Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Guinea pig butt fur

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Showing the world our cute and curvy cavy derrieres! From left to right: Revy, Belka, Truffle, Peaches and Poof.

Are whee bootylicious or what?

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Custom built wooden guinea pig houses and hay wagon


Whee piggies were thrilled when presented with these custom built wooden guinea pig houses! Fleece cozies and hideaways are ideal for staying snug in chilly weather, but these wooden houses are perfect for keeping cool during the sweltering months of summer.

Between the lot of us, we have a spacious "Barn House", roomy "Storybook House", and fun "Hay Wagon" to share. All are hand made with new materials, decorated with non toxic milk paint and sealed with non toxic clear coat so they are safe for us to chew on.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Poof's Spay Incision Healing: Days 1-6 photo log


Here are pictures that show how Poof's cavy ovariohysterectomy (spay) surgery incision is healing.


Warning: this post contains mildly graphic images so if you are squeamish then we ask that you proceed with caution or skip reading this altogether.

These photos of Poof's underside were taken from below while she was sitting on top of a sanitized clear surface. They simply show her shaved tummy and the surgical staples used to close the incision site. No blood or guts are visible - only fur, feet, piggy lips and perhaps a stray poop or two.

Poof guinea pig cavy ovarian cyst info: symptoms, treatment and care

Hair loss is evident, especially in patch of white fur on her rear

Here is more information about Poof's ovarian cyst symptoms, diagnosis and vet recommended treatment. Of course no two guinea pigs are exactly alike, so one case may be different from another. We have also included what was used for her surgery, detailed what was prescribed to her and listed the steps we have personally taken for her post operative care.*

For reference, Poof is an otherwise healthy and active cavy who turned two years old in February 2012.
Symptom onset: Jan 26
Operation date: Feb 16

Poof surgery update - 5 days post operation

Waiting for yet another syringe full or either medication or Critical Care

After five nerve-wracking days, we are happy to report that Poof seems to be recovering nicely.

Last Thursday we brought Poof to our vet for her ovariohysterectomy (spay) surgery for her cystic ovary. They gave us the option to watch the operation but neither of us were able to stomach it - it was difficult enough watching Poof struggle in the chamber while inhaling the anesthesia gas. The operation went smoothly and our vet informed us that he found the small cyst on her left ovary.

Monday, February 20, 2012

March is National Adopt Rescued Guinea Pigs Month!

Image courtesy of Guinea Pig Today

Guinea Pig Today is leading the campaign to support National Adopt Rescued Guinea Pigs Month in March! Although quite a few people nowadays turn to shelters and rescues instead of shops or breeders when searching for their next pet, cavies are unfortunately often forgotten. Continuing education throughout the year will inform the community of homeless guinea pigs in need of forever homes.

The Mission
To educate the population on the many guinea pigs in shelters waiting for homes.
To introduce new piggy parents on the proper care of guinea pigs and why they make wonderful pets.
To find forever homes for the many homeless guinea pigs in rescues and shelters.
To promote campaigns that generate better welfare for guinea pigs year round.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Cage changing shenanigans

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Belka is quite the adventurous little guinea pig. She is always the first of us cavies to survey new terrain, search out any barrier weaknesses, exploit said weaknesses in her bids for freedom, tunnel her way underneath fleece bedding and generally come up with novel ways to outsmart our slaves.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day

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Morry and his beloved Coppy

Happy Valentine's Day to everybody and everypiggy!

Monday, February 13, 2012

A word from our cavy slaves, about Poof


I still remember seeing Poof's thin, nervous little face the day we adopted her - she had been abandoned in a box on the side of a freeway on-ramp and was in dire need of extra food, love and attention. Since then, she has slowly but surely put on weight and established herself as the alpha pig in the cage. Unlike our other drama pigs whom frequently find reasons to visit the vet, Poof was always the healthy one.

We knew that all was not well with Poof when she started rumblestrutting and mounting everypiggy else - then continued to do so for over seven days straight. (For reference, Poof is a sow, as are her cagemates Belka, Truffle, and Peaches).

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Piggy Puzzle: Who stole the wheatgrass?

A recent look in the fridge revealed that somepiggy stole the wheatgrass! Whether they ate it or not is another story. Herd leader Coppy interviewed the five local suspects to ferret out the culprit. Below is a summary of their statements:

Belka: It wasn't Peaches, it was Truffle
Truffle: It wasn't Revy, it wasn't Peaches
Revy: It was Peaches, it wasn't Belka
Poof: It was Revy, it was Truffle
Peaches: It was Poof, it wasn't Belka

Each guinea pig told only one lie. Can you figure out which cavy stole the wheatgrass?

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Happy birthday Poof!

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"Presents?"

February has arrived, which means its Poof's birthday month. Happy birthday Poof! Can you guess how old she is?

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Cranberries for cavies - eating, choosing, freezing and storing


Most cavy owners know that their piggies can eat strawberries, blueberries and blackberries. It may come as a surprise to find out that guinea pigs can also eat cranberries!

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Happy Groundhog Day!

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Belka would like to wish everybody and everypiggy Happy Groundhog Day! Obviously Belka is a guinea pig, not a groundhog, but she feels that out of all of us cavies she resembles one the most with her big button eyes and tawny colored ticked agouti coat.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Revy eats lettuce from her hanging treat ball



Food always tastes better after you have worked for it! Food is also more delicious when you have stolen it from your neighbor or cagemate, but that is another story.