As Cute As A Button
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As Cute As A Button
While there is a long story (if i give all the details) behind why I got him, I'll try to keep the back-story short.
I popped into the pet store yesterday and spotted a teeny guinea pig baby in with a few much larger (possibly mature) male guinea pigs. Due to his size, I had to get him out of there. I asked the pet shop owner how old the little guy was and she said "around 7 weeks". I have a few friends who breed guinea pigs so rushed him round to one of them to get their opinion. The conclussion was that he was maybe 7 days old and most definitely to young to be away from Mum.
A mild case of mites but otherwise he is over-all relatively healthy. My lone boy Tobi is very much enjoying his company and is very protective over the wee guy so here he is!
And next to Tobi! - Tobi isn't fully grown yet, only 4 months old.
I popped into the pet store yesterday and spotted a teeny guinea pig baby in with a few much larger (possibly mature) male guinea pigs. Due to his size, I had to get him out of there. I asked the pet shop owner how old the little guy was and she said "around 7 weeks". I have a few friends who breed guinea pigs so rushed him round to one of them to get their opinion. The conclussion was that he was maybe 7 days old and most definitely to young to be away from Mum.
A mild case of mites but otherwise he is over-all relatively healthy. My lone boy Tobi is very much enjoying his company and is very protective over the wee guy so here he is!
And next to Tobi! - Tobi isn't fully grown yet, only 4 months old.
Cordane- Fuzzy
- Posts : 55
Join date : 2012-10-05
Re: As Cute As A Button
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Yes he is adorable! He looks really really young, he could even pass for a newborn. I wonder what the situation was.
tinyhartmouseries- Moderator
- Posts : 641
Join date : 2012-01-15
Age : 35
Location : Wichita, KS
Re: As Cute As A Button
One things for sure, he definitely isn't a new born - his weight when I got him was 215g and I've gotten others that were supposedly 6-8 weeks and only that amount (I later found out that the breeder I got them from is quite terrible and often gives the bubs away at a week to two weeks old).
I asked the pet shop lady questions about the person who brought them in (they cannot give away names) but it definitely wasn't said person above.
Apparently it was a young girl (teenager) and is say she had very little knowledge in regards to how long they should be with mum. It seems like a lot of people assume that since they come out fully formed and ready to go that they don't need Mum.
The pet shop lady went even as far to say that the girl took real good care of the two she brought in (mine and I assume a sibling) which is a total lie in my opinion..
He is really quite sweet but skittish as anything but being in with Tobi and daily handling will settle him down. He already knows how to use the ramp in the cage and is eating all his veges and grass, not sure if he has learnt how to drink from a bottle as they drink so little but with all the watery veges he should be ok.
I asked the pet shop lady questions about the person who brought them in (they cannot give away names) but it definitely wasn't said person above.
Apparently it was a young girl (teenager) and is say she had very little knowledge in regards to how long they should be with mum. It seems like a lot of people assume that since they come out fully formed and ready to go that they don't need Mum.
The pet shop lady went even as far to say that the girl took real good care of the two she brought in (mine and I assume a sibling) which is a total lie in my opinion..
He is really quite sweet but skittish as anything but being in with Tobi and daily handling will settle him down. He already knows how to use the ramp in the cage and is eating all his veges and grass, not sure if he has learnt how to drink from a bottle as they drink so little but with all the watery veges he should be ok.
Cordane- Fuzzy
- Posts : 55
Join date : 2012-10-05
Re: As Cute As A Button
Adorable! I am glad little Tobi has a chance. You should probably avoid that store in the future. Giving them any of your business will only help support their ignorance and poor treatment of the little guys.
I love guinea pigs My piggy was 8 when he died and I definitely have a soft spot for them
I look forward to seeing how he grows up!
~Natalie
I love guinea pigs My piggy was 8 when he died and I definitely have a soft spot for them
I look forward to seeing how he grows up!
~Natalie
fashionfobie- Pinky
- Posts : 26
Join date : 2013-01-13
Age : 37
Location : Erie-PA, Moving to Buffalo-NY in a few months
Re: As Cute As A Button
Tobi is the bigger guy - the little guy doesn't have a name as of yet. The pet store that I got him from is usually pretty good but lately it has definitely been going down-hill.
After typing this part of the reply, I've come to realise that I actually 100% agree with you in regards to no longer giving them my business. The only reason I usually went to them is because they are the only pet store within 3hrs drive that has mice (in NZ we don't have the luxery of breeders or show mice) but now-a-days, I know of a few more breeders who do take care of the mice they breed (even if they know nothing of genetics).
I have 7 guinea pigs now, all are still relatively young - 2 in June, 2 in July, 1 in October and the newbie who was born this month.
The one not mentioned is called Boxa, she came to me as a rescue (kept at a friends place on pregnancy watch after coming from a bad situation and then came to me). I'm definitely not looking forward to the day any of them pass.
I will definitely keep everyone updated - I, myself, am also looking forward to see the progress he makes. Weekly weight checks and who knows how often I will take photos but no less than once a month
After typing this part of the reply, I've come to realise that I actually 100% agree with you in regards to no longer giving them my business. The only reason I usually went to them is because they are the only pet store within 3hrs drive that has mice (in NZ we don't have the luxery of breeders or show mice) but now-a-days, I know of a few more breeders who do take care of the mice they breed (even if they know nothing of genetics).
I have 7 guinea pigs now, all are still relatively young - 2 in June, 2 in July, 1 in October and the newbie who was born this month.
The one not mentioned is called Boxa, she came to me as a rescue (kept at a friends place on pregnancy watch after coming from a bad situation and then came to me). I'm definitely not looking forward to the day any of them pass.
I will definitely keep everyone updated - I, myself, am also looking forward to see the progress he makes. Weekly weight checks and who knows how often I will take photos but no less than once a month
Cordane- Fuzzy
- Posts : 55
Join date : 2012-10-05
Re: As Cute As A Button
Awwww cute and great pictures!
LittleSniffs- Hopper
- Posts : 388
Join date : 2012-02-15
Age : 47
Location : Maryland
Re: As Cute As A Button
Yeah the are so cute! I am happy to hear you are giving them the care they deserve. When my Punkin got older I started adding wheat germ to his diet. Of course he had tons of fresh veg everyday too.
One thing I will give you as a word of caution for the future. Be extremely careful with antibiotics for guinea pigs. My Punkin was an old man pig (8 years old) who got a mild respiratory infection. He was never sick before so I took him to the vet for x-rays and the works. The vet prescribed antibiotics. It turned out that his aging body couldn't take it. He suffered from kidney failure and passed the next day.
I am sharing this story so hopefully you don't have something like this happen to your piggies. The vet wasn't at fault. He was an old guinea pig and sometimes it is hard to predict the outcome. So I don't hold blame there. This is something worth knowing, especially as your herd ages.
One thing I will give you as a word of caution for the future. Be extremely careful with antibiotics for guinea pigs. My Punkin was an old man pig (8 years old) who got a mild respiratory infection. He was never sick before so I took him to the vet for x-rays and the works. The vet prescribed antibiotics. It turned out that his aging body couldn't take it. He suffered from kidney failure and passed the next day.
I am sharing this story so hopefully you don't have something like this happen to your piggies. The vet wasn't at fault. He was an old guinea pig and sometimes it is hard to predict the outcome. So I don't hold blame there. This is something worth knowing, especially as your herd ages.
fashionfobie- Pinky
- Posts : 26
Join date : 2013-01-13
Age : 37
Location : Erie-PA, Moving to Buffalo-NY in a few months
Re: As Cute As A Button
Thank you for letting me know that! It is something that is definitely worth noting down.
Well the little guy is now 241g so in two days, thats a gain of 26g which is pretty good
Well the little guy is now 241g so in two days, thats a gain of 26g which is pretty good
Cordane- Fuzzy
- Posts : 55
Join date : 2012-10-05
Re: As Cute As A Button
An update on my wee man.
I've had him for 13 days now and in that 13 days, he has gone from 215g to 320g! Not to bad really.
Someone suggested that he should be called "Kovu" and while I liked the name idea, it just refused to stick! But apparently "Ted" sort of did. So here is "Teddy" with.. a Teddy
And two extras :
I've had him for 13 days now and in that 13 days, he has gone from 215g to 320g! Not to bad really.
Someone suggested that he should be called "Kovu" and while I liked the name idea, it just refused to stick! But apparently "Ted" sort of did. So here is "Teddy" with.. a Teddy
And two extras :
Cordane- Fuzzy
- Posts : 55
Join date : 2012-10-05
Re: As Cute As A Button
Omg that's too cute. that you took this little guy in. I can't wait to see him grow up. My last piggie boy was 6.5 yrs old when he passed of kidney failure- I definitely miss Tiggr.
Re: As Cute As A Button
Yeahh so the name "Teddy" didn't really stick either.. His name is officially Theodore, Theo for short
Day 21 of having him and his weight gain has definitely slowed down a bit but thats ok. 363g which means he has gained 148g since he came home with me.
Day 21 of having him and his weight gain has definitely slowed down a bit but thats ok. 363g which means he has gained 148g since he came home with me.
Cordane- Fuzzy
- Posts : 55
Join date : 2012-10-05
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