My crew

Engel

Engel

Adult Guinea Pig
Joined
May 1, 2020
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Location
Shropshire, UK
I don't think I've introduced the rest of the clan to you yet so thought I'd take the time to introduce them and tell their stories. I'll add some photos later.

Pebbles - Pebbles was in an awful state when we picked her up. She scored a body score of 1 out of 5. Emaciated.

Her previous owner claimed she was in financial difficulty. Fair enough. Except we learnt that a few months later they got a puppy and had several litters of puppies. So our guess is she couldn't get pregnant so she was disposed of. :(


Bella - A sad story here. Bella's original owner died suddenly. A family member took the dogs on but found they couldn't cope with all the animals so put some up for rehoming.

Bella had lost a lot of weight and had dental issues. They've since been dealt with and she's healthy. We are still in touch and has regular updates and photos.


Inky and Splat- These sisters had been palmed off as a lot older than they were. They were 3 weeks old and underweight. It took a lot of work and speaking to highly regarded members of the fancy. (The weibke of the rat world). They've now turned a year old.


Mania - the newest addition. Mania is about 5-6 months old. She was given up as the owner was going to uni.
 
The white dog is our beloved bichon frise, Beau AKA Sheep.

Our little sheep had an awful start in life. Tiny, bleeding, in pain and hanging on for life. This is him in the beginning, he was more fluff that dog. Yes he is the same height as the skirting board, that's not the angle. Screenshot_20210709-220946.webp

We got him fixed up and later found out he has allergic skin disease. He was on steroids and antihistamines most his life as well as medicated baths and ear drops.
Here's his known list of allergies:
Dust
Pollen (tree was the worse)
Beef
Lamb
Turkey
Pork
Chicken
Ostrich
Milk (including whelping milk mix)
Wheat
Barley
Gluten
Fish
Pumpkin
Broccoli
Painkillers
Anti-inflammatories
Egg

He was fed a strict hydrolysed diet and treats consisted of lettuce, kale and carrots. We found buffalo horns and deer antlers were ok for him to chew.

He was the friendliest dog and a genuine all round, perfect dog. Good with people, cats, dogs, small furries, even hedgehogs were friends! Loving and sensitive little chap.

In December he was doing so well and was weaned off all meds. We thought we had everything under control. We knew he'd have flare ups so would never deny him of medicines but if he didn't need it for a few months a year, why bother?
He was great at taking tablets. Must have thought they were treats. You could brush his teeth, brush him all over. He'd fall asleep while I shaved him. Soft as anything.

In January he started to have funny turns and attack the other dogs in the house. Started going vacant and have seizures. Had blood tests and everything was normal.

He then started literally head pressing and really hard too. He then turned on me and bit me. Only way to describe it is he was like Jekyll and Hyde. One moment he was nice and sweet, next he was biting you and aggressive then equally as quick turn back into the loving dude he was.

He had a brain tumor.

He was PTS 7th January. He was only 2.

Screenshot_20210709-220902.webp
 
Well done you for taking them on, they are all a credit to you and looking lovely x
 
Welcome the newest members of the crew. Luna and Sol. They're both female and about 6 months old. Sol is bigger than Luna and Luna is more grey than Sol, she (Luna) also has black claws.

They seem quite friendly and are very inquisitive, coming right up to me.

VID_20210805_164733296_exported_80062.webp
(Front is Sol. Luna at the back)
 
Engel said:
Welcome the newest members of the crew. Luna and Sol. They're both female and about 6 months old. Sol is bigger than Luna and Luna is more grey than Sol, she (Luna) also has black claws.

They seem quite friendly and are very inquisitive, coming right up to me.

View attachment 182418
(Front is Sol. Luna at the back)
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They’re gorgeous! :wub:
 
☹️ @Engel I’m so sorry you lost Beau so young. The time he had with you was amazing. He squeezed so much love into his and your lives.
 
weepweeps said:
☹️ @Engel I’m so sorry you lost Beau so young. The time he had with you was amazing. He squeezed so much love into his and your lives.
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Thanks @weepweeps and yes he did. May he and Eddie run free over the bridge. I have no doubt he would have welcomed Eddie with open paws after all, there's no such thing as strangers, just friends you haven't met yet. 💚
 
Grand Guinea Pigs said:
Oh, all so beautiful :luv:
I was wondering what breed Pebbles is?
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She is a Lhasa Apso.

Note: if anyone is interested in apso's and get it from breeder, please ask for proof of various tests for genetic diseases common for this breed. I don't know if you can do it when adopting an older dog via rescue/re-home.

Reason for this is because since owning Pebbie we've learnt that she has a skin problem and eye issues, all presumably genetic. Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS) more commonly known as 'dry eye' can be quite uncomfortable and lead to blindness and rupture of the eye.

Pebs has KCS caused by an underlying autoimmune disease. She needs to have eye drops in both eyes every day for the rest of her life. If she didn't her eyes wound be dry, itchy, and red. Her tears would be like mucous. Ulceration and eventual swelling, infection and rupture would be the reality we'd face.

Vet has said she suspects PRA long before the diagnosis of KCS. Thankfully PRA is painless, but causes cells in the eye to die resulting in blindness. This has no treatment or cure. Just you helping your dog adjust to it's darkening world and being mindful when you put things down or move furniture.

While I'm here updating this thread, Bella turned 7 at the end of November. She went for her 6 month health check and they've told us she's going blind (age related). We noted slight cloudiness in her eyes anyway but it was a bit of a shock to have them tell us. Makes it more real I suppose. She is also starting to have issues with some joints now so she's on joint supplements to try and aid her a bit. Still runs around after the ball like a loony but needs to 'warm up' first.
 
Update regarding the gerbils. Unfortunately Luna and Sol are no longer with us. They had to go to a more experienced home. While they started off great, we soon learned there was a few behaviour problems and it wasn't something a first time owner could sort. I accepted my limitations after trying everything possible as I don't give up easily. But suffering a connective tissue disorder (effects blood vessels too), there's only so many times I can be lunged, bit and clung to (via teeth) while just opening the door to their cage before it starts becoming an issue. If I'd just had the gerbils I'd probably stuck it out a bit longer, but I'm no good to the others that I care for if I'm out of action with hands wrapped in gauze and bandages.
 
Grand Guinea Pigs said:
That is good advice.
I have a supposed shoodle (shih tzu x poodle) and was asking because Pebbles looks a bit similar to Murphy. 🥰
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Awe. If I remember rightly a Apso was bred with another breed and created a shih Tzu hence why they look so similar.

When her coat is long it's easier to see the difference as it's poker straight with a parting down the middle. There's no wave or curl while it's growing out either. Apso's are bigger and don't have a dome shaped head, smaller eyes too. Personality wise (stereotypically anyway), shih Tzus are people pleasers; much like bichons. Apso's are very aloof, stubborn and head strong. They can also be VERY suspicious of strangers.

I can't find a photo of Pebs with a long coat. Here's photos from crufts of the 2 breeds. You can see how different they are in long coat. Pebbies coat gets to roughly a third of the length before shaving but this is normally during winter. The cut above is when the weather is warmer or she's having a flare.
(Apso top. Shih Tzu bottom.)




28074.webp7136682_orig.webp

Bella is meant to be a shih Tzu cross poodle. She seems to have got a 50/50 mix appearance wise. Her eyes are too big and buggy for a proper poodle cut but her body is square like poodles. I have to mix a poodle cut with a shihtzu type cut when grooming her.

Would love to see a picture of Murphy. 😊
 
Engel said:
Update regarding the gerbils. Unfortunately Luna and Sol are no longer with us. They had to go to a more experienced home. While they started off great, we soon learned there was a few behaviour problems and it wasn't something a first time owner could sort. I accepted my limitations after trying everything possible as I don't give up easily. But suffering a connective tissue disorder (effects blood vessels too), there's only so many times I can be lunged, bit and clung to (via teeth) while just opening the door to their cage before it starts becoming an issue. If I'd just had the gerbils I'd probably stuck it out a bit longer, but I'm no good to the others that I care for if I'm out of action with hands wrapped in gauze and bandages.
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I’m sorry you had to let Sol and Luna go. But you did the right thing so they could get the right owner with more experience to help them with their issues. Bet it was still hard though.
 
weepweeps said:
I’m sorry you had to let Sol and Luna go. But you did the right thing so they could get the right owner with more experience to help them with their issues. Bet it was still hard though.
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Yes very difficult. I did feel quite defeated if I'm honest. Sometimes you've just got to do what's best for them.
 
Engel said:
Awe. If I remember rightly a Apso was bred with another breed and created a shih Tzu hence why they look so similar.

When her coat is long it's easier to see the difference as it's poker straight with a parting down the middle. There's no wave or curl while it's growing out either. Apso's are bigger and don't have a dome shaped head, smaller eyes too. Personality wise (stereotypically anyway), shih Tzus are people pleasers; much like bichons. Apso's are very aloof, stubborn and head strong. They can also be VERY suspicious of strangers.

I can't find a photo of Pebs with a long coat. Here's photos from crufts of the 2 breeds. You can see how different they are in long coat. Pebbies coat gets to roughly a third of the length before shaving but this is normally during winter. The cut above is when the weather is warmer or she's having a flare.
(Apso top. Shih Tzu bottom.)




View attachment 191521View attachment 191522

Bella is meant to be a shih Tzu cross poodle. She seems to have got a 50/50 mix appearance wise. Her eyes are too big and buggy for a proper poodle cut but her body is square like poodles. I have to mix a poodle cut with a shihtzu type cut when grooming her.

Would love to see a picture of Murphy. 😊
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Sorry for the delayed reply @Engel. All of your furbabies are adorable :wub:

Her fur is shorter from a home haircut for summer and it's not 2019 anymore but...

...Here she is -
20190908_095115.jpg20190908_095244.jpg20190604_124211.jpg20190514_142039.jpg20181026_185328.jpg
Don't know if that's too many!? 😆
 
Sad update I'm afraid. Mania was older than we were initially told, she was closer to 9-10 months when I got her but who knows her true age. January 31st I had to take her to the vets as I noted some changes in her (I'll list symptoms below for those interested) however she seemed happy in herself and was still eating/drinking/toileting normal.

I suspected ovarian tumor(s) and thankfully I have a good repore with the one vet so can say what I think which I think makes things slightly easier. Anyway, she checked Mania over and sadly came to the same conclusion. I know the score, it's not going to get better so I made the decision to have her PTS as it would be the kindest thing to do. The last act of kindness you can do I think. That doesn't make me miss her any less or makes the parting easier. She would have been 18 months + so lived a long life really.
 
I’m so sorry you had to let Mania go over the bridge. Yes it is the last act of kindness we can do for them. But still so hard. Take care ❤️
 
weepweeps said:
I’m so sorry you had to let Mania go over the bridge. Yes it is the last act of kindness we can do for them. But still so hard. Take care ❤️
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Thanks @weepweeps. While I knew her time was coming I still found it quite strange, even now, not seeing her cage. Going to feed her. Seeing something that I know she would like. The other day I went to refill her water dish and wasn't until I was stood where the cage was that I remembered she was no longer here. Its so quite at night. I'm still waking at 3am to see if she's awake and wants to come out. It's just really strange.
 
Engel said:
Thanks @weepweeps. While I knew her time was coming I still found it quite strange, even now, not seeing her cage. Going to feed her. Seeing something that I know she would like. The other day I went to refill her water dish and wasn't until I was stood where the cage was that I remembered she was no longer here. Its so quite at night. I'm still waking at 3am to see if she's awake and wants to come out. It's just really strange.
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It will take a while. She had a great life with you. ❤️
 
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