If you've heard of scurvy chances are you associate it with explorers, sailors, and pirates. Lo' and behold this is the same condition your Guinea Pig can develop!
In the days of sailing for months, orange and/or lime tree's were brought on board giving those aboard much needed vitamin C. To prevent scurvy in your pocket pet pig, its much simpler. But before we get into prevention, lets talk a little about the condition.
Weakness, bruises, unkempt fur, deformities, disinterest in food, and weightloss are a few of the signs your pig may have a vitamin C deficiency, or scurvy. Vitamin C is involved in the development of blood and collagen. Some animals, such as guinea pigs, primates (I.e. apes, chimps, etc..), and people, do not have the enzyme that would enable vitamin C to be synthesized so we have to make sure its included in their diet.
A well rounded diet consists of guinea pig food, daily serving of fresh fruits and vegetables, timmothy hay three or four times a week, and clean/fresh water. The guinea pig food you purchase at your local pet store needs to be labeled for guinea pigs and is detrimental but cannot be provided as the sole source of vitamin C. As the food sits on the shelf, it looses nutritional value (specifically food that has been "bagged' longer than 90 days). We have to make sure we are feeding our pigs food containing vitamin C. The fresh fruits and vegetables are the key to proper vitamin C and include kale, dandelion greens (if you do not use pesticides or fertilizers on your lawn, you can fresh pick and feed them to your pig), green peppers, strawberries, and kiwi. Avoid vegetables, such as cabbage, that can cause diggestion upset and gas. Timmothy hay is a good staple but only needs to be provided three or four times a week. As it does contain vitamin C, its major source of nutrition is in the form of ruffage. If your following the well rounded diet of proper pelleted food, timmothy hay, and fruits/vegetables, than your pig should be receiving enough vitamin C to prevent scurvy.
If your reading this and saying to yourself "I feed my guinea pig the proper pelleted food, daily fruits and vegetables, and timmothy hay three or four times a week, but he/she is showing signs of scurvy," then you need to take your pet to a Veterinarian. Scurvy can be a sign of vitamin malabsorption and/or other problems such as anemia, which requires treatment of the primary cause of the vitamin deficiency and a more potent source of vitamin C. If you do not treat your pig, scurvy can cause death.
Sometimes feeding the proper diet just isnt enough. Vitamin C supplements are available at your local pet store and can be as simple as adding it to your pets drinking water. However, the supplement cannot replace proper diet. Fruits and vegetables provides other nutrients too such as B vitamins.
Prevent your pocket pet pig from going prematurely to Davey Jones' Locker by feeding him/her guinea pig labeled pelleted food, fresh fruits and vegetables, and timmothy hay!
The weather is changing...the snow is melting...the days are shifting from dreary and cold to sunny and warm...now is the time we start thinking about the summer activities we enjoy with our dogs. Why not take a hike or nice long walk at the State Park in Ludington or on the River Walk in Manistee...so, what's stopping you? Oh, I see. There seems to be confusion of who is walking whom. I have the solution!
There is a head collar, or halter, for dogs. The two most common brandnames are Halti and Gentle Leader. These products are humane and give an alternative to using choke or training/pinch collars. Now, I dont want to mislead you. Yes, you probably would get a much faster response with a choke collar...but lets do some compare and contrast...
A choke collar, if used properly, can give an instantaneous result. However, the first thing to consider is "if" used properly. Believe it or not you can use a choke collar incorrectly. To acquire the desired affect of the choke collar you must have accurate timing, the proper quick motion, and know the proper command to issue when using the corrective pull on the leash. If not used properly, your no further ahead then when you started other than you can cause injury to your dogs trachea (AKA "windpipe"). Not to mention, some dogs do not respond to choke collars period.
The head collar on the other hand cannot cause injury to you pet. But like I said there is an important factor that if not utilized by you, will result in failure...PATIENCE. It takes roughly five to 14 days to get your dog accustomed to your new training tool. Remember, your sticking the collar over your dogs face and muzzle, so its take a little getting use to. You'll want to start by simply placing the collar on your dog and removing it and then increasing the length of time your leaving it on, for the first three to seven days. And of course, a few dog treats while your using the collar helps too! After you feel your dog adjusting, take your first walk outside for a short five minute walk. And again, increase the time until your pet feels comfortable. If you start now, you'll be more than ready for a hiking retreat with your dog, your new walking buddy, next month. So, why does the head collar work?
When humanely training your dog, keep something in mind. The relationship is best with your dog when he/she knows who is the alpha, or the head of household. Dogs are pack animals and are most as ease when they know where they fall in the pack. The head collar gives a humane way to enforce this. If the dog attempts to walk ahead of you, the collar, without any added force on your behalf, pulls your dogs head back towards you. And again, without any added force, just as the one namebrand implies, Gentle Leader.
You can find head collars, or the Halti and Gentle Leader, at Veterinary Hospitals, pet stores, and of course numerous pet supply websites. They are relatively inexpensive ranging in price from eight dollars up to 20. And of course the aspect of enjoying your walk and the time with your four legged companion is priceless.
Happy Trails!!!
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