Moved my guineas.

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Silly

Silly

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi everyone,

Haven't posted for a while, wonder if anyone could give me some advice please.

I've had Ruby and Titch since August last year and to be honest have never been handled prior to me getting them. They tolerate me but aren't like all my other guineas who were very tame.

When I got them I got a c and c grid system 5 x 2 and were in a south facing living room. Last summer it got so hot they then started itching, the temp went off the scale, I keep putting Xeno on it works but then they start itching again. On the end of the hair is a tiny unmoving white bit of dandruff. No patches or any clumps missing, dandruff if you part the hair.

To get them away from the heat ready for summer I have moved them reluctantly into our north facing bedroom, I have nowhere else for them inside I only live in a two bedroom bungalow.

I keep the door wide open and go and see them. I just wanted advice as to whether people think it is ok in the bedroom where it is less stuffy and quieter or whether they liked the tele. I just want to do what is right for them but feel like I don't know what is right for them.

Sorry to go on about myself, any help would be appreciated. I did worry that the tele was too much and loud talking so moved them. Just thought I would explain my set up so you can help.

The situation seems to be causing alot of anxiety for me.

Anyone explaining their set ups would be great.

S xx
 
Hi there. When guinea pigs are not handled it takes a while to earn their trust but this is perfectly normal. I got my Amina when she was almost two and it took me one whole year to get her used to being held.

I really do not think television noise bothers guinea pigs at all as long as it is not blaring out and right next to their cage.

I would take them to the vet for a check up to find out what the skin problem is as it could be a number of things and unless you know for sure it is best not to just use a product.

I do not see anything wrong with them being in your bedroom. The cage should not be placed by a window anyway.
 
piggyfan said:
Hi there. When guinea pigs are not handled it takes a while to earn their trust but this is perfectly normal. I got my Amina when she was almost two and it took me one whole year to get her used to being held.

I really do not think television noise bothers guinea pigs at all as long as it is not blaring out and right next to their cage.

I would take them to the vet for a check up to find out what the skin problem is as it could be a number of things and unless you know for sure it is best not to just use a product.

I do not see anything wrong with them being in your bedroom. The cage should not be placed by a window anyway.
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Hi Piggyfan,

Thanks for your reply. They were under a window which was part of the problem and had to have the blind down all day once the sun comes out. In summer the room is hot for us, I guess I am worried their ongoing dandruff is because their life is stressing them out, so thought quieter place might help a bit more but now I wonder if they are not used to the quiet.

Is there fungal on guineas other than ringworm? Trouble is the vet isn't exotic vet and so it seems to be guesswork what is the matter with their skin and the dandruff. I will take them to the vets on Tuesday, they get so stressed with going and even play dead.

S x
 
Hi

Sorry to hear of your problems. I suggest you have a look here www.gorgeousguineas.co.uk. Email Chrissie, she is fantastic, she will advise you on their care (if indeed there is an issue...) and her products work brilliantly. I have just had one of my herd have a particular stubborn episode of fungal skin problems, just one out of a herd six weirdly. She has helped me sort it out with advice and some of the products she provides. Sometimes these thing happen and it helps to have someone like Chrissie to reassure you as well.

let us know how you get on?
 
I meant to say...mine LOVE the telly! Doubt it bothers them at all.
 
Guinea Slave said:
Hi

Sorry to hear of your problems. I suggest you have a look here www.gorgeousguineas.co.uk. Email Chrissie, she is fantastic, she will advise you on their care (if indeed there is an issue...) and her products work brilliantly. I have just had one of my herd have a particular stubborn episode of fungal skin problems, just one out of a herd six weirdly. She has helped me sort it out with advice and some of the products she provides. Sometimes these thing happen and it helps to have someone like Chrissie to reassure you as well.

let us know how you get on?
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Hi Guinea Slave,

I have seen the products and will email her in a minute thanks for that.

I do think alot of the time experience guinea owners are better at helping than vets round here. Just a question is fungal on guineapigs something other than ringworm? They have no patches or hair loss but hair does come out if stroked and has a white speck on the end. The problem is just exhausting for me really and just want it sorting.
 
Hiya

Sometimes people like Chrissie are invaluable. We all learn by experience and she is a rodentologist I believe as well. Building a 'network' of guinea knowledgeable people is so important and the forum is a great starting point :-)

What you describe sounds very much like a fungal infection. They get fungal skin problems not just ringworm, in fact ringworm is fairly rare. Fungal Is common and very easy to deal with, microneem shampoos are great but speak to Chrissie first. Don't worry, it will be sorted in no time :-) she will also advise on environment as this may be contributing to the fungal.

Hope it goes well, I a, confident it will!

Jackie
 
Guinea Slave said:
Hiya

Sometimes people like Chrissie are invaluable. We all learn by experience and she is a rodentologist I believe as well. Building a 'network' of guinea knowledgeable people is so important and the forum is a great starting point :-)

What you describe sounds very much like a fungal infection. They get fungal skin problems not just ringworm, in fact ringworm is fairly rare. Fungal Is common and very easy to deal with, microneem shampoos are great but speak to Chrissie first. Don't worry, it will be sorted in no time :-) she will also advise on environment as this may be contributing to the fungal.

Hope it goes well, I a, confident it will!

Jackie
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Hi Jackie,

sorry to reply again don't want to bug you or sound self absorbed. Oh god the thought of shampooing them is scary especially Ruby who is so stubborn. I had read that humidity or heat can set off fungal so that's the main reason I moved them from my south facing Lounge it seems less stuffy in the north room now. Is this true about heat that it can do that? I just want them normal, I've never had this problem with guineas only mites maybe once or twice a year. Could the warm room have kicked it off for them?

I have emailed Chrissie I will wait for a reply before I ring the vet just so that I have a bit more armour with knowledge when I go so they can't as usual fob me off with the wrong thing.

S x
 
Dont worry, no problem with questions. You clearlyjust care about your guineas and are not self absorbed.

Guineas are the same as other animals, just be firm with them and they will take confidence from that. I bathed mine yesterday and one started to scream the place down and tried to jump out.just held her firmly and said no in a calm voice and she realised she wasnit getting away with it and was as calm as anything after that.

Use a helper if you have one, plenty of jugs of warm water, a washing up bowl preferably on the ground the first time 'just in case!) and it will get easier. Some love it (one of mine used to lie in the bowl!) some hate it. Be firm, keep calm and laugh if they get cheeky (this will keep you calm). Oh and use old clothes and plenty of towels (i get wetter than them!).

If you can use a hair dryer lightly to get worse of wet off but maybe first time just towel dry and leave in a warm room to dry.

Re the room, yes warm humid environments are loved by fungus. Try and air the room as much as possible. I would keep them in the lounge with you if can, they will get far more used to you and your bond will grow.
 
Guinea Slave said:
Dont worry, no problem with questions. You clearlyjust care about your guineas and are not self absorbed.

Guineas are the same as other animals, just be firm with them and they will take confidence from that. I bathed mine yesterday and one started to scream the place down and tried to jump out.just held her firmly and said no in a calm voice and she realised she wasnit getting away with it and was as calm as anything after that.

Use a helper if you have one, plenty of jugs of warm water, a washing up bowl preferably on the ground the first time 'just in case!) and it will get easier. Some love it (one of mine used to lie in the bowl!) some hate it. Be firm, keep calm and laugh if they get cheeky (this will keep you calm). Oh and use old clothes and plenty of towels (i get wetter than them!).

If you can use a hair dryer lightly to get worse of wet off but maybe first time just towel dry and leave in a warm room to dry.

Re the room, yes warm humid environments are loved by fungus. Try and air the room as much as possible. I would keep them in the lounge with you if can, they will get far more used to you and your bond will grow.
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Jackie,

Your advice about acting confident is so correct and not something I am with mine especially nail cutting and the keeping calm thing is right as well good advice, they must feed of your behaviour maybe.

My mum ironically has no confidence putting spot on from the vets on her cat and asked me of all people to do it today and yet I feel confident doing it to her cat but different with my own gps, don't understand that really.

I have sent Chrissie photos of my cage I will let you know what she advises me she has already replied.

Speak soon

S x
 
So glad you have made contact now, well done!

Re the nails, I have had guineas for many years and I point blank refuse to do their nails! I hate it so much my husband does it for me. So don't worry, we all have our quirks:))

You will be fine, you love and care for them and you will not hurt them so just keep building yours and their confidence and you won't look back. Let me know how it goes!

X
 
Guinea Slave said:
So glad you have made contact now, well done!

Re the nails, I have had guineas for many years and I point blank refuse to do their nails! I hate it so much my husband does it for me. So don't worry, we all have our quirks:))

You will be fine, you love and care for them and you will not hurt them so just keep building yours and their confidence and you won't look back. Let me know how it goes!

X
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Hi Guinea Slave

Chrissie advised on some F10 I had asked the vet before Xmas for some or something similar but she just said point blank pet shop thing is fine and to be careful with other sprays. I googled it and it seems ok to do when they aren't it the cage so ordered some.

She said shavings wasn't very good, although I have tried shavings, fleece, just hay and now back to some care fresh scattered about, paper and hay. Temp in here today is 26c in bedroom 18.9 she said that should make them more comfortable and was a good idea to think of moving them. I will send for some shampoo for them once it's a bit warmer if it ever does warm up.

They don't seem to be itching as bad still loos hairs on their back, no bald spots anywhere. She seems to think a good wash will help them in her shampoo and that Xeno should have cleared mites if they had them.

You are sooooo lucky with nails hubbie doing that. My hubbie doesn't like any animal and won't let them near him, odd match as I love animals. Ooh to go outside and cringe while some one else does it would be wonderful. I will do Titchs nails tonight she is good as gold but Ruby god if she hears the clicking she knows, she won't even let you touch her feet, I know how you feel regarding nails.

Thought I would let you know and she seems a lovely friendly lady.

S x
 
Hi silly

So glad you now have some good advice. Hopefully things will improve for you now. Hopefully it will get warmer and you can wash them. Mine all got bathed last week much to their utter disgust!

I am very fortunate that my husband cares for them so much. I wish he showed the same enthusiasm for cleaning them out ! rolleyes. Such a shame your other half is not keen? Maybe as they bond with you he will come round?

Good luck with everything!
 
Guinea Slave,


Soon as I wash them when it's warmer I will tell you how it went I won't forget. I sent for the melt and shampoo on Friday, just got to get some courage together to do it lol.


S x
 
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