Pigs Won't Let Me Touch Them But They Need Medicine

[Starwind Amada]

My boy Oreo runs when I try to pick him up. He has sores on his feet and the vet gave me some medicine to give him via a syringe. He will not take it if I put it near him and I cannot pick him up because he darts away. What else can I do? I also have to give him eyedrops for his conjunctivitis but that's impossible as well. All four of my pigs do this.

 

[Wiebke]

My boy Oreo runs when I try to pick him up. He has sores on his feet and the vet gave me some medicine to give him via a syringe. He will not take it if I put it near him and I cannot pick him up because he darts away. What else can I do? I also have to give him eyedrops for his conjunctivitis but that's impossible as well. All four of my pigs do this.

Hi and welcome
Please take a look at the very helpful practical how-to tips and information in these links here. When your piggies run, then you can try and funnel them into a pick up conveyance without having to touch them. Picking up runs very close to their prey animal instincts. Our medicating guide also has very helpful videos and pictures on how to medicate and feed uncooperate piggies. You can mitigate some of the prey animal response by avoiding triggers and by reassuring your piggies in their own interactive language ('piggy whispering') - it works!

Here are the links:
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pigs Safely (videos)
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering and Cuddling Tips
Who is the Boss - Your Guinea Pig or You? (more whispering tips when dealing with unccoperative piggies)

PS:
In order to apply the eye drops, please gently pull the lower eyelid down a little and aim the drops into the gap. That is the most efficient way of getting them in.

 

[Mon59]

Yep. My four girls are used to the tube method and the carry cozy . All resist strongly and will avoid both. As soon as there is any suspicion that a catch is intended they will run around any obstacle ! The video looks a dream for even the ’difficult‘ pig. The trouble with the tube method is you have to keep both ends covered leaving no hands free. I have to tip the tube to prevent dropping or a wild jump and it is very stressful. Luckily no serious daily meds yet but I do really really sympathise !

I had to get them all out last week for nails and mite treatment and had to resort to distraction with food and a quick kind grab. They scream terribly and then are quiet as if it’s a game.

Perhaps mine are too young to go quietly as under 9 months.

Any other suggestions from anybody?

mine also complicated because one will NEVER settle on lap or in a snuggle or anywhere. I have to put her back with uncut nails or checks quite often because it’s a nightmare..

good luck ……

 

[Starwind Amada]

Nothing is working. He ran into a tunnel but always hops out before I can pick it up high enough for him to not. Tried to back him into a corner and he pushed my hand out of the way with his head.

What if I get the drug into a syringe and then dispense it onto a piece of lettuce? Would that work?

 

[Wiebke]

Nothing is working. He ran into a tunnel but always hops out before I can pick it up high enough for him to not. Tried to back him into a corner and he pushed my hand out of the way with his head.


What if I get the drug into a syringe and then dispense it onto a piece of lettuce? Would that work?

Not if you are dealing with baytril or an another antibiotic. They are about as foul tasting as they come.
Guinea pigs have about double the number of taste buds compared to humans.
Do you have a hut or cosy with just one exit you can fish him out of or a cardboard box with some hay or veg at the far end and just one smallish exit? If needed, peg a rag over the top and cover the exit with the flat of your hand as quickly as possible.

Unfortunately by now he is rather on fully kicked up instincts.

For the longer term, try to train him to use a walk in carrier or a cardboard box you can easily lift up as a rest room and feeding place so he has good associations. Make sure that he gets a lot of fuss and a treat afterward in the carrier.
I have extra long soft fleece tunnels that I can easily close off with my hands on both sides and lift out of the cage or fleece caves where I can block the opening with my body during transport - always one or two in reserve but then I have quite a few more piggies.

It takes some experience to learn the tricks and quirks of my more challenging customers; especially when my really skittish customers need medication not so long after arrival. Most piggies eventually realise that it is all lot less scary and upsetting if they cooperate; with the really skittish ones it can take quite some time.

 

[Free Ranger]

I have one of these - it's a cuddle sack or cuddle bag.

People buy them to cuddle their pet in but it's quite handy for catching my George as he loves it and considers it is his. So I put in on the floor and he walks in and 'claims' it - them I gently pick the whole thing up and move away from the cage area so he's not fighting to get back there. Then I sit on the floor so if he blindly leaps (and they will) he's not going to fall from a height!

If you have antibiotics the bonus is usually the volume is very small (like 0.2ml of something) because they taste disgusting. I am right-handed so I face George to my right and put my left hand over the top of his head like a little crash-helmet, with finger and thumb on each side of his face. If you can hold them still for a second you can slip that syringe in down one side of the mouth (the incisors block the middle) and once it's in they can't spit it out. Then I let go and give him a sprig of parsley. This is a special treat as it's quite high in calcium so he goes for it every time - the plus is that it's got a strong flavour to take his mind off the disgusting thing he's just been obliged to eat. Then I praise him and give him a gentle fuss - which he tolerates. Then I take the bag back and put it in the enclosure and leave it there so he can enjoy its fluffiness!

He's pushing your hand away to show you he doesn't want it because they don't understand modern medicine. Stay calm and keep making soothing noises - you'll get it in the end. Once he's had it a couple times he'll figure out what's happening and it should be easier for you both!

 

[Starwind Amada]

Nothing is working. I got him in the tunnel (took way too long) and was able to pick him up from there. Unfortunately, he would not go for the syringe. I put it near his mouth and he kept turning away.

I don't know what else to do. I just dropped over $200 on medications and he refuses to take any of them or even be handled. I've tried bribing him with food and he is still terrified. I can't keep wasting time and money like this. These guinea pigs just won't warm up to me. It's been over a year since I got them and they are only comfortable with me as long as I bring them food and nothing else. No cuddle time and certainly no floor time because I'll never be able to retrieve them. I live alone so there is no one who can help me.

I'm at my wits end here. I'm seriously considering rehoming them but the closest shelter is 400 miles away and doesn't respond to voicemails or emails and no one ever picks up the phone.

 

[Free Ranger]

Medication
You're going to need to hold his head - gently but firmly. We have to be assertive, but not rough! Put the syringe in his mouth - they only have little mouths but you should be able to slip a small syringe in one side. It's important he gets his prescribed meds if the vet thinks he needs them. You're a lot bigger than he is and once you've got him in a tunnel or bag he really won't have much option. You could always try phoning the vet and seeing if they do a nurse appointment where the nurse can show you how to dose him. Give him a little treat after so he knows it's not all nastiness! Poor lad is suffering and must feel scared about all this - they know they're vulnerable when they're ill and he must be in pain with his eyes and his feet x

Handling
Piggies are not really a cuddly pet. This is absolutely normal. They are a fearful little prey animal whose charm is in winning their trust. Hubs put it well when he said their thought process is, "Here they come, I'm going to die... I'm going to die... I'M GOING TO DIE... Ooh, lettuce!" We were about 10 pigs in before we got one that came up to him and let him have a little fuss. He said, "Finally! A pet you can pet!" My 3 are loose in the kitchen which you might think is madness but the truth is they stick to their bit and rarely come out further - until someone opens the fridge

It's always possible they are not the ideal pet for you but try and separate that thought from the immediate problem of looking after your poorly one. If you can get him better you can consider your options. Sometimes our circumstances change and we find ourselves unable to do our best for our little guys. If you have a look on the Guinea Lynx rescue page Guinea Lynx :: US Guinea Pig Rescue and Shelter Organizations there seems to be a couple in in NJ including one in Florence which might be closer to you? If you can get through to one they might have word-of-mouth contacts at other places.

 

[Starwind Amada]

Medication
You're going to need to hold his head - gently but firmly. We have to be assertive, but not rough! Put the syringe in his mouth - they only have little mouths but you should be able to slip a small syringe in one side. It's important he gets his prescribed meds if the vet thinks he needs them. You're a lot bigger than he is and once you've got him in a tunnel or bag he really won't have much option. You could always try phoning the vet and seeing if they do a nurse appointment where the nurse can show you how to dose him. Give him a little treat after so he knows it's not all nastiness! Poor lad is suffering and must feel scared about all this - they know they're vulnerable when they're ill and he must be in pain with his eyes and his feet x

Handling
Piggies are not really a cuddly pet. This is absolutely normal. They are a fearful little prey animal whose charm is in winning their trust. Hubs put it well when he said their thought process is, "Here they come, I'm going to die... I'm going to die... I'M GOING TO DIE... Ooh, lettuce!" We were about 10 pigs in before we got one that came up to him and let him have a little fuss. He said, "Finally! A pet you can pet!" My 3 are loose in the kitchen which you might think is madness but the truth is they stick to their bit and rarely come out further - until someone opens the fridge

It's always possible they are not the ideal pet for you but try and separate that thought from the immediate problem of looking after your poorly one. If you can get him better you can consider your options. Sometimes our circumstances change and we find ourselves unable to do our best for our little guys. If you have a look on the Guinea Lynx rescue page Guinea Lynx :: US Guinea Pig Rescue and Shelter Organizations there seems to be a couple in in NJ including one in Florence which might be closer to you? If you can get through to one they might have word-of-mouth contacts at other places.

I live in PA and the only listing is over 100 miles away.

I can't do this anymore. I don't want any money, I just want them to live in a better place with someone who has more time, patience and money. Oreo just won't cooperate and yet I'm going to be expected to keep trying and buy new things for his cage to improve his living conditions. I have tried everything and nothing works, plus the other three are bound to have some health issues as well and they are also still terrified of me.

I listed them on (edited by moderator). Can I post the link here or is that not allowed?

 

[Lady Kelly]

Forum rules do not allow links to free sites.

We do have a section of the forum for rehoming which you are welcome to post more information/ photos on as long as they are for rehoming not sale (we do not allow the sale of animals on the forum). Please on bear in mind that we are a UK based forum and whilst we have a lot of members from across the world I don't know what our reach is like in your state.

I have found with some of my piggies previously that I just had to be ruthless of grabbing them and holding them firmly, especially when time isn't on my side (usually when I had to do medications before work). Yes there are nicer ways to pick them up and it's great if you can train them that way when they are well but when they are already ill it's a matter of needs must in my opinion. A bit like I would do with my toddler

 

[Free Ranger]

I live in PA and the only listing is over 100 miles away.

My US geography isn't that great, sorry. I was just looking at Google maps and thought you looked nearish to NJ. I don't know if you have rules about taking pets across state lines. If you can at least call some of the (not-so-) nearish rescue organisations they might have some local knowledge?

 

[Wiebke]

Unfortunately, when it comes to syringe feeding guinea pigs that are not playing ball, you need to be hard and get on with the job. It is not nice but in the end your piggy will learn to feel much better thanks to your feed and medication and they are generally pretty forgiving once they realise that you have stopped it. Even new piggies and even piggies that hate being handled.

The stark alternative is that they will die if they do not eat and will suffer worse if they are not getting medicated.
You can try to find rescues via pet finder; they are listed by state. What pet finder cannot do is tell you how good a rescue is. Please do not surrender your piggies to a killing shelter where they will not getting any medication, either.
If you want to rehome privately, then you have to be very careful and be aware of the risks and tricks.
Rescues (Adoption and Dating), Shops, Breeders or Online? - What to consider when getting guinea pigs

Please be aware that the USA is also currently expecting a massive dump in guinea pigs and that good places are all swamped and have huge waiting lists.

 

[Starwind Amada]

I need to rehome them immediately but there's nowhere for them to go. No shelters near me. I don't know what to do. I can't take care of these guys anymore and they're going to drain my bank account with medical treatments.

 

[Free Ranger]

Just try and focus on getting that syringe and eyedrops in for your little guy so he can start feeling a bit better. If problems are left to deteriorate they get more complicated and more serious and more expensive. It tends to be cheaper when we catch things earlier. Pets always come with a cost - it's what we choose when we choose to have an animal companion. We can't bail when they need us. My old boy needs nursing at the minute. One day I'll need nursing myself! Are any of the others unwell at the moment?

You'll be able to find somewhere that'll take them but it might not be right now. You've begun the process - now you're in the process so concentrate on that. I get the sense that if you could medicate Oreo you wouldn't be panicking to offload them so urgently? These are two separate issues and you have to try and unpick them, deal with what needs doing immediately, and keep phoning round rescues while you're treating him.

 

[SallyM79]

My vet advised me to wrap my piggie in a towel or blanket fairly tightly with just her head poking out so you can hold her like a football in your arm nook leaving your hands fairly free. This helped when I had to start syringe feeding. Once she got used to it, the towel wasn't really needed.

For catching them in the first place, we also have a cuddle sack that I can lift when she goes in which is often as she loves it, or when she is in a tunnel, I put hands on both ends, lift it up, tip it slowly upright and then can easily slide her out to wrap her in the towel for meds.

Good luck. I hope you can find somewhere they will be loved. Have you contacted the place you got them from to see if they can take them back?

 

[RedLoredAmazon]

I just did a google search and it looks like Peaceable Kingdom deals with guinea pigs. They are a no kill shelter; but I don't know anything about them. Could you reach out to them?

 

[RedLoredAmazon]

Sorry, I wasn't able to finish my thought earlier. Peaceable Kingdom is located in Allentown, according to their website. There are a few other shelters in your city too. You could also reach out to Helping all Little Pipsqueaks. They sometimes have a transporter that can help pick up piggies or they may know of a place that you can rehome them to.

My guinea pigs are tricky to give medicine to. The cuddle sack trick sometimes works and other times, I just have to catch them with my hands. I use a cardboard box to block their escape and then pick them up. They may scream and act dramatic, but they can deal with it. I then wrap them in a towel and give them their eyedrops in the corner of their eye. Or if it is an oral medication, I put the syringe in their mouth and point the tip toward their cheek. I slowly dispense the medicine till it is gone and they swallow it.

Hoping that things work out for you and the piggies.

 

[VickiA]

As someone who works as part of a rescue we have many pigs come in who are difficult (sometimes nearly impossible) to handle. And it always seems to be those pigs who immediately need some sort of treatment. Experience has taught me that you have to simply be decisive and bold. Herding them into a corner or a house from where they can not escape is the best way to catch them. As for medicating, we all have our own techniques and have to do whatever works. What works for one pig may not work for another. But it’s a tough love situation as you need to get their meds into them.

 

[Starwind Amada]

I got Nugget to take the medicine but Oreo still refuses and he's too quick for me to catch by any means. The one time I did catch him and he kept turning his head away and almost dove out of the tunnel to what would have been his death. And who's to say Nugget will cooperate tomorrow?

 

[Princess Dustmop]

Do you have a second person who can help? If it's something they don't want to take (like icky tasting Baytril), it can be easier if one person holds the piggy and a second person operates the syringe. Usually I'm on piggy holding ... I hold the piggy to my chest with her head near my chin, so that she is securely held and can't move her head back because my chin is in the way. The second person aims and squirts ... If you're concerned about jumping from your hands, sit on the floor for this ... less distance if they do get away from you than if you're standing.

 

[Starwind Amada]

Do you have a second person who can help? If it's something they don't want to take (like icky tasting Baytril), it can be easier if one person holds the piggy and a second person operates the syringe. Usually I'm on piggy holding ... I hold the piggy to my chest with her head near my chin, so that she is securely held and can't move her head back because my chin is in the way. The second person aims and squirts ... If you're concerned about jumping from your hands, sit on the floor for this ... less distance if they do get away from you than if you're standing.

I live alone.

I'm at my wit's end here. All shelters are full. No one in my complex has called me. I cancelled all future vet appointments because I can't afford them. The pigs are running out of food and I don't want to buy any more.

They don't let me play with them and they only want to see me when I have food. They're just taking up space. I am unable to tame them. I have tried everything, and they simply don't want to be touched. They've lived here for a whole year and nothing has changed.

What do I do if no one will take them? I have nowhere else to turn and I'm desperate.

 

[Free Ranger]

I'm so sorry but I'm going to be quite blunt, so try not to get stressed about it. I get the sense that you can get things out of proportion sometimes(?)

You don't have to bond with these piggies but you have a duty to provide them with their food. That's very cruel - and also illegal. Animal cruelty fines will cost a lot more than vet bills - both financially and in terms of reputation and future job/tenancy prospects. At the bare minimum, all you have to do is keep going as you have been for the past year until someone can take them off your hands - more for their sakes by the sound of it. You don't have to like it, you just have to do it. This is duty. You might be annoyed by that, but there are people juggling poorly pets with elderly parents, small children, personal illness, or shift work. You have time and money to call your own and you know you can give a little for these pigs in the short term.

You are expecting too much from guinea pigs. It is their nature to be fearful and not trust easily. Even when they love you they are not a cuddly pet. It takes patience and kindness from their owners to form any sort of bond. I've had many rescue pigs over the years and all of them have responded to kindness and food. They will stand still and let me gently stroke their cheeks or under the chin, but boy I had to work months for that. If that's not you, then it looks like they were the wrong choice of pet - but it was your choice not theirs so just see it through for a little longer. I'm not judging here - some folks are just not cut out for it, or they are at the wrong time in their lives, but when we are responsible we just have to get on with it. We might not feel like it but we still have to do it. There's right and there's wrong - we have to do the right thing.

If pigs are kept clean and fed they are happy with their own company. If fed inappropriately, or neglected and not kept clean, so they stand in their own urine/faeces it can cause problems like urine scald on the feet which can lead to open sores or ulcers. Then the vet bills start - but it's not the piggies fault. They didn't choose to get ill. They didn't choose to be pets. It's us people who have a decision to make. It's in our power to make their lives wonderful or miserable, and who would choose the latter. All they know is how life is now - lets do our best for them.

Get your name on the rescue lists for the sake of your pigs. You may have to wait but they will come through for the love of guinea pigs.

 

[Starwind Amada]

I'm so sorry but I'm going to be quite blunt, so try not to get stressed about it. I get the sense that you can get things out of proportion sometimes(?)

You don't have to bond with these piggies but you have a duty to provide them with their food. That's very cruel - and also illegal. Animal cruelty fines will cost a lot more than vet bills - both financially and in terms of reputation and future job/tenancy prospects. At the bare minimum, all you have to do is keep going as you have been for the past year until someone can take them off your hands - more for their sakes by the sound of it. You don't have to like it, you just have to do it. This is duty. You might be annoyed by that, but there are people juggling poorly pets with elderly parents, small children, personal illness, or shift work. You have time and money to call your own and you know you can give a little for these pigs in the short term.

You are expecting too much from guinea pigs. It is their nature to be fearful and not trust easily. Even when they love you they are not a cuddly pet. It takes patience and kindness from their owners to form any sort of bond. I've had many rescue pigs over the years and all of them have responded to kindness and food. They will stand still and let me gently stroke their cheeks or under the chin, but boy I had to work months for that. If that's not you, then it looks like they were the wrong choice of pet - but it was your choice not theirs so just see it through for a little longer. I'm not judging here - some folks are just not cut out for it, or they are at the wrong time in their lives, but when we are responsible we just have to get on with it. We might not feel like it but we still have to do it. There's right and there's wrong - we have to do the right thing.

If pigs are kept clean and fed they are happy with their own company. If fed inappropriately, or neglected and not kept clean, so they stand in their own urine/faeces it can cause problems like urine scald on the feet which can lead to open sores or ulcers. Then the vet bills start - but it's not the piggies fault. They didn't choose to get ill. They didn't choose to be pets. It's us people who have a decision to make. It's in our power to make their lives wonderful or miserable, and who would choose the latter. All they know is how life is now - lets do our best for them.

Get your name on the rescue lists for the sake of your pigs. You may have to wait but they will come through for the love of guinea pigs.

I'm on a list but it won't get to me anytime soon. Their nails are growing every day and they won't let me hold them and I don't have the time or money for the vet. They are comfortable and well-fed but the nails growing is going to be a problem that I can't do anything about.

 

[Free Ranger]

I don't do nails very often - as long as they're not cutting into the pads they're not hurting them. When they get a rescue place they'll deal with that.
Comfortable and well-fed is good. They'll be happy.
Did you manage to get in touch with Peaceable Kingdom in your town?

 

[Lady Kelly]

I've been through stages in pig ownership where I mentally and/or physically was not able to provide much to my piggies other than meeting their basic needs. It wasn't the kind of owner I wanted to be but they have each other for company so won't get lonely. In fact some pigs, and I have owned many like this, simply don't like human company and only want the company of their cagemates. They need food, water, cleaning... And sometimes medicine. There are bits and pieces you can try such as a slate tile under the water bottle to encourage natural wearing of the nails (it won't stop them growing too long, but it can help them getting too long too quickly).
You've been offered some great advice above on rescues more local to you. All you can do is contact as many places as possible and advertise them anywhere possible too (though do try to be aware of buyers from sites such as Craigslist who might have ulterior motives for taking in the pigs - and that it might not be in the pigs best interests).

 

[Starwind Amada]

What can I do to slow the growth of their nails? Vet is out of the question.

 

[Starwind Amada]

I don't do nails very often - as long as they're not cutting into the pads they're not hurting them. When they get a rescue place they'll deal with that.
Comfortable and well-fed is good. They'll be happy.
Did you manage to get in touch with Peaceable Kingdom in your town?

PK is full

 

[Princess Dustmop]

I have used the same technique with just me ... sometimes facing a mirror for a second view at the mouth. A towel/blanket may help with securing the piggy one handed, since it's just you and the second hand has to operate the syringe. I find it helps if you can relax a bit, too ... You want to be able to stay calm and approach the mouth slowly - it makes the second try less chaotic if you don't get the syringe into the mouth on first try. Sudden movements can be startling and cause more squirming.

 

[Lady Kelly]

What can I do to slow the growth of their nails? Vet is out of the question.

Apart from the slate tile or some other form of stone tile somewhere they have to walk (such as under the water bottle) I don't know of anything else that could help.

 

[Lady Kelly]

I've done a bit of a search and I apologise now (if you know anything about the UK it will be how small we are compared to a US state). These places may not be that close by, I haven't confirmed whether they are no kill shelters either:
Lehigh Valley Humane Society
The Sanctuary at Haafsville - Home
Pets-In-Need – Animal shelter.
Last Chance Ranch – Saving the World one Animal at a Time
Welcome
Logans Heroes Animal Rescue | Pet Adoption & Rescue | Pennsylvania
Foxy's Cradle | Neonatal Kitten Nursery | Coplay PA
https://francisvalehome.org

Other places you might want to try for information as they may know of nearby shelters or people who may be able to take them on include the vets you used, any vets in the nearby area and pet stores.

The Center for Animal Health & Welfare | Home this place came up as an affordable clinic though obviously "affordable" is very subjective and doesn't mean they will be affordable to you. They may also be aware of animal shelters that can help