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Warning To Those Who Don't Seek Veterinary Care for Sick Pigs

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I have had some realllllly bad cases of mange with my pigs. the vet told me it would cost $410 to save them but that might not even work. i lost lola and alisha due to the high vet bills. no way could i pay that!
 
guineagurl said:
I have had some realllllly bad cases of mange with my pigs. the vet told me it would cost $410 to save them but that might not even work. i lost lola and alisha due to the high vet bills. no way could i pay that!
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Not to be rude or anything, but couldn't you have found a way for paying for the bills? If it was me, even if it meant using my credit card, I'd find away. Or, you could have given them upto a rescue and perhaps contributed a little money, to enable them to get them back to full health.

No matter what, if one of my piggies is sick, they go and see the vet, even if it means me going without.
 
I agree if we don't have the funds to hand we use the credit card or overdraft.
 
I opened a post office account with funds in purely for my piggies - I'm paid direct into my bank from work etc. but this money is aside for the unexpected.
 
I couldn't agree more. I have always had pets and get really annoyed at people who either neglect animals or just dump them when they say they can't afford it or their circumstances change.

My 15 year old cat died on Monday 8... and when I got her ten years ago there were two of us earning a full time wage and no children. When she got ill a couple of months ago one of us was in work part time and we now have two children! We paid what we needed to, to try and get her better and make her as comfortable as possible - no arguments. Unfortunately she had to be put to sleep in the end but at no stage did she suffer and she was well cared for as long as we had her.

We try and save a little bit each month so that if our animals do get sick we can pay for their care. Its not a hardship. Do you need 1-2 bottles of wine a week or that takeaway that costs £20?

Your animals depend on you and while I understand that it is hard for people, especially whose circumstances change there is never any excuse for neglecting an animal. Having pets is a wonderful priviledge, not a right and if you have no intention of caring for them throughout their life then you don't deserve them.
 
How about insuring your pets, it only costs a few pounds a month and is worth it. I have all 4 of my dogs insured and it costs me about £40 a month but its worth it cause dogs and vets can be a monentary disaster waiting to happen, especially as i own pure breeds and as we know they are more prone to illnesses.
I dont have any of my 15 pigs insured but i dont mind paying the vet bills for them, currently Yorkie is having regular visits to the vet cause of his post op infection from neutering, it cost me £50.00 to neuter him but i have not paid a single consultation fee since and it has only cost me £8.00 for antibiotics which i think is fantastic. If you find the right vet it is worth it xx
 
The right vet can definitely make all the difference. I know a lot of insurers now do rabbit cover but I'm not sure if guinea pigs can be covered, would be good though
 
one sad ex owner

i would just like to say first i agree if you cant afford vet bills you cant afford a pet . i have just lost my special ginny feebie who passed away yesterday at 730 i am heart broken , i rushed him ( was told he was a girl) to the vets who gave him anti biotics n food suppliments and told me it was a chest infection , i was up all nite trying to rehydrate him and feed him and he died in my arms . sometimes even vets get it wrong
 
My heart goes out to the all the children on here who's paretns refuse to take a sick pet to the vet ! When our family dog died (at the age of 19 years) it is one of the worst things I have ever been through in my life.
 
jayne64 said:
i would just like to say first i agree if you cant afford vet bills you cant afford a pet . i have just lost my special ginny feebie who passed away yesterday at 730 i am heart broken , i rushed him ( was told he was a girl) to the vets who gave him anti biotics n food suppliments and told me it was a chest infection , i was up all nite trying to rehydrate him and feed him and he died in my arms . sometimes even vets get it wrong
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Really sorry to hear 8...8...8...
Sounds like Feebie was a special piggie, they all are x)
You tried everything you could, piggies are so good at hiding their illnesses :{
Hope you stay around on here, please feel welcome to join in

Glynis, Velvet and Onyx x
p.s. i was without piggies for just on 6mths........i really missed their talking......so glad i'm a piggie mum again
 
I'm new here, but I'd just like to say something in response to all the slight student-bashing...

I'm a student and the owner of two guinea pigs. When I got them both, I had a weekend job which paid me well enough and I was confident if anything happened to my babies, I could take care of them. And this was true at the time, and I expected it to be true for quite some time.

Since then, I have unexpectedly lost my job. I do not get a student loan, as I don't qualify for one. I would rather spend money on vets bills than my own food at the moment- and I make everything myself, even bread. (it is simply unfair to assume all students get a student loan, drink beer and have take out and have an overdraft readily on hand.)

My guinea pig is suddenly really ill, and I've spent literally my last £30 of the month on his vets bills, and now I fear I may have to take him back to somewhere else because he's not improving at all. I will live off of whatever scraps I have left in the house, and I will go without gas for the next week and a half, but I will *not* watch my cavy suffer.

All I'm saying is, don't write off an owner or a cry for help simply because they use the line "I can't afford to take them to the vet". You don't know their situation.

--CJ
 
TheCJ said:
I'm new here, but I'd just like to say something in response to all the slight student-bashing...

I'm a student and the owner of two guinea pigs. When I got them both, I had a weekend job which paid me well enough and I was confident if anything happened to my babies, I could take care of them. And this was true at the time, and I expected it to be true for quite some time.

Since then, I have unexpectedly lost my job. I do not get a student loan, as I don't qualify for one. I would rather spend money on vets bills than my own food at the moment- and I make everything myself, even bread. (it is simply unfair to assume all students get a student loan, drink beer and have take out and have an overdraft readily on hand.)

My guinea pig is suddenly really ill, and I've spent literally my last £30 of the month on his vets bills, and now I fear I may have to take him back to somewhere else because he's not improving at all. I will live off of whatever scraps I have left in the house, and I will go without gas for the next week and a half, but I will *not* watch my cavy suffer.

All I'm saying is, don't write off an owner or a cry for help simply because they use the line "I can't afford to take them to the vet". You don't know their situation.

--CJ
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Oh no i'm really sorry to hear about your piggie :(
You're right in the fact that unless you know a situation you shouldn't really comment !
Welcome to the forum i hope that we can help you with your piggie and give you support :)
Good luck with your piggie, if you have time please post a pigture x)

Glynis, Velvet and Onyx x
 
Sorry to hear about your piggy. Apart from the illness, it is always very tough when your financial circumstances change.

Sending wheeks from my crew.
 
Brilliant thread!
I totally agree with the majority of people here.

Basically, if you have a pet, YOU have taken control of it's life, YOU are in charge, what you DO or DONT DO will have a direct effect on your pets life!
I mean, they're stuck in a cage/hutch and as the person directly responsible for that situation YOU need to know what to bring them!

I used to have a great job, full time hours. Was stupid enough to take another job because the manager there made hints about me being manager material (More money equals more pigs, hey!) only to find the evil cow cut me down to 23 hours a week at minimum wage.
So now I'm left struggling to keep my pigs and pay the bills (I'm all on my own), but my pigs are allways my top priority.
My mum once said
"Pets are a luxury not a right" which I agree with.
If you want to keep pets but say you cant 'afford' their care, then you have to cut down on your other luxuries.

Stop smoking, or drinking, or going out clubbing. Stop going out for expensive takeaways or shopping for stuff you dont need. Dont buy Cds or games or DVDs.
Basically you take on the responsibility to look after another life, and that should be your TOP responsibility.

And it should be a FUN responsibility. If you feel all annoyed 'cause you cant afford to go to the cinema because of your pets costs.. well.. maybe you shouldnt have pets.


I'm down to 2 luxuries now, the guinea pigs and my internet connection. Things are getting tight but it's not hard to make money in an emergency. The majority of pawn shops take CDs and games as well as jewellery these days.. That option may hurt but it's undoubtedly less painfull than watching your pet suffer!
 
We spent $874 to get our GP's teeth filed... and we still have issues with him as I just posted in another thread. How many times do you suggest we spend $874? How about starting a thread about vets who take advantage of owners who want to do "whatever it takes" to take care of their GP?
 
completely agree. I was told surgery on my guinea pig would be £300. A lot of people were telling me to cut my losses and have her put down. There was no way on this earth I would do that if there was a chance my wee piggie would survive and I would have found a way to pay.

I think anyone in a situation who cannot pay the vet bill should speak to the vet and see if the offered any payment schemes like paying up bills monthly etc. It would be worth asking instead of denying the animal treatment. Also animal charaties do fincial aids as long as you claim housing or council tax benefit.
 
I've just read through this whole thread and I'd like to put a comment in here on behalf of all the students!

I've read a few comments about how students should not go out, or not buy a new outfit or something. For many, many students I know (myself included), the ability to be able to buy something new would be nice!

I have to pay £1200 this term for my accommodation. My loan just about covers that. I'm left with about £7.50 a week to live off (this includes food, my toiletries, books, stationery, the lot). Luckily for me my mum and dad are still bearing the financial brunt of my guinea pig obsession, and they are fine with it because they know that in a year and a half I should be fine to pay for everything myself. I skip meals, I don't buy much in the way of things for myself (I pay for my phone and my WoW subscription which serves as the only paid entertainment I have whilst at uni!) and I put what I do have towards buying stuff for my pigs when I can.

I am very lucky indeed that I have parents that will pay for my pigs for me if we have vet bills. Many students don't have that luxury and should we suddenly find ourselves in need of a new book or two then that alone can easily sap away our "comfort fund" (if we're lucky enough to have one!), that could be spent on our pigs. It's very easy for students to end up in a right financial mess because something's come up that they need to pay for. Please don't assume that the money is always going on take away and booze.

It's very easy for students to buy a pet thinking that they can cover vets fees if needed then something comes up that needs paying for and that takes the money away from a vet fund. We're not all takeaway eating party animals! :)

Please note: I definitely don't agree with anyone, students included, denying their pet vet treatment. I'm just pointing out that in the case of students, it's not always a case of them simply not being bothered to pay for a vet when they could go out. Though if they are denying their pets vet care, then they need to find an alternative; surrendering to a rescue or something.
 
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wierd noise

hi, I'm laura. i have two guinea pigs and havent had issues with them in the past. my guinea pig , bubbles , is making this wierd noise. it isnt like a squeak or purr, but happens all the time and kind of accomanies her breathing. at first i didnt see it as much but she *** NEVER stop making this sound. it is hard to describe but is kind of like she has a bad cough and her voice sounds all crumbley. i will try to attach a sound clip but it may not work. any advice would be appriciated because i am FREAKING OUT:0!

AS WELL AS THAT...
i have recently purchased a guinea pig lead from a pet shop. i am unsure as to whether this is good for the pet as this shop is for many pets so probabley does not sell every item, knowing that it is safe for the pet to use. it does say to let the pet get used to the lead before taking her on walks but i am unsure how long to wait or how to get her used to the harness. if anyone has experience or knows how to calm my bubby down when she is wearing the harness, please reply.

AND ALSO,
i now take my two piggies out to our garden as the vet said they need exercise. the problem is that all they do is lie around, eating grass and they dont do any more exercise than inside?/! any tips of encouraging them to play or any good toy ideas for them to have would be much appriciated

THANKKYOU VERY MUCH, I KNOW I RAMBLE ON A BIT BUT I JUST WANT WHAT IS BEST FOR MY PIGGIES x) ! haha lol I'm such a saddo xx:{
 
bubbles-hunnie said:
hi, I'm laura. i have two guinea pigs and havent had issues with them in the past. my guinea pig , bubbles , is making this wierd noise. it isnt like a squeak or purr, but happens all the time and kind of accomanies her breathing. at first i didnt see it as much but she *** NEVER stop making this sound. it is hard to describe but is kind of like she has a bad cough and her voice sounds all crumbley. i will try to attach a sound clip but it may not work. any advice would be appriciated because i am FREAKING OUT:0!

AS WELL AS THAT...
i have recently purchased a guinea pig lead from a pet shop. i am unsure as to whether this is good for the pet as this shop is for many pets so probabley does not sell every item, knowing that it is safe for the pet to use. it does say to let the pet get used to the lead before taking her on walks but i am unsure how long to wait or how to get her used to the harness. if anyone has experience or knows how to calm my bubby down when she is wearing the harness, please reply.

AND ALSO,
i now take my two piggies out to our garden as the vet said they need exercise. the problem is that all they do is lie around, eating grass and they dont do any more exercise than inside?/! any tips of encouraging them to play or any good toy ideas for them to have would be much appriciated

THANKKYOU VERY MUCH, I KNOW I RAMBLE ON A BIT BUT I JUST WANT WHAT IS BEST FOR MY PIGGIES x) ! haha lol I'm such a saddo xx:{
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You may find you get more reply if you start a new thread. Please don't use The guinea pig harness it can damage the spine.
 
hi i have two piggies and five questions xx

first of all, my one pig is making this wierd sound. its there every time she breaths like shes having difficulty breathing or a bad cough etc. it has happened FOR AGES and I'm getting worried. pls aadvice!

also, i have got a lead for her! x I'm not sure whether it is safe for them but when i put it on her she runs around asif to try and get it offf. any advice from someone with experience in getting pigs used to leads and calm them down would be much appriciated

aswell as that, all my piggies do when they are outside is sit and eat grass. how do i encourage them to exercise? because they need it (there so fat!)

my piggies dont drink much so i am starting to get worried. i think this might be the reason of my piggies funny noise but i dont know how to get them to eat. i have tried giving them water by hand but they dont seem interested ! i am scared that they will become unhealthy!

and also, my piggie needs a safe run for outside . because at the moment we just put boxes in a circle so they can run around inside xx
anyone know a cheap run or a good pet shop website? x
 
If you post in the Health and Illness section with a heading that explains a bit about the problems you are having you should get replies that are aimed at your questions. The forum can give lots of advice and support once you have been to the vet and had a confirmed diagnosis. We cannot replace a hands on exam by a qualified professional.

Under no circumstances use a lead or harness on a guinea pig - although they are sold they really are most unsuitable - guinea pigs do not have a flexible spine and lots of injuries are caused by harnesses.

HTH

Suzy
 
71spud said:
We spent $874 to get our GP's teeth filed... and we still have issues with him as I just posted in another thread. How many times do you suggest we spend $874?
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Well as many as it takes to make your animal, your responsibility, well again.

I do appreciate that vets are stupidly expensive, it's really not fair and it's actually quite disgracefull that they charge so much. I'm impressed that you put all that money into your pets care, and it's frightening that the vet charged so much!

It's scary to think that ridiculously expensive Vet fee's are maybe why so many people might let their animals suffer or abandon them even.



I still dont get it though.. when people get pets surely they accept the fact that there may be costly, scary vet bills?
 
bekked said:
Well as many as it takes to make your animal, your responsibility, well again.

I do appreciate that vets are stupidly expensive, it's really not fair and it's actually quite disgracefull that they charge so much. I'm impressed that you put all that money into your pets care, and it's frightening that the vet charged so much!

It's scary to think that ridiculously expensive Vet fee's are maybe why so many people might let their animals suffer or abandon them even.



I still dont get it though.. when people get pets surely they accept the fact that there may be costly, scary vet bills?
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I have to agree with this-it is common sense that a pet costs more than just their initial fee, and will literally change a person's life. I also think (and I know I will probably get a lot of stick for this comment), if someone knows that they do not have a job/proper regular income, and this includes students, they should not take on the responsibility of an animal in the first place. As somebody else said, animals are not a right, but a luxury. I was desperate for a pet as a student, but knew that it would be irresponsible to have my own as although I got a bursary, it was simply not enough to cover any potential vet bills, and I knew this. My flatmate and I ended up sharing a hamster so that we had something, but would be able to share costs between us.
A lot of students do literally struggle to feed themselves, and that isn't through being self indulgent and partying, but just because they often unable to study and have a part time job. Even finding a job that allows such few hours is often near impossible. Getting an animal whilst in this position is just so unfair :( it's different if a person loses their job or has a family breakdown when they already have a pet, but there is no excuse for getting a pet in the first place if you know you are already struggling...
 
Can't stand vet dodgers >.<

I don't understand why people get pets if they're not able/willing to pay vet bills- I find it impossible to watch a living creature suffer and do nothing!
I have 5 piggies and I am 16. We have had issues with sick piggies in the past, and my mum will agree to take them in because it's just horrible to watch them suffer. One of our piggies had mange and recurring bladder stones, with bills and tests that went into hundreds, but we didn't complain because she was our responsibility and it's not her fault she's sick.
I have (had!) a savings account for when I'm all old, the whole contents of which I've spent on guinea pig related things such as vets bills. I'm not complaining because I love my piggies and would hate myself if I didnt. :rose
 
2280CLAIRE said:
I have to agree with this-it is common sense that a pet costs more than just their initial fee, and will literally change a person's life. I also think (and I know I will probably get a lot of stick for this comment), if someone knows that they do not have a job/proper regular income, and this includes students, they should not take on the responsibility of an animal in the first place. As somebody else said, animals are not a right, but a luxury. I was desperate for a pet as a student, but knew that it would be irresponsible to have my own as although I got a bursary, it was simply not enough to cover any potential vet bills, and I knew this. My flatmate and I ended up sharing a hamster so that we had something, but would be able to share costs between us.
A lot of students do literally struggle to feed themselves, and that isn't through being self indulgent and partying, but just because they often unable to study and have a part time job. Even finding a job that allows such few hours is often near impossible. Getting an animal whilst in this position is just so unfair :( it's different if a person loses their job or has a family breakdown when they already have a pet, but there is no excuse for getting a pet in the first place if you know you are already struggling...
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I completely agree! I'm a student, although I don't drink/smoke/bla bla bla. I do have a part time job, but I work approx 12 hours a week around my studying.

The only reason I can afford to have my pets, is because I work in a vet surgery. I get a lot of things done free of charge, and any bills that I run up, can be paid off in installments each pay day. My dog is registered at another vets, not where I work, and obviously I can't do that with him, so I make sure that my pet insurance gets paid religiously each month.

I also know if the worst came to it (which it did recently!), I have family that can/will bail me out.
 
William has been to the vets three times in the past 4 weeks.

I do NOT regret any of these trips.

If I had left it and left it and left it, he would be a VERY sick piggie or indeed dead.

Those who buy pets take on the repsonsibilty to look after them. Would people do the same to their own child? Leave them to get worse and worse until they die a horrible death?

When you take on another life to look after you do that.
 
OKAY time for a little tough loving to all those who say they can't afford to take their piggy to the vet.

Ever heard of hope jars?

We have them where I live... Say a family can't afford to get their dogs broken leg fixed. They start a hope jar- a donation pool at the front desk of a vets office. People who have extra change can drop the money into the jar, and that goes towards the vet bills to lower them. Sometimes, if there's only a little bit left (say 100 dollars or so) the vets simply drop the bill down to what has been donated, and viola!

If your pet is sick- do everything you can. Start a donation pool. Start selling Avon for goodness sakes :)p

I have been in the situation where a parent won't take an animal to a vet- several, in fact. But, if you do it yourself- that only shows you have more responsibility. (And sometimes the vets will appreciate that.) get a friends parent to take you there, get your animal looked over. Get the estimated bill and GET.A.JOB.

Look for charities in your area or start your own. There is always ways to raise money.

Oh- and if you have a computer you can get on, you have money to take your animal to the vet.

I've sold a 400 dollar camera for 100 dollars to get my dog to the vet when he had an allergic reaction to a lady bug . :...
 
bubbles-hunnie said:
hi i have two piggies and five questions xx

first of all, my one pig is making this wierd sound. its there every time she breaths like shes having difficulty breathing or a bad cough etc. it has happened FOR AGES and I'm getting worried. pls aadvice!

also, i have got a lead for her! x I'm not sure whether it is safe for them but when i put it on her she runs around asif to try and get it offf. any advice from someone with experience in getting pigs used to leads and calm them down would be much appriciated

aswell as that, all my piggies do when they are outside is sit and eat grass. how do i encourage them to exercise? because they need it (there so fat!)

my piggies dont drink much so i am starting to get worried. i think this might be the reason of my piggies funny noise but i dont know how to get them to eat. i have tried giving them water by hand but they dont seem interested ! i am scared that they will become unhealthy!

and also, my piggie needs a safe run for outside . because at the moment we just put boxes in a circle so they can run around inside xx
anyone know a cheap run or a good pet shop website? x
Click to expand...

My piggies make a whimpering noise when they have a chest infection. It kinda sounds like a dog crying. I would take your piggies to the vet and get them checked out. The minute mine start making the noise they are taking to the vet asap.

Please dont use a harness on your piggie. You could seriously damage your piggies spine, which someones already said.

All guinea pigs are different. One of mine drinks Alot (atleast 2 bottles a day and we had him checked for any infections etc but everything was fine),He must just really like water!, the other two piggies hardly drink anything. This may sound stupid but does your guinea pig know how to drink from a bottle? Try giving her a bowl of water and see if it makes a difference. You will need to change the water in the bowl several times a day as hay and poo will end up in it. Unless your Guinea pig is drinking some amount a day and isnt showing signs of being dehydrated then i wouldnt worry too much, but if you are concerned about your guinea pigs then take her to the vet for a check up.

Some guinea pigs love to run, some love to be lazy. 1 of mine is crazy when he's out for playtime, one of them likes to chill. Every piggie is different. Do you put toys out for them? they could be bored.

We got our play pen on Amazon.com. You also get a net to go over the top of the pen for extra safety. If you type in rabbit run enclosure and net, it should come up.

I think someone's already suggested this, but your should post this in a different thread. Start your own one. You should get lots more people giving advice etc :)
 
TheCJ said:
I'm new here, but I'd just like to say something in response to all the slight student-bashing...

I'm a student and the owner of two guinea pigs. When I got them both, I had a weekend job which paid me well enough and I was confident if anything happened to my babies, I could take care of them. And this was true at the time, and I expected it to be true for quite some time.

Since then, I have unexpectedly lost my job. I do not get a student loan, as I don't qualify for one. I would rather spend money on vets bills than my own food at the moment- and I make everything myself, even bread. (it is simply unfair to assume all students get a student loan, drink beer and have take out and have an overdraft readily on hand.)

My guinea pig is suddenly really ill, and I've spent literally my last £30 of the month on his vets bills, and now I fear I may have to take him back to somewhere else because he's not improving at all. I will live off of whatever scraps I have left in the house, and I will go without gas for the next week and a half, but I will *not* watch my cavy suffer.

All I'm saying is, don't write off an owner or a cry for help simply because they use the line "I can't afford to take them to the vet". You don't know their situation.

--CJ
Click to expand...

Hear hear, well said!

I'm a student but I always put my pigs first. Student-bashing is not fair at all. I would rather go without food and sell my things and use my money for my pigs when they need it! The stereotype for students is slacking, irresponsible drunks and I'm sorry but we're not all like that and I certainly don't want to be lumped into that category either!

I don't go out on the lash, we don't have takeaways and IF I drink it's extremely infrequently and is limited to A SMALL bottle of WKD coming to £2! And, the vet always comments on how well looked after my pigs are so it depends on the person and not whether or not they are a student.

I though we were pro-education not being in education makes you a rubbish owner! True, my degrees are in the field of zoology and that includes animal husbandry/ enrichment/ feeding etc but it depends on each individual person, not their academic status.

I mean, I've just put £1000 into my piggy-vet-savings, just paid for £180 worth or neuterings and another £30 for Rasher's post-op care/ anti-inflammatory, hibiscrub and baytril as he's scratched his stitches/ wounds (not really stitches) on top of that as well as a massive zoo-plus order coming to £70. So that's £1280! Sound like the typical student stereotype? I know people that could spend that on drink in a couple of weeks, some less. And if I can't pay, OH does.

I do agree that you cannot foresee some circumstances and even though you may have been perfectly able to afford proper care for your pigs when you get them, things can happen.

But yes, as someone else said it's still your responsibility and if you can't provide care you should give them to someone who can - it's not the pig's fault. I always said I would do this no matter how heartbreaking if we couldn't look after them anymore but you just can't tar everyone with the same brush.

EDIT

Reading through, sounds like I'm angry-writing... I'm not, just hard to explain what I'm going on about :s
 
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