Pig with respiratory problems

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Frank&Kiz

Hi,

I'm new here, but have owned and loved piggies for some time. I'm just looking for a little advice/reassurance.

I have two pigs, both around 2 years old, one with no health issues, one with life long respiratory problems.

Frank spent the first 18 months of his life on and off antibiotics to no avail. I stopped using sawdust/straw about 8 months ago to a reasonable effect but he persists with a wheeze and a creamy substance from his eyes the vet thinks may be a back log from his nasal passages. It's definately not his teeth, I get him looked over reguarly to be sure.

The question I have relates to his homing. Until Monday they were house pets, however I have moved house and they now have their own shed. With Franks allergies I can only add shredded-tissue-like small pet bedding and extra newspaper for warmth. If he was yours would you take him in over the coldest winter months? If so could they come in for the night and out for the day or would this do more harm than good? He and Kismit bump along well enough but they're not cuddley pigs so won't have each other for warmth, they have a small wooden house to snuggle in each but is this enough?

I really don't want to do either of them any damage with their new living arrangements, poor Frank has always been delicate (dispite being almost the size of my dwarf rabbit!).

Advice very gratefully recieved!
 
You can't put them in and out - the difference in temperatures will make them ill.

As I never had outdoors guinea pigs, I can't say whther your arrangements are OK. Personally, I'd feel happier with having Frank indoors over winter.
 
On one of the other threads I noticed felt/fabric tubes and pymrid, maybe something like that would work as well... Could you stable carpet to the shed walls, maybe put something on the floor like an old rug, check for all drafts, I'm sure you could bring them in for REALLY bad weather... You could even cover the top of the cages with something warm as long as their getting air and obv your guinea pig is alright with the fabric... Leo (my little guinea pig) he's always been sick, inner ear infections mainly but lately he's beginning to weeze a bit, I'm yet to change over from chipping and have started asking questions baout felt and such... I'd just make sure they have plenty of nesting material and maybe if you can do something about installation the shed =]
 
I've but the weekend aside to insulate and carpet the shed to make it as cosy as possible. I was thinking about looking around for more bedding etc, like the fabric tubes and 'fur' lined beds. I have some old throws to hang over the front of the hutches to trap the warm air/ prevent drafts too.

When you say they can't go in and out do you mean not out during day/ in during night or out during summer/ in during winter?

Thanks for your replys.
 
In the winter extreme changes in temperature will harm them - it's either in all the time or out all the time or in the shed all the time, but cold shed to warm heated house can make them unwell.

Sounds like you are doing all the right things if they are going to be outdoors but I agree with Weibke I would prefer to have them indoors if possible. If not you sound like you are doing all you can.

Do consider vetbed and fleece hideys for them to help keep them warm and invest in a couple of heatpads to keep them warm too.
 
I think they will come in as it gets colder, then out again in the spring. What are these heat pads though? I've heard people mention them before, they'd be great for my bunnies too! Where can you buy them? Do they stay hot for a long time?
 
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