Bear had another stroke ...

Bear had a seizure/stroke today after I weighed him. Although in time he had bounced back from his prior episodes he was not responding nor moving much after today's episode. I did not feel that it was in his best interests or humane to continue to keep him going just because I might be able to so he was PTS. Over the years Bear surprised everyone with his resiliency but today it was time to set him free from any suffering that he might have or might have in the future. Rest well little man and frolic in the fields on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge. Fluffy, his companion for a few years, is doing well with Licorice, who was placed with him to be there when Bear no longer was around.

New cage mate for Kira???????

Where's the staff person? Who's on duty? What's that fluffy thing doing in the cage??? Call the SPCA. They know! Wheek! [When I was at the shelter with Tot this weekend I was shown the female who came in with the male we were bonding with Tot. She seemed a bit older and had slightly flaky skin, something that Teddy's occasionally have. She came home with me and got a bath and a dose of Revolution. I'll monitor her skin/ear flap and give her another Nizoral (shampoo) bath next weekend. When she is okay, I will try to bond her with Kira who would like an older female companion. Attached is a photo of Dolly who appears to be a Teddy which Kira might be also.]

Tot has a new buddy

Tot's caretaker lost her home and asked for help in placing Tot through a rescue or shelter. The local shelter had offered to take him and he went for a bonding session yesterday and today with another male. They both seemed to be friends at the end of the day. Let's hope it stays that way! (Tot is on the right.)

Licorice is eating everything in sight!

Licorice has gained almost 150 grams more than his sister, Kira. He lives with Fluffy, an older male who might be teaching him that eating is a good thing. ;)

The White Rabbit is Here!

Why? Where is Alice? This isn't Wonderland! Wheek! [Last year I was contacted about two rescued rabbits who were being chased down the street, most likely for food. Bella, the young female was taken to a vet and later spayed. Sal, the older male was kept by the person who rescued them. Sal's neuter was this week and he is doing well post-op and will head back to his home this weekend. He seems HUGE! Why? I am used to dwarf rabbits.]

Oscar and Pryn got haircuts!

I can't believe it! Their hair fianlly grew in! Wheek! [Oscar and Pryn had a skin problem that took a while to resolve but their hair looks great now. Their hair is so thick and shiny now. They are shown with Bobby during a bonding attempt that did not work out.]

Bear's still here!

Bear's quality of life was assessed by Dr. H yesterday. It does appear that he did have a stroke and that he is now blind and has a head tilt. He has lost weight since his episode/stroke because he had stopped eating. The exam revealed that his lower teeth are growing over his tongue. However, due to his age and medical condition they will not be trimmed. His heart disease is under control and his breathing was normal. Even though it appeared that he was dying his meds were continued and he was started on Critical Care the day after his stroke. He is now moving/walking a bit and has gained a little bit of weight back. He is back in the c 'n c cage that she shared with Fluffy and Licorice but there is a divider in the cage since Fluffy still harasses him.

Oliver's Stitches Removed

He's doing great! Thanks, Dr. H! Wheek! [Oliver had his sutures removed yesterday and he seems to be doing just fine. Thanks again to Dr. Carolynn Harvey and also to the volunteers at the shelter for paying for his surgery.]

Bowl missing!

Alert! Call the ASPCA! Bella's water bowl is missing. Where is it???? Wheek! [Bella likes to store some of her toys in her water bowl. Now that she has two bowls of water it very easy to still have water and a storage spot for her toys.]

Bear's not doing well!

Call the vet, STAT! Wheek! [Bear may have had another stroke or "episode" this morning. In the past two days his heart meds had been increased as had his pain/anti-inflammatory meds since he seemed to be having trouble. The vet clinic was contacted but the vet was not there so an email and photos have been sent to her. In addition, his prior caretakers have been notified. He did take his meds and some soy fruit-flavored yogurt tonight. He is not able to move at this point and is twitching occasionally.]

Cam's back!

'Bout time! What took you so long??? Run the ad again! Looking for new blog person! Must be able to turn on computer! Good pay: 4 carrots a day! Wheek!

Easter Photo Shoot!

Where's the Easter Bunny??? That's what I want to know! Wheek! [I took some photos yesterday of Licorice and Kira, two surprise babies who were born to a guinea pig that a family got last Christmas. Licorice was the larger of the babies and he has gained about 100 grams more than Kira. She absolutely loves her tunnel that Windespirit made and Licorice loves his as well. These photos were taken to send to the family as an update.]

What's with all of the meds?

I want to know! Pink, white, and no color. What's the problem with the pigs? Helllllloooooo. Is there a staff person on duty? Wheek! [There are some pigs here who are currently taking medications, both short-term and long-term. Bear receives his heart and arthritis meds daily and they seem to be helping and are adjusted as needed. Oliver recently had a small cyst removed so he's on a low dose of Metacam and Bactrim for another day. So far his surgical site looks good. His stitches will be removed next Saturday. Pippa, who is sometimes on the cam, is currently being treated with Bactrim for a possible UTI.]

GPF Website Updated: 8 comics & 27 photos

Thanks to everyone for their photo contributions and also for your patience the past few months while my computer was not working properly. Enjoy! More updates coming.

UPDATES: 4-1-10

The Guinea Pig Fun computer, cam, and blog have been down off and on for the past couple of months due to computer problems. Now that there is a new computer set up and it's time to post some updates about what has been going on here at GPF!

1. New computer; finally after various ongoing problems with the other computer. Everything has been set up on the new computer and some kinks were worked out with the cam which should be up by this weekend.

2. A couple of weeks ago it looked like Bear was having a stroke. He was totally confused and stopped eating but he snapped back in a day or so of not eating and being "out of it". He was seen by the vet and also force fed during that time. Twice I thought he had died since he didn't move when I touched him. I guess he was just sleeping soundly. The vet, who has treated him ongoing, said that "He's 10 years old" and that one day he might not really be moving. This morning he got another bath since he smelled. It looks like he has a scratch on his stomach so it was treated. He has mobility problems due to his arthritis and the meds help a bit.

3. Oliver, another older pig, had his small cyst removed from his left shoulder area yesterday. Dr. Harvey removed it using a local and so far he seems to be doing great. His head tilt is permanent but he gets around fine. His eyes were treated for a while and will be treated as needed. This photo was taken post-op last night. The shelter volunteers paid for his surgery. Thank you!

4. In February I was asked to help sex a "Christmas" pig who might be pregnant (she was). The family took excellent care of the mom and the three babies. Unfortunately, one of them was a runt and apparently was always hungry and she died the day that they were separated. The mother and her female cage mate, who were both great with the babies, rejected Kira, the other female, so she is here being tried with different females. Licorice, the male, who was the largest of the babies, is now with Fluffy so he will have a buddy when Bear is no longer here. Bear and Fluffy are housed next to Bear (the cage was divided) since Fluffy kept harassing Bear (ongoing/forever). So far they all seem to be fine with the arrangement.

5. Sasha (in photo), who was dumped in a night drop at a shelter and later pulled, and Rosie are up with Kaylie now getting to know each other. Kaylie is six years old and her caretaker is taking it slow with the introductions. Hope it works out since they are being totally spoiled!

6. Bella, the stray rabbit who was being chased down the street before she was rescued, was spayed by the local shelter. She is really sweet and user-friendly; a great rabbit. If anyone is interested in adopting her contact GPF for an adoption application.