Taking my pigs to high elevation

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Hi Everybody,

My name is Travis, I live in Denver, COLORADO, USA - Elevation 5,280 ft.

my birthday is this weekend and we are going to my families cabin in the mountains for a couple days...my kids wanted to bring the piggies along w/ us as we've only had them for a month now, and just couldn't stand leaving them for that long. Here is my one major concern...the elevation of the cabin is 10,100 ft...it's only an hour drive so i'm not concerned with the travel in the car, but i'm concerned w/ the elevation change. does anyone have any experience w/ this? I don't want to hurt them in any way. I would much rather leave them home than have them join us and have any ill effects.

Any bits of knowledge/info is appreciated...i tried to google info on it and couldn't find anything, who woulda thought the internet doesn't have the answer?

Thanks in Advance,
Gordon & Steve
 
Sorry, I don't now the answer to this.

What I wanted to say, was that your username is GENUIS! :))
 
I've no experience of this but I did a bit of googling for you.

Guinea pigs are affected by altitude, like humans, and they can suffer altitude sickness. You already live at high altitude so obviously they'll be acclimatised to living at 5,280 ft which, assuming they've always lived at a similar elevation, may mean they are better at coping with altitude. Though whether they can cope with a fast ascent to (over) 10,000 feet I couldn't say. People get altitude sickness at that level so I don't know what it would be like for piggies.

It's quite possible that so long as they have adequate hydration throughout the journey and when in the cabin (wet veg such as cucumber and water) then they'd be absolutely fine but I think there is a risk there. :...

I'd suggest calling a local vet and asking for advice, they'll probably have more knowledge on the subject. :)
 
Thanks Hermes! I would hate for something to happen it would be devistating to my kids/and me. Gonna continue to research, and will make a gameday decision.

I love this site!
 
I'm afraid I dont know the answer for you, but I would have thought that although there would be a risk of altitude sickness as with all animals inc humans, if you are making a slow, steady ascent over the course of an hour or so they the piggies would aclimatise just as we would? Maybe?

I have to echo Amanda - your user name is amazing! xx
 
Dont piggies originate from Peru.....full of mountans and the likes I thought was their natural land. Thats just a question, please do check with the vet! Id be interested to hear the answer :)
 
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