Oh, Bann.

[Lorcan]

I wanna start with I don't really think there's anything wrong. He's eating fine (and I've watched him do it, veg and hay alike, for some time on several occasions today), but he doesn't want to leave one corner of the cage much. It's the corner closest to the radiator so again, I don't think it's a sign of anything iffy. But he's subdued, as is Cam.

Considering they were fine last night, I think either something's spooked them overnight, OR they've had a bit of a tiff and are trying to avoid each other. With that in mind and them both eating and drinking, I'll be keeping an eye on them, but is there anything else I should be looking out for behaviour wise? I'm trying not to annoy myself worrying especially since there's no real sign anything's wrong.

 

[Wiebke]

I wanna start with I don't really think there's anything wrong. He's eating fine (and I've watched him do it, veg and hay alike, for some time on several occasions today), but he doesn't want to leave one corner of the cage much. It's the corner closest to the radiator so again, I don't think it's a sign of anything iffy. But he's subdued, as is Cam.

Considering they were fine last night, I think either something's spooked them overnight, OR they've had a bit of a tiff and are trying to avoid each other. With that in mind and them both eating and drinking, I'll be keeping an eye on them, but is there anything else I should be looking out for behaviour wise? I'm trying not to annoy myself worrying especially since there's no real sign anything's wrong.

Hi

Switch to weighing them daily at the same time instead of weekly so you can keep an eye on their food intake (especially the hay intake); this should give you an objective measure if there is a developing issue. Otherwise just keep an eye on them.

Hopefully, it was just a temporary upset and they wil be coming out of it again.

 

[Lorcan]

Thanks @Wiebke, will do. However within the past half hour Camowen's found his voice again, and that means Bann's found his voice again, and that means goodbye peace and quiet, again. Ah well.

This is a long shot but can a change in routine have thrown them a bit? Since they've come home I've spent 90% of my time or more upstairs, not necessarily in their room, in my room instead, but I've been close by. And then yesterday and this morning I've been downstairs doing jigsaw puzzles. I figure it's probably not, but I thought I'd ask.

 

[VickiA]

It never hurts to be alert to change. But it’s unlikely to be anything serious if they have both found their voice again and there’s no weight loss. I’ve had days where all 6 have barely acknowledged when I’ve walked into their room. It’s always a bit of a concern until they do come out and I see them all eating. It’s possible something has spooked them, or maybe they were just having a bit of a snooze?

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks @Wiebke, will do. However within the past half hour Camowen's found his voice again, and that means Bann's found his voice again, and that means goodbye peace and quiet, again. Ah well.

This is a long shot but can a change in routine have thrown them a bit? Since they've come home I've spent 90% of my time or more upstairs, not necessarily in their room, in my room instead, but I've been close by. And then yesterday and this morning I've been downstairs doing jigsaw puzzles. I figure it's probably not, but I thought I'd ask.

Try and make use of our piggy whispering tips and enrichment ideas to get them more used connect you being around more with nice things happening. Interaction doesn't need to be restricted to lap time; it can happen on so many different levels, like you chatting with them in the way piggies chut along to doing things with them.
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering and Cuddling Tips
Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

Glad that it's just been a temporary hiccup.

 

[Lorcan]

Try and make use of our piggy whispering tips and enrichment ideas to get them more used connect you being around more with nice things happening. Interaction doesn't need to be restricted to lap time; it can happen on so many different levels, like you chatting with them in the way piggies chut along to doing things with them.
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering and Cuddling Tips
Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

Glad that it's just been a temporary hiccup.

I try not to push lap time too much, I know it can be hit and miss for pigs. Blitzen hated it, Comet loved it as long as he could sit on your chest (or higher) instead of your lap. And my hands are cold, so neither of these two appreciate it much, heh. I pop in on my way up or down the stairs, just to say hello, give a handful of hay, chat a bit - normal voice, same voice as I'd use for anyone really. Make sure the room's not too cold, close the blinds if it's getting too warm and the heating's off (south facing windows). But I assume they're used to listening for the movement in the next room and I've thrown that off slightly. They've been socialised well with people long before they came to me, same for handling, unfortunately the Raynauds targets my fingers and hands much more severely than my feet and there's little I can do about it.

Usually though they'll assume if I'm in, it's to give them food. If not veggies then at least hay.

It never hurts to be alert to change. But it’s unlikely to be anything serious if they have both found their voice again and there’s no weight loss. I’ve had days where all 6 have barely acknowledged when I’ve walked into their room. It’s always a bit of a concern until they do come out and I see them all eating. It’s possible something has spooked them, or maybe they were just having a bit of a snooze?

I thought that at first, because I know if they're asleep sometimes they just don't want to get out of bed, food or no food. But they were just so quiet all day, it was unnerving. They did eat, because half the veggies disappeared. Brought up a handful of coriander and that got their attention (and got hoovered up quick) but still, barely a sound out of them.

They're both currently nose deep in the pellet bowl. Food still rules, apparently.

 

[Wiebke]

I try not to push lap time too much, I know it can be hit and miss for pigs. Blitzen hated it, Comet loved it as long as he could sit on your chest (or higher) instead of your lap. And my hands are cold, so neither of these two appreciate it much, heh. I pop in on my way up or down the stairs, just to say hello, give a handful of hay, chat a bit - normal voice, same voice as I'd use for anyone really. Make sure the room's not too cold, close the blinds if it's getting too warm and the heating's off (south facing windows). But I assume they're used to listening for the movement in the next room and I've thrown that off slightly. They've been socialised well with people long before they came to me, same for handling, unfortunately the Raynauds targets my fingers and hands much more severely than my feet and there's little I can do about it.

Usually though they'll assume if I'm in, it's to give them food. If not veggies then at least hay.



I thought that at first, because I know if they're asleep sometimes they just don't want to get out of bed, food or no food. But they were just so quiet all day, it was unnerving. They did eat, because half the veggies disappeared. Brought up a handful of coriander and that got their attention (and got hoovered up quick) but still, barely a sound out of them.

They're both currently nose deep in the pellet bowl. Food still rules, apparently.

Here are some pretty effective tips on how to deal with hand tweaking - my Brathlys (who ended up here partially because she was unrehomeable because of her bad tweaking) stopped within two weeks and only does it mildy now as a complaint after some some nail cutting.
I am copying the way my most savvy boy Terfel dealt with his rambunctious wives taking the lead in a very gentle way and keeping them in hand.
Who is the Boss - Your Guinea Pig or You?

And as stated above, piggy interaction is A LOT more than lap time. You can build up a great relationship with minimal hands-on grooming with a piggy that hates hands and lap time due to bad experiences. My Briallen was a good example of that, due to being a deeply traumatised toddler's ex-pet and having a real thing about hands.

 

[Lorcan]

Here are some pretty effective tips on how to deal with hand tweaking - my Brathlys (who ended up here partially because she was unrehomeable because of her bad tweaking) stopped within two weeks and only does it mildy now as a complaint after some some nail cutting.
I am copying the way my most savvy boy Terfel dealt with his rambunctious wives taking the lead in a very gentle way and keeping them in hand.
Who is the Boss - Your Guinea Pig or You?

And as stated above, piggy interaction is A LOT more than lap time. You can build up a great relationship with minimal hands-on grooming with a piggy that hates hands and lap time due to bad experiences. My Briallen was a good example of that, due to being a deeply traumatised toddler's ex-pet and having a real thing about hands.

I thought I'd replied to this last night but apparently not, sorry. They don't tweak, really, it seems it's my hands in general they're uncomfortable with. They're not bad about being handled at all, but my hands are permanently cold (Raynauds, and it wasn't caused by my smoking, so my having quit won't help unfortunately) and on the dry side. They're fine with me if I'm holding them in something like my sleeves. It makes it awkward for nail clipping because while they probably wouldn't mind gloves too much, I know from experience that doing anything with gloves on is hard compared to not wearing them.

Their problem is wriggling. And they can wriggle, I thought Comet was bad trying to medicate him but he had nothing on these two trying to escape my cold hands. I don't blame them, it's not their fault, I just need to work on it. They are great being handled otherwise though, I might be their fourth home but there's no sign that any of their previous homes have been traumatic in any way. I just have cold, dry hands

I think that's why yesterday was so odd. I realise it's not even 8 weeks yet and I still say that's a settling in period but there was almost nothing from them yesterday. No begging at the bars, no being shrieked at 24/7, no wanting new hay all the time. If I sit in there I'm sitting on the floor and eventually one of them will usually assume I have food and be at the bars for it, but nothing. I watched them eat plenty, hay and otherwise. But for a while I thought it was just Bann (hence the thread title) but honestly it was both of them, which really threw me. One might be ill but both coming down so strongly at the same time?

Breakfast this morning, I've seen speed eating before but it was like they hadn't fed in weeks. I'm glad it's apparently sorted itself but that was bloody odd.

 

[VickiA]

Sounds like normality has resumed in your piggy room. Perhaps something spooked them.

 

[Wiebke]

Have you tried one-off gloves to make your hands warmer. See whether Sue from Cavy Corner can put you in contact with Sarah from Chucklebunnies. She used to make little pouches for medical treatment .

Use piggy whispering techniques and treats to getting them used to your hands.

 

[Lorcan]

Have you tried one-off gloves to make your hands warmer. See whether Sue from Cavy Corner can put you in contact with Sarah from Chucklebunnies. She used to make little pouches for medical treatment .

No, but thanks, I'll look into it. Anything that might help them out is worth a try. Are you okay with me mentioning you to Sue if she wonders where the request came from?

 

[YvonneBlue]

Skinnies really don't like cold hands. Dora bit the trainee vet who picked her up with cold hands. Our usual vet knows better and warms his hands but he just passed her to the trainee as she hadn't handled a skinny pig previously and well it was only a warning nip.

 

[Wiebke]

No, but thanks, I'll look into it. Anything that might help them out is worth a try. Are you okay with me mentioning you to Sue if she wonders where the request came from?

No problem! Both I and Sarah have run stalls at past Cavy Corner events.

 

[Lorcan]

Our usual vet knows better and warms his hands

Sounds like Blitzen at the vets. If someone was gonna get bitten, well, it didn't have to be me right? Quitting smoking won't cure the Raynauds in my case, but it might help it. The dry skin's another story, but if I can sort out the heat problem, it at least checks one box off the list.

No problem! Both I and Sarah have run stalls at past Cavy Corner events.

Thanks! I know she knows who a lot of you are, especially after the whole thing with Comet and Blitzen. It's more in case she wonders where the request came from out of nowhere, lol.

 

[Lorcan]

I wasn't sure where to put this so I'll put it here, if it needs to go anywhere else let me know? But I've had a bit of a discussion with Sarah, we're seeing if there's a way to add an extra something to the bags for me to put my hands into - gives me the benefit of the bag, but also gives me somewhere to try warming my own hands up and not make the boys (or any pig) uncomfortable at the same time. I've had Raynauds since I was 6 or 7, but until the boys turned up I'd almost forgotten it was even a medical issue.

And if this works out, not only might I be finally able to be confident with their handling without causing them discomfort, but I might be able to finally take them downstairs for a bit too. Not that they need the scenery, I know, but from experience it helps with the people socialisation. If, heaven forbid, I was ever taken badly ill again, I want to be certain they're comfortable with the people coming in and out of the house.

 

[Wiebke]

I wasn't sure where to put this so I'll put it here, if it needs to go anywhere else let me know? But I've had a bit of a discussion with Sarah, we're seeing if there's a way to add an extra something to the bags for me to put my hands into - gives me the benefit of the bag, but also gives me somewhere to try warming my own hands up and not make the boys (or any pig) uncomfortable at the same time. I've had Raynauds since I was 6 or 7, but until the boys turned up I'd almost forgotten it was even a medical issue.

And if this works out, not only might I be finally able to be confident with their handling without causing them discomfort, but I might be able to finally take them downstairs for a bit too. Not that they need the scenery, I know, but from experience it helps with the people socialisation. If, heaven forbid, I was ever taken badly ill again, I want to be certain they're comfortable with the people coming in and out of the house.

That would be so great for you!

Sarah used to be a forum member but she stopped posting actively about a decade ago.

 

[Lorcan]

That would be great!

She seemed excited about the challenge, and any help is worth it for me. I adore these boys, and I want to give them the best care I can. And I won't lie, I want one of the bags regardless, it would be amazing to take them downstairs and not be panicking about the temp for ten minutes.

 

[David Piggie Lover]

Oh @Lorcan
Them piggies eh
Hope they continue to better going to say normal but what is normal
My girls are different everyday