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Rescuing a Skinny!

MunchMummy

MunchMummy

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Feb 17, 2017
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Location
Isle of Wight, UK
Hello!

We currently have a lovely bunch of hairy piggies, living in pairs, a trio and a quartet.

We have been asked by a friend of a friend to take in her 5 year old skinny pig who has been bereaved. Her housing situation has changed, she has less space and no central heating so she is worried she cannot give him what he needs.

We have space and C&Cs ready but we've never had a skinny before! I have so many questions!

I have read the care guide for skinny pigs on here which is fab. But just wanted to know a little more. For example, the last hairy pig we took in from a bad situation came with lice. She had to be treated and quarantined.

Obviously we will quarantine new skinny but it struck me...do they get lice/mites? May be a daft question! But I want to make sure I know all I can so he can live out a happy retirement with us!

Any skinny pigs tips greatly appreciated!
 
MunchMummy said:
Sorry...just occurred I've put this in the wrong place!
Click to expand...

Hi

You aren't in the wrong place.

Yes skinnies can get skin parasites like lice and mange mites but they are usually more obvious (bleeding scratching).

However, if you have concerns and especially if you have any frail piggies in your room, then a quarantine may be advisable. Otherwise you have to be prepared to treat all your piggies. It also depends on the place/situation any new piggies are from.

Importance Of Quarantine
 
I had a skinny - Jellybaby - because he looked like one! He and my hairy Aby Bertie were cage mates from a very early age. Mostly their care was identical but I did keep the room temperature a little higher in winter with a small oil radiator. He liked a fleece hidey and a heated snuggle safe in winter. Lots of hay obviously. I’m sure other skinny owners can offer more advice. Hope your lucky and lovely chap brings you as much joy as mine did. Love their little hairy noses and feet ❤️
 
I have 2 female skinny pigs.l agree with weibke,skinnies can get parasites,fungal infections can happen.They scratch lots when they have these.
Keeping nails short in important.to use soft hay.bedding fleece is good,I use finacard bedding for my skinnies as it's softer than other disposable bedding. Lots of soft meadow hay.i use fleece beds,and keep the temperature in the room at 21 degrees.use a digital thermometer.
I use candula lotion, gorgeous guinea pig brand,on any dry skin,with the correct diet that's not often.
They poop and eat more than hairy pigs.mine are very loving,and wheek extremely loudly.
I wish you luck with your new piggie.
 
All fantastic advice! Thank you!

All our piggies are on fleece bedding anyway so he will have that and we have plenty of fleece cosies. We also have a digital thermometer in the room already.

My pigs currently have long stem Timothy hay from HayBox to eat...guessing that Harold (skinny pig) will need something softer? The meadow hay?

I love Gorgeous Guineas so will stock up on skinny pig supplies from there too!

He's been on his own for a few months I think and from a very loving owner. She's so sad to be rehoming him but I've told her she is welcome to visit.
 
The goblins will only eat the stalkiest, angriest (just ask my poor hands, lol) they can get. They despise soft hay, lol, it just gets outright ignored. They don't specifically need soft hay, heck Cam's fallen asleep in the stalkiest bits, but he's weird like that.
 
Lorcan said:
The goblins will only eat the stalkiest, angriest (just ask my poor hands, lol) they can get. They despise soft hay, lol, it just gets outright ignored. They don't specifically need soft hay, heck Cam's fallen asleep in the stalkiest bits, but he's weird like that.
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Ha! Yes...I've had many a hay splinter! 🤣
 
Harold is a really handsome boy. I'm sure he will have a lovely home with you. Skinnies tend to have big personalities and very loud voices.

I currently have 4 skinny pigs. They have the same hay as my other piggies and are housed on fleece bedding. I do make sure that the temperature in their room doesn't drop below 18C. Other than that they are treated the same as the other piggies (who certainly don't complain about the cosy warm room). Mine have never had any skin problems but of course they can get fungal infections. One thing to remember is that due to their high metabolism they do tend to get age related illnesses sooner than haired piggies and have a slightly shorter life expectancy (we lost our first two skinnies at age 6 years).
 
Ah thank you! He has now arrived (post a vet checking him over) and is settled in to a nice new fleece adorned home.

He's very friendly already and hasn't left the pile of hay since he arrived...just busy munching continually! 🤣

He's incredibly cute! ❤️
 
MunchMummy said:
Ah thank you! He has now arrived (post a vet checking him over) and is settled in to a nice new fleece adorned home.

He's very friendly already and hasn't left the pile of hay since he arrived...just busy munching continually! 🤣

He's incredibly cute! ❤️
Click to expand...
That’s so lovely to hear ❤️can’t wait to see a photo of Harold in his new home when he’s settled in 🥰
 
Ok.. weird question!

Our vet checked Harold over before he came home and was given a clean bill of health.

However, is it normal for skinnies to be...how shall I put this...VERY well endowed in the testicular department?! I genuinely don't know how he moves about!

All my other boars are neutered and have hair so this is new to me! 🤣
 
My two boars are furry piggies but are quite well endowed - I don’t notice anymore ( they’re 2 1/2 now)
I think in the animal world it’s a good thing 😂
 
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