy or territorial...

yes it’s unusual for them to cuddle a lot. Mine never share a hidey house

 

[Piggies&buns]

How do you know if the piggies are bored as I do worry as if they don't have different toys they seem to just sleep and eat and that's it, no adventuring out, no popcorning or running etc... They seem to like their homes changed up and will happily run and pop corn about after they see the new house.

I'm just worried about them getting bored and depressed as it can't be much life in the same 6-7 ft cage...

that won’t happen because they have each other. Piggies naturally spend a lot of time foraging which is one of the reasons mine are bedded fully in hay and why a huge hay pile is so much for them for them. I scatterfeed their veg and pellets as well so they forage for those too.
as I said a large pile of hay and mine can be kept busy for hours munching away! But, sleeping and eating is what a piggy does best! As youngsters you will see more popcorning and zoomies but it does tend to lessen as they get older. Mine only popcorn now when they get their fresh pile of hay or on hutch full clean out day.