Sick guinea pig HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[chinbunny]

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Well I follow the info that the ARBA and american cavy breeders provides. Which is more accurate then the rescue sites are. Those are the two main pig orgs that have been thoroughly researching and promoting them. I don't follow the info from a guinea pig righst website. And there is sooo much wrong with the info provided about breeding on the one. The quote from the ARBA judge is taken way out of context. No responsible guinea pig breeder I know would be able to live up to those standards. Yes I have seen baby guinea pigs before. I got my first show pig when he was few weeks old. Yep, they have plenty of room in those containers. The pigs I kept in them were very happy. They don't need much room to be happy and healthy, and yes they can run around in them. Its not like you are shaving into something where they can't move. Ive added vitamins to their water before, and never had a problem.

 

[PineappleMama]

Well, I'm not 100% sure since you didn't provide links links but I think I found the ARBA and ACBA that you meant??

http://arba.net/faq.htm = American Rabbit Breeders Asso.

Housing wise they said:
"Rule of thumb is that minimum pen space provided should be about 3/4 of a square foot per pound of mature weight. Therefore, a 10 pound animal would require a pen at least 30" x 36" (3/4 square ft x 10 pounds = 7.5 square ft. A pen 30" x 36" = 1080 square inches = 7.5 square ft.). Naturally a larger pen is not harmful, and how much larger is at your discretion."

But, I know nada about rabbits, so I don't know if 10 lbs is normal... ? Sounds like a LOT of rabbit to me?

I also found http://www.acbaonline.com/index.html = American Cavy Breeders Asso. but that site isn't as easy to navigate. Clearly you know more about the ACBA then I do so maybe you could point me (and others interested in proper care) to that site's info or FAQ or ??

I hate being misinformed, don't know for sure at this point that I was, but I'm always willing to read more to further educate myself.

 

[gaited horse]

Quote:
Thats the size I used for my eight Lb. Rex doe before I lost her to the neighbor's dog in TX.
Thanks for the info everyone.

 

[chinbunny]

all their information is in the guidebook to raising better rabbits and cavies.

 

[PineappleMama]

Quote:
Okay, I must be doing the forest for the trees thing again so please point me to the link to that guide? I'm at http://www.acbaonline.com/index.html in another tab and just can't see it! Unless it's part of one of the other sections maybe? There's Office, Services, Showing, Communication, News ARBA, Specialty and Youth? I don't see anywhere where the American Cavy Site says anything about guides for raising a cavy... showing tips yes. Housing, nutrition or breeding, no.

Thanks for any help!

 

[chinbunny]

Quote:
Okay, I must be doing the forest for the trees thing again so please point me to the link to that guide? I'm at http://www.acbaonline.com/index.html in another tab and just can't see it! Unless it's part of one of the other sections maybe? There's Office, Services, Showing, Communication, News ARBA, Specialty and Youth? I don't see anywhere where the American Cavy Site says anything about guides for raising a cavy... showing tips yes. Housing, nutrition or breeding, no.

Thanks for any help!

Sorry. Its on the ARBA website. I don't think the ACBA updates their that much.

 

[PineappleMama]

OY, don't you hate that.

I hate to sound all *insert whatever cranky adjective* but rabbits and cavies aren't the same critter. Both mammals, both veggie eaters, both fluffy, sure. But the same could be said of Pam Anderson.... and I doubt she'd be happy in 7.5 sq ft per 10 lbs. Sure, for a short while you could stay in a mini-cooper (IE for a trip to shows), but for day to day living more space is best.

Details - feel free to skip- Since Cavies only weight 700-1200 grams (1.543-2.645lbs) that pen size formula they use would recommend a whopping 1.15-1.98 square feet per piggie. I donno about you, but being crammed into a cage that's only a few inches longer than I am... seems kinda uncomfy. Also, in a cage that small, unless you follow your pig around with a scooper, it would be hard not to have a poo buildup (ew) and ammonia buildup (bad).

OY, sorry for digressing there but Cavy and Bunny aren't exactly the same, so the Cavy Asso should really do a better job of providing members (or visitors) with the proper info, rather than dumping the responsibility onto someone else. They could even copy and paste the bunny one and just edit the bits that need editing to work for piggies. The lack of info is exactly why when you google for care tips it leads you to the shelter sites.

We don't have the space needed, inside (Texas heat bad!), so we don't have cavies. But many people don't read any of that info before the clerk talks them into getting one, and doesn't bother telling them they need anything but pellets! Wish more people would research before buying.

 

[gaited horse]

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I know I have the book but it got lost.