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Finding
a vet (this is a "quick version" of the "How
to Find a Good Guinea Pig Vet" article located at CavyInfo
International):
It would be beneficial
to find an experienced guinea pig vet before your guinea pig ever
gets sick. Murphy’s Law dictates that you will find yourself with
a guinea pig emergency late on a Saturday night, without the slightest
idea how to handle it. Also, some vets are more qualified to treat
cavies than others. The administration of the wrong type of antibiotic
can be fatal.
Take some time now to
go through your telephone directory and look for vets that treat
cavies/guinea pigs. They are usually listed as treating exotics,
"pocket pets" (I term I do not like, as it has come to be synonymous
with 'disposable pet'), "small animals" and sometimes even list
"guinea pigs". Call the office, and ask a few simple questions:
"How many cavies do you treat? Have you done surgery? What kind?
What is your success rate?"
It is unlikely that you
will get to speak with the vet, but a receptionist can be just as
informative (and a valuable friend if you have an emergency). If
you feel comfortable with what you learn, ask if they also offer
emergency treatment (if it should ever be necessary), and you may
also wish to discuss rates.
The next step would be
to actually visit the vet for a checkup or consultation. Don’t
wait until you need the vet to discover that they are not really
what you want; if you have done your homework and
are comfortable with everything else, the fee for an office visit
is a good investment in peace of mind.
When you meet the vet,
let them give your guinea pig a check up (or if it needs the nails
trimmed, or some other minor treatment) and explain that you wanted
to meet them so that you would be ready for the day when you need
them.
Next to you, your vet
is your guinea pig’s best friend, and it is the vet that will
be able to save your pet’s life in an emergency, not this web site.
I have found that the best vets are kind, understanding animal lovers;
they are always open to suggestions, and they appreciate a pet owner’s
observant input.
You will find other health
topic areas on this site, such as the Emergency
Info page, and in months to come CavyInfo International
will be adding areas to explain and discuss various heath topics.
[Top]
Normal
Behaviors:
If your piggie exhibits
any of the following behaviors:
- Jumping in air and
running about
- (Male) Rubbing backside
on floor while making purring sound
- Eating droppings
- Wheeps, peeps, oinks
and boinks...
This is completely normal
behavior!
Jumping and running about
like a little bucking bronco is commonly called "Popcorning",
and is an expression of piggie joy.
A male rubbing his backside
on the ground while purring is "marking his territory",
or at least showing his amorous intent.
Eating droppings is something
all piggies do, but rarely do you see them do it. The re-ingestion
of certain cecal pellets (droppings that are retained in the cecum
for a short time) provide the means for a healthy digestive tract
by providing B-complex vitamins and the "good bacteria"
that are in the intestines.
Wheeps and other sounds
are common vocal expressions a guinea pig makes. Some piggies are
more vocal than others, so don't be alarmed if your piggie talks
a little or a lot. You can hear some common piggie sounds on the
Piggie
Sounds Page.
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