Saturday, May 28, 2011

This ferret was rescued from the home of a missing woman by Ashley Stephens ( shown here) in Joplin, MO.


This photo made me think of all the little guys out there that just want to be found and reunited with their families. The chances seem much slimmer for those owners with small animals as pets. Here are a few links I've found if you are interested in the status of lost/found pets, organizations to contact or assist with regards to small animal rescue, as well as some tips to protect yourself and little ones in the event a disaster strikes.

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=185768248141000&topic=204

http://www.humanityroad.org/BlogRetrieve.aspx?BlogID=9042

http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20110527/pl_usnw/DC10467_1

To those in Joplin, Minneapolis and the surrounding areas, our thoughts are with you.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Wiki-Wednesday!

Thought I would share this article from Wiki-How about caring for guinea pigs. Wiki-how is a great source of information, plus you can write your own article or contribute to the current ones. It's also chock full of information that is constantly being reviewed and edited for accuracy.  Have an opinion on this article?  Post it in the comments or visit our Forum to talk about it!


How to Care for Guinea Pigs

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Guinea pigs are smaller pets, but require plenty of space, time and effort. If you are willing to give your guinea pig a good home with proper food, attention, living space, and vet care, you will be well rewarded with a happy, healthy pet.

Steps

  1. Get large enough cages. You should allow 7.5 square feet of cage space as a minimum for one guinea pig (even that is rather small), or 10.5 for two. However, the bigger the cage the better. A hutch outside is NOT recommended as guinea pigs have a very limited temperature tolerance. Other animals could break into the cage and kill them, as well. You and your guinea pigs will be better off if they are housed inside, where they will be safe and warm, where they can see and smell you, and also so that you can interact with them more.
    • Guinea pigs will also need some floor time each day — let them loose in an enclosed space. A bathroom is fine, but you may want to line the floor with rugs or towels so that they have traction.
  2. Adopt two or more guinea pigs of the same sex or spayed/neutered so they are not lonely. Guinea pigs need company because they are herd animals. Spend some time with your pets every day. If you have to keep them single, then definitely spend as much time as you can with them.
  3. Make grass hay such as timothy or orchard grass hay available to your pigs 24/7. Guinea pigs are grazing animals so they need something to graze on or their digestive tracts can shut down. Kleenmama's (http://www.kmshayloft.com/) is the best source for hay (her 3rd cut is best) or Oxbow's Western Timothy Hay (available at Petsmart) is good too.
    • Alfalfa hay should only be fed to babies 6 months old and younger, and pregnant or nursing sows, because they have a lot of extra nutrients that healthy adult guinea pigs do not require.
    • Timothy, orchard grass, or bluegrass hay should be fed for guinea pigs older than 6 months. It should be fed 'free choice,' which means they have some in the cage all the time.
    • Lack of hay can lead to maloclussion, a misalignment of the teeth that may require surgical correction, and GI Stasis, shutting down of the digestive tract often leading to death.
  4. Make sure the guinea pigs get fresh vegetables daily. Green leafy vegetables should make up about 20% of your guinea pigs' diet.
  5. Change your guinea pigs' water bottle, clean and change it daily. Get a guinea pig/rabbit bottle with the little ball in the spout and keep it full.
    • Be sure to clean the nozzle frequently to keep it free of hay and pellet gunk which can breed harmful bacteria and clog the water flow.
    • Nozzle can be cleaned with a Q-tip.
    • The water bottle itself can be cleaned by putting in uncooked rice and a little water, and shaking. The rice will dislodge any greenish build-ups (algae).
    • If the cage is in the sun for part of the day, this can contribute to algae build-ups. In this case, cover the bottles with an opaque cloth to avoid algae.
  6. Feed good quality pellets. Oxbow's Cavy Cuisine is best for pigs over 6 months, and their Cavy Performance is best for pigs under 6 months. Kleenmama's Timothy Choice pellets is best for pigs over 6 months, and Alfalfa choice pellets only for pigs under 6 months.
    • Do not feed rabbit or other small animal pellets - the vitamin content is not the same, and can be harmful to your guinea pig!
    • Feed a plain pellet, as pellets with seeds in them could cause choking. Pellets, hay, untreated fresh organic grass (wheat or standard lawn grass) and fresh veggies are all the foods guinea pigs need.
  7. Spot clean your guinea pigs' cage at least once every two days, removing droppings and any uneaten veggies from the day before, cleaning the water bottle, and adding more hay to the cage.
  8. Clean the cage thoroughly at least once a week. The frequency of thorough cleaning depends on the type of bedding used.
    • Use a vinegar and water 50/50 mix to spray and wipe the cage when cleaning the whole cage to remove urine scald from the cage bottom. No harsh chemical cleaners should be used.
  9. Use CareFresh, moisture wicking fleece over towels, or aspen bedding.
    • Do not use wood chips or sawdust as bedding.
    • Do not use cedar or pine bedding, as both have harmful phenols. The same is true with pine shavings, unless it is kiln-dried.
    • Towels underneath fleece cut to fit your cage can also be used as cage liners - just shake off the debris, wash and reuse.
  10. Trim toenails every few weeks. If they have dark toenails, shine a flashlight behind the nail so you can see where the quicks. If you clip too close to the vessel the toe nail may start to bleed. Use syptic powder or flour to stop bleeding.
  11. Watch for signs of illness. Know what to look for in an ill pig. http://www.guinealynx.info/emergency.html Take your guinea pigs to a cavy savvy exotics vet for proper treatment. Check Guinea Lynx's list for reliable vets: http://www.guinealynx.info/vetlist.html
    • Make sure all guinea pigs are treated at the same time as some illnesses will spread from one guinea pig to its cagemates.
  12. Check male guinea pigs every so often around their genitals, as they can get impacted. You can simply massage the area a little and if soft poop-like stuff is present, gently clean out the pocket with a cotton swab.
  13. Do not house your guinea pigs with rabbits or allow the two species to play together. Rabbits naturally carry a bacteria that can make guinea pigs very ill, and rabbits are bigger, stronger animals. Even a playful kick from a rabbit could kill a guinea pig.
  14. Weigh your guinea pig weekly to ensure they are not losing weight, a common symptom of illness or dental problems. A weight fluctuation of up to two ounces is normal but more than that can mean serious health problems. A digital kitchen scale works best for this.

Video

Tips

  • Some guinea pigs may give you an exploratory nibble, don't worry. Once they find out you're not made of food they'll stop.
  • For daily exercise, put them on the floor with a safe surround. Guinea pigs love to run. Be mindful that they might nibble electric cords and don't forget to closely supervise them whenever they are outside their cage.
  • Guinea pigs will eat their own poop; this is called coprophagy and it is quite normal. You may often notice them reach over their backside, but don't be alarmed. When they ingest their poop they get important nutrients from the bacteria in their gut.
  • If your pig suddenly leaps into the air or rapidly twists its neck with a little hop, it is not having a seizure. 'Popcorning' may either indicate happiness or an attempt to release excess energy, similar to a cat suddenly getting the urge to race through the house.
  • Guinea pigs also enjoy toys, which can be purchased or made depending on your budget. The less complicated the better. Empty cylinders and paper bags make perfect toys and are always welcome.
  • Get a heavy bowl for your guinea pig's food. They can chew a plastic one to bits, or knock a light one over. Of course, more entrepreneurial guinea pigs may knock it over anyway in order to get to all of their food.
  • You can help save guinea pigs by looking around your local pet store. Be sure they all have food, water, and show no signs of sickness. If they do, alert the manager of the store immediately.
  • Some people let their guinea pigs roam freely in their homes. They tend to remain in one room and develop favorite "runs". Free range guinea pigs are happy and more robust.
  • Curiously, free range piggies quickly adapt to soft-towel lined paper grocery bags as their personal toilets. These very disposable "bag privees" are easy to replace when they get a bit too soiled. Economical too.
  • Free roamers will enjoy their dining/watering station more if set up under a low table. (Guinea pigs are always fearful with too much open space above their heads.) You should also provide a bit of bedding fabric under low furniture for sleeping spots. And while they are not so apt to chew electrical cords as rabbits, you should keep all cords away from favorite hang-outs and runs. (WARNING: they do seem to be interested in thin wires like cell phone charger cords.)
  • A free range guinea pig is best for an adult who lives alone. Such an arrangement would not be suitable for a family with young children or other pets. Too dangerous for the piggie!
  • Unless you are breeding guinea pigs, don't keep guinea pigs of different genders together. You can keep them together if one or both has been spayed or neutered.

Warnings

  • Guinea pigs hide symptoms of illness until they are quite sick. If a guinea pig shows signs of illness, it can worsen or even die very quickly. Consult a vet as soon as possible!
  • If you notice that your guinea pig has crusty eyes or nose, this may mean it has an Upper Respiratory Infection and you should bring it to a reliable vet very quickly.
  • Never use exercise balls or wheels. Even though they are marketed towards guinea pigs, they are not safe and can cause foot, toe and spinal damage.
  • Never use sawdust, or corn cob bedding. Never use plastic litter or most anything else in the cage, as guinea pigs will chew it and can suffocate on the chewed pieces.
  • Don't be frustrated if they dive under cover whenever you approach. Guinea pigs need some time to warm up to you. It is also a matter of instinct and personality. Being prey animals, guinea pigs see looming shadows as a threat first and a friend later. Some will always resist being picked up, while others will approach given time to learn (especially if they figure out you're the food source).
  • Do not feed guinea pigs potatoes, onions, leeks, tomato plant leaves, chocolate, corn, wheat, dairy products, meat, mushrooms or iceberg lettuce.
  • Guinea pigs are fast runners, and they can outsmart you once you let them out of their cage, so be careful! Make sure the "floor time" run is well enclosed so they can't escape or get into danger.
  • Put down a towel when holding them so you don't have to go change if they eliminate on you.
  • Never leave a guinea pig unattended on high places. They can break their legs in a fall.
  • Please remember that there's an overpopulation of guinea pigs. Many are in rescues and shelters looking for a good home. Adopt your guinea pigs instead of buying them, and please don't add to the overpopulation by breeding.
  • Also be very careful if you must buy a pet store guinea pig that it does not have diseases. Check around the nose, the eyes, and the ears.
  • If you're giving them grass, make sure it does not have chemicals put in. The fresher the better, too!
  • Always clean out the cage every three days if you use straw bedding as it can have maggots in it. If using straw bedding, also be careful it is not too hard as sharp strands can injure the guinea pigs' eyes.

Things You'll Need

  • Large cage
  • Toys and places to hide
  • Towels
  • Water bottle
  • Nail clippers
  • Bedding
  • A guinea pig or two, make sure they are neutered or spayed if you have a male and female together ..
  • Food bowl and food
    1. dont get exercise balls or wheels as they can be dangerous

Related wikiHows

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Care for Guinea Pigs. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Funny Pet Videos

Here's some funny pet videos to tide you all over.  Feel free to share the links to your funny pet videos here!



Frostie knows how to get down!



These little ones belong to our very own Candy Graphics. Such a cute video!


Don't be surprised if you don't do a little "binky" yourself after watching this one!


Thanks for visiting and enjoy!