From jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net Sun Nov 1 09:18:12 2009 From: jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net (ANDREW SILL) Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 06:18:12 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] health: Biff needs help! Message-ID: <870677.82245.qm@web80202.mail.mud.yahoo.com> HI, SO sorry to bother you all on a sunday morning. But I woke up today and when giving my guinea pigs their vegs. We noticed that Biffs left eye is going crazy! and he is kind of tilting his head that way. I know i have read things on the GGDD about such things.. but I didnt take notes on it... so now i am at a loss... there are no vets open on sunday... and i have my grandsons baptism this moring... so you can understand I am a wreck!!? so any info you can give me would be? much appreciated! I will get him into vet tomorrow but our vets are not great... so any infor on what to ask for to help him would be great too!! thanks soo much! jean (misfits) From aliciavanmaanen at hotmail.com Sun Nov 1 11:23:26 2009 From: aliciavanmaanen at hotmail.com (Alicia VanMaanen) Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 11:23:26 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] Announcement: Holiday Gift & Card Exchange 2009 Deadline fast approaching In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Hey Everyone, I know we out of October already but I wanted to let everyone know that it's not too later to to participate in our annual digest holiday gift exchange for Christmas. I would be more than happy to once again work on this as I love too do that part in it. For those of you that are new to the digest let me explain what this is a little bit. IF YOU WISH TO PARTICIPATE PLEASE EMAIL MY NO LATER THAN NOVEMBER 20 FOR GIFT EXCHANGE, SO THAT I CAN MATCH YOU UP WITH SOMEONE BEFORE THANKSGIVING AND WILL HAVE TIME TO GET YOUR GIFTS MAILED OUT. I WILL ACCEPT ALL FOR CARD EXCHANGE UNTIL DECEMBER 1ST AND THAN SEND EVERYONE AN EMAIL IN THAT CATEGORY WITH YOUR MATCH. Every year we offer a holiday gift or card exchange with other members of the digest. You can choose to participate in either or both aspects of the exchange. In both you would be given the name of another guinea pig(s) if you wish to do all your piggies together and a slave. If you are participating in the gift exchange you would than get some type of gift for the slave's pig(s) that you were assigned and mail it to them for a christmas gift. YOu are also welcome to include soemthing special in their for the slvae. As for the price of the gift that is up to you as to how much you can honestly afford to spend on a gift. I've had various gifts over the years from handmade gifts/treats for me and my piggies to store bought treats. But the minimum is usualy about $10 from what most people spend on a total gift I'd guess. THis is a fun event and everyone loves to participate adn get gifts in the mail and than post on the digest a thank you afterwards so that everyone knows you received your gift. So if you are interested please feel free to email me at guineapiglover2009 at hotmail.com Please include the following information in your email: Slave NameSlave Mailing AddressSlave EmailPig(s) participating and if more than one piggie are they participating as a group or an individualAny other important information I you might want another slave to be aware of about you or your pig(s) Thanks everyone and look forward to hearing from everyone! Many Wheeks,Alicia slave to Dodger & Beau _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141665/direct/01/ From bunsnpigs at aol.com Sun Nov 1 12:19:28 2009 From: bunsnpigs at aol.com (bunsnpigs at aol.com) Date: Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:19:28 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] Biff Needs Help In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <8CC292E9A4E001E-4950-13BF8@webmail-d074.sysops.aol.com> He may have an ear infection. He needs to go to the vet. In the meantime, you CAN try giving him 1/10th of a pill of Dramamine Less Drowsy - the one that has meclezine. That can help with the dizziness. Each tablet contains 25mg. The normal mecelzine dose for a piggy is 2 - 20mg/kg, and that is a big range (which is nice.. you don't have to be exact), so I would cut it in 1/4 (giving him around 6mg) and give it to him once a day. Crush it and mix with juice in a syringe. If you have any Baytril or Bactrim, you can start him on that until getting him to the vet. That is what I would do, anyway. Judi Lainer Metropolitan Guinea Pig Rescue http://www.mgpr.org House Rabbit Society Fosterer/Educator MD/DC/NoVA http://www.rabbitsinthehouse.org http://www.rabbit.org From warmbreath at comcast.net Sun Nov 1 12:40:54 2009 From: warmbreath at comcast.net (warmbreath at comcast.net) Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 09:40:54 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] health: Biff needs help! References: <870677.82245.qm@web80202.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <2D3BE8A4FD034B7E875C00A49934B966@SNADY> Andrew Head tilt and Nystigmus or eye movement disorders are neurological problems and they are serious. There are to main causes one is an ear infection, the second is e.c. Is there any possible way to get him to a vet today, call your vet and see what they have to offer in terms of special appointments or if he can refer you to an emergency clinic With a gp or rabbit specialist. Look in his ear is there any unusual gunk or is it painful either in it or around it.? Take his temp, a high temp would point to ear infection, gp temps run higher than people but check guinealynx.info to be sure. Look him all over, is he in pain elsewhere, how about his pee and poops, are his back legs weak. If you have any antibiotics left over from a previous treatment and they aren't too old you might try that, do you have any Metacam for pain or Reglan for nausea. Do you have any Panacur or Ivermectin. Definitively dive him 50 to 100mg of Vit C , best to split it up and give some every few hours Do not give Panacur and ivermectin both, if you have both just give the Panacur Its still much preferable to get him to a vet, treat for ear infection and e.c. both Take copies of the drug pages of guinealynx with you. Did you keep the stuff I wrote on e.c.? Its much more likely to be just inner/ middle ear infection but its dangerous to not treat for e.c. too/ Remind the vet that pig cant have penicillin or the others drugs listed in guineaynx.info This is an emergency. Yop down x-rays can help verify ear infection, if you decide on a titre test for e.c. plan on 2 to 4 weeks apart to look for changes, but dont wait to treat. He needs supportive treatments too. He needs to eat and drink. Use rolled up towels to support him from falling over. He is likely to be anxious and nervous and nauseous. Calm him, carry him around with you or keep him propped upright Again The drugs need are Baytril, Panacur, Metacam, Reglan, and Vit C If you have Ivermectin at home use it and Vit C but get to the vet tomorrow but try to get there today. If you need the e.c. info again write me OH and write me back and tell me if he has had any exposure to bunnies, or out of doors where raccoons might go and if he has had any recent health probs, incl. water deprivation, and give me his age. Has he ever had Ivermectin in his life write back online Sandy From joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net Sun Nov 1 13:07:21 2009 From: joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net (GARY HESS) Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 10:07:21 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH: Puff's sneezes Message-ID: <483352.5162.qm@web81308.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Ever since I got Puff she's sneezed occasionally--a remarkably dainty sneeze for one so bold and rambunctious. Last night she sneezed more than usual, so I'm trying something before I (reluctantly) take her to the vet. I'm taking all her hay and shaking the dust out through a colander. The alfalfa was particularly bad--even made me feel sneezy, and she was refusing to eat it anyway. We'll see how this goes. Given Hershey's history,?you can see why I'm not all that jazzed to have Puff treated for anything. Suggestions? Joanie From oreochockc at yahoo.com Sun Nov 1 15:07:55 2009 From: oreochockc at yahoo.com (corrine sakumoto) Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 12:07:55 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] MISC: Baby Truffles is four! Message-ID: <573016.92372.qm@web112618.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> A little over four years ago, I fell in love with a white piggie 'with pig' at the pet store. I wasn't sure if we should get her so I let Michael decide. Imagine my surprise and happiness! when Michael came home from work carrying a little box. In it was Blossom. We carefully put her into a 'private pen' with 'drapes.' Less than three days later, I heard 'sounds' coming from her pen, so I quietly opened a corner of the drapes and there before me was a wobbly on her feet fuzzy brown and white baby piggie! I carefully shut the drapes and pondered that as Blossom was all white and straight hair. I again peeked inside, but there it was, a wobbly fuzzy brown and white baby piggie! (Baby Truffles' sibling, whom we named Star, was stillborn.) Well, on October 27, daddy Michael made a huge bday breakfast for everypig, which includes Baby Truffles, mompig Blossom, Sparkles, and Snoopy (Baby Truffles was born at around 8 a.m.) to celebrate Baby Truffles' fourth bday!! They had a light lunch. And again a huge dinner. A not so bad midnight snack. It amused me that the next morning, Baby Truffles came up to the front of her pen and grumbled at me. I had never heard her grumble before so I was puzzled as to why she was upset with me. Then I smiled and said to her, even though all days are special, yesterday was your bday so it was extra special and that's why you had so many goodies yesterday. My poor little baby was wondering, hey! yesterday we were served mountains of food and today is our 'usual'! What's up with that??!! So Happy BDay Baby Truffles! You're our baby and you always will be!!! Love, mommy corrine and daddy michael From oreochockc at yahoo.com Sun Nov 1 15:12:07 2009 From: oreochockc at yahoo.com (corrine sakumoto) Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 12:12:07 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH: Sparkles, Blossom, Baby Truffles update Message-ID: <482506.47371.qm@web112608.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Sparkles was put on sulfatrim for another week and the vet said if she didn't improve, that he would then give her panacur.? While on the sulfatrim, Sparkles did produce normal poos.? But a day after the antibiotic treatment was through, she again had runny poos.? So we brought her (and Blossom and Baby Truffles) back to the vet and he took a poo sample from Sparkles and examined it, except that this time he said he saw guardia (sp?).? So he gave us panacur to give to the three of them.? They play together, plus Baby Truffles has been losing hair on her behind and Blossom had lost hair on both sides, not her flanks, her sides.? The vet said that guardia could cause the scratching (all three had ivermectin shots two weeks ago, then their second shot a week thereafter), thus the hair loss.? They are to have a dose of panacur once a day for the next five days.? THANK YOU to Ann for her message about panacur.? We had sent the vet's office your information about the medicine (without your personal info) and he used the information that you provided to give our piggies the proper dosage. The vet said that if this doesn't work, then he'll probably try another antibiotic.? But, hopefully, this will work. Thanks to everyone for all their words of encouragement and info. Corrine and Michael From warmbreath at comcast.net Sun Nov 1 15:43:38 2009 From: warmbreath at comcast.net (warmbreath at comcast.net) Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 12:43:38 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] health: Biff needs help! References: <870677.82245.qm@web80202.mail.mud.yahoo.com> <2D3BE8A4FD034B7E875C00A49934B966@SNADY> <576531.69257.qm@web80208.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <08DD84517D3F4BAEA5AC18049E385967@SNADY> Andrew, Please post all yours answers and questions on the list so every body can see and respond 1. Check him over every where for a bite wound, he could have an infection if the humping escalated to a fight. You better separate them 2. baby ibuprofen is a good alternative to Metacam if you dont have it, make sure he gets some food when you give it 3. Is his shaking actual shaking or could it be grinding of teeth, almost like a purr, they do that when they are in pain 4. get his temp, and tell when and if he had ivermectin 5, I still say like Judi, that the most likely thing is an inner/middle ear infection, e.c. is a lesser possibility but the eye involvement is a neurological symptom and as such is serious 6 make sure he is getting water, make a place in his cage where he can get warm and another where he can cool off 7. Plan on getting him to a exotics vet tomorrow morning, I dont believe this is a trivial condition 8 as I said before treat for ear infection for sure, get the x-rays with a dose of radiation that shows soft stuff like puss or tumor, if the x-rays is clear treat for e.c. 9 look up the other stuff I referenced Ann and Judi and others feel free to chime in If you dont haven exotics vet guinealynx has a list as does the house rabbit society, plus if you tell us your city and state and we can recommend ones we know to be good I'm so sorry this is happening on a big day for you, but it's a big day for him too. Lake him as comfy as possible. Good luck Biff, love Sandy From rzm.2 at verizon.net Sun Nov 1 18:05:46 2009 From: rzm.2 at verizon.net (Ronald Zimmerman) Date: Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:05:46 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH- Biff Message-ID: <28C781D0684D4F068182CAEEDE15EE55@chirpyPC> I'm not sure what you mean by his eye is going crazy, but a head tilt can be caused from an ear infection. ~Jaime & Mimi~ ~Missing Albert, Molly, Radar & Daisy~ http://s652.photobucket.com/albums/uu246/chirpy123/ From jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net Sun Nov 1 18:29:06 2009 From: jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net (ANDREW SILL) Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 15:29:06 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] Health: Biff Message-ID: <29708.92163.qm@web80206.mail.mud.yahoo.com> I got tons of great ideas for helping Biff from so many of you very knowledgeable? piggie lovers, thank you! I did end up getting Biff the childrens Ibuprofen, and critical care, and another vitamin C tablet,and .5 ml of the sulfamethoxazole? I think that has helped alot! He is eating and pooping good again. He is walking around his cage. We have him in a smaller cage that I can move from room to room with me.This morning when I found him he was laying in the corner of his cage.. not moving and his eyes were going all wiggly and his head was tilted.I was in shock!? He still walks in circles some of the time, but he is eating now like crazy. We of course will call the vet first thing in the morning. We do not have 24 hour vets here. only office hour vets.. which stinks.. we do have a 24 hour emergency place for dogs and cats.. which I called and they said they do not see guinea pigs... sad.. So thank you for all your help. I think I can breathe again. Just knowing he is eating and drinking again on his own.. he dont look so worn out. He even made a " happy" sound when Andy was holding him. I will give him another dose of the anitboitic tonite.? I wonder what causes ear infections anyway on a guinea.There isnt a draft where he lives and the temp stays the same.?As he is the only one that is doing this and we have 15 here. We separated him from his cage mate as I was worried he could pass it to his brother Yettie. Not sure if he could or not, but didnt want to risk that. I will let you know what the vet says. Sorry Ann I couldnt get to a phone to call you as the house is full of visitors and I wouldnt of been able to hear you or you me with all the? voices talking.(our phone is in the kitchen and that seems to be the place where everyone was hanging out. Thank you again for responding to me so fast with all the great info on the emails you all sent me. This has been a crazy day here, but Biff seems to be looking better and moving better. His eyes are still wiggly but not near as much as they were this morning. thank you again all. jean(misfits) From scalabro3 at cfl.rr.com Sun Nov 1 21:25:30 2009 From: scalabro3 at cfl.rr.com (scalabro3 at cfl.rr.com) Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 21:25:30 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] [Announcement] Introducing Ghirardelli Message-ID: <20091102022530.OFHNK.422235.root@cdptpa-web25-z02> Hi. Last week, I contacted a friend at the humane society to find a boy piggie for Donovan. He?s been lonely since we lost Dilly, and we thought it would cheer him up to have a friend. Just about the time I?d given up on finding a single male pig, I got a phone call that someone had a little baby boy who needed a new home. We were very excited, and when I brought him home to put him in his new temporary quarters, I picked him up and said, oops, that doesn?t look quite right. His vet was not in yesterday, so today we brought him to the vet, who confirmed that yes, our boy is actually a girl. She?s very beautiful and solid brown with short fur. She feels like she?s wearing a mink coat. We really are attached to her already, but we?re not sure what to do since we already have three boys in the house. Can we get her spayed and put her with Donovan? Neutering Donovan is definitely out. We?re too worried to anesthetize Donovan after losing Dillon due to anesthesia complications. Because they are brothers, we?re concerned that Donovan may have the same problem. Can a spayed female piggie live with an unaltered male? I?ve never had a female piggie before, and I?m concerned about how a boy and girl piggie would do together in the same cage. Would it upset the two boys living in the cage next door? I could sure use some advice. Thanks for your help! ME in New Smyrna Beach with Donovan, Ghirardelli, Puffy, Cocoa Puff and Dillon Forever in our Hearts. From calliope at geeksnet.com Sun Nov 1 21:41:33 2009 From: calliope at geeksnet.com (Cindy) Date: Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:41:33 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] ANNOUNCEMENT: birthday wishes, Halloween, Hope, and Gingerbread Message-ID: <4AEE46DD.1040109@geeksnet.com> We would like to wish a very Happy 3rd Birthday to Halloween and Hope! We would also like to wish a very Happy 6 1/2 Birthday to Gingerbread! Cindy, Tumbleweed, and Friday From warmbreath at comcast.net Sun Nov 1 21:59:03 2009 From: warmbreath at comcast.net (warmbreath at comcast.net) Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 18:59:03 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] Fw: [Announcement] Introducing Ghirardelli Message-ID: <078C96A434E54DAA8D6C723973F9F04A@SNADY> I have never had any problems with females paired with a neutered male living near but not next to cages of paired, unaltered males. You cant give them floor time together though. I have not had a spayed sow with an unneutered male, he may adapt, he may not, I think it would depend on how well she trains him or if he is highly sexed. Sandy and Shipwreck Sam From guinygirl at gmail.com Mon Nov 2 07:55:54 2009 From: guinygirl at gmail.com (Janneke) Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 13:55:54 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] [HEALTH] Message-ID: - Hi all, just send this to jean; i'm also posting this on the digest - Hey jean, I'm so sorry i havent read this until now.. How is he? (i have no time to catch up on the digest..) The symptoms can be either an inner ear infection or a brain seizure/meningitis (both cause the same symptoms, so make sure the vet checks for both) In both cases I expect you need a vet. - In case of inner ear infection he will prescribe antibiotics and probably corticosteriods. You can usually diagnose an acute inner ear infection with an x-ray. - in case of a seizure the vet can administer cortisone (injection). This will help with the swelling of the brain and will give biff a better prognosis (=increase chance of a full recovery). Furthermore you can place him in in a quiet,dark room so that the brain has less to process. Let me know what happened. Keeping fingers crossed here. Janneke From piggyfriends at tesco.net Mon Nov 2 05:07:53 2009 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 10:07:53 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] Announcement - Introducing Ghirardelli Message-ID: Welcome new piggy, Ghirardelli. She sounds lovely. I would not trust any vet here to neuter a piggy, let alone spay one so my answer would be to keep Ghirardelli in her own cage but put it next to Donovan for the company. Depending on how may piggies you want, you could look out for another sow to be her cage mate and continue your search for a little boar for Donovan. I have pens of piggies right next to each other and have no trouble keeping pairs of boars next to a group of sows. I have done this for decades with up to 35 piggies and there has always been harmony. They all chat to each other through the wire but there is never any fighting amongst the boars, despite the proximity of lots of sows. Anaesthetics always carry a huge risk for piggies and, personally, I would only allow anaesthesia in a life or death situation. Hugs for Ghirardelli. Penny and the Piggyfriends. From joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net Mon Nov 2 11:56:50 2009 From: joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net (GARY HESS) Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 08:56:50 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH: Puff may have swallowed some plastic Message-ID: <238113.94263.qm@web81301.mail.mud.yahoo.com> I've been keeping her cage from topping off my dresser using pretty, decorative strands of silk(?) ivy on a thin plastic-coated metal stem. I normally pile the strands on top of the cage, but?one must've slipped down when I covered her cage. Well, there's some plastic missing from the part she could've reached--about half the wire's covering for a couple inches. I suspect a small leaf is missing as well. I really don't want to subject her to x-rays if I don't have to. How long should I keep a sharp watch on her? What do I look for? When can I relax with this little rascal??? I think I now qualify for the world's worst slave. Joanie From joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net Mon Nov 2 11:59:22 2009 From: joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net (GARY HESS) Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 08:59:22 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH: No more sneezing for Puff Message-ID: <875391.67204.qm@web81307.mail.mud.yahoo.com> I tossed the offensive alfalfa and botanical hay and am now feeding timothy and orchard grass, from which I sieve out the particles beforehand. No sneezes! Thanks, Sandy. Joanie From bunzella at yahoo.ca Mon Nov 2 12:06:31 2009 From: bunzella at yahoo.ca (pat schuett) Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 09:06:31 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] MISC: Update from "Worst Slave in History" In-Reply-To: <67ED857E63A04F18BC558A0AB39E567C@DelBoy> Message-ID: <655741.30615.qm@web113203.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Hi everyone, Thanks to all who sent supportive and reassuring messages --- as you all predicted, Audrey recovered quite quickly from this terrible trauma (helped on by extra helpings of her favourite treats!) and was back to her usual perky self within a few days. In the manner of all renovation projects, the floor sanding is proceeding much slower than I hoped/expected, and the first coat of finish *might* go on tomorrow at the earliest. They will be using a water-based finish which is supposedly much less noxious than the oil-based ones, but Doris, Audrey and Olivia will be moving in with my friends across the street before the first coat goes on. Their back-up cages and extra supplies are already over there, so I just need to bundle everyone into their carriers and scoot over there when the finishing is about to start. Luckily, I already have an ample build-up of good will with these folks, since I regularly care for their elderly arthritic dog who doesn't like to travel anymore; whenever they go away for the weekend, they leave the dog home and I feed him and make sure he gets out for walks at regular intervals. I'm not sure I would want to live with a dog full-time, but I do enjoy our walks and he is a very sweet old guy. (His owners also have a giant-screen television and encourage me to come over to use it while they're gone to give Bauer, the dog, some extra company!) Thanks again!!! Pat S. (with a much happier Audrey, Doris & Olivia) __________________________________________________________________ Make your browsing faster, safer, and easier with the new Internet Explorer? 8. Optimized for Yahoo! Get it Now for Free! at http://downloads.yahoo.com/ca/internetexplorer/ From warmbreath at comcast.net Mon Nov 2 13:55:26 2009 From: warmbreath at comcast.net (warmbreath at comcast.net) Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 10:55:26 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH: Puff may have swallowed some plastic References: <238113.94263.qm@web81301.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <48493EA8F3224FA4A3DE5EBE0FEA4148@SNADY> Hi Joanie feed her allot of hay and water as the hay has long fiber and is the most likely food to cover up sharp edges and speed it thru her system. Well other than that I have no idea, I would call the vets, being exotics vets they are likely to know if the size and composition of the missing stuff is likely to hurt her. Look around in her letter and behind under the dresser and maybe it's there that would be a load off your mind. Ask the vet if a little vegetable oil will help, I always hate to recommend mineral oil, made from dead dinosaurs. Move the decorations of course. Good luck, use the vets Sandy and Sammy From piggyfriends at tesco.net Mon Nov 2 15:42:04 2009 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 20:42:04 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH: Puff may have swallowed some plastic References: <238113.94263.qm@web81301.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <64F5CA11A0304EAB8B3F1EBB09FF18F0@inspiron1150> What is it about guinea pigs and plastic? It can't taste very nice and yet they are always trying to eat plastic bags and the like. Have a look at this link Joanie. http://www.oginet.com/pgurney/bloat.htm Hopefully the plastic will pass straight through but keep an eagle eye on Puff. Perhaps someone in the US will translate liquid paraffin if this is not the right name in your country and also name an alternative to the Rennie Rapeze ( it is spelt wrongly in Peter's article ) or Buscopan as these are probably UK only remedies. Penny and the Piggyfriends. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I've been keeping her cage from topping off my dresser using pretty, decorative strands of silk(?) ivy on a thin plastic-coated metal stem. I normally pile the strands on top of the cage, but one must've slipped down when I covered her cage. Well, there's some plastic missing from the part she could've reached--about half the wire's covering for a couple inches. I suspect a small leaf is missing as well. I really don't want to subject her to x-rays if I don't have to. How long should I keep a sharp watch on her? What do I look for? When can I relax with this little rascal??? I think I now qualify for the world's worst slave. Joanie -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From dukejan1 at aol.com Mon Nov 2 16:54:57 2009 From: dukejan1 at aol.com (dukejan1 at aol.com) Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:54:57 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] Misc: Happy Birthday Truffles Message-ID: <8CC2A1E40F52222-22CC-2E5C@webmail-m035.sysops.aol.com> Isabel, Lily, and Luke send their very best happy birthday wheeks to Truffles! Glad to hear you received such great munchies for your birthday. It sounded wonderful. Janet From pandameisje at gmail.com Mon Nov 2 18:18:07 2009 From: pandameisje at gmail.com (Mieke Staaks) Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 00:18:07 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow bridge: Suus and Guiny Message-ID: Hi fellow guinea pig lovers, It is with a very sad heart that i have to let you know, my oldy Guiny and my sister Janneke's Suus went over the bridge. I am currently pig sitting Janneke's piggies. We noticed that Suus was a bit quiet and did not eat her chicory very well. On saturday evening the 24th of october, I was going to clean the cages, and we noticed Suus was weak. She was breathing heavily and did not respond very much to her surroundings. We thought it might be gas so gave her some medicine for that and we tried to syringe feed her some Critical care. She might have swallowed some of the first CC, but did not do that for the second feeding. So all signs went red for us, having experienced this with Toby. Though she did not seem in such a bad condition, as when Toby died. I called the vet (they have an evening an weekend emergency phone number), and had to convince the vet to let us come over. The vet said I did a good thing by bringing Suus to her. She took her in and Suus stayed overnight. The vet heard fluids on her lungs, which according to her could be either lung troubles or heart problems. They gave Suus some antibiotics and something to get rid of the fluids, Suus was having trouble breathing and was put in an oxygen pen. Unfortunately she did not make it to the next morning. I felt very bad, but was told by vet this was the best I could have done for Suus. I have known Suus since she was a little girl, she has lived together with my girls Lotje and Guiny. So it felt and still feels like losing one of my own. Then 2 days later, on the 27th of October, Guiny left us for the bridge. I have to say she was already 5,5 years old, and she was slowly loosing weight. But until half an hour before she died she was still eating and active and seemed happy. My boyfriend Erwin went to give all the piggies, I had 6 then: My Guiny, Dunya, Woopy and Chico, and Janneke's Igor and Yaya, their evening veggies. He noticed at once though Guiny came to get her carrot, that something was wrong. She had taken 2 bites and then left the carrot. She was breathing heavily, and Erwin picked her up from the cage. We knew at once it was bad, having seen Suus get worse on saturday. I held her in my arms and told her it was okay to go. We told her we loved her, and I told her about the rainbow bridge. I told her to say hi to Lotje, and tell Suus that we and Janneke miss her. and to say hi to all the other piggies. I also told her she would hear perfectly again when she was there (she was hard hearing). And told her Peter and Debbie would be there to take care of her if she needed it. I also told her to teach the other piggies over the bridge her smart tricks, she was the one who know how to open a door, when it was slightly open. She once sat next to Lotje who was eating a carrot and started gnawing the carrot, right next to where Lotje was gnawing. She eventually ran away with the biggest piece of the carrot she had munched her way through. She was gone within half an hour... I still feel sad about my precious lady Guinyvere leaving us, but she had a good and pretty long life with me and later with me and Erwin. Since she was gradually loosing weight this did not come totally unexpected. And I feel, eventhough i did not like loosing her, this was the best way to part with my precious girl. She knew she was loved, and we had a chance to tell her that and tried to comfort her and tell her it was okay... We have buried them in my mom's garden last sunday. They are buried together, and near to where Lotje was buried. I'm sure the girls, will be partners in crime over the bridge. I remember the one time when i was going to eat a sandwich in the living room. The girls were having floortime, and I had to get something, so i put my sandwiches on the mattress that was on the floor. When I did that I even thought 'I should not do this, but hey I'll be back really fast'. When I came back Suus and Guiny had stolen my sandwich, and were hiding under a chair, munching on my sandwich... I will miss you girls!! Mikey, and the remaining Winky girls: Dunya and Woopy my valentine: Chico And Janneke's piggies currently staying over: Yaya and Igor. -- pandameisje at gmail.com pandameisje at hotmail.com Blog: http://pandameisje.hyves.nl Cavia website: www.guinygirlz.nl kleding: http://mist-clothing.blogspot.com/ From rzm.2 at verizon.net Mon Nov 2 19:35:36 2009 From: rzm.2 at verizon.net (Ronald Zimmerman) Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:35:36 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH- sneezing Message-ID: I've read diffeerent things on how piggies sneeze more then other animals & that it is normal for them. Mimi sneezes, esp. if she's been digging thru her hay pile. As long as there are no symptoms of a URI I wouldn't worry too much. It's probably her hay like you said. Hugs... ~Jaime & Mimi~ ~Missing Albert, Molly, Radar & Daisy~ http://s652.photobucket.com/albums/uu246/chirpy123/ From rzm.2 at verizon.net Mon Nov 2 19:49:48 2009 From: rzm.2 at verizon.net (Ronald Zimmerman) Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:49:48 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC- birthday wishes Message-ID: Happy birthday to Baby Truffles. May you have many, many more! ~Jaime & Mimi~ ~Missing Albert, Molly, Radar & Daisy~ http://s652.photobucket.com/albums/uu246/chirpy123/ From rzm.2 at verizon.net Mon Nov 2 19:55:17 2009 From: rzm.2 at verizon.net (Ronald Zimmerman) Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:55:17 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH- spaying piggies Message-ID: <567F4C0DA646471B99313E8852F216C1@chirpyPC> ME- Congratulations on your new piggie! Spaying females is a dangerous surgery for them. Much more then neutering males, although all piggie surgeries are not without risk. That's all the advice I can give you. Sorry. Hopefully others will be more help. ~Jaime & Mimi~ ~Missing Albert, Molly, Radar & Daisy~ http://s652.photobucket.com/albums/uu246/chirpy123/ From piggyfriends at tesco.net Tue Nov 3 08:44:55 2009 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 13:44:55 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC Lynn's post Message-ID: <8ECEC5B4BEA54BC0BF6D5F5782E018E7@inspiron1150> I am behind with the GPDD again, due to having been laid low with a nasty flu bug but am trying to catch up. I was delighted to see the little piggies that Lynn spotted on ebay. I have collected miniatures all of my life and some years ago one of my sons made me a lovely doll house in which to keep them. Not content with that, I started to make a miniature garden to go with it. A permanent "work in progress" as there is no limit to the numbers of flowers that I can make for the borders and the model greenhouse. On the "lawn" I have made a pen for guinea pigs, complete with a balsa wood hutch, water bottle ( made from a clear plastic drinking straw and a bit of garden wire ). I made models of several of the then Piggyfriends from Fimo. I don't know if this is a worldwide product but it is a modelling clay which can be "fired" in a domestic oven and can be painted or carved after "cooking". This miniature herd of piggies have their own food bowls together with a pile of Fimo carrots and leaves. The model vegetable garden has all kinds of veggies being grown for them. I tried to take their pigture when I put my photos on Photobucket but they are just too tiny for my little camera to take a decent shot. You don't have to be mad to be a guinea pig obsessive but it helps. Time for some more medication. Penny ( cough ) and the Piggyfriends. From piggyfriends at tesco.net Tue Nov 3 10:06:32 2009 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 15:06:32 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] ANNOUNCE New Piggyfriends Message-ID: I went to collect them on my birthday and promptly came down with this flu bug so I am only just getting around to telling you about the newest Piggyfriends. Trying to keep as many germs as possible out of the two rooms which house the Piggyfriends, I have not yet introduced the new ones to my herd as, when I do this, I want to be able to watch them carefully in case of any trouble. So they are presently living in two cages. As the piggies are tiny, these are roomy enough for the time being but as soon as I am better, I will let them meet their new friends. They can see them as I have put the cages alongside the pens in which they will be living and much interest has been shown. Two little ones were waiting for me at the Rodentologist, their owner having decided to keep two of the baby sows with their mother. The little sow is mostly a lemon agouti. I was delighted to see her as I love agoutis and have not had one here for a while. She reminds me so much of my late lamented Monty, who was a wonderful cuddle pig and cagemate to Poppy, the last of Miss Piggy's family. If she had been a boar, the temptation would have been to call her Monty II. Like him, she is a mixture as she also has some lemony patches over her back so she would not win any prizes but she is so precious. I can't wait to get rid of this bug so that I can cuddle her. She runs out and shouts when the food arrives but when she sees me she runs and hides behind her box, sneaking back out when she thinks that she is alone. She doesn't know that I can see them all through an internal window! Her brother is nothing like her, being a silvery grey and white bundle of fluff. His coat is longer than a short hair but not as long as a baby Peruvian for example. I will have to wait and see how it grows. He is much tamer than his sister. They are eight weeks old now and their owner took him away from their mother five weeks ago and picked him up a lot to socialise him. I want to carry on this as soon as I safely can. He will come up to the edge of the cage when it is mealtime but has not yet taken a piece of veg from my hand. They are both eating up well and I want to take some photos before they get much bigger but this is hard without breathing over them. Whether piggies can catch our germs is debatable but I am not going to risk it. We have heard too much in the news about the transmission of bugs from birds to humans and now there is this swine flu scare. It always takes me a while to come up with new names. I did think of Miss Lemon for the little girl, after the secretary in the Poirot detective stories, of which I am very fond. The fictional Miss Lemon's given name is Felicity but I did not care for that. I tried to think of names of things which are grey but my mind has been somewhat fuzzy of late with this flu.. Generations of Piggyfriends have used up so many names. There has been an Ash, a Sylvie and an Ashley as well as a grey mouse called Lady Jane among others. I finally decided on Dorian for the little boy and, as I like names that go together for piggies arriving at the same time, I am naming his sister Pandora. Well, they sort of go together! Pigtures soon. In the meatime, please welcome these precious babes. Penny and the Piggyfriends. From joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net Tue Nov 3 13:08:58 2009 From: joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net (GARY HESS) Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 10:08:58 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH: Puff ate plastic Message-ID: <289074.26480.qm@web81304.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Well, the droppings are still normal in quantity, size, and consistency, and she's eating and playing like the little imp that she is. I've taken my terror down a notch, but am still watching her carefully. I'm hoping that, since it was thin, flexible plastic, that things have worked themselves out. I did do the bagging up of droppings so I could keep track of recent ones, and it helped allay my fears. I'm hoping that if piggies can chew on sharp bits of wood that this plastic would be less of a challenge for their digestive system. I'll go and bag up last night's right now. Joanie From cazza177 at ntlworld.com Tue Nov 3 13:13:42 2009 From: cazza177 at ntlworld.com (Cazza177) Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 18:13:42 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC- birthday wishes Message-ID: <3EC0CA12474343A780656054E0E1367B@DelBoy> Happy birthday to Baby Truffles. May you have lots more! Kind regards Carole From wildgreenearth at gmail.com Tue Nov 3 12:32:36 2009 From: wildgreenearth at gmail.com (Allison) Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 12:32:36 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow bridge: Suus and Guiny Message-ID: <460a43220911030932x4e0113a6o1902947b0a238e69@mail.gmail.com> To Mikey and all your cavys at home, I'm so sorry to hear about Suus and Guiny crossing over the Rainbow Bridge. I'm sitting here at work, reading their stories, and can't help but shed tears (especially reading your goodbyes to Guiny. Should we all be so lucky to have those moments). The girls sounded like they were beautiful hearts. Sending much love and peaceful thoughts to you all remembering your sweet friends. ~Allison, Bean & Chino From guinygirl at gmail.com Tue Nov 3 13:59:30 2009 From: guinygirl at gmail.com (Janneke) Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 19:59:30 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] [Rainbow bridge] Message-ID: Hi Gpdders, My sister wrote a beautiful tribute yesterday, so I guess I finally have to face the music and write my tribute to 2 of my favorite pigs ever. They do deserve that.. I've been putting it off because not writing it down makes it feel less real (I'm sort of on a holiday and Yaya and Igor are still at mieke's house, so there's no empty space in a cage..) Guiny.. When mieke decided to go to the czech republic, I agreed to look after Guiny and Lotje for 6 months. I never had a guinea pig addiction before, but oh boy, did these 2 girls get me addicted. I soon noticed guiny was quite clever and I really enjoyed (as did she) ' inventing' new puzzles and games for her (many of the games in Igor's PLAY's were invented for guiny; http://www.guinygirlz.nl and yes.. that adress wat named after her; just like my own gmailadress). Guiny also really enjoyed it when I was belly dancing (she would put up her paws against the edge of the cage and watch me with a smile), I think she thought that it was my way of popcorning and running in circles. The funny thing was that she liked shakira's music the best. I never knew pigs had musical preferences until then. What I loved most about her was the big smile she could give me when she saw me (even when mieke and the pigs moved to erwin's house she still remembered me). I know she was not my pig but she sure felt like it. Suus.. When guiny and lotje went back to mieke after her stay in the czech republic (she returned shortly afterwards with her pigs) I felt really lonely without guiny and lotje. I was going through a rough time back then, having broken up with a rather abusive boyfriend a few months before and I was sometimes so scared out of my brains when I heard sounds or whatever (before that I just thought, aaw.. that's just guiny or lotje). Then one day a girl I knew through my ex (and had become a friend) phoned me and told me she had a pig for me. The little pig had siblings, but according to my friend, this pig was so sweet, that she really wanted me to have her because she thought were were meant to be together (suss = german for sweet; the friend was german; i'm dutch). I think she was right. Suus was my girl all the way. More than any of my pigs ever were. In the beginning we were both so scared that we bonded very strongly. Suus wasnt a cuddle pig, but when I felt bad she would wheek until I would pick her up and she would put her nose firmly in my neck and lick the tears away. Suus was always a very active, lively, vocal pig and lots of fun. Maybe not cuddly, but she did enjoy human interaction a lot. She was never sick. I would always call her 'hollands glory' which is an expression in dutch to say that someone's very wholesome/healthy. I never expected her to leave so soon, although i know she is 4 years old. She was just always so healthy. I still cannot believe that she is gone, and to be honest, I dont feel like that either (which is weird because when Jan the Boar died I cried my eyes out) I guess that blow will come when I have Yaya and Igor back with me... I don't know... I lost a little, yet significant part of me, she would always comfort me, but she is not there anymore.. Janneke From mfug at live.co.uk Tue Nov 3 14:28:28 2009 From: mfug at live.co.uk (M) Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 19:28:28 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] announcement; Ghirardelli Message-ID: A big welcome to Ghirardelli (boy did I have a tough time spelling that) we look forward to hearing all about you. M, Fugly + Spooky From mfug at live.co.uk Tue Nov 3 14:30:03 2009 From: mfug at live.co.uk (M) Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 19:30:03 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] announcement; New Piggyfriends Message-ID: Welcome Dorian and Pandora, we look forward to hearing all about you and we cant weight for pigtures. M, Fugly + Spooky From jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net Tue Nov 3 16:26:55 2009 From: jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net (ANDREW SILL) Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 13:26:55 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] Misc: Biff Message-ID: <279671.94506.qm@web80208.mail.mud.yahoo.com> hello everyone and every pig We took Biff to the vet yesterday at 415pm. We didnt even get to see the vet we wanted, as she was at the Zoo working on Monday. We had to see her assitant he is young.?At this point Biff has had?3??????doses of antibotics and?his?? eyes were way better and he was walking normal again. no circles.? He looked in his ears with a mini camra thingy that looked like a normal thing that you look in ears with,? but it showed what he was looking at on the tv! he said Biffs ears were very dirty! and said they do not clean guinea pigs ears as its way to delicate in there to mess with. ( I thought why then are you looking in there?) He then decided that I needed to keep him on the baby Ibrofin since that was the med I started him on at home. I said I did that to get him thru the nite with out pain and to get the swelling down in the ear. He said they dont like to change pain meds once they are started on a pig. I asked him about Rimadyl. He said that they use meloxicam as its is in liquid form and he said piggies do well with it.?I???thought no that isnt what Ann siad! so I figured they must not have the Rimadyl at that office.? He did give me more of the Sulfamethoxazole 48mg/ml?? he said to give Biff 0.65ml every 12 hours.. Again I question the dose as Ann said he was to get 0.5 ml? twice a day.?? I? really wished we had a good vet around here. SO those of you that do have good guinea vets you are truely blessed and give those vets a big hug! Very long story longer... Today Biff is feeling good.? He is walking fine again and his eyes are back to normal. Can a anitboitic work that fast? The vet wants me to give him this anitibotic for 4 weeks! that seems like a long time to me.? I feel more comfortable giving him the 0.5 ml twice a day like Ann suggested.? And Ann also said for 14 days. Again I will follow that instead of 4 weeks! Thanks again for all the emails of concern and ideas to help Biff. So glad he is feeling better already. I was just surprised and pleased on how fast he turned around. this is day 3 of anitboitics:) Thank you everyone, Jean & Andy and Biff! (from the misfits) From rzm.2 at verizon.net Tue Nov 3 17:53:33 2009 From: rzm.2 at verizon.net (Ronald Zimmerman) Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:53:33 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC- condolences Message-ID: My condolences on the loss of Suus & Guiny. I know they were very well loved. My thoughts & prayers are with you & your family. ~Jaime & Mimi~ ~Missing Albert, Molly, Radar & Daisy~ http://s652.photobucket.com/albums/uu246/chirpy123/ From rzm.2 at verizon.net Tue Nov 3 19:20:13 2009 From: rzm.2 at verizon.net (Ronald Zimmerman) Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:20:13 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC- welcome new additions Message-ID: Wow a lemon agouti. I'd like to see that. I'd never heard of agoutis before I got Mimi. Welcome to our 2 new friends! ~Jaime & Mimi~ ~Missing Albert, Molly, Radar & Daisy~ http://s652.photobucket.com/albums/uu246/chirpy123/ From calliope at geeksnet.com Tue Nov 3 21:01:41 2009 From: calliope at geeksnet.com (Cindy) Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:01:41 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] ANNOUNCEMENT: birthday wishes, Baby Truffles Message-ID: <4AF0E085.5050805@geeksnet.com> We would like to wish a very Happy 4th Birthday to Baby Truffles! Cindy, Tumbleweed, and Friday From warmbreath at comcast.net Tue Nov 3 23:00:38 2009 From: warmbreath at comcast.net (warmbreath at comcast.net) Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 20:00:38 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] Misc: Biff References: <279671.94506.qm@web80208.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: I am so glad Biff if doing so very well what a relief, I was loosing sleep. Let me try to get to all your questions Go on the internet and look up the medication and read how long it lasts, it may be stated as half life. I do know that often in my own meds I do better with half at a time as then if I am late or early it all smoothes out, even if the Doc says once a day, I look it up and if there is no contraindication, I split it. Look up the medication in guinealynx.info and see what it says for dosage, you will need to know Biffs weight and convert it to metric. Did the doc give you enough to last 4 wheeks at Ann's dosage? You need to know that a piggie ear infection is usually very hard to cure and it is the wise doc that prescribes 4 wheeks. Much pain and damage to my sinus' could have been avoided if just one doc in 3 years had given me a month of antibiotics at a time, the first one who did cured me finally. Also it took a larger than normal dose to clear me up. The late Manny the boar got a very hi dose of Azithromaz for his pneumonia. Also antibiotics are often started on a higher dose then reduced. Just check the dosage, make sure you have enough for the whole 4 wheeks and double check the dosage against piggies weight, maybe you gave Ann a different weight than the vet got when he weighed him, or if you didn't know his weight Ann may have used an average. Discuss it with her. Ann suggested a larger dose for a shorter time than the vet who went with a smaller dose for a longer time. I'm not going to check the dosage, you can do that easily enough, but my strong prejudice is always 4 wheeks for piggies. I wasn't sure from the way you wrote it if Ann's;s dosage was for once a day or if that amount was to be split into the 2 doses. If you are still unsure and Ann has left on vacation write me back. And as for could the antibiotic work that fast? the answer is unequivocal yes! Working that fast tells you that you have the right drug for the bacteria infecting Biff, and that his infection was not caused by a virus. Do not be tempted, as so many are, even in their own lives, to cut the dosage short as it takes a short time with the right drug to knock back an infection, but a very long time to get the most resistant of the bugs. Dont stop!!! That's why resistance to antibiotics are happening all over the world, people quit too soon and its the hardest to kill bacteria that hang around the longest. You are extremely fortunate to have had Ann and the drugs, had you waited to treat till you saw the doc it could take allot longer to get him fixed to the level he is now, why do illness' always seem to occur on wheekends!!! If he gets diarrhea from the antibiotic you can get him a probiotic, vets use Benebac, I go to the health food store and ask for the clerks help to get a refrigerated probiotic that has the most different types of probiotic bacteria in it. Be sure to check the expiration date. Also you can give mini doses of kaopectate help firm up poos, dont give any other drug like Pepto-Bismol or Imodium, very bad for piggies. If diarrhea gets bad call the vet. There is no reason you cant make a follow up appointment with the regular vet whenever you want, you might inquire if she knows how to clean ears. Since the other vet didn't know how, just thank God he didn't try anyway. As for his ear, egads!!! Did he say anything about just waiting till the infection was over? I suspect he has ear mites. Get him treatments with Ivermectin or Revolution in a couple wheeks, and repeat the dose in 7 to 10 days. Wait to clean the ears too, he has an ear infection now so it would hurt. You can try to loosen the wax with warm sterile saline administered gently with an ear syringe (about 105 deg F) (one of those big plastic bulbs) be very gentle esp at first. Then follow up gently with several Q-tips, dont use one in both ears. There are several sets of folds, clean them all but dont push the Q-tip in hard, just gently swab one area at a time, then turn the Q-tip or use a new one. I do this after a bath. the water and soap loosen up a lot of gunk, do it about once a month. If you have access to a microscope )ask your kids) you can smear the gunk on a slide and take a look at fairly low power, you may see eggs or mites, or mite parts. If so the Ivermectin or Revolution is necessary and after a couple of cleaning the ears will start to stay allot cleaner. If you dont have the patience to do this very slowly and carefully then dont do it. I usually find that black gunk is more likely to be mite excrement, and oranger is more likely to be just wax. But I have heard other opinions, others of you feel free to chime in. One person said she got black gunk out of her piggies black ear but not his white one. Lastly, the baby Ibuprofen will help keep his inflammation in check as well as help with the pain, keep it up and be sure to tempt him to eat right after, hay best but veggies are ok too, esp wet with warm water. Ann feels ibuprofen is better than metacam as it's harder to overdose and an overdose can cause big problems. From Glynis at garnay.com.au Tue Nov 3 23:18:34 2009 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 15:18:34 +1100 Subject: [Gpdd] Announcement: Jodie and Peaches Autumn Wishes Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF9232211B3@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW those pics Dee are just so sweeeeeeeet !! Tell the girls they make beautiful models :o) Love Glynis, Velvet and Onyx (in mem Sully and Duke) xxxx From Glynis at garnay.com.au Tue Nov 3 23:27:14 2009 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 15:27:14 +1100 Subject: [Gpdd] ANNOUNCEMENT: Birthday Wishes for Baby Truffles Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF9232211B4@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUUUUUUUUU HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUUUUUUUUUUUU HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR BABY TRUFFLESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU Heaps of wheeeeeeks and lots of loves from us all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx We know you were very spoilt by your lovely mummy and daddy slaves :o) Love Glynis, Velvet and Onyx (in mem Sully and Duke) xxxx From juwles at bigpond.com Wed Nov 4 05:37:33 2009 From: juwles at bigpond.com (Julie Juwles Johnson) Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 20:37:33 +1000 Subject: [Gpdd] ANNOUNCE New Piggyfriends In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Dear Penny I am delighted to say "welcome" to your new piggies! They are a couple of very lucky piggies, now part of the Piggyfriends clan. I hope all goes well, and really look forward to seeing some pigtures. I've never seen a lemon agouti, so am fascinated by the sound of her. Julie and her darling boys - Wheeky, Sooty, Snowdrop, Joey, Kimba, Treacle, Hugo, Honey & Hamish {remembering my darlings - Donald, Brandy, Archie, Dougall, Teddy & Muppet, forever in my heart and soul - desperately & despairingly missed) From piggyfriends at tesco.net Wed Nov 4 08:57:31 2009 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 13:57:31 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC Biff Message-ID: Jean and Andy, I am so glad that Biff is feeling better. I hesitate to recommend drugs when the names and the dosages can be so different between our countries but I always use Children's Ibuprofen Liquid for my piggies. In England this is known as Nurofen but it seems to be the same and very safe for piggies. For me the dose is 0.4ml twice daily but the strength may not be the same as yours. Typing personally, I can vouch for the fact that antibiotics can start to work very quickly. I have, in the past, suffered with bronchitis and after just one dose of erythromycin, I have begun to breathe more easily. I make sure to finish the course. I agree with Sandy about the little ears. It is much easier to clean out ears during a shampoo, when the wax softens. Clean out very carefully with a cotton bud and use a fresh one for each ear. I have always been nervous of poking in ears as they are so delicate but it needs to be done, especially on piggies that are prone to a wax build up. My Rodentologist uses a little device that looks like a narrow bent hairpin in a plastic handle to great effect. She is braver than I when it comes to ears. You can also soften the wax using a little warmed olive oil. Keeping up the regular Ivermectin regime keeps the ear mites at bay. I am eternally grateful to have my wonderful Rodentologists and before them a great vet, who all deserve hugs and I am glad that you have Ann's help even if your vet is not of the highest calibre. The trouble with vets is that they are often necessary to acquire the drugs and then you can ignore their advice. Love and hugs to Biff and all the Misfits. Penny and the Piggyfriends. From piggyfriends at tesco.net Wed Nov 4 08:58:48 2009 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 13:58:48 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC Thankyou Message-ID: <1D3E97A165494BB790B71E0FC0AB0234@inspiron1150> Hope, Halloween and Gingerbread Piggyfriend would like to say " Thank you very much " for their birthday wishes. Penny. From joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net Wed Nov 4 17:16:32 2009 From: joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net (GARY HESS) Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 14:16:32 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] MISC.: Welcome to Truffles! Message-ID: <61342.14641.qm@web81304.mail.mud.yahoo.com> How wonderful, Corrine, that you get to know Baby Truffles from her very first day. All piggies are special, but this one is especially special! We can't wait to hear more about her as her personality asserts itself. Smilingly, Joanie From joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net Wed Nov 4 17:19:02 2009 From: joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net (GARY HESS) Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 14:19:02 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] MISC.: Welcome to Dorian and Pandora Message-ID: <111719.70176.qm@web81303.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Now you two take very good of your slave. Keep her laughing and smiling as you have fun in your grand new home. I can't wait to get to know you both. And, Pandora, you don't need to be afraid. You are well loved. Joanie From joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net Wed Nov 4 17:21:21 2009 From: joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net (GARY HESS) Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 14:21:21 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] BEHAVIOR: Puff grooms in the shelter of my hand Message-ID: <761574.62228.qm@web81302.mail.mud.yahoo.com> That's right! I had my hand over her in her laudry basket dining area. She took refuge there and started to groom. The cuteness was almost unbearable!!! Thoroughly delighted, Joanie From jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net Wed Nov 4 19:07:57 2009 From: jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net (ANDREW SILL) Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 16:07:57 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] Health: Biff Message-ID: <304569.69720.qm@web80202.mail.mud.yahoo.com> I just reread what I wrote in my last digest on? the amount of Biffs meds the Vet wanted to give him. I had typed?? (Sulfamethoxazole 48mg/ml?? he said to give Biff 0.65ml every 12 hours).. Well I ment to write 6.5ml? not 0.65 .? sorry for the type error.. my fingers are not that great at times:)? my mind goes to fast I guess.? Well Biff is still doing great!? so nice to see the "Old Biff" back again. Just wanted to clear that up as I noticed my dumb typing error! and a big Happy Birthday to all the piggies I have missed wishing a happy birthday to! And a big welcome to all the new piggies! And a big hug to all the slaves and families that have lost a dear piggie to the bridge.? I keep you all in my thoughts and prayers. jean(misfits) From joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net Wed Nov 4 17:28:16 2009 From: joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net (GARY HESS) Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 14:28:16 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] RAINBOW BRIDGE: Suus and Guiny Message-ID: <428790.63720.qm@web81301.mail.mud.yahoo.com> I was really saddened to hear of these two lady pigs's departures. You're right; they're probably devising all kinds of playful schemes?in their?new home?and keeping both departed piggies and people in glee. Still, for us back here on the planet, it's hard to let go. It sounds like you got amazing closure though, which surely sweetens the bitterness. Thank you for your tribute to them. It was wonderful to learn about their unique characters. In sympathy, Joanie From jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net Wed Nov 4 21:12:02 2009 From: jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net (ANDREW SILL) Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 18:12:02 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] Health: Biff opps! Message-ID: <687192.95098.qm@web80204.mail.mud.yahoo.com> opps...?I guess?I was right the first time. It was 0.65ml. of sulfamethxazole. These new bifocals.. are a joke!! Dont worry Biff has been getting the correct amount, as the vet has it marked on the syringe. Silly blind slave Jean From oreochockc at yahoo.com Fri Nov 6 02:00:38 2009 From: oreochockc at yahoo.com (corrine sakumoto) Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 23:00:38 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH: Sparkles' progress Message-ID: <614968.58271.qm@web112619.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Hello everyone and everypig!? Sparkles saw the vet wednesday morning.? I wanted him to check her progress because the day before she had made some 'almost' pellets, but later, she made soft poo/smears.? He again looked at her poos and said that he didn't see any of that 'guardia' (sp?) so he knows that the panacur did its job.? Yesterday was day five of the panacur (the last dose) so he said to see how she is (we give the med after dinner) and if she still has soft poos after a couple of days to come back.? He thinks that she's just sensitive to the med.? Blossom and Baby Truffles seem okay with the med.? At this point, we're not sure what to do.? Sparkles is the one that has a heart problem so we're wondering if that has anything to do with anything. Michael said that if her soft poos continue, we should cut out her fresh foods.? You should have seen the look on Sparkles' face!!!? She's the spokespig and wheeks to everyone what's going on with their fresh food meals, so I find it difficult to not feed her any. After returning from the vet, she had some smears but then she made a pellet shaped soft poo. So far, she might make pellet shaped poos, but they've been soft. A lot of the time, she has 'smears' (soft poo with no form). Does anyone have any suggestions on what we could say to the vet? As mentioned before, he's the first to admit that he doesn't know that much about gp's and he doesn't know where to go from here. Thanks! Corrine and Michael From bunzella at yahoo.ca Fri Nov 6 13:06:59 2009 From: bunzella at yahoo.ca (pat schuett) Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 10:06:59 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow bridge: Suus and Guiny In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <935640.34397.qm@web113216.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> My heart really goes out to you and Janneke in this sad time. Suus and Guiny have been major characters on GPDD since I arrived here and we will all feel their loss. Thanks so much for taking the time to tell their stories, too --- I always feel that is an important part of the grieving process, and I love to hear their stories... Pat S. --- On Mon, 11/2/09, Mieke Staaks wrote: > From: Mieke Staaks > Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow bridge: Suus and Guiny > To: "GPDD" > Cc: "Janneke" > Received: Monday, November 2, 2009, 5:18 PM > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > The GPDD moderators frequently reject messages that do not > follow > these guidelines: > A lack of a Topic label is the most common reason for > message rejection. Please use a Topic Label (HEALTH, CARE, > ANNOUNCEMENT, BEHAVIOR, RESCUE, BREEDING, SILLY, PIGLETS, > MISC.? or VIRTUAL) and descriptive subject. More > information on Topic use, post restrictions and permissions > can be found at http://www.gpdd.org/topics.html > > Postings to the digest must conform to the rules stated at > http://www.gpdd.org/guidelines.html > > Please consult the GPDD FAQ at http://www.gpdd.org/faq.html for > a list of commonly asked questions. > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > Other GPDD-affiliated sites: > > The Guinea Pigs' Rainbow Bridge, dedicated to the memories > of piggies past http://www.guineapigsrainbow.org > --------------------------------------- > Piggie bladderstone informational resources and mailing > list: > http://www.gpigs-database.org > --------------------------------------- > All material posted is copyright The Guinea Pigs' Daily > Digest, and may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any > media - printed or electronic - without written permission > of the administrators.Hi fellow > guinea pig lovers, > > It is with a very sad heart that i have to let you know, my > oldy Guiny and > my sister Janneke's Suus went over the bridge. > > I am currently pig sitting Janneke's piggies. We noticed > that Suus was a bit > quiet and did not eat her chicory very well. > On saturday evening the 24th of october, I was going to > clean the cages, and > we noticed Suus was weak. > She was breathing heavily and did not respond very much to > her surroundings. > > We thought it might be gas so gave her some medicine for > that and we tried > to syringe feed her some Critical care. > She might have swallowed some of the first CC, but did not > do that for the > second feeding. > So all signs went red for us, having experienced this with > Toby. Though she > did not seem in such a bad condition, as when Toby died. > I called the vet (they have an evening an weekend emergency > phone number), > and had to convince the vet to let us come over. > The vet said I did a good thing by bringing Suus to her. > She took her in and > Suus stayed overnight. > The vet heard fluids on her lungs, which according to her > could be either > lung troubles or heart problems. > They gave Suus some antibiotics and something to get rid of > the fluids, Suus > was having trouble breathing and was put in an oxygen pen. > Unfortunately she did not make it to the next morning. > I felt very bad, but was told by vet this was the best I > could have done for > Suus. > I have known Suus since she was a little girl, she has > lived together with > my girls Lotje and Guiny. > So it felt and still feels like losing one of my own. > > Then 2 days later, on the 27th of October, Guiny left us > for the bridge. > I have to say she was already 5,5 years old, and she was > slowly loosing > weight. > But until half an hour before she died she was still eating > and active and > seemed happy. > My boyfriend Erwin went to give all the piggies, I had 6 > then: My Guiny, > Dunya, Woopy and Chico, > and Janneke's Igor and Yaya, their evening veggies. > He noticed at once though Guiny came to get her carrot, > that something was > wrong. > She had taken 2 bites and then left the carrot. > She was breathing heavily, and Erwin picked her up from the > cage. > We knew at once it was bad, having seen Suus get worse on > saturday. > I held her in my arms and told her it was okay to go. We > told her we loved > her, and I told her about the rainbow bridge. > I told her to say hi to Lotje, and tell Suus that we and > Janneke miss her. > and to say hi to all the other piggies. > I also told her she would hear perfectly again when she was > there (she was > hard hearing). > And told her Peter and Debbie would be there to take care > of her if she > needed it. > I also told her to teach the other piggies over the bridge > her smart tricks, > she was the one who know how to open a door, when it was > slightly open. > She once sat next to Lotje who was eating a carrot and > started gnawing the > carrot, right next to where Lotje was gnawing. > She eventually ran away with the biggest piece of the > carrot she had munched > her way through. > She was gone within half an hour... > I still feel sad about my precious lady Guinyvere leaving > us, but she had a > good and pretty long life with me and later with me and > Erwin. > Since she was gradually loosing weight this did not come > totally unexpected. > And I feel, eventhough i did not like loosing her, this was > the best way to > part with my precious girl. She knew she was loved, and we > had a chance to > tell her that and tried to comfort her and tell her it was > okay... > > We have buried them in my mom's garden last sunday. They > are buried > together, and near to where Lotje was buried. > > I'm sure the girls, will be partners in crime over the > bridge. I remember > the one time when i was going to eat a sandwich in the > living room. > The girls were having floortime, and I had to get > something, so i put my > sandwiches on the mattress that was on the floor. > When I did that I even thought 'I should not do this, but > hey I'll be back > really fast'. When I came back Suus and Guiny had stolen my > sandwich, > and were hiding under a chair, munching on my sandwich... > I will miss you girls!! > > Mikey, > and the remaining Winky girls: Dunya and Woopy > my valentine: Chico > And Janneke's piggies currently staying over: Yaya and > Igor. > -- > pandameisje at gmail.com > pandameisje at hotmail.com > > Blog: http://pandameisje.hyves.nl > Cavia website: www.guinygirlz.nl > kleding: http://mist-clothing.blogspot.com/ > > -----Inline Attachment Follows----- > > _______________________________________________ > Gpdd mailing list > Gpdd at gpdd.org > http://gpdd.org/mailman/listinfo/gpdd_gpdd.org > __________________________________________________________________ The new Internet Explorer? 8 - Faster, safer, easier. Optimized for Yahoo! Get it Now for Free! at http://downloads.yahoo.com/ca/internetexplorer/ From dukejan1 at aol.com Fri Nov 6 20:41:57 2009 From: dukejan1 at aol.com (dukejan1 at aol.com) Date: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:41:57 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge: Condolences on Guiny and Suus Message-ID: <8CC2D62A0369DE0-47B4-5128@webmail-m003.sysops.aol.com> Mieke and Janneke, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss, indeed a loss for the entire GPDD. The little girls were much loved and will truly be missed by all of us. Sincere sympathy, Janet, along with Isabel, Lily, and Luke From ebak at ca.inter.net Sat Nov 7 18:11:59 2009 From: ebak at ca.inter.net (Evelyn Baker) Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 18:11:59 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] [Health] Sparkles and soft poos Message-ID: <60F47D65-C31A-429E-A388-CCB1C98D89B2@ca.inter.net> I think as long is Sparkles is eating and drinking she's going to be okay. Often, guinea pigs have delicate digestive systems that need to recover after illness and medication. The fact that they are in pelleted form is a good sign. If you have Critical Care, you can sprinkle some on her food or make a paste from it to form a ball. Because she's willing to eat on her own and this is a wet food she might consider it a treat. My guinea pigs did and it's a good way to get her digestive system moving again. Is she getting hay? That will help. I also gave my guinea pigs plain yoghurt (unsweetened) with live culture. A couple of ccs with a syringe. They like it it and it also helps to make their poos firmer although dairy isn't neccessarily good for them it does help. Cutting down the lettuce a bit may help. Apple and carrot have pectin in them and can also help. Evelyn From joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net Sat Nov 7 18:37:20 2009 From: joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net (GARY HESS) Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 15:37:20 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH: Puff's hospitalized! Message-ID: <479542.50925.qm@web81305.mail.mud.yahoo.com> She was quiet this morning. Normally she's zooming and popcorning, and singing. She drank gallons. She ate, but in a subdued fashion, and would continue to chew long afterwards. She moved around and gave halfhearted attempts at cavorting. The vet I particularly respect was booked up for the day, but agreed to see her if I could leave her off so she could examine Puff between patients. I left a detailed history and included the plush tent and the fake ivy garland she'd munched. As it stands now she's getting fluids, Vitamin C, an abdominal xray, and who knows what else? Regardless of diagnosis, I'm going to ask that she be treated for E cuniculi, just in case. I sure hope I can keep her over the weekend. Her psychological wellbeing is a huge component for her getting better. It's going to be awful sleeping without her in the cage by my dresser. I'm really scared. Please pray and send your love to her and to me. Joanie From joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net Sun Nov 8 00:39:35 2009 From: joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net (GARY HESS) Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 21:39:35 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH: Puff's saga continues Message-ID: <214522.63120.qm@web81308.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Well, she does have several foreign bodies in her gut. The xrays were very clear (done, by the way, without anaesthesia). The foreign bodies are spread out, not clumped together, which is good, Droppings are still normal. The vet is nonetheless concerned. We're doing metacam, panacur, TMS, and simethecone, plus Critical Care. And prayers. ? Puff?didn't get home until around six o' clock and seemed completely out of it. We went and had dinner, and when we came back, she was out from hiding and was munching hay. She's talking to me again and has an occasional spring in her step. The pain meds might have something to do with that, plus the relief at being home again. ? Dr. Sanchez said one way to help with her feeding is to soak her greens for an hour or so. It makes them absorb more fluid. ? As an aside, she will be spaying a cougar tomorrow. ? Tomorrow I have a less daunting task, to devise a different bedding--Care Fresh, I'm guessing (newspaper derived). I hate giving up her fleece bedding, but there's no telling when the little imp will start eating that as well. And no more comfy flannel sleeping sacks. That's really sad, but is a whole lot better than no more Puff. ? I'll let you know how things go tomorrow. ? I'm tired. ? Joanie From jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net Sun Nov 8 12:07:35 2009 From: jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net (ANDREW SILL) Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 09:07:35 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] misc: PUFF Message-ID: <875103.65587.qm@web80207.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Dear Joanie, We are sending lots of healing weeeeeksss here from Misfitville! Sure hope little Puff is feeling better soon! She sounds like such a cute little guinea:)? Get well fast little Puff! Misfits From piggyfriends at tesco.net Sun Nov 8 13:38:37 2009 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 18:38:37 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH Puff Message-ID: <3C48F789A4D54E40B7CFF6945454E80F@inspiron1150> Joanie, We, at Piggyfriends, have all paws crossed for little Puff. I wonder how large those " foreign bodies " are and will they pass out along with the poos? TMS? Transcranial magnetic stimulation? Can't be! My son says Test Match Special ( cricket programme ). Another item lost in translation no doubt. Chewing her fleece bedding should not be detrimental to her well being as the gastric juices can dissolve that kind of thing. It is the plastic that is so dangerous as it can block those tiny insides or embed itself where it should not be. You could just use newspaper and hay for her bedding for the time being as she should be eating hay anyway and newspaper ( at least here in England ) is printed with non-toxic ink. Many of my piggies enjoy tearing their newspaper into either strips or confetti. Or making holes in it to run through. Very versatile stuff, newspaper. Sending all of our love to Puff. All the best. Penny and the Piggyfriends. From scalabro3 at cfl.rr.com Sun Nov 8 15:52:50 2009 From: scalabro3 at cfl.rr.com (scalabro3 at cfl.rr.com) Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 20:52:50 +0000 Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge: Condolences on Guiny and Suus Message-ID: <20091108205250.7AXU5.132809.root@cdptpa-web14-z01> Mieke and Janneke, I was so very sorry to hear of your loss of Guiny and Suus. They were beautiful piggies, and they will be missed. Thank you so much for posting their pigtures on the web and telling their stories. I wish that there were something that I could say or do to help you through your loss. With sympathy, ME in New Smyrna Beach From scalabro3 at cfl.rr.com Sun Nov 8 16:07:08 2009 From: scalabro3 at cfl.rr.com (scalabro3 at cfl.rr.com) Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 16:07:08 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] Health: Puff Message-ID: <20091108210708.IL7YJ.132914.root@cdptpa-web14-z01> Joanie, I?m so sorry to hear that Puff is having problems. I hope that she will be feeling better soon. It?s great that you got x-rays so you can see what the problem is. Once she is feeling better, please be sure to get follow up x-rays. We thought that our Dillon had passed his blockage a week before he died. If we hadn?t gotten follow up x-rays, we would have continued to treat the wrong problem (not eating) and ignored the real issue (the blockage). It?s good news that the foreign bodies were spread out. I hope that she will pass them soon with no problem. If you are switching to newspaper, we?ve been getting big rolls of 24? wide blank newspaper from a company called Uline.com. The 24? wide rolls are the most economical, and we run them through a shredder to make litter for our herd. It has really saved us a lot of money, and we don?t have to worry about what type of ink our local newspaper uses and how the paper is stored before it gets to us. If you?d like more information, please send me an email. I hope that your little Puff will be back to 100% soon. You deserve some good luck after all you?ve been through recently! Best wishes, ME in New Smyrna Beach From scalabro3 at cfl.rr.com Sun Nov 8 16:23:25 2009 From: scalabro3 at cfl.rr.com (scalabro3 at cfl.rr.com) Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 16:23:25 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] Announcement: Introducing Chakalaka! Message-ID: <20091108212325.4J2I9.133005.root@cdptpa-web14-z01> Thanks to all of you who emailed me about my little ?boy? piggie who turned out to be a girl, Ghirardelli. After checking around with local vets, we couldn?t find anyone who we felt comfortable enough to try spaying her, so we?ve decided to avoid surgery on her and instead have decided to try again to find Donovan a new little boy friend. So, we?ve adopted a cute little brown and white boy piggie (I checked before I took him home this time!) with little red eyes. We think that he will have long fur. He?s very vocal and active and he likes to bounce around his cage and eat treats. We hope that he will make Donovan happy?probably not as happy as giving him a little girl, but we already have five piggies in the house, so we really don?t need any more right now! I will probably posting again when I find a friend for little Ghirardelli. I hate to have a little piggie alone in his or her home, unless that is how he or she prefers to be. Chakalaka has another two weeks in quarantine before he gets to meet Donovan. Please keep your fingers and paws crossed that it goes as well as Puffball and Cocoa Puff?s introduction went! ME in New Smyrna Beach with Donovan, Puffball, Cocoa Puff, Ghirardelli, and Chakalaka with Dillon Forever in our Hearts From rzm.2 at verizon.net Sun Nov 8 19:54:34 2009 From: rzm.2 at verizon.net (Ronald Zimmerman) Date: Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:54:34 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH- Puff Message-ID: I'm so sorry Puffy is sick. =( I've been so busy with my little bunnie family I am behind on my e-mails. I hope everything will be ok & will keep you all in our thoughts & prayers. Mimi is not feeling well & will be going to the vet this week also. =( ~Jaime & Mimi~ ~Missing Albert, Molly, Radar & Daisy~ http://s652.photobucket.com/albums/uu246/chirpy123/ From dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com Sun Nov 8 18:18:26 2009 From: dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com (dogcatpiggymom at yahoo.com) Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 15:18:26 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge: Guiny & Suus Message-ID: <837784.24436.qm@web33101.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Dear Mieke & Janneke: I am so sorry to hear this sad news that you've lost both Guiny and Suus !! No matter how old they are, it's never enough time and their passing is always so difficult. I am thinking of you all. "Rest in Peace, Sweet Guiny!" "Rest in Peace, Sweet Suus!" You will be greatly missed. Hugs, Joanne Spicy, Merri, Macie, Teddy, Baci and Sweetie When you share your life with an animal companion, you are doubly blessed. - From joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net Sun Nov 8 19:14:36 2009 From: joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net (GARY HESS) Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 16:14:36 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH: More on Puff Message-ID: <514188.3617.qm@web81307.mail.mud.yahoo.com> This morning she was streaking around her cage, raising a ruckus. My son and I got most of her meds in her (some leakage occurred, and I can't seem to get Critical Care to flow smoothly through a syringe). I left for church in good spirits. This afternoon she's back in her hiding mode. To make matters worse, I had to give her a whole new bedding to get used to. Of course, she tried to eat the Carefresh bits. It really shook her up--the unsteady footing and foreign smell, and all of her cuddly toys gone. It sure made me sad to see her looking for something familiar when she's had enough stress already. But I noticed she went after a piece of tape on her carrier where she waits for her cage cleaning. And she went after the timothy hay woven table and anything else that caught her eye. It's as if she's looking for something lacking in her diet or in her chewing texture repertoire. I won't know how she's doing until she settles. Now I won't be able to keep an eye on her droppings either. I'm so frustrated, not with her, but with the situation. But, hey, she's still with us, even if she is scared and disgruntled. Joanie From warmbreath at comcast.net Sun Nov 8 15:22:37 2009 From: warmbreath at comcast.net (warmbreath at comcast.net) Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 12:22:37 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH Puff References: <3C48F789A4D54E40B7CFF6945454E80F@inspiron1150> Message-ID: Well, I use the Care Fresh house brand from Kroger, works great, the only thing is, like newspaper,Sammy thinks he has to taste it, his automatic thought process goes something like this, "Mommy won't dare put anything in here I wouldn't want to eat, therefore this must be food", if it isn't food I get the "look" even if he has ordered me to his cage side to clean it, (yes folks, he know how to communicate his every need, and woe be to me if I dont get it right) therefore I always put a few strands of hay in with the first handful of fake carefresh. In the US, we too have only vegetable inks, but I'm not sure of the shiny stuff, and it doesn't absorb water so it goes immediately into the recycle bin. Last I heard Carefresh a totally hypoallergenic product, its all white and quite a bit more expensive but very much hypo allergenic, I hope they still make it. I do use the little flannel squares doubled and sewed together with a blanket stitch.and the whole thing fold over and stitched with the end open to make it a tube, it goes under him in the pigloo. He doesn't eat flannel, but it is stitched so that no raw edges are presented. The cuddle cups or any thing else made with fake sheepskin, I dont use at all as they are actually very abrasive and rough and I wont use them for anything, not even slippers or people clothes. I believe it was once near enough to him that he reached out to nibble it and that closed the deal on it for me, I'm not sure at it's digestible, so I got rid of everything in the house that has it. As for human type house decorated, esp since we are entering the holiday season, we must resist the urge to decorate piggy houses for the season, even a number of seemingly natural berries are poison as well as Christmas trees. Best regards Sandy From Guineapigfilms at aol.com Sun Nov 8 22:45:09 2009 From: Guineapigfilms at aol.com (Guineapigfilms at aol.com) Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 22:45:09 EST Subject: [Gpdd] Health: Re: Puff's Saga Continues Message-ID: Dear Joanie, Oh, dear, poor little Puff! What an imp! And I'm so sorry to learn that her indiscriminate munchings have actually caused her some problems. She sounds like a real character, and I can tell that she's already got you wrapped around her little paw. I will pray for both of you, and hope that adorable little Puff's big spirit will help her overcome this illness. I'm so glad that the X-rays did not have to be done under general anaesthesia, and that the vet let you take Puff home. (She sounds like a very caring vet, by the way.) Our regular exotics vet was out of town when one of our piggies, Waldo, got really sick, and the replacement vet insisted on using general anaesthesia for X-rays. The X-rays showed nothing wrong, but little Waldo never really recovered from the anaesthesia, or from having to stay at the vet's without us. He died soon after we brought him home. So I am really encouraged that your vet seems so concerned about Puff, both her physical and emotional well-being. (((HUGS)))))xxxx Nancy http://www.carrotwars.com From Glynis at garnay.com.au Sun Nov 8 23:36:52 2009 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 15:36:52 +1100 Subject: [Gpdd] [ANNOUNCE] Condolences for Suus and Guiny Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF9232211D3@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> I really don't know where to start.....i've found this very hard to send a message for you both Mikey and Janneke...... M broke the sad news to me, i didn't really believe what i was seeing ....... NO WAY not Suus AND Guiny gone :o( To my darling friends Mikey and Janneke my heart goes out to you both :o( I so wish i was there to give you a hug and the girls send you lots of little kisses to their Aunties and cousins xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx RIP Suus and Guiny, run free at the bridge, popcorn and play together in the lush fields and meadows, now reunited with so many friends and family. I know of a little boy who would've been very happy to see you both, he loved you so much cause i was always talking about you to him, he loved his pressies you both sent at different times, one time you even left some hairs in there for him to sniff! ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))))) ))))))))))))))))))) and loads and loads of wheeeeeeeeks from us all, whee are so so sorry :o( Two little stars now twinkling in the sky ................ :o( :o( Love the sad, Glynis, Velvet and Onyx (in mem Sully and Duke) xxxx From elmga at hotmail.com Mon Nov 9 05:33:01 2009 From: elmga at hotmail.com (ellen garrison) Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 00:33:01 -1000 Subject: [Gpdd] GPDD (Rainbow Bridge) Dillon-condolences Message-ID: I am a bit late but my heart does go out to the family of Dillon. Loved your sweet words on the Gpdd. God bless little Dillon. Have fun at Rainbow Bridge. Love to all, Ellen and the 10 adventurous piggies with the even more adventurus bunny :) _________________________________________________________________ Windows 7: Unclutter your desktop. http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9690331&ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen:112009 From elmga at hotmail.com Mon Nov 9 05:59:25 2009 From: elmga at hotmail.com (ellen garrison) Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 00:59:25 -1000 Subject: [Gpdd] Gpdd: (Rainbow Bridge) Hope piggie Message-ID: Beki, Condolences to you, as I am sorry for your loss of Hope the piggie. It sounds like things are getting better with Faith. i hope you may be able to adopt another piggie to keep her (Faith) company. ~Ellen and 10 piggies and 1 bunny _________________________________________________________________ Windows 7: Unclutter your desktop. http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9690331&ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen:112009 From juwles at bigpond.com Mon Nov 9 07:50:16 2009 From: juwles at bigpond.com (Julie Juwles Johnson) Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 22:50:16 +1000 Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH: Puff's hospitalized! In-Reply-To: <479542.50925.qm@web81305.mail.mud.yahoo.com> References: <479542.50925.qm@web81305.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: Dear Joanie & Gary I am sending you lots & lots of prayers & hugs for the well being of your dear Puff. I hope the vet finds the problem and it's an easy thing to correct. I know how on edge you will be feeling not knowing about the diagnosis - and how lonely you will feel as well without having your baby close to hand. It's for a good cause though, if it means the vet can find out what's wrong with Puff. I'm also praying for your vet so that he may find the wisdom to diagnose Puff's problem and fix it. That vet is the most important "person" in your life at this moment isn't he? Hence.... lots of prayers for his guidance by our Lord. Love Julie & her precious babies From leah.mcneil at wachovia.com Mon Nov 9 09:44:30 2009 From: leah.mcneil at wachovia.com (leah.mcneil at wachovia.com) Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 09:44:30 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] Announce:Princess Snowflake & Bertie Pig's Halloween 2009 Website!! Message-ID: Hello Piggies & Slaves! Wheeee hope that you all had a Wonderful Hallowheeeen and that the piggies brought home lots of candy and treats. My piggies had a Blast this year! But, don't take my word for it, check out their website at: http://home.roadrunner.com/~lconsuela/Halloween2009.html HAPPY HALLOWHEEEEEEK!! Love 'n Wheeeeeps, Leah...Slave to Princess Snowflake & Bertie Pig :-) From mfug at live.co.uk Mon Nov 9 02:48:44 2009 From: mfug at live.co.uk (M) Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 07:48:44 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] health;Puff Message-ID: Joanie we are keeping you and Puff in our thoughts. Please keep us updated about your little girls progress M, Fugly + Spooky From warmbreath at comcast.net Mon Nov 9 06:50:23 2009 From: warmbreath at comcast.net (warmbreath at comcast.net) Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 03:50:23 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH Puff correct a typo References: <3C48F789A4D54E40B7CFF6945454E80F@inspiron1150> Message-ID: In the part of the posts about Puffs gut predicament we were discussing bedding alternatives. I meant to say that in addition to regular Carefresh there is a white hypoallergenic version as well, which might be helpful for some people or pigs with allergies. I left out a modifier which made it sound like all Carefresh is white hypoallergenic which of course is not the case. Sorry for any confusion Sandy and Sammy From warmbreath at comcast.net Mon Nov 9 07:20:57 2009 From: warmbreath at comcast.net (warmbreath at comcast.net) Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 04:20:57 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH: More on Puff and Alge too References: <514188.3617.qm@web81307.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <1EB7F163414F4DDEA4BEBF001CEB5ACD@SANDY> I'm very glad she is home with you, and feeling better. I just got back from being called to Sammy's cage for a mandatory cleaning. No kidding. He hated to be taken out and put in a furnished box for cage changing and now I just leave him in while I clean. He loves it. He supervises every piece of newspaper that's rolled up with hay and used carefresh, then he likewise supervises the placement of each fresh piece, and inspects the addition of every little thing. I goofed and put the hay in before Carefesh and he wheeked his outrage at the mistake. He popcorns everywhere, runs under pieces of newspaper and just has a ball. He settles in when everything is arranged to his satisfaction. I think he is packing to go back to the Black Pearl, the crew will be very short this wheek, as Agents F and I and their cousins are on emergency condolence leave at the death of their family members and fellow Black Pearl crew members, the treasured Suus and Guiney. Capn Jack and Barnacle Bill are seeing Alge off to the hospital. This is to be one of her treatment weeks where she has to make the long trek in every day for radiation and Chemo. The radiation burns, she says and she is very uncomfortable. Hopefully this is the last of these types of treatments and the tumors will be substantially shrunken or destroyed . So keep her in your thoughts and prayers this wheek, as well as Puff, and all out little sick ones. Sammy did say that some piggies in need of a sea going vacation would be welcome to cruise on the Black Pearl as a recuperative. Of course if they feel up to it they can take on some chores and even train to be crewmembers when they are well enough. He especially loves guests who like to fix dessert.----- Sandy and Shipwreck Sam From jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net Mon Nov 9 13:15:58 2009 From: jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net (ANDREW SILL) Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 10:15:58 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] Misc: Condolences for Guiny and Suus Message-ID: <852949.68231.qm@web80205.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Dearest Mieke, Janneke, and Erwin, So deeply sorry for your loss of your beloved Guiny and Suus. I must admit I cried when I read your 'story" of the girls. I think the part of them sneaking? your sandwich was so sweet! Such good memories you have of the girls. They will be greatly?missed on the GPDD.?I am sure they are munching away and having fun meeting up with all those that have passed on the rainbow bridge before them. Sincere sympathy, Jean & Andy (misfits) From jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net Mon Nov 9 13:17:07 2009 From: jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net (ANDREW SILL) Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 10:17:07 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] Misc: Sparkles Message-ID: <492722.90923.qm@web80206.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Little Sparkles we are sending lots of hugs and get well wishes from the misfits! Hope your feeling better today.! From jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net Mon Nov 9 13:18:34 2009 From: jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net (ANDREW SILL) Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 10:18:34 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] Misc: big welcome to Ghirardelli and Chakalaka Message-ID: <319832.47158.qm@web80204.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Hello and a very big welcome from the misfits to you both! We love your names indeed! Looking forward to hearing all about you both! Misfits From joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net Mon Nov 9 13:29:21 2009 From: joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net (GARY HESS) Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 10:29:21 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH: Puff, continued Message-ID: <21750.23461.qm@web81304.mail.mud.yahoo.com> I did something horrible last night. I was giving her simethecone and overdosed her by double. I'm not thinking straight these days--maybe post traumatic stress from losing Hershey combined with the latest health scare. She was doing fine this morning, albeit somewhat less raucous than usual. She's eating okay, though not ravenously. I really think the cage changes traumatized her, but I'm petrified that the other bedding might hurt her; I'm worried?to the point that I wouldn't be able to sleep for thinking about it. A wise suggestion was offered that she needs hard stuff to chew on. You should see how she's going at her cardboard tube! I'm afraid of wood, though. What about swallowing splinters that could perforate something? As you can see, I'm horrendously stressed and downright afraid. Augh! Joanie From warmbreath at comcast.net Mon Nov 9 16:11:50 2009 From: warmbreath at comcast.net (warmbreath at comcast.net) Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 13:11:50 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH: Puff, continued References: <21750.23461.qm@web81304.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: Joanie. Relax, Simethicone is one of the few drugs that an overdose wont bother. if its the kid's liquid with fake sugars in it, it could give her runny poops or gas, but it will be over in a flash If she has cardboard things to chew and play with she will be fine and adjust right in. just be sure you only give her straight simethicone, none that says also an anti-diarrheal drug, just simethicone, and she will be fine. Go read her my letter from early this morning about bedding and inviting piggies like her to go on a cruise on a pirate ship, she will enjoy the soothing sound of your voice and you can both relax, she needs that and so do you. Enjoy each other Sandy and Sammy, who promises not to make her walk the plank if she wants to visit the Black pearl. She can make reservations on PigAir, they have an exciting helicopter to ship drop off and after a nice cruise she will be much more relaxed. She can come home during the day and fly out at night when you sleep, great tonic. From scalabro3 at cfl.rr.com Mon Nov 9 20:13:25 2009 From: scalabro3 at cfl.rr.com (scalabro3 at cfl.rr.com) Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 20:13:25 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] Care: Can piggies eat sugar cane? Message-ID: <20091110011325.WLIRD.303341.root@cdptpa-web26-z01> Hi. Someone from my office gave me a five foot long piece of sugar cane. Is it OK to break off pieces for the piggies to eat. It looks like it's good fiber, but it may be too sweet. Thanks for your help! ME in New Smyrna Beach From Glynis at garnay.com.au Mon Nov 9 22:59:48 2009 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:59:48 +1100 Subject: [Gpdd] [HEALTH] Puffy Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF9232211E3@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> Oh dear little Puffy whee all hope you're nasty blockages pass thru quickly :o( Gentle loves, wheeeeeeks and nose rubs from us all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Gosh i bet you must be frustrated, not knowing whatelse to do for her........ I hope she doesn't find the taste for anything else out of the ordinary!! Loves Glynis, Velvet and Onyx (in mem Sully and Duke) xxxx From piggyfriends at tesco.net Tue Nov 10 08:37:06 2009 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:37:06 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC New Piggyfriends' pigtures Message-ID: Here they are at last - the new Piggyfriends' pigtures. I had hoped to take the little ones outside for a photoshoot, thereby avoiding the "red eye" but it has been so cold and wet here in England that all the piggies are staying indoors. You will have to use your imagination to turn their eyes black. Several of my piggies do have red eyes ( which I love ) but these two do not. Anyway, here they are. Dorian, the little boar, is first. He is a lovely boy who loves to be patted and picked up. http://s720.photobucket.com/albums/ww201/Piggyfriends/?action=view¤t=Dorian3.jpg And from the other side. http://s720.photobucket.com/albums/ww201/Piggyfriends/?action=view¤t=Dorian2.jpg Here is his sister, Pandora. She is a little scatty but will sit and be patted for as long as I can spare. She has moved into a group of big piggies, who must seem enormous to her but she has fitted in just fine. It was one of those " hello, let's eat" introductions. http://s720.photobucket.com/albums/ww201/Piggyfriends/?action=view¤t=Pandoraonsofa2.jpg And again. http://s720.photobucket.com/albums/ww201/Piggyfriends/?action=view¤t=Pandora4.jpg As I said before, she is nearly a lemon agouti but should not have the splashes of colour. She should have the ticked coat all over just like Jaime's Mimi. Here's hoping that Mimi is doing better and will not need the vet. Thank you to Mary Fran for the name suggestion. Several emails have been unexpectedly returned to me, days late, and my reply to you was one of them. I had thought of lots of " lemony" names but not your suggestion. I am saving that one for the future as I had already made out their name and index cards. I also took some photos of my younger boys, Polo and Copper as the previous pigtures are of them as babes. Copper really does have red eyes. http://s720.photobucket.com/albums/ww201/Piggyfriends/?action=view¤t=PoloandCopperarefriends.jpg http://s720.photobucket.com/albums/ww201/Piggyfriends/?action=view¤t=PoloclimbingonCoppertogetabettervie.jpg I do hope that these links work! Penny and the Piggyfriends. From piggyfriends at tesco.net Tue Nov 10 12:17:57 2009 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:17:57 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC Welcome Chakalaka Message-ID: We all want to say "Welcome" to new piggy, Chakalaka. We though that his name might be chocolate related like Ghirardelli but we Googled it and found it to be the name of a delicious sauce. Yum yum. We are so pleased that you decided against having Ghirardelli spayed and hope that you soon find her a new little friend. The Piggyfriends are always paired up or in groups so that they have friends to play with when I am at work. Good luck with the introductions. Hugs all round. Penny and the Piggyfriends. P.S. We can't help with the sugar cane problem. Gut feelings are that, despite the fibre, anything with sugar would not be good for piggies but sugar cane is not something that we see in England. Too damn cold. From jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net Tue Nov 10 16:39:13 2009 From: jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net (ANDREW SILL) Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:39:13 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] Misc: Penny's cuties! Message-ID: <371105.2129.qm@web80207.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Awww Penny those pigtures are just to perfect! thanks so much for sharing:) we really enjoyed seeing them:) Misfits From joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net Tue Nov 10 19:01:57 2009 From: joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net (GARY HESS) Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:01:57 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] CARE: A hanging tunnel for Puff Message-ID: <288745.33598.qm@web81307.mail.mud.yahoo.com> In her old cage set up she had a nylon tunnel that hung from the ceiling. I'd like to make her a cardboard one, but can't figure out a safe way to mount it. Any suggestions? I'm afraid of oil or zinc on metal wires or rods, and I could braid plain cotton string or cotton yarn and use it, but it seems as if it could cause a blockage as well. I guess I need suggestions on how to safely jazz up her cage. We're both pretty subdued today, but she's running out of her tube to visit whenever I enter the room, so we're engaging each other off and on all day. She's eating well, as far as I can see. If only I could see her droppings, I'd feel a lot better. Joanie From joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net Tue Nov 10 19:04:55 2009 From: joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net (GARY HESS) Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:04:55 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] CARE: bedding Message-ID: <666368.19513.qm@web81306.mail.mud.yahoo.com> I'm hoping I can get some more input on the safety of fleece bedding for a munchy pig. I really want to get?Puff back onto fleece, but am overwhelmed with worry at the prospect. What do you all think? Has anyone had a piggie take a chomp of it and survive? I'm frazzled. Can you tell? Joanie ? From ebak at ca.inter.net Tue Nov 10 21:16:17 2009 From: ebak at ca.inter.net (Evelyn Baker) Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:16:17 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] [Care] Can Guinea pigs eat Sugar Cane Message-ID: I don't recommend giving your guinea pig sugar cane. Guinea pigs can get diabetes from foods high in sugars which can cause secondary complications like kidney disease and cataracts as well as bladder infections. Too much corn or other sweet foods like fruits and carrots can contribute. I'm sure your guinea pig would love it but too much would not be good for it. Evelyn From warmbreath at comcast.net Tue Nov 10 21:19:40 2009 From: warmbreath at comcast.net (warmbreath at comcast.net) Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:19:40 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] Care: Can piggies eat sugar cane? References: <20091110011325.WLIRD.303341.root@cdptpa-web26-z01> Message-ID: <2671AC2723774F438631B8EDCBFEE6E9@SANDY> way too sweet most piggies actually prefer bitter tastes and the sugar is horrible on their gut flora, Sandy From Glynis at garnay.com.au Tue Nov 10 23:54:11 2009 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:54:11 +1100 Subject: [Gpdd] [VIRTUAL] Sailing Duties - Dessert Making Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF9232211FD@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> Dear Shipwreck Sam, Captn Jack and Barnacle Bill, Whee would love to come on board the Black Pearl, our mummy will send us with lots of cook books and some special tins etc... Whee are not ill at all so whee could help with anybody who's feeling not too good and do their chores instead :o) Wheeks Velvet and Onyx xxxx From Glynis at garnay.com.au Tue Nov 10 23:50:53 2009 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:50:53 +1100 Subject: [Gpdd] [HEALTH] Alge going to hospital Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF9232211FC@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> Dear Alge whee are sending you many many hugs, loves and wheeeeeeeeeeks whee hope your hospital stay is expedient and the treatment knocks that rotten cancer on the head once and for all !!!!!!!!!!!! Whee thinking of you everyday take care, Love Glynis, Velvet and Onyx (in mem Sully and Duke) xxxx From Glynis at garnay.com.au Wed Nov 11 00:00:12 2009 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:00:12 +1100 Subject: [Gpdd] [ANNOUNCE] Welcome new PiggyFriends Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF923221200@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> WELCOMES to our newest PiggyFriends Dorian and Pandora, such a pretty name and such a strong boys name!!! You are soooo lucky to have joined the PF's they've got the loveliest mummy slave and family and you'll have so many friends to play with! Love Glynis, Velvet and Onyx (in mem Sully and Duke) xxxx From Glynis at garnay.com.au Tue Nov 10 23:56:55 2009 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:56:55 +1100 Subject: [Gpdd] [ANNOUNCE] Welcome new friends Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF9232211FF@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> WELCOMES to Ghirardelli and Chakalaka wheeeeeek so happy you've joined the gpdd :o) Love Glynis, Velvet and Onyx (in mem Sully and Duke) xxxx From Glynis at garnay.com.au Tue Nov 10 23:55:37 2009 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:55:37 +1100 Subject: [Gpdd] [HEALTH] Sparkles Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF9232211FE@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> Hope you're feeling much better Sparkles whee are crossing all paws, claws and fingers that you'll be well again and able to join us all on our adventures. Heaps of healing wheeeeeeeeks and nose rubs to you, Love Glynis, Velvet and Onyx (in mem Sully and Duke) xxxx From joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net Wed Nov 11 01:17:09 2009 From: joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net (GARY HESS) Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:17:09 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH: Is trimethsulfa (tribrissen) an antibiotic? Message-ID: <837040.96435.qm@web81303.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Puff's been on this drug since Saturday. My husband asked what it was for, and I couldn't answer him. The sulfa part sounds antibiotic-ish.?Since there was no evidence of an infection, should she even be on this drug? I'd like to find out by tomorrow morning, as I'll probably discontinue it in the absence of any evidence of infection. The less the better. She still has a couple days of metacam left. ? This is the first day since Saturday that she's been herself. I don't want to quit anything that might be helping her, but I don't want to mess up her gut with unnecessary drugs. ? Thanks, everyone, for all the advice and heartfelt concern. I couldn't go through this again without every one of you. ? Joanie From mfug at live.co.uk Wed Nov 11 02:49:04 2009 From: mfug at live.co.uk (M) Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:49:04 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] Health; Mimi Message-ID: Jaime we hope Mimi gets on OK at the vets we are sending her big hugs and snuggles M, Fugly + Spooky From mfug at live.co.uk Wed Nov 11 02:50:10 2009 From: mfug at live.co.uk (M) Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:50:10 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] Announcement; Chakalaka Message-ID: A big welcome to Chakalaka (we hope we spelt that right) we look forward to hearing more about you and your new family M, Fugly + Spooky From mfug at live.co.uk Wed Nov 11 02:53:24 2009 From: mfug at live.co.uk (M) Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:53:24 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] Health; Puff Message-ID: Hi Joanie, I assume you are looking for things that Puff can chew to keep her teeth worn down, the best things are lots of hay and maybe some grass. Pet shops often sell chew blocks, sticks etc for piggies to chew, whenever I have bought them Fugly made a point of ignoring them. I think it might be the piggyfriends who enjoy an apple stick to chew (I could be wrong) We send Puff all the best and hope that she is back from the vets and home with you now. M, Fugly + Spooky From mfug at live.co.uk Wed Nov 11 02:58:03 2009 From: mfug at live.co.uk (M) Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:58:03 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] Health; Spooky Message-ID: Spooky is concerning me, he is a very messy drinker he attacks the water bottle and then afterwards he quiet often has a little coughing fit, he has also had a few coughing fits after eating not as often as after drinking. I have checked him out, chest sounds fine, he is running around eating, drinking and steadily gaining weight. I think he is eating/drinking too fast and maybe it goes the wrong way making him cough. Any ideas how I can help him or does he just need to learn to slow down? Thanks M + Fugly (who is fed up with all that coughing in his ear drama queen) From piggyfriends at tesco.net Wed Nov 11 12:27:01 2009 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:27:01 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH: Is trimethsulfa (tribrissen) an antibiotic? References: <837040.96435.qm@web81303.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: Short answer. Yes, this is an anitbiotic. Here is some info. http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_trimethoprim_sulfa.html Penny. Puff's been on this drug since Saturday. My husband asked what it was for, and I couldn't answer him. The sulfa part sounds antibiotic-ish. Since there was no evidence of an infection, should she even be on this drug? I'd like to find out by tomorrow morning, as I'll probably discontinue it in the absence of any evidence of infection. The less the better. She still has a couple days of metacam left. This is the first day since Saturday that she's been herself. I don't want to quit anything that might be helping her, but I don't want to mess up her gut with unnecessary drugs. Thanks, everyone, for all the advice and heartfelt concern. I couldn't go through this again without every one of you. Joanie -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > _______________________________________________ > Gpdd mailing list > Gpdd at gpdd.org > http://gpdd.org/mailman/listinfo/gpdd_gpdd.org > From jocelynm at umich.edu Wed Nov 11 12:54:10 2009 From: jocelynm at umich.edu (Anderson, Jocelyn M) Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:54:10 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] [MISC] Piggyfriends' pigtures Message-ID: <3AF9B038A6B07641B36C799ED4EBB0D704CD60ECC6@ITCS-ECLS-1-VS3.adsroot.itcs.umich.edu> Penny and the Piggyfriends, What pretty lady pigs and handsome piggy lads! The last picture of Polo made me laugh. He looks huge! Thanks so much for sharing! Jocelyn, Flashbang Fatbottom, Edgeworth, and Benito From aliciavanmaanen at hotmail.com Wed Nov 11 13:10:26 2009 From: aliciavanmaanen at hotmail.com (Alicia VanMaanen) Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:10:26 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] Announcement: Deadline fast approching for secret santa exchange In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: > Hey Everyone, I know it is November already, and I wanted to let everyone > know that it's not too later to to participate in our annual digest holiday > gift exchange for Christmas. I would be more than happy to once again work > on this as I love too do that part in it. For those of you that are new to > the digest let me explain what this is a little bit. IF YOU WISH TO > PARTICIPATE PLEASE EMAIL MY NO LATER THAN NOVEMBER 20 FOR GIFT EXCHANGE, SO > THAT I CAN MATCH YOU UP WITH SOMEONE BEFORE THANKSGIVING AND WILL HAVE TIME > TO GET YOUR GIFTS MAILED OUT. I WILL ACCEPT ALL FOR CARD EXCHANGE UNTIL > DECEMBER 1ST AND THAN SEND EVERYONE AN EMAIL IN THAT CATEGORY WITH YOUR > MATCH. > Every year we offer a holiday gift or card exchange with other members of > the digest. You can choose to participate in either or both aspects of the > exchange. In both you would be given the name of another guinea pig(s) if > you wish to do all your piggies together and a slave. If you are > participating in the gift exchange you would than get some type of gift for > the slave's pig(s) that you were assigned and mail it to them for a > christmas gift. YOu are also welcome to include soemthing special in their > for the slvae. As for the price of the gift that is up to you as to how much > you can honestly afford to spend on a gift. I've had various gifts over the > years from handmade gifts/treats for me and my piggies to store bought > treats. But the minimum is usualy about $10 from what most people spend on a > total gift I'd guess. THis is a fun event and everyone loves to participate > adn get gifts in the mail and than post on the digest a thank you afterwards > so that everyone knows you received your gift. > So if you are interested please feel free to email me at > guineapiglover2009 at hotmail.com > > Please include the following information in your email: > Slave NameSlave Mailing AddressSlave EmailPig(s) participating and if more > than one piggie are they participating as a group or an individualAny other > important information I you might want another slave to be aware of about > you or your pig(s) > > Thanks everyone and look forward to hearing from everyone! > Many Wheeks,Alicia slave to Dodger & Beau _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141665/direct/01/ From joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net Wed Nov 11 12:59:26 2009 From: joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net (GARY HESS) Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:59:26 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH: antibiotics Message-ID: <481692.67086.qm@web81308.mail.mud.yahoo.com> It just now occurred to me that the sulfa drug the vet prescribed?might have been?for e cuniculi, as I'd asked her to treat it. I'll continue administering it until I hear from one of you experienced piggie pals. Joanie From piggyfriends at tesco.net Wed Nov 11 13:06:29 2009 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:06:29 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH Apple sticks Message-ID: You are right M. Whenever I prune apple trees, I bring home branches for the piggies. Not everypig is interested but enough of them have a gnaw to make it worthwhile. My mice enjoy a twig or two as well. My herd have cardboard wine boxes ( the kind that hold 6 bottles ) to sleep in/hide in/climb on and many of the piggies enjoy tearing windows in the sides. Penny. From mfug at live.co.uk Wed Nov 11 13:40:44 2009 From: mfug at live.co.uk (M) Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:40:44 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] announcement; Leahs website Message-ID: Gorgeous as usual Leah and you didnt keep us waiting too long this time LOL M, Fugly + Spooky From Mijpaul at aol.com Wed Nov 11 15:24:15 2009 From: Mijpaul at aol.com (Mijpaul at aol.com) Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:24:15 EST Subject: [Gpdd] In response to the below email Message-ID: Message: 4 Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:04:55 -0800 (PST) From: GARY HESS Subject: [Gpdd] CARE: bedding To: gpdd at gpdd.org Message-ID: <666368.19513.qm at web81306.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" I'm hoping I can get some more input on the safety of fleece bedding for a munchy pig. I really want to get?Puff back onto fleece, but am overwhelmed with worry at the prospect. What do you all think? Has anyone had a piggie take a chomp of it and survive? I'm frazzled. Can you tell? Joanie Hi...My name is Cheryl and I have an Abyssinian Guinea Pig, named Henry...his cage bedding are bath towels , it works real well for him....I do change and wipe out his cage everyday , and have to wash the towels once a week, but it works real well...Henry loves his clean towels and popcorns all over his cage when I clean it, its really cute too~~!!! The only draw back is he does pull on the threads and eats them, but the vets say its ok, it will pass right threw him...Henry is over year old and very happy with his bedding I use...I use small hand towels also in his cage and he drags them around like his little " blankie " and lay them where he wants to lay down at, he uses them like a pillow , its really cute too.... I have a friend who uses flannel in her guinea pig cages and she has 4- 5 cages...before you use the flannel you need to wash it a few times, so that it will " Wick " the moisture away into the material...She swears to it as safe bedding for her guinea pigs... I guess you can try and see if it works for you...But, I will never go back to litter for Henry's cage, I'm very happy using the towels... Good luck... Cheryl From calliope at geeksnet.com Wed Nov 11 16:25:04 2009 From: calliope at geeksnet.com (Cindy) Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:25:04 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] RAINBOW BRIDGE: very belated condolences, Dillon Message-ID: <4AFB2BB0.8090405@geeksnet.com> ME, Donovan, Puffball, and Cocoa Puff, we were so hoping that Dillon would be able to pull through his teeth and respiratory problems and the sores in his mouth, and it was with much sadness that we read of his passing. What a shock to learn that he had a massive bowel obstruction, which the vet had not realized. We are so very sorry that this happened. Please don't blame yourself. You did everything you could for him, including hand-feeding him pellets and Critical Care and making sure he got fluids. We know he had no doubt you loved him. Our Tumbleweed had dental surgery last year (a tooth removed) under anesthesia, so we aren't necessarily sure that the anesthesia Dillon had was what led to the obstruction. In any case, you were doing your best, and that's all any of us can do. Thank you for sharing some of your memories of him, such as how he and his brother, Donovan, would bang their bowls together to ask for food in the morning and how you were able to hold and talk with Dillon before he passed away and tell him of the people and animals who would meet him when he made his final journey -- so touching. Please accept our belated condolences on his passing. We also send best wishes to Donovan. Our thoughts and prayers are with all sick piggies and their families. Sadly, Cindy, Tumbleweed, and Friday From calliope at geeksnet.com Wed Nov 11 16:27:31 2009 From: calliope at geeksnet.com (Cindy) Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:27:31 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] RAINBOW BRIDGE: condolences, Suus and Guiny Message-ID: <4AFB2C43.80509@geeksnet.com> Mikey, Janneke, Dunya, Woopy, Chico, Yaya, and Igor, please accept our condolences on the passings of Suus and Guiny. We are so very sorry that Suus suddenly became weak and unresponsive; it's good you called the vet so quickly and that she was available on a Saturday evening. However, we are sad that Suus had fluid on her lungs and that despite the vet's keeping Suus overnight in an oxygen tent, she did not make it until morning. Mikey, please know that you certainly did all you could for her and reacted as quickly as you could. How sad, too, that Guiny then left for the Bridge two days later. We know just what you mean when you say that from the way she took her carrot, you knew something was wrong. It is good, though, that she was five and a half years old, although of course we are never ready to see our piggies leave us, and that she was active and happy until the end. How touching that you were able to hold Guiny and tell her of who she would meet and see again at the Bridge and that she would be able to hear perfectly there. Thank you, too, for sharing your memory of how the girls once stole your sandwich. Janneke, thank you for the story of how Guiny enjoyed watching you belly dance and how she liked Shakira's music. How wonderful, too, that your friend gave you Suus because she thought you were destined to be together. Very sweet and smart of Suus to comfort you after you had broken up with an abusive boyfriend. Guiny and Suus were such lucky girls to know both of you, Mikey and Janneke, and to be so beloved. Our thoughts and prayers are with all sick piggies and their families. Sadly, Cindy, Tumbleweed, and Friday From calliope at geeksnet.com Wed Nov 11 16:21:10 2009 From: calliope at geeksnet.com (Cindy) Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:21:10 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] RAINBOW BRIDGE: very belated condolences, Mercy Message-ID: <4AFB2AC6.5060107@geeksnet.com> Ellen, we are so very sorry that we haven't written sooner to send our condolences on Mercy's passing. We were just so sad that he was at the Humane Society, where he should have been safe, and yet he was so sick and alone. Our hearts went out to both of you as we read your story of adopting him, seeing how ill he was, and doing all of your best to get him well. It was so touching to read of how you cleaned him up and trimmed his nails, and our hearts broke when you said, "He seemed grateful someone took notice." We had so hoped that the Critical Care, probiotic, Pedialyte, and everything else you were doing would bring him back to health, and we were so pleased when he dug into his cucumber. Then came the posting we'd dreaded, that he had had to be helped to the Bridge because of his severe malocclusion and other problems. Please know, though, that he was so lucky to know your love in his last two days and to pass to the Bridge with memories of you to help guide him there. Perhaps, when you feel up to it, you could put together some information on piggies and take it to your local Humane Society, or maybe ask them to call you when they get any piggies in. Thanks for all of your hard work to help your sweet Mercy. We send our condolences on his passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with all sick piggies and their families. Sadly, Cindy, Tumbleweed, and Friday From calliope at geeksnet.com Wed Nov 11 16:22:26 2009 From: calliope at geeksnet.com (Cindy) Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:22:26 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] RAINBOW BRIDGE: very belated condolences, Chelito Message-ID: <4AFB2B12.9060908@geeksnet.com> Audrey and Gordon, please pass along to Ricki and Bill our belated condolences on their Chelito's passing. We are so very sorry to read that he had to be helped to the Bridge due to teeth and eye problems. We know how difficult it was for Ricki and Bill to take Chelito to three different vets, including one who had seen other Digest piggies, and yet to see him continue to go downhill. We hope they will find comfort in knowing they did all their best for him, including syringing medicine, food, and water to him several times a day. Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, we just can't pull our piggies back from the Bridge. The important thing, though, is that Chelito knew how very much he was loved. He was a lucky boy. We also send condolences to you and Gordon. Our thoughts and prayers are with all sick piggies and their families. Sadly, Cindy, Tumbleweed, and Friday From oreochockc at yahoo.com Thu Nov 12 00:25:52 2009 From: oreochockc at yahoo.com (corrine sakumoto) Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:25:52 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH: Baby Truffles has a respiratory problem Message-ID: <425977.11803.qm@web112615.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Hello everyone and everypig!? Late Sunday night, we heard a strange sound.? Turns out, Baby Truffles was breathing funny.? She seemed okay after a few minutes.? Then Monday morning, we heard it again.? You could only hear it when the room was very, very quiet.? So I quickly called the vet and they managed to see her within a of couple hours.? The vet said her lungs were clear but he could hear her labored breathing.? So he prescribed sulfatrim twice a day.? He said it's contagious so he also put her mompig, Blossom, on it.? We're wondering if their playmate, Sparkles, should also be put on the antibiotic?? Sparkles has her own pen, right next to theirs, seems fine for now and we don't want to 'overdrug' her, so we were just wondering. Michael heard a light 'clicking' sound when he listened to Baby Truffles' lungs that monday morning.? He said, according to Peter Gurney's book, that means we caught it early.? We hope so! Oh, does anyone know what to do when a piggie has dry skin?? Blossom seems to have dry skin.? She had some hair loss but it's growing back rather sparsely and slowly.? She had been treated with ivermectin and panacur for any bugs she might have had.? Just wondering if dry skin could be a result of the medications. Thanks!! Corrine and Michael From jocelynm at umich.edu Thu Nov 12 09:21:24 2009 From: jocelynm at umich.edu (Anderson, Jocelyn M) Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:21:24 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] [MISC] Princess Snowflake & Bertie Pig's Halloween Site Message-ID: <3AF9B038A6B07641B36C799ED4EBB0D704CD60ECCB@ITCS-ECLS-1-VS3.adsroot.itcs.umich.edu> Hi Leah, Very cute! I love seeing Princess Snowflake and Berite's Pig festive pictures when a holiday comes around. What good piggies to pose for their photo shoot! Jocelyn, Flashbang Fatbottom, Edgeworth, and Benito From piggyfriends at tesco.net Thu Nov 12 13:35:51 2009 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:35:51 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] Leah's Halloween pigtures Message-ID: <7FC031DA030E4BFBBC26BFD67946EFA3@inspiron1150> We all enjoyed seeing Princess Snowflake and Bertie Pig celebrate Halloween. Lovely piggies. Thanks Leah. Penny and the Piggyfriends. From pandameisje at gmail.com Thu Nov 12 16:22:54 2009 From: pandameisje at gmail.com (Mieke Staaks) Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:22:54 +0100 Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbowbridge: Kirsten of the Crittercrew Message-ID: Dear all, I seem to be the messenger of sad news lately. I send a message via twitter to Kirsten of the Crittercrew asking her how she was doing. I had not heard from her for quite a while, and was wondering if she was okay. I received a message from her spouse, telling me that Kirsten had passed away in September. He told me she would have appreciated me asking about her. Kirsten, I knew was ill, but did not realize she was doing that bad. This came as quite a shock to me. I don't know the specifics, but don't want to bother her spouse, who I do not know at all, with these questions. I believe she had a form of cancer. Kirsten was the owner of the Crittercrew: Oreo Cookie Monster, L'il Miz Moppit, Tribble, Smidge, Buddha Bandit Bear, Chetters & Jesse She will be missed! Sadly, Mikey and the Winky girls: Dunya and Woopy and my valentine: Chico -- pandameisje at gmail.com pandameisje at hotmail.com Blog: http://pandameisje.hyves.nl Cavia website: www.guinygirlz.nl kleding: http://mist-clothing.blogspot.com/ From Guineapigfilms at aol.com Thu Nov 12 18:46:59 2009 From: Guineapigfilms at aol.com (Guineapigfilms at aol.com) Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:46:59 EST Subject: [Gpdd] Announcement: Re: Princess Snowflake & Berie Pig's Halloween 2009 Website!! Message-ID: Oh, Leah! Princess Snowflake and Bertie Pig's Halloween website is boo-tiful!? ;-) And they are hauntingly boo-tiful little piggies, too! Love and Wheeeeeeeeeps, Nancy & Alyssa (& Otto, the very vocal guinea pig) http://www.carrotwars.com From warmbreath at comcast.net Thu Nov 12 18:49:45 2009 From: warmbreath at comcast.net (warmbreath at comcast.net) Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:49:45 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] Health; Spooky References: Message-ID: <42C22306EDCA4294ADF152F261CECA78@SANDY> I would guess it would be a good idea to get the vet to check him out with a lighted scope and get a good idea if his teeth or any other part of his anatomy is inflamed, swollen, or malformed so that he can't drink smoothly. I know you are very experienced but do be sure to tell the vet if this is new or coming on slowly or fast and just how it came on and rule out if it's dangerous or just sloppy manners, he could rule out a growth or inflammation, good luck Sandy and Sammy From rzm.2 at verizon.net Thu Nov 12 21:59:07 2009 From: rzm.2 at verizon.net (Ronald Zimmerman) Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:59:07 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH- Mimi's vet visit Message-ID: <6C2D33E6737148B097685C32B1BDD082@chirpyPC> Well, Mimi went to the vet today. I felt sooo stupid! It turns out the mat is her grease gland is all gunked up. I thought only males had a grease gland. Duh! The bump I felt under it is her tail bone. Boy did I look like an idiot. She did get x-rays & a complete checkup & she has no stones & everything looks healthy. I wanted them to check for stones because every now & then her poos are weird & she will whimper a little. She has been like that since we got her & she can go for weeks & be fine & then she'll have a day or two when her poos are weird. By weird I mean some are big, some are small, & sometimes she will cry a little when she goes. Then she'll be fine again for awhile. I think she's the only guinea pig I know with irritable bowel syndrome! I can sympathize! So that was her visit. I will wash the gland over the weekend, she's been thru enough trauma for one day! I'm getting "the look". =( Thanks to everyone for their well wishes. ~Jaime & Mimi~ ~Missing Albert, Molly, Radar & Daisy~ http://s652.photobucket.com/albums/uu246/chirpy123/ From rzm.2 at verizon.net Thu Nov 12 22:02:21 2009 From: rzm.2 at verizon.net (Ronald Zimmerman) Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:02:21 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC:OFF TOPIC- baby bunnies Message-ID: <369643AC7C53406BBDB61BC7308FFDEE@chirpyPC> Tomorrow I take the baby bunnies in for a vet check up. I don't know if they'll be coming back with me or not. They will be 8 weeks old next week & are doing very well. Thanks soooooo much to Dana for all your help & advice. Sorry I didn't get back to you. I haven't been well. I am going to try to get their pics on my Photobucket page soon. Wish them luck! ~Jaime & Mimi~ ~Missing Albert, Molly, Radar & Daisy~ http://s652.photobucket.com/albums/uu246/chirpy123/ From joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net Thu Nov 12 19:12:48 2009 From: joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net (GARY HESS) Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:12:48 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH: clicking when breathing Message-ID: <986337.54245.qm@web81305.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Puff did that awhile ago and sneezed a lot, too. It really helped her to take her hay in a big colander and shake as much of the dust off of it as possible. No more sneezies or clickies. I hope that helps! Joanie From joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net Thu Nov 12 19:15:01 2009 From: joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net (GARY HESS) Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:15:01 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH: Puff is back in all her squeakiness Message-ID: <266727.53946.qm@web81305.mail.mud.yahoo.com> For the last two days, Puff's been making up for lost time, popcorning, racing, and squeaking. It's wonderful to have her back! She's even nibbling me again. Thanks to one and all for prayers, love, and concern, not to mention suggestions. Joanie From Glynis at garnay.com.au Fri Nov 13 00:09:06 2009 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:09:06 +1100 Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH: Mimi Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF923221210@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> Jaime i'm sorry to hear Mimi is unwell, whee are all crossing paws that Mimi's vet visit was all A OK. Sorry i must've missed this posting grrrrrrrrrr SIGH Hugs for you too love xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Love Glynis, Velvet and Onyx (in mem Sully and Duke) xxxx From johnwerneken at comcast.net Fri Nov 13 12:29:50 2009 From: johnwerneken at comcast.net (johnwerneken) Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:29:50 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] health: puff Message-ID: <002301ca6486$e7c58fc0$b750af40$@net> So glad to hear sweet Puff is back! I was on the edge of my seat, fingers and toes crossed. n Former slave to dear departed Harmony and Little John From piggyfriends at tesco.net Fri Nov 13 04:57:07 2009 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:57:07 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH-Mimi's vet visit Message-ID: <4F2C5655F36E4FE190E15AB53F6DAC3D@inspiron1150> Jaime, I am so relieved that Mimi is OK after her vet visit. Better to be reassured by the vet even if you do feel an idiot! I can't remember ever having a sow with an over active grease gland, though of course it can happen, but several of my boars have needed the jar of Swarfega to clean them up. Hugs for Mimi and well done to you and Dana for raising those baby buns. Penny and the Piggyfriends. From warmbreath at comcast.net Fri Nov 13 14:33:27 2009 From: warmbreath at comcast.net (warmbreath at comcast.net) Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:33:27 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC:OFF TOPIC- baby bunnies References: <369643AC7C53406BBDB61BC7308FFDEE@chirpyPC> Message-ID: congrats on having successfully rescued and raised, that was allot of work and took guts as you had no idea where the start button was here. And congrats on hooking up with Dana, excellent resource. Job well done!! They are separated now, it's time. Sandy and Sammy From warmbreath at comcast.net Fri Nov 13 14:38:31 2009 From: warmbreath at comcast.net (warmbreath at comcast.net) Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:38:31 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH- Mimi's vet visit References: <6C2D33E6737148B097685C32B1BDD082@chirpyPC> Message-ID: Dont feel dumb, getting something unknown checked out by a pro is the smartest thing anyone can do. As for the funny poos, is she at all overweight, if so maybe on gassy or heavier days she cant reach her cecals and is one of those who wont eat them off the floor, that could upset her gut perhaps. Just a guess! again Congrats, Sandy and Sammy From calliope at geeksnet.com Fri Nov 13 13:16:11 2009 From: calliope at geeksnet.com (Cindy) Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:16:11 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] RAINBOW BRDIGE: Kirsten of the Crittercrew Message-ID: <4AFDA26B.3070307@geeksnet.com> Mikey, Dunya, Woopy, and Chico, we certainly remember Kirsten of the Crittercrew, and it was with much sadness that we read of her passing. It was thoughtful of you to send a message via Twitter to see how she was doing, and we know her husband appreciated it -- and as he said, would Kirsten. We are so very sorry that she might have had a form of cancer, and we are very sorry that you got the shock of hearing she was gone. Thank you for thinking of her, checking on her, and letting us know the news. Would you please forward our condolences to her husband? We send him and all the Crittercrew -- Oreo Cookie Monster, L'il Miz Moppit, Tribble, Smidge, Buddha Bandit Bear, Chetters & Jesse -- best and healing wishes. Kirsten was so lucky to have such a wonderful family, with her husband and piggies, and we're glad she was a part of the Digest family, too. Sadly, Cindy, Tumbleweed, and Friday From jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net Fri Nov 13 17:15:40 2009 From: jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net (ANDREW SILL) Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:15:40 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow bridge: Kristen Message-ID: <774369.36096.qm@web80202.mail.mud.yahoo.com> We were very sorry to hear of the passing of Kristen, here at misfitville. Life is soo short. Take the time to give everyone that is special in your life a big hug today. And even ?those that you think need a big hug give them one too!? Jean (misfits) From jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net Fri Nov 13 17:16:56 2009 From: jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net (ANDREW SILL) Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:16:56 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] health: Mimi Message-ID: <650102.47843.qm@web80206.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Jaime, I sure didnt realize that female guineas have grease glands that get gunked up either! Glad she is ok and its nothing crazy! give her a hug for us! misfits From jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net Fri Nov 13 17:17:51 2009 From: jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net (ANDREW SILL) Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:17:51 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] Misc: Puff Message-ID: <657524.32504.qm@web80201.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Dear little Puff, We are so glad to read that you are feeling better and giving your mommie little kisses again:) stay well little lady! Misfits From joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net Fri Nov 13 17:44:11 2009 From: joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net (GARY HESS) Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:44:11 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] CARE: Coroplast cage bottoms vs piggie incisors Message-ID: <293389.22985.qm@web81305.mail.mud.yahoo.com> I just realized that the cage bottom fits on the inside of Puff's soon-to-be-inherited C&C cage. Considering her history of plastic consumption, I'm wondering if I have to make a new cage bottom to fit outside the cage. Come to think of it,?the naughty girl?could probably reach that and chew on it anyway. Argh! Suggestions? This is the thin Coroplast, about 1/4 inch, if that makes any difference. Help! I know I've been monopolizing the Digest, and I sure appreciate your patience! Joanie From cazza177 at ntlworld.com Fri Nov 13 17:55:58 2009 From: cazza177 at ntlworld.com (Cazza177) Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:55:58 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbowbridge: Kirsten of the Crittercrew References: Message-ID: <860B7115582040FBA373518E526DA7E7@DelBoy> This is such sad news Mieke. Poor Kirsten. I hope the end for her was peaceful and that she is now reunited with her piggies friends who passed before her. Carole From warmbreath at comcast.net Sat Nov 14 04:34:25 2009 From: warmbreath at comcast.net (warmbreath at comcast.net) Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:34:25 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] CARE: Coroplast cage bottoms vs piggie incisors References: <293389.22985.qm@web81305.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: I dont know if any piggies have been known to eat chloroplast, in fact I would like to know as I am planning one for Sammy. There is a person on eBay who makes custom C & C cages in many styles and colors and I asked her if she could make one that has the grids sit on the inside instead of the outside, as I want it to sit on a table and be a bit bigger than the table, so if it turns out to be a problem, maybe you could contact her to get a smaller bottom made. of course the cages are simply made by just buying a pieces of the chloroplast, planning your cuts and score, trim off the extra, turn up the sides at the scores and fasten with glue or clear packaging tape on the outside corners, I dont have a car so eBay is much easier for me An even easier way achieve your goal is to remodel the cage by snipping the cable ties used to tie the panels together, and adding extra panels on each side and put on new cable ties to secure them, the cable ties are very cheap in the hardware and electronics dept's of many stores. Back to the lady who makes the cages on eBay, she is advertizing a new C & C construction method using metal rings to secure the panels together. I haven't seen a pix of the rings but I'm sure a pack is cheap at the store hardware dept. They could be a crimp type or more like tiny key rings, I dont know but they have to be pretty easy to put on, they would be harder, presumably to take apart though. The reason she introduced these ring type cages is she says that some pigs, chew on the cable ties. There are probably places and ways to place cable ties so they are less likely to be chewed, like if they are secured at the very top and very bottom, and of course its more of a concern if the C and C grids are installed on the inside of the chloroplast bottom. Second, use the same color as the grid, black would be any easy grid color to match so they would blend in better. Assemble them so that the "nub" is in the back or outside, and clip the excess off very closely. good luck Sandy and Sammy who says hurry up mommy From piggyfriends at tesco.net Sat Nov 14 05:40:37 2009 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:40:37 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] CARE: Coroplast cage bottoms vs piggie incisors References: <293389.22985.qm@web81305.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <30DEEA14A5C04FB69E745BA9A13F9399@inspiron1150> Re the possibility of cable ties being devoured by piggies. The Piggyfriends' pens are just four panels of stiff galvanised wire fastened together at the corners. As they sit side by side on the floor, there are no bases to consider, neither do they need Coroplast ( Correx in England ) but, regarding the possible chewing of cable ties, my wire panels are held together with soft garden wire. This is the flexible kind, with no plastic coating, which I normally use for tying up plants so it is soft enough to cut a length and sew the panels together at the edges. A simple stich in edge square has held these pens together for many years. I start with several stitches in the first two squares, sew along the edge and finish off with several stitches in the last two. I cut off the ends close to the wire so that no sharp bits protrude. Penny. From rmalsberg at comcast.net Sat Nov 14 15:33:41 2009 From: rmalsberg at comcast.net (rmalsberg at comcast.net) Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:33:41 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Gpdd] CARE: coroplast cage bottoms In-Reply-To: <1679167534.2546611258230795571.JavaMail.root@sz0127a.emeryville.ca.mail.comcast.net> Message-ID: <1248504342.2546741258230821931.JavaMail.root@sz0127a.emeryville.ca.mail.comcast.net> Hello Everyone and Everypig - Sorry I've been mostly absent.? Work, work, work, you know, etc. Anyway, had to weigh in with my $0.02 on coroplast cage bottoms. Carmen and Shakira (and before Shakira, Carmen and Tosca, and Carmen and Cio Cio San, the boar who dressed like a woman, which is how we got Shakira..................) live in a 3 x 2 C and C cage, and the coroplast has MANY teeth marks from Miss Carmen.? OMG - she chews it enthusuastically. So far, I can't tell that she has suffered any bad effects.? Go figure. Wheeks, Rayna, Carmen and Shakira Taffy, Sundae and Tosca in our hearts From matildalucet at earthlink.net Sat Nov 14 19:18:34 2009 From: matildalucet at earthlink.net (Ginger Fitzsimmons) Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:18:34 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] CARE: Coroplast cage bottoms vs piggie incisors In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: I think all of our boys (except Niles, who predated our C&C) have sampled the coroplast. Most of them did not make a habit of extensive nibbling, though one or two of the current abbies have to be reminded frequently. They keep trying to pretend they don't understand me, but given the expression in the eyes, I can tell they are fibbing. I have seen no health symptoms from the nibbling, but then we do try to break them of the behavior early (and if needed, often). They mostly nibble doorways or other easily accessible edges. We covered some low edges with cardboard and paper which they can bite without harm. I don't know any way to cover the edges of their various doorways; I guess we just have to rely on behavior modification. They also like to sample cable ties and twist ties, but are more easily talked into leaving those things alone. Now that I think of it, they like to sample almost everything. One of our guys attacked metal binder clips when he thought we weren't looking. Silly piggers! -ginger co-slave to Bumper, Brownie, and Cuddles remembering Niles, Butterscotch, Clover, and Mike On Nov 13, 2009, Joanie wrote: > I just realized that the cage bottom fits on the inside of Puff's > soon-to-be-inherited C&C cage. Considering her history of plastic > consumption, I'm wondering if I have to make a new cage bottom to > fit outside the cage. Come to think of it,?the naughty girl?could > probably reach that and chew on it anyway. Argh! Suggestions? This > is the thin Coroplast, about 1/4 inch, if that makes any > difference. Help! > I know I've been monopolizing the Digest, and I sure appreciate > your patience! > Joanie From me at buddies.org Sun Nov 15 23:43:43 2009 From: me at buddies.org (ME) Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:43:43 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge: Liberty: July 2, 2005 - November 11, 2009 Message-ID: <5B8129C4-AB51-4A55-8652-0AB9828B8F33@buddies.org> It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my little Peruvian. It did not come as a surprise as she had been sick for the last couple months, starting with a couple UTIs in mid-September to October, then decreased mobility in mid-October. The vet believed it was caused by a back injury and put her on Metacam. I supplemented her with hand feeding since her UTIs, but by the end of October, I was hand feeding her every 3-4 hours from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. I was starting to suspect something else was going on as she seemed to go downhill each time she seemed to be getting better, but I also felt that she was too weak to survive a trip to the vet, so I made the decision to keep her as comfortable as possible and try to get her strong enough to make the trip. She seemed to be getting much stronger the first week of November, but took a turn for the worse over the weekend. She started to eat less Monday night, and by Tuesday evening, I knew the end was very near. Between 10 p.m. and 4:30 a.m., she took her final breath. Necropsy showed that she had a few things, cystic ovaries and hepatic lipidosis, but the vet believes cause of death was from a weak heart. It was approximately twice as large as it should have been. Obviously, there was no cure for that, so I suppose I made the right decision keeping her at home. I was feeling pretty guilty about not bringing her to the vet after she died, but my intuition told me not to move her and just keep her comfortable and try to give her body a chance to heal. I don't know what else to write right now. Deaths after prolonged care seem to hit hardest. At least I have her five friends to get me through. From jocelynm at umich.edu Mon Nov 16 08:22:22 2009 From: jocelynm at umich.edu (Anderson, Jocelyn M) Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:22:22 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] CARE: coroplast cage bottoms Message-ID: <3AF9B038A6B07641B36C799ED4EBB0D704CEB034C6@ITCS-ECLS-1-VS3.adsroot.itcs.umich.edu> Hi Rayna, I had a piggy that would chew on the coroplast when he wanted his veggies and he wanted them NOW. He was so focused on chewing the coroplast corner that he wouldn't notice when I put his veggies in the piggy arena. He kept on chewing for a little bit until he heard the other pigs eating. I never had any health issues with the little guy, other than mites and a cold. I ended up tying a strip of cloth about an inch above the corner of coroplast he liked to chew. He chewed through the cloth, but I figured better that than coroplast. Maybe some cloth could be fitted over the plastic...? Jocelyn, Flashbang Fatbottom, Edgeworth, and Benito From warmbreath at comcast.net Mon Nov 16 08:34:32 2009 From: warmbreath at comcast.net (warmbreath at comcast.net) Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:34:32 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] (Health) Mimi References: <757E4225D21849449550BFAA2DE5E5B6@chirpyPC> Message-ID: <4B96BC143640485BB5B186B46E505779@SANDY> I can think of one thing now that I know her weight is normal. Certain parasites, usually worms I think, if not dealt with will live on in the gut and go through their little wormy life cycles over and over again. During part of that life cycle there are allot of new worms going round in the gut causing diarrhea every so often depending. You can try a fecal float to find them, but you already know they are at a minimum most of the time, viewing prepared slides under the microscope may give a clue as well. I would talk this over with the vet and as a first try just treat with the regular 2 or 3 doses of ivermectin 7 to 10 days apart, even without doing any tests and see if that clears it up, if not then I would do the tests to try to ID the particular parasite and match the meds to the worm and it's particular life cycle for the med timing. If she is loosing weight or seems in any distress or can't keep herself clean, then go ahead and do this now. Are their other piggies or other animals in the house and does she get floor time? She might pick up parasites that way. Also they can be picked up during a garden romp, its hard to keep a garden free of other animals, birds droppings, raccoons, snails, flying insects, and chemicals on the stuff she will eat. Just give a good evaluation of her living conditions and see if there is a place for contamination and improvements. Any other animals should be checked for and treated for parasites as well and a very thorough cleaning in concert with the treatments to get everything at once. 10% chlorine bleach solution on the metal and plastic goods, cages etc. Replace the soft stuff. Just give a good evaluation of the environment and improve wherever its possible. If a parasite is ID'd ask the vet what other animals get it or carry it, and does it live in th environment. I really hope this helps but truly recurrent periodic diarrhea is usually caused by parasites. Sandy and Sammy From elmga at hotmail.com Mon Nov 16 11:36:31 2009 From: elmga at hotmail.com (ellen garrison) Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:36:31 -1000 Subject: [Gpdd] RAINBOW BRIDGE: very belated condolences, Mercy In-Reply-To: <4AFB2AC6.5060107@geeksnet.com> References: <4AFB2AC6.5060107@geeksnet.com> Message-ID: Hi Cindy, Thank you for the very touching email. I knew right away that he had been ill but to what extent I will never know. I wanted to make sure he would not have to suffer. I think it takes a lot of guts to deal with a beloved pet dying. He was not with me long but it still was hard. I think it is so important for them to know that there is someone there who cares before they do go. I have given thought to the humane society and maybe giving them some more info about gp's would help, but I just do not understand why their exec. director makes so much money and then they let these things happen---just seems someone there is clueless when it comes to gp's---I know that they really do the best they can---it is overwhelming how thousands of animals go through that place and are put down --mainly cats and dogs---and it is done humanely here which to me seems that it should be done humanely everywhere, but so I hear, it is not always the case in other places even in the US where I am (Hawaii is a state of the US and I live there) so ----I have asked the Humane society already to let me know if there are more piggies, but I have strong mixed feelings about the place...I used to volunteer there and it is really heartwrenching. I do not know how they work there they must have very thick skin! I beleive Mercy is now in Rainbow Bridge land with my other guinea pigs, Li'l Guy and Gin Gin... I want to get a scanner and send pics....in time...ok bye for now. Aloha _________________________________________________________________ Windows 7: It works the way you want. Learn more. http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/windows-7/default.aspx?ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen:112009v2 From elmga at hotmail.com Mon Nov 16 11:40:41 2009 From: elmga at hotmail.com (ellen garrison) Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:40:41 -1000 Subject: [Gpdd] FW: (RAINBOW BRIDGE): very belated condolences, Mercy In-Reply-To: <4AFB2AC6.5060107@geeksnet.com> References: <4AFB2AC6.5060107@geeksnet.com> Message-ID: From: elmga at hotmail.com To: calliope at geeksnet.com; gpdd at gpdd.org Subject: RE: RAINBOW BRIDGE: very belated condolences, Mercy Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:36:31 -1000 Hi Cindy, Thank you for the very touching email. I knew right away that he had been ill but to what extent I will never know. I wanted to make sure he would not have to suffer. I think it takes a lot of guts to deal with a beloved pet dying. He was not with me long but it still was hard. I think it is so important for them to know that there is someone there who cares before they do go. I have given thought to the humane society and maybe giving them some more info about gp's would help, but I just do not understand why their exec. director makes so much money and then they let these things happen---just seems someone there is clueless when it comes to gp's---I know that they really do the best they can---it is overwhelming how thousands of animals go through that place and are put down --mainly cats and dogs---and it is done humanely here which to me seems that it should be done humanely everywhere, but so I hear, it is not always the case in other places even in the US where I am (Hawaii is a state of the US and I live there) so ----I have asked the Humane society already to let me know if there are more piggies, but I have strong mixed feelings about the place...I used to volunteer there and it is really heartwrenching. I do not know how they work there they must have very thick skin! I beleive Mercy is now in Rainbow Bridge land with my other guinea pigs, Li'l Guy and Gin Gin... I want to get a scanner and send pics....in time...ok bye for now. Aloha Windows 7: It works the way you want. Learn more. _________________________________________________________________ Bing brings you maps, menus, and reviews organized in one place. http://www.bing.com/search?q=restaurants&form=MFESRP&publ=WLHMTAG&crea=TEXT_MFESRP_Local_MapsMenu_Resturants_1x1 From scalabro3 at cfl.rr.com Mon Nov 16 12:48:46 2009 From: scalabro3 at cfl.rr.com (scalabro3 at cfl.rr.com) Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:48:46 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] Announcement: Cocoa Puff is on the Web! Message-ID: <20091116174846.WI9VV.549478.root@cdptpa-web25-z01> Hi. I was checking out my vets website today and found that she had posted a picture of our little Cocoa Puff on her website. You can see him at: http://www.atlanticdvm.com/ExoticPatientsArticle.htm He probably would be upset that he wasn't photographed on his "good side" and that his weepy little eye is showing, but he sure looks cute! It's too bad that they didn't mention anything specific about him. I guess that they thought that monkeys and tegus were more interesting. Good thing we know better! Cocoa Puff is doing much better, but that poor little eye does get a bit runny from time to time. If anyone else has had a similar problem with their piggies, as always, advice and information is welcome. Have a great Monday! ME in New Smyrna Beach with Donovan, Puffball, Cocoa Puff, Ghirardelli, Chakalaka and Dillon Forever in our Hearts From jocelynm at umich.edu Mon Nov 16 13:59:25 2009 From: jocelynm at umich.edu (Anderson, Jocelyn M) Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:59:25 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] CARE: coroplast cage bottoms Message-ID: <3AF9B038A6B07641B36C799ED4EBB0D704CEB034C7@ITCS-ECLS-1-VS3.adsroot.itcs.umich.edu> Hello again, I came across this page just now, it talks about putting report cover spines to cover up the edges of the coroplast to stop chewing: http://www.guineapigcages.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=6969 http://www.guineapigcages.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=9592 . Maybe that helps! On a random note, here is Flashbang Fatbottom with new acorn house: http://www.nflightdesign.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/piggyacornhouse01.jpg Video of him inspecting the house: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njPTK_JYSt8 . It's been warm lately so I'm still waiting for the piggies to try out the house! Jocelyn, Flashbang Fatbottom, Edgeworth, and Benito From raaberao at comcast.net Mon Nov 16 14:33:33 2009 From: raaberao at comcast.net (Tammy Raabe Rao) Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:33:33 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] CARE: Oregon/Portland area - impacted boar in need of help Message-ID: <4D4DCF04-624C-4DC8-9403-445417B83F5A@comcast.net> I received an email from the Oregon Humane Society - is there anyone who can help? I'm over in Boston, so ... Here at the Oregon Humane Society we have a guniea pig that has fecal impactions. That requires us to manually express his feces daily. We are wondering if you know of any rescues in Portland, Or or near the area that we could contact. Please email us if you can help. Thank you very much! Deanna Harris Animal Care Technician Oregon Humane Society 503-285-7722 deannah at oregonhumane.org Tammy/CavyMadness From jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net Mon Nov 16 17:17:28 2009 From: jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net (ANDREW SILL) Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:17:28 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] rainbow bridge: Liberty Message-ID: <835645.42975.qm@web80207.mail.mud.yahoo.com> We send our deepest sympathies? for the loss of Liberty. I must agree with you on it really hits hardest when you are doing lots of? extra care for our beloved guinea before they pass. It was like that with our Anastasia, because you are used to doing the feedings and extra cleaning and care and then it?just stops.?So sorry again for your loss. Liberty is now over the bridge playing and running around with all beloved guineas and friends that have passed before. sending lots of hugs. deepest sympathies. Jean & Andy (misfits) From rzm.2 at verizon.net Mon Nov 16 21:55:59 2009 From: rzm.2 at verizon.net (Ronald Zimmerman) Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:55:59 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC- condolences Message-ID: ME- I am really sorry to hear about Liberty's passing. My thoughts & prayers are with you & your family. ~Jaime & Mimi~ ~Missing Albert, Molly, Radar & Daisy~ http://s652.photobucket.com/albums/uu246/chirpy123/ From rzm.2 at verizon.net Mon Nov 16 19:03:40 2009 From: rzm.2 at verizon.net (Ronald Zimmerman) Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:03:40 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH- Mimi Message-ID: Sandy- The poohs are not diarrhea, they are just shaped oddly. Either big or small & for some reason seem to cause her some pain passing them. As I said this only happens every once in a great while, not very often. She has floor time, but just sits in her cuddle cup, she's not very adventurous. Sometimes she will run around in the bedroom on the carpet but she was having this issue long before she ever started that. We have no other animals in the house & she is never outside, nor do I feed her anything from outside. I thought about worms & their life cycles causing the abnormal poos as they go thru their life cycles. My vet said this is rare. I will keep a close eye on her as always & if needed take in in for a fecal float test. Thanks! ~Jaime & Mimi~ ~Missing Albert, Molly, Radar & Daisy~ http://s652.photobucket.com/albums/uu246/chirpy123/ From scalabro3 at cfl.rr.com Mon Nov 16 19:14:08 2009 From: scalabro3 at cfl.rr.com (scalabro3 at cfl.rr.com) Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:14:08 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge: Liberty Message-ID: <20091117001408.GE93U.106491.root@cdptpa-web15-z02> ME, I was so sorry to hear about the loss of your dear Liberty. I recently went through a similar experience with my dear Dillon, I know that there is nothing that I can say or do right now to lessen your pain, but please know that I wish that there were something that I could do to help. Please focus on the happy times that you spent with her and know that you did your best for her. I hope that your other five piggies will bring you comfort and that your dear Liberty will enjoy her time at the Rainbow Bridge until you are reunited again. With sympathy, ME in New Smyrna Beach with Donovan, Puffball, Cocoa Puff, Ghirardelli, Chakalaka, and Dillon Forever in our Hearts From rmalsberg at comcast.net Mon Nov 16 22:09:41 2009 From: rmalsberg at comcast.net (rmalsberg at comcast.net) Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:09:41 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Gpdd] Care: coroplast cage bottom In-Reply-To: <7349744.3357371258427360796.JavaMail.root@sz0127a.emeryville.ca.mail.comcast.net> Message-ID: <793212495.3357521258427381646.JavaMail.root@sz0127a.emeryville.ca.mail.comcast.net> Hi Jocelyn - I've thought about what to use to cover the edges of the cage bottom that would be piggy tooth proof. So far, nothing. Thanks for the suggestions. Wish I could visit you all - I used to live in Ann Arbor. Wheeks, Rayna, Carmen and Shakira Taffy, Sundae and Tosca in our hearts From me at buddies.org Tue Nov 17 03:03:12 2009 From: me at buddies.org (ME) Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:03:12 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] rainbow bridge: Liberty In-Reply-To: <835645.42975.qm@web80207.mail.mud.yahoo.com> References: <835645.42975.qm@web80207.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <7D725BA2-1626-4053-9812-EDA29534F533@buddies.org> Thank you for your thoughts, Jean and Andy. I'm sorry to hear about Anastasia. I've been spending more time cuddling with my others ... but it's not quite the same ... though I was watching the weight of a few. It seems they have returned to normal weight now (I think they were affected by Liberty's illness and death), but I'll keep a close eye on them for at least a few more days. From elmga at hotmail.com Tue Nov 17 09:50:36 2009 From: elmga at hotmail.com (ellen garrison) Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:50:36 -1000 Subject: [Gpdd] Gpdd: (Rainbow Bridge) Liberty the Peruvian piggie Message-ID: I am sorry for your loss. I know that is hard to go through. I am sure your piggie appreciated what you did for her, regardless. I think you did the thing you thought was best. It is always excellent to trust ones' intuition. They always pick up on our energy. Bless you my friend, and for little Liberty, run free with all the other piggies at that beautiful place called rainbow Bridge. Ellen _________________________________________________________________ Bing brings you maps, menus, and reviews organized in one place. http://www.bing.com/search?q=restaurants&form=MFESRP&publ=WLHMTAG&crea=TEXT_MFESRP_Local_MapsMenu_Resturants_1x1 From elmga at hotmail.com Tue Nov 17 10:01:38 2009 From: elmga at hotmail.com (ellen garrison) Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:01:38 -1000 Subject: [Gpdd] Gpdd: (Rainbow Bridge) Condolences to Mieke, on Suus and Guiny Message-ID: I am sorry for your loss of Suus and Guiny. I think it is true they are not ever with us long enough. When you are right in it, it's hard to see. They seem to have plans of their own . I don't think they or anyone really "dies", we/they only go elsewhere, to a better place, may all the love in the world and beyond, support and comfort you in your grief. Ellen _________________________________________________________________ Windows 7: It works the way you want. Learn more. http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/windows-7/default.aspx?ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen:112009v2 From johnwerneken at comcast.net Tue Nov 17 12:43:27 2009 From: johnwerneken at comcast.net (johnwerneken) Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:43:27 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] flashbang on the web Message-ID: <001c01ca67ad$78f7f680$6ae7e380$@net> So cute! From aliciavanmaanen at hotmail.com Tue Nov 17 13:27:29 2009 From: aliciavanmaanen at hotmail.com (Alicia VanMaanen) Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:27:29 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] Announcement: Holiday Gift & card Exchange 2009 In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: > Hey Everyone, I know it is November already, and I wanted to let everyone > know that it's not too late to to participate in our annual digest holiday > gift exchange for Christmas. I would be more than happy to once again work > on this as I love too do that part in it. For those of you that are new to > the digest let me explain what this is a little bit. IF YOU WISH TO > PARTICIPATE PLEASE EMAIL MY NO LATER THAN NOVEMBER 25 FOR GIFT EXCHANGE, SO > THAT I CAN MATCH YOU UP WITH SOMEONE BEFORE THANKSGIVING AND WILL HAVE TIME > TO GET YOUR GIFTS MAILED OUT. I WILL ACCEPT ALL FOR CARD EXCHANGE UNTIL > DECEMBER 1ST AND THAN SEND EVERYONE AN EMAIL IN THAT CATEGORY WITH YOUR > MATCH. So far this year I have mostly new people to the digest wishing to participate which is wonderful. However, it seems to be a very small list this year compared to most years too. Just a note that if you sign up to send to an individual that I may have to pair your piggies up as a group if I don't have enough people to match you up with. I hope that those who haven't send me an email yet that have participated in the past haven't forgotten about it this year. > > Please include the following information in your email: > Slave NameSlave Mailing AddressSlave EmailPig(s) participating and if more > than one piggie are they participating as a group or an individualAny other > important information I you might want another slave to be aware of about > you or your pig(s) > > Thanks everyone and look forward to hearing from everyone! > Many Wheeks,Alicia slave to Dodger & Beau _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141665/direct/01/ From joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net Tue Nov 17 15:53:44 2009 From: joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net (GARY HESS) Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:53:44 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] RAINBOW BRIDGE: Liberty Message-ID: <152664.4744.qm@web81306.mail.mud.yahoo.com> I'm really sorry to hear about Liberty's passing. You were a very good, kind, insightful slave. I know she appreciated being allowed to leave you in the way she did, just as she appreciated the care you took to keep her happy and healthy. You're right; the more devoted our care when they're ailing, the more spiritually and emotionally invested we become, and the more difficult it is when they go. At least that's been my experience. May your remaining herd help you through the days to come. Sincerely, Joanie From joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net Tue Nov 17 16:13:21 2009 From: joanhess4 at sbcglobal.net (GARY HESS) Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:13:21 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] CARE: Using report cover spines to protect coroplast cage bottoms. Message-ID: <134010.15115.qm@web81305.mail.mud.yahoo.com> It's a brilliant idea, but what would protect the protectors from the vicious onslaught of cavy teeth? It's a very good idea regardless because the debris that falls into the corrugated holes can be pretty nasty, especially if one of the waterers leaks into the coroplast. Been there. Yech! I'll be looking into this, if only for the latter purpose. Thanks so much to everyone for the tons of helpful suggestions! I am, as always, in your debt. So is Puff! Joanie From leah.mcneil at wachovia.com Tue Nov 17 13:51:39 2009 From: leah.mcneil at wachovia.com (leah.mcneil at wachovia.com) Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:51:39 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] Announce: Secret Piggie Santa Gift Exchange 2009 Message-ID: Hey there, Alicia & Dodger & Beau! Sorry I'm so late in signing up. I wasn't sure if the piggies were going to pigticipate since Bertie Pig's Secret Santa never sent him his Gift last year...sniff sniff. But, the piggies are hopeful that that won't happen again so they are keeping their paws crossed...Wheeeek! Soooooooo, Please sign my little Brats up for the Secret Santa Gift Exchange. They are going to pigticipate as a Group this time and Boy! are they Excited. I'll send ya my personal info in a separate email. Hugs 'n Piggie Kisses to you & your little ones!! Love 'n Wheeeeeeeeeeeps, Leah...Slave to Princess Snowflake and Bertie Pig :-) From piggyfriends at tesco.net Tue Nov 17 15:00:15 2009 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:00:15 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC Condolences for Liberty Message-ID: <34FA85064ECA487695C9BF117654B3CA@inspiron1150> I was so sorry to read about Liberty's departure for the Rainbow Bridge. It is hard to lose a piggy at any time but when one has been hand feeding for a long time it seems to hit much harder when the battle is lost. You tried so hard to keep her well and she will have known just how much you loved her. Please accept my sincerest condolences on your loss. R.I.P. Liberty, safe at the Rainbow Bridge. Penny and the Piggyfriends. From piggyfriends at tesco.net Tue Nov 17 15:09:04 2009 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:09:04 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC Cocoa Puff on the Web Message-ID: Cocoa Puff is famous! It was nice to see his pigture on your vet's website but I do wish that she could do something for his eye. Poor little man. I have had the occasional elderly pig who has suffered a runny eye ( rather like elderly people sometimes do ). This may not be relevant to Cocoa Puff but I thought that I would mention that the tears can set to form a crystalline lump. This can burn the skin but can easily be dissolved using some cocoa butter. My dear old Rolo suffered in this way during his last year but thanks to the cocoa butter it caused him no problem. Penny and the Piggyfriends. From piggyfriends at tesco.net Tue Nov 17 15:12:09 2009 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:12:09 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC Flashbang's new house Message-ID: <851E817F3E2C42879BB774B9A4ABF67D@inspiron1150> Jocelyn, Such a cute video of dear Flashbang. That is a very pretty piggy house. My Piggyfriends would appreciate one ( or several ) as it is cold here in England. Penny and the Piggyfriends. From rzm.2 at verizon.net Tue Nov 17 18:55:42 2009 From: rzm.2 at verizon.net (Ronald Zimmerman) Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:55:42 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC- Cocoa Puff is famous! Message-ID: <5869F81DE51B404B83B087579CFC8037@chirpyPC> Awww...what a sweetheart! You would think they would have told you they were putting his pic on their site. He's adorable. ~Jaime & Mimi~ ~Missing Albert, Molly, Radar & Daisy~ http://s652.photobucket.com/albums/uu246/chirpy123/ From rzm.2 at verizon.net Tue Nov 17 18:59:46 2009 From: rzm.2 at verizon.net (Ronald Zimmerman) Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:59:46 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] SILLY- Flashbang's video Message-ID: <0FF3B348195744D1A5B3BFB6BBA4F6A3@chirpyPC> Jocelyn- I always love your videos! That acorn house is cool, where'd you get it? ~Jaime & Mimi~ ~Missing Albert, Molly, Radar & Daisy~ http://s652.photobucket.com/albums/uu246/chirpy123/ From rzm.2 at verizon.net Tue Nov 17 19:10:24 2009 From: rzm.2 at verizon.net (Ronald Zimmerman) Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:10:24 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC- lifespan of medicines Message-ID: <7A878C94A4C24F20B2C8F34C8A09EB9E@chirpyPC> I was looking thru all Mimi's meds that I keep on hand & realized that all of them have expired around the beginning of this year. I have painkillers from the vets, Kaopectate, gas medicine. Should they be thrown out? I wonder how long they stay ok after the expiration dates? I also have a bottle of shilintong from Albert. That was about 5 years ago! I guess that should be thrown out huh? I also have a tube of Benebac that was never even opened, but expired in '08. Should that be pitched? What kind of over the counter painkiller can I keep on hand for her in case the vets is closed & it's an emergency? Is there some kind of liquid childrens stuff or something? Any info on what to do with all these meds is appreciated. Thanks! ~Jaime & Mimi~ ~Missing Albert, Molly, Radar & Daisy~ http://s652.photobucket.com/albums/uu246/chirpy123/ From rzm.2 at verizon.net Tue Nov 17 19:17:50 2009 From: rzm.2 at verizon.net (Ronald Zimmerman) Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:17:50 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC- bedding Message-ID: I have a question I need some opinions on. We just found out my husbands hours at work are being cut & I am not working because of all my health problems. I am still fighting to get disability, but it is a long & frustrating process. We are cutting back everywhere we can. Canceling cable & unfortunately will be unable to sponser the child from Africa that we have been sponsering for almost 5 years. Things are difficult to say the least. I use Carefresh for Mimi & everyone knows how expensive Carefresh is. Is there anyway to stretch the Carefresh a little further? My husband suggested putting layers of newpaper down first & Carefresh on top, but I'm afraid she'll eat the paper. Is there anyone who has come up with ways to stretch bedding & save money? Sorry I don't mean to sound whiney, I just am looking for any possible ways to cut back without causing stress to her. Thanks! ~Jaime & Mimi~ ~Missing Albert, Molly, Radar & Daisy~ http://s652.photobucket.com/albums/uu246/chirpy123/ From rzm.2 at verizon.net Tue Nov 17 19:28:20 2009 From: rzm.2 at verizon.net (Ronald Zimmerman) Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:28:20 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] OFF TOPIC- baby bunnies Message-ID: <95D9899F1CA24421A3FED74F120581A6@chirpyPC> Well the bunnies went back today. I miss them already! The vet checked them & deemed them to be healthy & so they will now go up for adoption. The little white one we called Snuggles is a girl, the b&w we called Smokey is a boy & the one with grey ears that we called George is a girl. I guess she'll need a new name! They are all sweet & healthy & I just pray they find forever homes quickly. Now a question: Mimi spends time on the bedroom carpet in the room they were living in. They never were out on the floor themselves, but did kick bedding & poo out onto the floor. I was going to vacuum & then spray the carpet with Lysol to kill any germs. Then wait a few days before letting Mimi on it again. Is this safe? I don't want the Lysol to make her sick, but I need to kill any germs they may have had. I am paranoid about her getting the e.cuniculi thing! What should I do to make her carpet safe & germ free again? ~Jaime & Mimi~ ~Missing Albert, Molly, Radar & Daisy~ http://s652.photobucket.com/albums/uu246/chirpy123/ From Glynis at garnay.com.au Tue Nov 17 23:30:16 2009 From: Glynis at garnay.com.au (Glynis Robson) Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:30:16 +1100 Subject: [Gpdd] ANNOUNCEMENT: Condolences for Liberty Message-ID: <1E79BEF045F13847938D188011CBF923221248@GARNAYSBS.garnayindustries.local> ME i'm so so sorry to hear of Liberty's passing :o( RIP Liberty run free at the bridge, now popcorning and playing with friends from gpdd, enjoy the lush green grass and dandelions, so sadly missed but NEVER forgotten xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) ))) and lots and lots of loves from us all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Another little star now twinkling in the sky ............ :o( Love Glynis, Velvet and Onyx (in mem Sully and Duke) xxxx From me at buddies.org Wed Nov 18 01:14:04 2009 From: me at buddies.org (ME) Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:14:04 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge: Liberty In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <8CC36FEA-867C-4CD8-8A88-B8F53DF929A1@buddies.org> Ellen, Penny, Joanie, and Glynis, Thanks for all the thoughts. I feel it was a privilege to have the opportunity to care for her as I did ... the hand feeding and all ... quite emotionally draining, but I wouldn't trade the time we had for anything. The only thing I wish is that we would have more time ... and that I could have nursed her back to health. But unfortunately, that wasn't the way it was meant to be. It just makes me more grateful for the times that I am given additional time after an illness. They do pick up on your state of mind and feelings ... so I always try to send the message that I'm not giving up on them. Though, when I know the end is soon, I try to let them know it's okay if they feel they need to leave. I do think I usually have good intuition and insight ... when to delay vet visits and when to go in ... but I often second guess myself and feel guilty ... but at least hind sight tells me I made the right decision ... though I wish there was a treatment for an enlarged heart. I am glad that Liberty passed away quietly and peacefully at home. From joedee1986 at verizon.net Wed Nov 18 11:04:06 2009 From: joedee1986 at verizon.net (Dee and Joe) Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:04:06 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] MISC: Famous piggies Message-ID: <792639.84883.qm@web84002.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Hi everyone, I want to tell you about some of our famous piggies! Our Juliet (RIP) had her pigture on the front of Sweet Meadow's banana chips bag. Peaches and Jodie were in our local newspaper as part of a shelter/adopted pet story. Peaches is currently on one of Tammy's cards (www.cavymadness.com). It is the piggie collage and she is in the lower right hand corner. Some have been on Pet of the Day, too. And of course, they get on our holiday card every year! Love our fur babies! Dee Get a life, adopt a pet! From joedee1986 at verizon.net Wed Nov 18 11:18:23 2009 From: joedee1986 at verizon.net (Dee and Joe) Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:18:23 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] CARE: Jaime Message-ID: <961227.87660.qm@web84005.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Jaime, I like to use Carefresh and know how expensive it is.? We combine it with pine or aspen shavings, which are cheaper.? Some folks use fleece for bedding, but that is too much washing for me.? My pigs love to play with newspaper and it won't hurt them to eat it.? You can put down layers or strips of newspaper with a small layer of Carefresh on top.? You can spot clean just the wet pee areas and not do a whole cage clean as often.? It is great if your pigs pee in one or two spots.? Peaches pees in one corner so I clean that spot every few days and the rest of her cage stays clean for a long time.? Jodie pees everywhere and needs more cleaning and uses more bedding. You can just use newpaper and spot clean more often. Joe and I are retired and on a fixed income now so we have to cut corners where we can, too. Dee From mfug at live.co.uk Wed Nov 18 04:51:48 2009 From: mfug at live.co.uk (M Fug) Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:51:48 +0000 Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge; Liberty Message-ID: We are sorry to hear that Liberty has left you for the rainbow bridge. You did everything you could for her and she knows how much she was loved. Run free Liberty now pain free enjoy making new friends M, Fugly + Spooky _________________________________________________________________ Got more than one Hotmail account? Save time by linking them together http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/186394591/direct/01/ From piggyfriends at tesco.net Wed Nov 18 04:57:39 2009 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:57:39 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC- bedding and medicines References: Message-ID: <3E1505C579A2498388E7A1C4D22CF7F6@inspiron1150> Jaime, So sorry to read about your husband's work troubles and your own fight for disability payments. Good luck with that. If I used Carefresh, I could never afford to keep Piggyfriends running. Such products did not exist when I first had piggies and I used thick wads of newspaper with hay on top. Decades later and I am still doing the same thing. An army of kind folk save me their newspapers and I buy hay by the bale from a nearby farm. I sort the papers to remove any glossy ones as these are not absorbent and set aside any with staples so that I can remove them at a later time. Oh the joy of spending an evening de-stapling newspapers but it has to be done as that is the only dangerous part of using them. Newspaper in England is printed with non toxic ink so there is no danger to the piggies if they decide to eat some. There are always a few who like to tear their paper into strips or make interesting shapes from it but no harm is done. I mentioned newspaper in a recent post and I remember that Sandy replied to say that US paper is the same so it is something that you could consider. I clean out all of my pens every morning and give the piggies fresh paper but with only Mimi to care for this would not take long. I roll up the old paper with all the mess inside and put down clean sheets. My piggies are perfectly happy on their paper. They are much more concerned playing with their friends and with the time that the veggies arrive. Regarding the over the counter painkiller, I always keep a bottle of Nurofen in my piggy first aid box. It is the brand name of children's liquid ibuprofen. It is orange flavoured and is labelled 100mg/5ml. oral suspension. If the strength is the same in the US, the dose is 4ml. twice daily. My Rodentologists use this all the time and it is very safe for piggies. Penny and the Piggyfriends. From bunzella at yahoo.ca Wed Nov 18 13:50:47 2009 From: bunzella at yahoo.ca (pat schuett) Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:50:47 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] MISC- bedding In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <651322.1045.qm@web113206.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Hi there, I use a variation of Penny's bedding system. The back of each of my NIC piggie cages is lined with "litterboxes" (which are actually old 9x13 inch cake pans retired from active duty) which have a section of newspaper in the bottom, then are filled with timothy hay. (Olivia is quite good about using the litterboxes for both pee and poop, while Doris & Audrey do about half the time.) The remainder of their cage floors are covered with polyester fleece throws, folded to fit. (I use a little whisk broom and dustpan to sweep up the poos once or twice a day.) When a throw acquires too many pee spots, I take it out, replace it with a clean one and wash the used one; Doris and Audrey get maybe three days use out of each fleece, while Olivia's often last a week. (I usually save up a few dirty ones in a garbage bag and pre-wash them by tossing them into the bath water after I finish a bath, then put them through the washing machine with a dash of vinegar added to the wash water.) Most of the throws I bought for under $5 but I've also bought fleece by the yard and made them up to the right size for about the same price. The piggies spend lots of time in their "litterboxes" and eat more hay than they would otherwise; like Penny, I get newspapers from friends who would be recycling them anyhow and buy hay by the bale ($10 for a 70-pound bale hereabouts). The fleeces also have the advantage of allowing me to see if anyone has the dreaded "pink pee" or is getting too much calcium in their diet. I must admit this system was originally developed for my bunnies, but so far it's also worked well for my piggies and is MUCH cheaper than the systems I first experimented with for the rabbits (like using Carefresh or Yesterday's News in litterboxes). Doris loves to shred the newspaper for fun, but none of the piggies ever seems to actually eat it... Pat S. (slave to Doris, Audrey & Olivia) __________________________________________________________________ Looking for the perfect gift? Give the gift of Flickr! http://www.flickr.com/gift/ From mfug at live.co.uk Wed Nov 18 14:42:46 2009 From: mfug at live.co.uk (M) Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:42:46 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] misc; Flashbang Video Message-ID: So cute, is that Edgeworth lurking in the background? M From piggyfriends at tesco.net Wed Nov 18 15:23:30 2009 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:23:30 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC Famous Piggies Message-ID: <516196DDA4AF448DAA527D309A6BB591@inspiron1150> Dee, Such celebrities we have in our midst!! The only claims to fame held by the Piggyfriends are that Miss Piggy had her pigture in our local newspaper when she was one of the group that used to accompany me to the RSPCA "Pet Days" when I had a table at these fund raising events and, currently, Crystal, who is featured on a coaster in the set made for our Rodentologists to raise cash for the cause. Shadow was featured in our local shelter's quarterly magazine in a "before and after" story, when he was handed in as a matted ball of fur one snowy day. Lots of GPDD piggies have been Pet of the Day and do I recognise Joanne's Teddy on the Cavy Madness Calendar? Joan's Ladybug is in the GuineaLynx Calendar for this year. Any other unsung hero/heroine celebrity pigs out there? Penny and the Piggyfriends. From zcan at comcast.net Wed Nov 18 17:19:37 2009 From: zcan at comcast.net (zcan at comcast.net) Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:19:37 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Gpdd] [Newswheek] MISC: Famous piggies In-Reply-To: <792639.84883.qm@web84002.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <1346628265.4712111258582777821.JavaMail.root@sz0132a.westchester.pa.mail.comcast.net> Awww- so sweet, Dee! Heidi ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dee and Joe" To: "Guinea Pig Daily Digest" , "NewsWheek" Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 11:04:06 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [Newswheek] MISC: Famous piggies Hi everyone, I want to tell you about some of our famous piggies! Our Juliet (RIP) had her pigture on the front of Sweet Meadow's banana chips bag. Peaches and Jodie were in our local newspaper as part of a shelter/adopted pet story. Peaches is currently on one of Tammy's cards (www.cavymadness.com). It is the piggie collage and she is in the lower right hand corner. Some have been on Pet of the Day, too. And of course, they get on our holiday card every year! Love our fur babies! Dee Get a life, adopt a pet! _______________________________________________ Newswheek mailing list Newswheek at piggsrbest.com http://piggsrbest.com/mailman/listinfo/newswheek_piggsrbest.com From Guineapigfilms at aol.com Wed Nov 18 23:29:31 2009 From: Guineapigfilms at aol.com (Guineapigfilms at aol.com) Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:29:31 EST Subject: [Gpdd] CARE: Re: Bedding Message-ID: Jaime, We use the deluxe Ultra Carefresh, which is more than twice as expensive as the regular Carefresh, but it is cheaper than physician bills and medications for Alyssa's and my asthma. (We're allergic to other beddings.) Because the Ultra Carefresh is so absorbent and really seems to neutralize odors, we find that we only need to change it once a week. Also, we DO use newspapers. The newspapers here use soy-based ink--nothing toxic at all for piggies. And there are no staples, either. If you use newspapers on the bottom, you don't have to use as much Ultra Carefresh. Hang in there! My husband was downsized for the third time (in recent years) last year, and has finally found another job, but we don't have good health insurance, and his pay is much lower than in the past. So our financial circumstance is very, very precarious, too. That doesn't mean we skimp on buying parsley or baby carrots or premium food for Otto! :-) Our two dogs eat premium food and treats, too. We get so much pleasure ourselves from spoiling them! Love and WHEEEEEEEPS, Nancy & Alyssa & Otto, the Very Vocal Guinea Pig http://www.carrotwars.com From me at buddies.org Wed Nov 18 23:30:59 2009 From: me at buddies.org (ME) Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:30:59 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge; Liberty In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Thanks M. Liberty was a great pig and we miss her. Life is getting back to normal for our five remaining pigs. From a1.mills at portset.net Thu Nov 19 14:22:15 2009 From: a1.mills at portset.net (Andrew) Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:22:15 +0000 Subject: [Gpdd] ANNOUNCE - a new addition Message-ID: <200911191624.nAJGOHeP019531@post.portset.net> For a while now I've been thinking about getting a friend for one of my guinea pigs who lost his friend a few months ago. Often if I lose a guinea pig I'll try and get a friend as quickly as possible but in this case Mutley, the guinea pig who was left, had been a little bit sniffly and I didn't want to risk putting anyone else with him in case it was anything contageous. He was eating and behaving perfectly normally, just had a slightly sniffly nose. Well, he's been fine now for a couple of months and I felt he was getting a bit lonely so have been looking out for someone to keep him company. Today I was in one of my favourite local pet shops and naturally was looking at the piggies. There was this one little boy, sitting in the food dish and shouting his head off. There was food there, it obviously just wasn't to his liking or he wanted something better! Well, I held him, thought about it for a while and decided he'd be a good friend for Mutley. He's a little tric! olour, dark brown, ginger and white. I think he's most likely a cross between an abby and something else, he's one of those piggies with a sort of long tuft of hair sticking up on top of his bum. His fur is very soft and silky. Since getting him home he's been running around, exploring everywhere and making quite a bit of noise. I think he's going to be quite an active little one and will probably take the lead in trying to deafen me when the vegetables are on the way! I think he's going to be quite a character. I think I'm going to call him Wurzel. Others in the UK may remember a children's programme from years ago about a scarecrow called Wurzel Gummidge. Well, this scruffy little boy is a bit of a scarecrow (in a nice way) with his tufts of hair sticking out. I hope the two boys will hit it off, I don't usually have too many problems introducing a younger boy to an older one. As we know all piggies are cute but I think this little one is going to be very entert! aining. I'm looking forward to getting to know him better. From warmbreath at comcast.net Thu Nov 19 22:09:51 2009 From: warmbreath at comcast.net (warmbreath at comcast.net) Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:09:51 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] [Health] Mimi worries about e.c. References: Message-ID: <980CC498DF5F458D8208BAC0F70AE8F3@SANDY> I think its ok to clean the carpet with a disinfectant. After half an hour or so, start rinsing with sprayed water or use a carpet cleaner. If you spray water then put a bath towel over it and stand on it to wick out the water, repeat until the water coming out doesn't smell of Lysol or urine, and is getting dry, you want it to dry as soon as possible to avoid the possibility of mold. You have to use enough Lysol to do the disinfecting and then rinse it out. If you think the area was really soaked with urine you should pull up the carpet and see if the padding and floor or underlayment was damaged or soaked, if so discuss with Home Depot or Lowes to repair the area, otherwise the smell will just come up again. There is a product that can be painted on the underlayment, then patch with new padding and try to completely clean or replace the top carpet. Its very difficult to ID if theses baby buns were infected, and if so did any have an active e.c. infection. Did any of the babies appear to be a weakling and die? That's what happens when a baby bun gets an active infection. e.c. is very difficult to understand Its lifecycle is sporadic, its microscopic in size, and between active infections it encysts itself, at that point the bun may or may not be a carrier. Did you understand the dilemma I wrote about getting meaning results from the titre test, which is the only one available? Can you re read what I wrote before during Hershey's case so you know what to look for, or read the referenced article esp those by Dana Kremples PhD. on her website http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/rabbithealth.html I only ask because I dont know what I should repeat to give you all the info you need. The easiest answer is to change the carpet or put a large remnant over the are after you have it cleaned as best you can. Be sure that any hardscape, tools, cages, bowls etc are cleaned in 10% chlorine bleach solution and make sure your baby gets prophylactic ivermectin treatments in pairs, 7 to 10 days apart. That will help with many other parasites and worms that can be passed by rabbits too as well as the anecdotal evidence given by the article Penny Charlesworth provided that had written by a breeder. Does this answer you well? If not ask more and check out the archives. Good luck Sandy and Sammy From piggyfriends at tesco.net Fri Nov 20 06:00:09 2009 From: piggyfriends at tesco.net (Penny Charlesworth) Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:00:09 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC Welcome Worzel Message-ID: Andrew, A big piggy welcome to your new boy, Worzel. I remember watching Worzel Gummidge on television with my boys years ago. Good name for a tufty piggy. We always liked Jon Pertwee. I am sure that Mutley will love having a new playmate. Hugs for little Worzel, who will now have something more interesting in his food dish. Penny and the Piggyfriends. From agbmcmd at yahoo.com Fri Nov 20 17:03:54 2009 From: agbmcmd at yahoo.com (Audrey Binder) Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:03:54 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] Bedding Message-ID: <317401.9645.qm@web34405.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Another variation on a theme:? I use newspaper on the cage bottom, and put Carefresh in the corners and also in the corner litterbox (which is used for lounging, not for going to the bathroom, according to Gordon).? I get the Sunday newspaper only, I get to read it, and it is just the right amount for the week after I discard the glossy circulars.? It is soy-based ink and has no staples (The Washington Post).? I think Gordon likes to read the Editorials, get all excited about what it says, and gives the editors a piece of his mind by shredding some of it!? I used to put Carefresh all over the bottom, but Gordon always re-arranged it into the corners, so now I just put it in the corners for him.? He seems to like that much better, and it is very easy for me to spot clean every day since it is only Gordon in the cage (reading the paper). ? Audrey and Gordon, the GP Remembering Reese From agbmcmd at yahoo.com Fri Nov 20 17:13:52 2009 From: agbmcmd at yahoo.com (Audrey Binder) Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:13:52 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge: Kirsten Message-ID: <23888.20756.qm@web34404.mail.mud.yahoo.com> I was sadded to hear that one of our GPDD human?family members is no longer with us.? I remember her from the Critter Crew and she will be missed.? We can remember her along with Debbie and all of our fur babies who are now all together at the Rainbow Bridge during our annual Peter Gurney Candle Lighting Memorial in March. ? My sympathies to those she left behind. ? Audrey and Gordon, the GP (Remembering Reese) From agbmcmd at yahoo.com Fri Nov 20 17:27:38 2009 From: agbmcmd at yahoo.com (Audrey Binder) Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:27:38 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] Misc: Agouti sighting! Message-ID: <471931.19032.qm@web34405.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Gordon's co-slave William and I just got back from a vacation in Mexico and we saw Agoutis!? They are larger than Guinea Pigs, but much smaller than Capybaras.? They are wild, but can be kept as pets (I am told).? They definitely look like they are related to GPs but have longer legs.? Very cute! ? Audrey, Slave to Gordon From cazza177 at ntlworld.com Fri Nov 20 15:00:28 2009 From: cazza177 at ntlworld.com (Cazza177) Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:00:28 -0000 Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge: Liberty Message-ID: <626D5AE9D4704BD1BE9981374DA57F8F@DelBoy> ME, I was so sorry to hear about the loss of your dear Liberty. I recently lost my BG and Artie this year, and know the pain of your loss. I am so very sorry. Your other little buddies will keep you strong, I know. When their cheeky little faces look up at you with those beautiful shinning little eyes, that's when you know why guinea pigs are so special and precious and that each and every moment is one to treasure. Little Liberty will always be with you as I know you will not forget her. Thinking of you. Carole From eickmeha at gmail.com Fri Nov 20 20:48:55 2009 From: eickmeha at gmail.com (Heather Eickmeyer) Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:48:55 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] [HEALTH] Malocclusion Message-ID: I was hoping to gather some advice on a pig who has just recently had a procedure done for malocclusion. Hamlet had his back teeth filed down on Wednesday afternoon. It's been over 48 hours and he's still unable to eat on his own. He wants to eat but he just can't chew any food, including pellets, hay, fruits and veggies. He even seems to be having problems drinking from his water bottle. We are supplementing his diet with critical care, soggy pellets, pedialyte and syringed water. Is this normal for this kind of surgery? Is there anything that I can do to make him more comfortable? We felt like he was in a lot of pain and decided to give him Metacam last night. He acts like he feels better but he just cannot eat. Any Suggestions? Thank you! Heather, Charlie and Hamlet From jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net Fri Nov 20 17:37:01 2009 From: jaggs4 at sbcglobal.net (ANDREW SILL) Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:37:01 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Gpdd] misc: welcome Worzel Message-ID: <651473.99424.qm@web80208.mail.mud.yahoo.com> A big welcome to little Worzel!! You sound like a piggie with a big personality!! looking forward to reading all about you! Misfits From rzm.2 at verizon.net Fri Nov 20 21:58:30 2009 From: rzm.2 at verizon.net (Ronald Zimmerman) Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:58:30 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] MISC- welcomes to new piggie Message-ID: Congratulations on your new addition! He sounds like he will be quite the character. Look forward to hearing more about Wurzel! ~Jaime & Mimi~ ~Missing Albert, Molly, Radar & Daisy~ http://s652.photobucket.com/albums/uu246/chirpy123/ From me at buddies.org Fri Nov 20 21:18:20 2009 From: me at buddies.org (ME) Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:18:20 -0800 Subject: [Gpdd] Rainbow Bridge: Liberty In-Reply-To: <626D5AE9D4704BD1BE9981374DA57F8F@DelBoy> References: <626D5AE9D4704BD1BE9981374DA57F8F@DelBoy> Message-ID: Carole, thank you for your thoughts on Liberty. I am sorry to hear about BG and Artie ... I know how tough it is to lose more than one pig in a short time. Once, I lost four in about six months ... it was devastating. Sometimes I think that maybe I should have only a couple pigs at a time so I won't experience deaths so often ... but I love having a bunch ... the house almost seems empty having only five ... and I do love having a houseful. From scalabro3 at cfl.rr.com Fri Nov 20 22:59:28 2009 From: scalabro3 at cfl.rr.com (scalabro3 at cfl.rr.com) Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:59:28 -0500 Subject: [Gpdd] [Health] Malocclusion Message-ID: <20091121035929.15R94.56388.root@cdptpa-web24-z01> Heather, I was very sorry to hear that your Hamlet is not feeling well. The symptoms that you are describing following Hamlet's proceedure are not normal, but unfortunately, they do happen. I don't mean to scare you, but my dearly departed Dillon's problems began following tooth surgery, and he had many of the same symptoms. It sounds like you are doing all the right things. Keeping him hydrated and keeping some food in his belly are critical. Something like this happened to Dillon twice. The first time giving him critical care and fluids brought him around within two weeks. If he is in pain, metacam seems like a good thing to try. When Dillon was sick, Ann from Piggyville in Tampa recommended Rimadyl 10mg two times per day for for three days then 5 mg two times per day until the symptoms improve for pain. My vet wouldn't prescribe it because she said it was too dangerous. Talk to your vet and see what he or she thinks is best. Ann says that there is 20 years worth of data on using Rimadyl on piggies. You didn't mention if he was under anesthesia for the procedure. If so, please keep an eye on the other end of his digestive system. If his poops are smaller or less frequent than usual, you may need to try metoclopramide syrup to stimulate gut motility. You'll have to get that from the vet, and I believe that dosage is based on weight. I'd also try getting some Benebac into him. You can get that from your vet or some pet stores carry it. I hope that your little Hamlet will be feeling better soon! Best Wishes, ME in New Smyrna Beach with Donovan, Puffball, Cocoa Puff, Ghirardelli, Chakalaka and Dillon Forever in our Hearts