GROOMING

FUR GROOMING 

Longhaired guinea pigs have to be brushed more often, because otherwise their hair gets matted.

If you do not plan to got to exhibitions with your cavy, it is recommended to cut off its hair in the summertime. It's much cooler for the animal then!

Fur and hair in general can be cut best with a scissor for hair. These scissors are a little ribbed and so the hair does not slip away so easily. An electric razor is not advisable, because the noise would probably scare the animal.

Short haired animals do not really have to be brushed regularly, only during the change of fur you might help your little friend with a little brushing. 

There is no need to bath the animal, it cleans itself more then once each day.

Exception: When your cavy gets a skin rash it is advisable to shower it with a special disinfectant solution. Most of the time guinea pigs are quiet and good patients.

CLAW GROOMING

From time to time you will notice (usually because of the scratches on your arms), that the nails of guinea pig have grown too long.

You can easily cut them by yourself with the help of a common nail clipper or with a special claw scissor which can be bought in every pet shop or home improvement market.

Cutting the claws you have to pay attention to the blood vessels inside of them. Try to cut about 2-3 mm before the vessel. This is quite easy as long as your guinea pig doesn't have black nails, then it's up to you to guess the right length, because you can't see the vessel then.

It's up to your skills if you can hold the animal and cut at one time, or if you need a second person to hold the animal.

If you try to handle it alone, hold the cavy against you breast and turn it, supporting it with the back of your arm, on it's back.

Now grab it's bottom or feet with your hand and try to carefully cut the nails with your other hand.

If you don't think you want or can do this on your own, let your vet do it for you!

WEIGHT CONTROL

No matter if youngster or grown up cavy, try once a week to check it's weight. Make yourself a table and write down the weight every time.

Having an eye on the weight of the animal can help you see sickness, pregnancy or overweight early, so you can react in time.

WEEKLY CONTROL

When you weigh your animal you can check some other things, too.

Take a look on the teeth, ears, eyes and the body in general. 

Dirty ears or eyes can be cleaned with a soft cloth (handkerchief).

Please do not use cotton buds!

Bald specks or other conspicuous things please do not wait, but go see your vet.

Always keep in mind that one sick animal can infect all other animals, therefore it should usually be isolated until it is completely well again.

Precise direction you will get from your veterinarian, according to the disease and the treatment he considers best.

Already the youngsters have to be checked weekly.

THE MOST FREQUENT DISEASES

I would like to point out, that I don not consider it right, when people try to tinker around with the animal.

If you find conspicuous things, please go to see a vet, don't try to treat the animal yourself (only if you are a vet, then it's o.k I guess!).

Also think about the possibility that one sick animal can infect all the other fellow occupants and also you and your family.

The longer you delay to visit your vet, or at least the isolation of the sick animal from the others, the worse for you and your little friend it will be.

Leave the exact diagnosis up to the expert.

All the above mentioned actions are only considered as the beginning!

If the symptoms do not go away, you should visit a vet the next day latest! He can judge the situation a lot better then you and evaluate an appropriate treatment.

The more time passes the more the disease can progress and the harder will be the treatment.

So try to think more about your little friend then about your purse!

Of course if you have the feeling that the doctor is trying to exploit you (those are said to exist), you should not be afraid about getting a second opinion.

All Viennese I can warmly recommend my Veterinarian (for Adressinfos klick here). Also you should check if your vet is specialized on small animals.

GOING TO THE VET

When go to the Vet with your animal, you should already have in mind the following facts:

• How old is the animal?

• How long do you have the animal?

• How do you keep it?

• What are the symptoms?

• How long does it show these?

• Does it eat and drink normal?
  

For the transport to the Vet you should use a transport-box, usually used for cats, or a simple shopping basket.

Follow the instructions of your vet!

If you have to give medicine or creams, let him show you how to do it right.

Ask him the following questions (you usually consider at home, when it's too late):

• Do I have to isolate the animal from the others?

• If yes: What does the accommodation have to be like?
  (dark, warm, soft, etc.)

• What can it eat and how often?

• Are there any things it should not eat?

• Do I have to keep an eye on anything special?

• When do I have to come again?

CARE DURING HOLIDAY

If you're only away for a weekend (two days) you can supply the animal with enough fodder, hay and water for two day and leave it alone with good conscious.

If you plan to spend a longer holiday, you should also plan in somebody who cares for your cavy during this time.

Provide the "guardian" with a checklist what to feed and who to call (Vet).

If you do not have anyone who could care for the animal, you can take it to a pet-motel, an animal shelter or a pet shop. This is not for free, but you will have to calculate this in.

The thought, to abandon the animal, is only in the minds of very heartless and irresponsible people!

If you stay in the country or in general travel by car, you could also check the possibility of taking the animal with you.