[Gpdd] [care] nail trimming

Tue Mar 27 23:01:13 EDT 2007

i find there are two good ways to trim a piggies nails.  one is to put them on your lap and patiently pick up each foot and trim, a lot of times this does not work for me though because they get wise and clench up their fists so i cannot cut the nails.  the way i use most is to pick them up, put their back against my chest and have my left hand underneath their front paws with my chest supporting them.  with my right hand i cut their nails with small human nail cutter or one for cats.  i press the nail gently one time, then a little harder the second time, then if they havent squealed by that point i go ahead and go all the way through the third time.  a lady taught me this and calls it the 1-2-3 method.  i have heard that if you want the quick to regress then you should trim a little everyday for a week or two then you will not have to worry so much about making them bleed.

  good luck!
  rachel

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Today's Topics:

1. [GPDD] Care: Nail trimming (Susi Eastin)
2. Health: Miss Zeussy again (Shauna Osteen)
3. [CARE] Piggy Toe Nails (Cazza177)
4. MISC- Lil Bear come back! (Jaime)
5. Misc:Pet store+Randy (joan fagalde)
6. [HEALTH] Another Wheezing Piggie (Hala Annette)
7. CARE: Piggy toe nails (Dee and Joe)
8. Misc:Pet store+Randy-2 (joan fagalde)
9. Health: Miss Zeussy again (joan fagalde)
10. Care: Nail trimming (joan fagalde)
11. HEALTH: Juliet (Dee and Joe)
12. virtual: ThuderBear apparel (Mary Fran McCluskey)
13. [CARE] (DCULLON at aol.com)
14. Misc: Where is Lil Bear?? (Carla Martinez)
15. Health: Wrong about Miss Zeussy (Shauna Osteen)
16. Health: Nail Care & Pancake (Algernon07 at aol.com)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2007 08:37:14 -0700 (PDT)
From: Susi Eastin 
Subject: [Gpdd] [GPDD] Care: Nail trimming
To: DailyDigest GuineaPig 
Message-ID: <962242.73719.qm at web37802.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

I guess I've missed those books - I don't think
I've ever heard it recommended to turn a 
piggie on his back for having his nails trimmed.
I do remember one slave saying they simply
set their piggie on a tennis racket, and then
trimmed the nails that stuck through the
racket. It worked well for them, but I never
tried it. To me, the secret is to keept the
piggie calm and still, and turning one upside
down does not keep them calm. I set them
on my lap on a towel, petting them, and
talking to them. When they are reasonably
calm, I trim one foot at a time. If they are
very stressed, we just don't do all the feet
at once. Or very much off at a time. You
can always go back and do more. When
necessary, I hold the piggie snugly against
me, or even wrap them in a towel, piggie
burrito style. 
Maybe the upside down thing is supposed
to hypnotize them or something. Good luck!
Susi & the Okie Piggies
(with "Do Not Tip" printed on their tummies!)

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Message: 2
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2007 11:44:03 -0400
From: "Shauna Osteen" 
Subject: [Gpdd] Health: Miss Zeussy again
To: gpdd at gpdd.org
Message-ID:
<87f994710703260844y1b0accbajf1e8550a63eed7dd at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Hello Everyone,
Well Miss Zeussy started up with the squeeking again this weekend. I called
our vet first thing this morning and we are going in this afternoon. I was
just looking for a little advise. I am suspecting she has another UTI. Since
it hasn't been that long since she had the last one I am thinking we didn't
knock out the infection the last time. Our vet put her on Baytril before,
but after reading the guinealynx forum it looks like she should have been
put on Bactrim instead. I am going to ask about this today. Last time the
Baytril also upset her stomach, so maybe they will try the Bactrim first
anyway.

The other thing I was reading is that she could have sludge that is causing
the problem. I am going to ask about this as well. Her urine does tend to
leave white chalky residue sometimes. Her diet consists of KayDee's Timothy
Complete (she refuses to eat Oxboy Cavy Cuisine) unlimited Timothy hay,
Orchard Grass occasionally, and the following veggies: romaine lettuce,
Belgian endive, cilantro, pea pods, Green Beans, occasional carrots and
escarole. I read that maybe I should cut out the romaine lettuce for bladder
sludge. Any advise would be great. As I said I am going to pose all these
questions to Dr. Mulski as well, but I greatly value the opinions on the
digest. Healing wishes to the other sick piggies out there.

~Shauna, Proud Piggie Parent of Quentin and Miss Zeussy, as well as Momo
waiting at the Bridge

------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2007 17:15:31 +0100
From: Cazza177 
Subject: [Gpdd] [CARE] Piggy Toe Nails
To: , 
Message-ID: 
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Dear Kelly

Vedra told me that with a guinea pigs nails, on the underside of them --
where they look almost hollow -- you should be able to see a second groove
inside the nail, which is a little way up from the tip the nail. If you cut
to just below the point of the second groove (the quick) but no higher, you
should be fine.

One of my guinea pigs is black and so are his paws and nails, so I have
exactly the same problem, but using that inner groove to their nails is my
guide.

Before cutting their nails, make sure you have some potassium permanganate
or other styptic on hand, so that if the quick is accidentally cut, the end
can be cauterized with this.

But if you are in any doubt, I would suggest you could take them to the vets
and get them to show you what point you should be looking for on Pancake's
paw. By the way, what a lovely name for a guinea pig!

Good luck Carole

----------
From: hypnotic95 at aol.com
Date: Sun, 25 Mar 2007 12:28:02 EDT
To: gpdd at gpdd.org
Subject: [Gpdd] [CARE] Wheezing Piggy, and Piggy Toe Nails

Hi,

I have had a similar problem with my waffles and wheezing. We took him to
the vet for it last year when I first noticed it. It happened's once in
awhile. The vet checked him out and said he was fine. That it was
probably a 
allergy to something. So we tried different bedding and it didn't make to
much 
of a difference. But it went away, I hear it every so often but I just
keep 
an eye on him and usually it goes away as quickly as it starts. It's weird
but as long as his breathing is fine and he is eating and drinking good.
I 
don't worry as much. It is a scary sound so I do understand your concern,
but my waffles is his normal self. Good luck with your piggy

No for my question to the group... I have a piggy named pancake who has
one 
paw that is entirely black and the nails are black. The problem I'm having
is cutting his nails on that paw. They are so dark even with a light I
can't 
see through them. Awhile ago one of his nails broke and the vet said it
was 
ok because the quick would retract, which it did and he (pancake) never
acted any different, in fact I don't think he even knew what happened. But
now 
it's like the nails are even darker and they really need to get cut but I'm
so afraid to cut them because the last time I saw the quick through the
nail 
it went almost to the end. None of his other nails on the other paws have
quick that long. Any suggestions?? I don't want them to get any longer but
I'm 
afraid, please help? thanks

Kelly with pancake and waffles

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Message: 4
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2007 16:39:29 GMT
From: "Jaime" 
Subject: [Gpdd] MISC- Lil Bear come back!
To: faststats at faststatschecks.com, Gpdd at gpdd.org
Cc: rzm.2 at juno.com
Message-ID: <20070326.083944.7754.1918817 at webmail47.nyc.untd.com>
Content-Type: text/plain

Mary Fran- 
I'm so sorry to hear that Lil Bear is missing! Poor baby! I know you 
won't listen to this, but I'll say it anyway, please don't be too hard 
on yourself. We all make mistakes. We will say prayers that he finds 
his way home very soon. Please keep us posted.

~Jaime, Molly, Radar, Grumpy Carl, & Albert always in our hearts~
http://www.piggiepages1.blinkz.com/

------------------------------

Message: 5
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2007 09:40:31 -0700 (PDT)
From: joan fagalde 
Subject: [Gpdd] Misc:Pet store+Randy
To: DIANA BARBOUR 
Cc: gpdd at gpdd.org
Message-ID: <814878.1278.qm at web39514.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Diana

I'm sending this on to the Digest since your work computer won't cooperate with you. Does this mean that now we can all send our letters to Randy? Let us know. 

Joan + the still indignant Lady Bug

DIANA BARBOUR wrote:
I spoke with the Humane Society inspector this morning. He went out to visit the store, bringing supporting literature with him, and "strongly advised" Randy to set up separate housing for the little white guinea pig, since there is nothing in the statutes that will allow him to issue a citation.

But, my dear, here is the wonderful part...he is going to carry the literature with him everywhere, and will try to educate people not to do this wherever he encounters the practice in the future. Score one for the good guys!

I also forwarded a copy of your last email to the Department of Agriculture vet that I spoke with initially (with a cc to you), so with any luck that little one's death will be avenged...how sickening.

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------------------------------

Message: 6
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2007 09:57:29 -0700 (PDT)
From: Hala Annette 
Subject: [Gpdd] [HEALTH] Another Wheezing Piggie
To: gpdd at gpdd.org
Message-ID: <926651.12354.qm at web62407.mail.re1.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Last weekend we noticed that Rodney's nose sounded like it was wheezing. We took him to the vet first thing last Monday. He was acting totally normal, but we thought it better to check because there was definitely something wrong with his breathing. They checked his lungs, heart, eyes, and temperature and said he was fine, although there is definitely something wrong with his nose. The vet said it was probably an allergy either to the spring or the new Timothy grass we got from Kleenmama's Hayloft. The breathing problem started at the same time he got the grass. They said there was no need for antibiotics since he wasn't suffering from an infection and they might just mess up his digestion. We cleaned the cage and took away the new hay when we got back from the vet. It has been a week now and he still has a snuffy sounding nose but no other symptoms. He is eating, pooping, drinking, playing, sleeping, and being his usual spoiled self. I was surprised when I saw the other
message about a wheezing piggie. Someone mentioned their pig wheezing on a message bord too. I don't usually have alergies but I have had an irritated nose the last week. Everything started blooming here his week. The only thing I can think of is that he has allergies. Incidentaly he is the same age as the other wheezing piggies. (4 1/2)

Annette

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------------------------------

Message: 7
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2007 14:30:28 -0400
From: "Dee and Joe" 
Subject: [Gpdd] CARE: Piggy toe nails
To: , "Guinea Pig Daily Digest" 
Message-ID: 
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Kelly,

I know what you mean. I have piggies with dark toe nails, too. I just cut the very tip off each time. I hate it when I cut the quick and they cry and bleed :(

I have found if you start when they are very young and cut the nails a little every week, the nails stay short. All my piggies are adopted so their nails are already too long and some are curled. They all seem to get curled nails when they get older no matter what I do.

Also, some people put a brick in the cage under the water bottle so the GP runs its nails on it when it drinks. This is supposed to help keep the front nails trimmed. I haven tried this.

Good luck. I hope you get good helpful answers.

Dee
www.sunnyday1.blinkz.com

------------------------------

Message: 8
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2007 11:45:29 -0700 (PDT)
From: joan fagalde 
Subject: [Gpdd] Misc:Pet store+Randy-2
To: DIANA BARBOUR 
Cc: gpdd at gpdd.org
Message-ID: <607975.68955.qm at web39503.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Hi all. Again I'm forwarding Diana's comments to the Digest. Please read what she has to say and send those letters! Do read her entire comment about not mentioning his web site in the letters.

Thanks Joan

DIANA BARBOUR wrote:
Oh, no, Randy is still on my non-birthday list, and I am very glad that you brought up the letters. I think that letters are a great idea, as long as no one alerts him to the possible copyright violation on the "about" page, since I think it would take some time for the wrath of corporate PetSmart to get around to whatever action they might take.
So can you think of a way to advise the Digesters to avoid mention of the website content when they contact Randy that wouldn't jeopardize any legal action from Petsmart? 
According to the investigator, Randy was apologetic and conciliatory to him, stating that the only reason that the piggy was in there to begin with was that he lacked the space to house it separately, and that he had every intention of moving the little one as soon as space opened up. So perhaps a letter-writing campaign would help him along with finding the space!
Let me know your thoughts before anyone posts anything. Thanks!
Tell Lady B. I said "Power to the Piggies"...remember, if the meek shall inherit the earth, that means that it will eventually belong to the piggies.
D.

---------------------------------

From: joan fagalde 
To: DIANA BARBOUR 
CC: gpdd at gpdd.org
Subject: Misc:Pet store+Randy
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2007 09:40:31 -0700 (PDT)

Diana

I'm sending this on to the Digest since your work computer won't cooperate with you. Does this mean that now we can all send our letters to Randy? Let us know. 

Joan + the still indignant Lady Bug

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------------------------------

Message: 9
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2007 12:05:26 -0700 (PDT)
From: joan fagalde 
Subject: [Gpdd] Health: Miss Zeussy again
To: Shauna Osteen 
Cc: gpdd at gpdd.org
Message-ID: <627594.34287.qm at web39505.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Hi Shauna. The Bactrim sounds like a good idea to me. It is better tolerated by most piggies but I recommend giving Miss Zeussy a pro-biotic two hours after, just to keep the gut in good shape. If the course of Bactrim does not knock out this infection then it sounds as though her urine will need to be cultured to see exactly what the bacteria is and then an appropriate Ab can be prescribed.

The "white chalky sludge" is normal as long as it's not excessive. It is just calcium that is present in piggies urine.

Good luck at the vets today. The Lady Bug sends healing wheeks to Miss Zeussy.

Joan, slave to The Lady Bug

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Message: 10
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2007 12:14:21 -0700 (PDT)
From: joan fagalde 
Subject: [Gpdd] Care: Nail trimming
To: Susi Eastin 
Cc: gpdd at gpdd.org
Message-ID: <921073.37010.qm at web39505.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Oh Susi. Again you have me laughing. "Do not tip!", yep, that's the Bug as well. She doesn't even like for me to turn her on her side. She struggles to the point I'm afraid I'll hurt her so, needless to say, I don't try for any position besides her tummy.

It sounds as though those "books" would be really great for starting a fire in the fireplace on a cold Winter night! I can't believe how much really, really bad information is out there. I know, I read it all when I first got the Bug but thank goodness for both her and me, I've since found much better sources. The Digest is certainly one of them.

Love your sense of humor Susi.

Joan, slave to The Lady Bug

---------------------------------
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See all the new 2007 cars at Yahoo! Autos.

------------------------------

Message: 11
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2007 18:08:38 -0400
From: "Dee and Joe" 
Subject: [Gpdd] HEALTH: Juliet
To: , "Guinea Pig Daily Digest"

Message-ID: <9228AB0C0FBD4BC5A45EB41BB2EA9F30 at JosephDaltorPC>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original

Great news! Juliet is home and eating by herself already!

Looks like I won't have to syringe feed her after all. She hasn't stopped 
eating since Joe brought her home :) She must really be hungry.

We have to weigh her every day and make sure she gains weight, and give her 
Metacam for a few days in case her teeth hurt from the filing.

I am so happy she did so well. I hope this cures her eating problem for 
good.

Thanks so much for all your great advice and helpful words.

Dee and the Patriot Piggs
www.sunnyday1.blinkz.com 

------------------------------

Message: 12
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2007 15:25:53 -0700
From: "Mary Fran McCluskey" 
Subject: [Gpdd] virtual: ThuderBear apparel
To: 
Message-ID: <006e01c76ff5$b8193980$6702a8c0 at MaryFran>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252"

Stuart,
Little Bear here. Thuderbears will be measured for uniforms first wheek of ThunderCamp, Lake Elsinore.
--by Mary Fran

------------------------------

Message: 13
Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2007 18:43:31 EDT
From: DCULLON at aol.com
Subject: [Gpdd] [CARE] 
To: gpdd at gpdd.org
Message-ID: 
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Thank you Penny and all the other piggy lovers out there. I did take two out 
and put them in their own cage. So Rascal and Mini Me are together and 
Poohette is with her two daughters. I felt that they needed more room. 
Thanks everyone, Debbie

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