E,F,G,H

E is for:

Ears: Guinea pigs ears can show the first signs of fungal problems. White tide marks or heavy crusting/scabbing are an obvious sign. Lavender and Myrrh Lotion from Gorgeous Guineas often rights this problem on its own, for more advice contact Gorgeous Guineas on info@gorgeousguineas.com. There is a bald patch behind each ear, get to know how big it is and what the skin looks like in case of change.

Eyes: Should look bright and alert. Eye poke injurys should be seen by a vet who can give antibiotic drops to minimise risk of infection. The eye is cloudy while it heals but will soon right itself. Abscesses behind the eye need immediate attention. Do NOT wait for your own vet to be available for emergency treatment.

F is for:

Fatty Eye:

Fiddlestix: Wooden logs that can be bent into an arch for a house or put on its side it can be used as a manger for hay.

Fucithalmic: An antibiotic eye ointment, used in the treatment of eye injuries.

Fuciderm: A veterinary product used to treat moist dermatitis (‘hot spots’) and intertrigo (skin fold. dermatitis).

Fungal: Because of the humid climate in the United Kingdom guinea pigs are prone to developing fungal problems, identified by dandruff and hair that can be removed by tugging it gently and has clumps of skin at the base. A fungal guinea pig that is not treated (or treated incorrectly) will advance to the stage where the skin is burning hot to the touch and fitting may occur. Gorgeous Guineas have developed products that are gentle to use on such delicate skin. The products were developed when guinea pig rescues had varying degrees of fungal problems present in their guinea pig rescues.

G is for:

Grass: The natural food for guinea pigs. Although grass can be fed ad lib it should be remembered that the grass in the United Kingdom is better quality than their digestive systems are designed for. In the spring grass is high in Phosphorus and care should be taken when feeding it or bloat may occur. Timothy and Orchard Grass are well suited to guinea pigs but are also better when mature, care still needs to be taken when these grasses are new.

Grease Gland: The gland that can be seen where the base of the tail stump would be if guinea pigs had tails.

Guinea pig: Also known as the Cavy (Cavies).

H is for:

Harlequin:

Hay: No hay, no guinea pigs. Hay is essential for the correct wearing of the molar teeth as it promotes the grinding side to side action that is necessary. Hay comes in many varieties and from many sources but the only hay that should be given is good hay. Good hay is golden/green in colour, smells pleasant (of grass), and be free from dust and thistles (though being a natural product one or two may be present and should be removed). Local farm shops are a good source for finding hay as they supply stables and horses require ‘good hay’ too. The Yellow Pages (under farm shops) is a good place to look. Online hay is available from www.dustfreehay.co.uk and as the name suggests it is dust extracted (not once but 3 times). Oxbow hay is available from www.sphsupplies.co.uk.

Himilayan: A predominantley white guinea pig with a chocolate/black smut and ears, also legs.

Hutch: The minimum size for 2 guinea pigs is 4 foot by 2 foot or 120 cm by 60 cm. This was the recommendation given to DEFRA by the R.S.P.C.A. Hutches should be placed in a shed out of the damp.

December 29, 2008   Posted in: Wheekerpedia

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