sensitive underside?

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Porky Pig

i've been reading this very useful thread - thanks for all the wisdom imparted here!

I have an additional question about handling... my gp HATES/DETESTS being touched anywhere on his underside. If, during lap-time, I accidentally touch any part of his underside (say, his belly or chest), he jumps & kicks & squeaks in protest. It looks like a little like popcorning, but it isn't - he is definitely not happy.

This makes picking him up a difficulty.

So, the way I pick him up is by cupping one hand over his head and cupping the other hand over his rear and picking him up. He doesn't protest much with this style.

Will he ever allow me to touch his underside or his legs? How do I get him to let me do this? I sort of envy those of you who can hold your gps like babies (underside exposed) and tickle them on their bellies!

He is a "short & sweet" kind of guy when it comes to lap-times!
 
Some guinea pigs just don't like to be touched in certain areas.

You can pick him up or transport him in a towel, if neceassary. Hopefully, with time he'll relent.
 
Could well be - some pigs are like that!

I had a larger than life character once who was a notorious biter and wiggler, but also a great explorer and loyal friend, and I still miss her greatly!
 
Vickyt said:
Could well be - some pigs are like that!

I had a larger than life character once who was a notorious biter and wiggler, but also a great explorer and loyal friend, and I still miss her greatly!
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Reading this makes me feel encouraged. THANK YOU. Many of the gp owners here seem to have "sweet" gps and my boy seems "different". Maybe he's more like your girl... Just hoping he'll mellow down eventually!
 
Porky Pig said:
Reading this makes me feel encouraged. THANK YOU. Many of the gp owners here seem to have "sweet" gps and my boy seems "different". Maybe he's more like your girl... Just hoping he'll mellow down eventually!
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Minx did mellow with time; but it was more a matter of months than days. It took me over a year until she would allow me touch her when running free, but once she did, it wouldn't matter whether it was in the middle of the lawn or the living room - it was gift freely given and much appreciated for that!
 
Many pigs dislike being handled around their tummies, in itself it is not much of a concern. I used to get a firm kick whenever I tried to tickle the tummy of one of my past pigs, Charlie!

It is, however, worth being firm once in a while to check that the abdomen is not actually painful and distended/swollen/tight. I have a couple of pigs here who are prone to bloat; the first warning sign of it, for my own pigs at least, is that they become very resistant to being picked up, and distressed at having their tummies touched. It's a quick enough check, a couple of gentle prods should establish whether the abdomen is tight or squashy!

Very few pigs let their owners lay them on their backs. Most just wriggle and flip over, even the most trusting and comfortable pigs. They just don't like the feeling of being belly up!
 
Vickyt said:
Minx did mellow with time; but it was more a matter of months than days. It took me over a year until she would allow me touch her when running free, but once she did, it wouldn't matter whether it was in the middle of the lawn or the living room - it was gift freely given and much appreciated for that!
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Thank you, Vickyt - I WILL persevere! I do love him so much and enjoy our play times (we play "kick the hay/toys around" and he loves it!) :)
 
CCC4 said:
It is, however, worth being firm once in a while to check that the abdomen is not actually painful and distended/swollen/tight. ... ... It's a quick enough check, a couple of gentle prods should establish whether the abdomen is tight or squashy!
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YIKES! That might cause a fight between us - I wouldn't want him to distrust me or feel angry with me at this stage. Even when he is so focused on eating and I try to touch his belly lightly, he gets quite angry!

Very few pigs let their owners lay them on their backs. Most just wriggle and flip over, even the most trusting and comfortable pigs.
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Oh - thank you for sharing this. The impression I got was that 99% of gps like to lie on their backs like babies with their owners. Glad to know it's not really the majority of piggies.
 
Unfortunately there are times when you do have to be gentle but firm, I do understand your concern though. You could probably get an idea of how his tummy actually feels as you lift him up - even just feeling the sides, and not the underside, should give you some idea at least of whether his abdomen is tight or not. There would be other symptoms of bloat so it is unlikely, I don't mean to worry you! I mentioned it as the sensitivity tends to be the initial warning sign, at least in chronic cases (often mild at first, but aggravated easily).

Most usually the pig is just stroppy and uncooperative. :)
 
G pigs are all different, my Paddy loves having his tummy stroked-he sits on my lap and will stand on his tip toes so I can tickle him & then will go into a "trance" Have never had a piggy that likes this before- all the rest of mine hate it !
 
Unfortunately there are times when you do have to be gentle but firm,
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Last night, i tried to do what you (CCC4) advised. He was sitting on my lap, more relaxed than normal, so I thought it was a good time to try... it wasn't. The moment I attempted to touch his belly lightly, he gave me a strong, definite warning - his teeth grabbed hold of my finger - he didn't bite hard but his whole body language communicated clearly: "don't you dare". I tried again - the same reaction, only the teeth digged a little deeper. By the third attempt, I got the message and stopped.

This morning, i cupped him onto my chest and tried again - a little more success. He was unhappy but did not "teeth" me (if that makes sense!). His tummy didn't seem abnormal to me - but what's a normal gp tummy? To me, it seemed soft and nicely round, but not firm/hard.

What do you think? Take him to a vet to be sure? (i haven't registered him with any vet yet!)
 
If his tummy was pretty soft then it's unlikely there's anything medical going on. A pig with bloat has sides that are swollen and springy to the touch, not particularly soft at all. Palpating the sides is the best way to check but you do get a fair idea just my looking at the abdomen and feeling the body shape as you handle him; it is obvious when the tummy is tight and swollen.
And as I say, there would be other symptoms fairly rapidly if there was something up, so if he is only upset about having his tummy touched then it's very likely to be a behavioural thing!

I am sorry that I worried you, that wasn't my intention and perhaps I should have stressed that it's just something to check for, rather than implying it could be a cause.

Best to register with a vet anyway, it's smart to find a good vet before you actually need one!
 
I'm not sure but it might have a little to do with the fact that he is a boar? because gilbert when i try and lift his legs up a little (i love the feeling of their feeet) i accidentally touch his "bits" and he just jumps and runs around popcorning. but yes, i have tried touching his belly and he doesn't like it. i guess the only thing you can do is avoid it as much as possible and try other ways to hold him. i cant hold gilbert the way the people on the forum can either. hope i made you feel less lonely:))
 
i've tried to do it again - his tummy really is soft, so I guess there's no bloat.

I am sorry that I worried you, that wasn't my intention and perhaps I should have stressed that it's just something to check for, rather than implying it could be a cause.
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No - it was a good thing to check, CCC4! I am thankful that you mentioned it. In future, I will know what a tight/swollen tummy might mean. As for the vets - I'm not sure how to choose the right kind of vet where we live. There's a vets at "Pets At Home" --- called "Vets at Home", I think! - any good?

I'm not sure but it might have a little to do with the fact that he is a boar? ... try other ways to hold him. i cant hold gilbert the way the people on the forum can either. hope i made you feel less lonely
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Yes ILoveGilbertTheGuineaPig - I do feel less lonely having read your post (and a few others who also say they can't hold their piggies' tums or bits). The way I'm doing it now is by clipping on a long towel on to me (using clothes pegs) and scooping him with it. He likes it, I think!
 
I have a thought about desensitisation, i once had a rabbit (rolo) who had been neglected and abused and was aggressive towards everyone. Using a baby brush attached to a short stick we slowly got him used to being brushed from a distance but an extension of yourself once he accepted the brush we removed the stick and just brushed him before stroking him in gardening gloves to stroking with bare hand without being bitten. You might find this technique useful with your guinea pig using a soft tooth brush to stroke his tummy that way he can't intimidate you with threatening to bite you and you will not feel nervous about hurting him or you being hurt.

Rolo who we only had for about 9 months eventually we could stroke him pick him up and do most normal things just needed to do it very slowly and confidently and it was only me and my mum he trusted everyone else got growled at.

It is for his good that he allows you to check all over his body so you can pick up any lumps or bumps quickly and take him to the vet when required
 
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lovelygirl said:
... ... You might find this technique useful with your guinea pig using a soft tooth brush to stroke his tummy that way he can't intimidate you with threatening to bite you and you will not feel nervous about hurting him or you being hurt.
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That's a very good suggestion! I *** try that! Thanks for this and for sharing your experience with Rolo. I agree with you, it's for the animal's benefit that we owners can check them all over - so I will try your idea.

If he bites the toothbrush, should I just let him?
 
Just say gently, but firmly "uh uh". Never get loud or shout!

"No" is not a word piggies do well with!

PS: It is worth asking around for a piggy savvy vet, as you will get a lot better treatment and are in less danger of getting a wrong diagnosis and medication/dosis. The p@h vets are not particularly specialised.

Ask your closest rescues who they use for their piggies, if you got some withing reach. Don't leave the research until you have an emergency and are in panic!
 
Vickyt said:
Just say gently, but firmly "uh uh". Never get loud or shout!
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My husband has a booming voice and it sounds like a shout when he says "uh uh!" The thing is that Porky can be very stubborn! :(

"No" is not a word piggies do well with!
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Doesn't seem part of his vocabulary :p

It is worth asking around for a piggy savvy vet
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True - my reptile has a reptile vet, so I will do the same for Porky - although I've never met a rodentologist before!

Don't leave the research until you have an emergency and are in panic!
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Gosh - ok. You are quite right. If you didn't mention this, I will probably leave it til an emergency and regret it! THANK YOU. x>>
 
we found it was easier not to say anything, but then we were dealing with a rabbit that did not want to be with people and voices just made him more upset

either and uh uh or a clicking sound i agree no means please do that more in guinea piggish...
 
lovelygirl said:
we found it was easier not to say anything
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I've been a little more relaxed with him recently (thanks to folk here and the posts on behaviour) and, I've found that when I don't say or do anything when he bites, he does stop - probably because he thinks biting doesn't get him anywhere.

Also, just a few minutes ago, I wiped him all over with "grooming wipes" - AMAZINGLY, he let me wipe his tummy and genitals!! How wonderful is that! It's a first! :)) :(|)

either and uh uh or a clicking sound i agree no means please do that more in guinea piggish...
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I will have to tell my other half who is fond of the "no" word and has a booming voice!
 
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