Post by Linda on Feb 27, 2007 11:24:59 GMT -5
Simple rule to remember - guinea pigs don't like the cold!
They are most comfortable in the same temperature ranges (ideally between 18¢X-22¢XC) and types of humidity that we humans like to have. When the temperature drops below 10¢XC its time to get them into the warm.
Damp, cold and draughts are the biggest killers of guinea pigs and any pet living in an outdoor hutch is susceptible to all three. It is therefore essential to protect your cavy from them if he is to have any chance of surviving the winter.
Ideally all guinea pigs should live indoors, however this is an unrealistic wish and impracticable for many owners. However, we strongly advise that pigs should not be left in outside hutches during the coldest winter months but be moved to indoor cages in a shed (preferably with heating of some kind) or a garage (which isn't being used for the family car as exhaust fumes are as fatal as the cold!). If none of this is practicable, then at least bringing them indoors overnight in a cardboard box during the very bitterest of cold snaps will allow some respite from the frost.
The shed should be well ventilated but warm and draught-free during winter and you should check daily that they have plenty of hay and bedding to help keep them warm in their cages... remember that they will eat the hay as well as snuggle up in it, so it needs this daily checking. A wooden nesting box full of hay placed in the cage will further allow them somewhere to snuggle down out of any draughts.
A strip of old carpet placed over the cage wires of pigs in the shed will help protect them from draughts too - but take care not to cut off all ventilation.
Check too that their water bottles are not frozen and that they can get enough to drink.
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Hypothermia
Hypothermia is an abnormally low body temperature induced by exposure to cold. This condition is extremely dangerous and unless acted upon quickly will usually prove fatal. Very little information is available either in books or on the internet on how best to treat hypothermia in guinea pigs and the advice offered here is therefore adapted from British Red Cross first-aid manuals on treatment of hypothermia in humans.
Look out for the signs:
Aims of First Aid:
Action:
Seek advice from a vet with good knowledge of small pets as hypothermia may disguise the symptoms of stroke or heart failure.
www.comfycavies.com/Articles/cold.htm
They are most comfortable in the same temperature ranges (ideally between 18¢X-22¢XC) and types of humidity that we humans like to have. When the temperature drops below 10¢XC its time to get them into the warm.
Damp, cold and draughts are the biggest killers of guinea pigs and any pet living in an outdoor hutch is susceptible to all three. It is therefore essential to protect your cavy from them if he is to have any chance of surviving the winter.
Ideally all guinea pigs should live indoors, however this is an unrealistic wish and impracticable for many owners. However, we strongly advise that pigs should not be left in outside hutches during the coldest winter months but be moved to indoor cages in a shed (preferably with heating of some kind) or a garage (which isn't being used for the family car as exhaust fumes are as fatal as the cold!). If none of this is practicable, then at least bringing them indoors overnight in a cardboard box during the very bitterest of cold snaps will allow some respite from the frost.
The shed should be well ventilated but warm and draught-free during winter and you should check daily that they have plenty of hay and bedding to help keep them warm in their cages... remember that they will eat the hay as well as snuggle up in it, so it needs this daily checking. A wooden nesting box full of hay placed in the cage will further allow them somewhere to snuggle down out of any draughts.
A strip of old carpet placed over the cage wires of pigs in the shed will help protect them from draughts too - but take care not to cut off all ventilation.
Check too that their water bottles are not frozen and that they can get enough to drink.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hypothermia
Hypothermia is an abnormally low body temperature induced by exposure to cold. This condition is extremely dangerous and unless acted upon quickly will usually prove fatal. Very little information is available either in books or on the internet on how best to treat hypothermia in guinea pigs and the advice offered here is therefore adapted from British Red Cross first-aid manuals on treatment of hypothermia in humans.
Look out for the signs:
- Shivering and cold
- Lethargy or failing consciousness
- Slow and shallow breathing
- In extreme cases, heart failure
Aims of First Aid:
- Prevent further heat loss
- Rewarm the casualty
- Obtain veterinary help
Action:
- Immediatley bring the guinea pig indoors to a warm room
- Rapid warming should be avoided
- Do not place heat sources such as hot water bottles or radiators next to the guinea pig
- Wrap the guinea pig in a blanket or towel and massage the body in an attempt to allow the body to return to normal temperature gradually
- Try to give a drink of lukewarm (not hot) water. Fluids are always critical when the body is under stress in any way, so drinking a little and often as the animal recovers is crucial.
- A dab of Vick on the end of the nose will help clear air passages and assist with breathing.
- If wet, dry with towel not hairdryer
Seek advice from a vet with good knowledge of small pets as hypothermia may disguise the symptoms of stroke or heart failure.
www.comfycavies.com/Articles/cold.htm