Some Things To Consider When Adopting Older Cavies

This was submitted by Michiko Vartanian  from the website Guinea Pig Today. Thanks! Submit ideas, suggestions, and posts in our "submission' gadget on the right side of Critter Corner's site. We love to get submissions from our readers!

Of the many considerations that go into choosing the right pet for a family, life span is certainly right near the top of the list. And, while guinea pigs have many wonderful qualities that make them a great choice for a family pet, their average 5-7 year life span gives some people reason to pause. Many people (and probably everyone reading this article) consider their pets to be a member of the family. Our love for our guinea pigs, while possibly different than our love for a human member of our family, is no less strong, and our attachment no less important. So adopting an animal who will be considered a “senior” after just a few short years has its definite drawbacks in the sense that we know going in that we will be having to say goodbye way too soon.

I adopted my first guinea pig, Ethan, when he was almost four years old, and his cagemate, Hobbes, was just over a year old. My adoption counselor at Orange County Cavy Haven made sure that I understood his age and that I really meant to adopt that particular pig. I responded to this email immediately and in no uncertain terms – I wanted Ethan, yes, that pig. The thing is, as I looked through the adoptable pigs on the website, his face just jumped out at me. I fell in love with his picture, and then proceeded to fall in love with the real thing as soon as I held him. Unfortunately, Ethan was only with me for a year and a half (although his “brother,” Hobbes, is still as feisty as ever at five and a half years old now). Of course, I would have loved to have him longer – he was the perfect first guinea pig with a huge personality and he hooked me for life – but I take so much comfort in the life I was able to give Ethan for the time he was with me. He was able to free roam, which he loved. I showered him with treats, toys, and affection. What more could any piggy want?

Then there was Alfredo. Alfredo had been a “sanctuary” pig with the rescue and had many different foster moms along the way. He came to me at nine years old. I was actually just supposed to baby-sit him for a week, but I fell so in love with him and was able to convince his foster mom that he should stay with me because I lived only a block away from the cavy vet and, with his age, that was a major consideration. Alfredo lived with me for only a year, but he was able to free roam and he just loved having so much freedom and a younger boar friend whom he could “show the ropes” to. Because of his advanced age, I had to give him meds for arthritis and for his heart every day, and I had to do boar cleanings on him more often to avoid impaction, but this only made me bond with him more.

There is something so wonderful about taking in an older guinea pig and making those last years of his life special, giving him a place to call home. At Cavy Haven, it is very rare that someone wants to adopt a pig older than one and a half or two years old. This means that many of our pigs live out their lives as fosters. And, although our fosters take very good care of their foster pigs, it often makes me sad to see older pigs – who have so much love and joy to bring to a family – get passed over time and time again.

I hope that anyone considering adopting their next family member, will take a closer look at the older pigs. After all, there is no guarantee with any pig that we get to love them for anything more than just today. And I think you will find that giving an older pig a forever home and a family brings with it so much joy that you won’t regret your decision.

Natural Remedies for Dog Arthritis

Old age is one of the things your dog will have to face, sooner or later. Arthritis is a problem that most dogs usually get in their senior years, although it could be quicker that you think! Some veterinarians are perplexed when dogs or cats that are only a few years old come in and they have arthritis. Harsh medicines can make your dog allergic, and possibly create more damage. Many owners like using homeopathic remedies and treatments concerning this joint problem, and they usually always work immediately!

The Benefits of Coconut Oil

What is coconut oil? Naturally derived from the coconut's inner layer of soft skin, it can help many things in both animals and humans. You will find it at any local store, in a bottle. Many pet 

owners have it in a pet care/first aid kit at home.

Here are just a few of the benefits that coconut oil has for your dog:

Skin and Fur

• Clears up eczema, flea allergies, and itchy skin
• Helps your dog's coat and makes it glossy
• Deodorizes doggy odors that baths cannot remove
• When applied topically, it promotes healing of wounds, cuts, bites, stings, dry skin and fur.

Digestion 

• Improves and speeds up digestion 
• Reduces hairballs             
• Aids inflammation of stomach lining
• Gets rid and prevents of bowel syndrome and colitis

Joints and Bones

• Aids and prevents arthritis
• Makes bones stronger and prevents bone damage and thinning

Like I said before, these things are only half of all the benefits of coconut oil. For a much longer list, go to www. naturallydog.com. It has great info about all sorts of natural dog treatments, diet, and more!

Some Homeopathic Medicines

Licorice Root

Ginger

Bromelain

Comfrey

Boswellia

Cayenne

Curcumin

Gutu Kola 

Chamomile

More treatments and other ways to avoid it...

Here are some non-medicine treatments that still work well!


Weight Loss---This is a biggie. Overweight dogs tend to get arthritis because it is so hard to "drag" themselves around. Plus, they sometimes are so lazy too, and without a lot of exercise, their bones will get too used to lying around.

A Healthy Diet---Special dog foods for senior dogs are the best kind for your arthritic hound. Some dogs like the taste of home cooked meals. Be sure to read up on it before you plunge into the art of home cooking for dogs. I have seen these books at the library at bookstore before.

Chiropractic Methods---Many veterinarians have a directory in their offices. Ask them if they know any pet chiropractors that are close to you. If they do, take your pet when he is suffering too much; he will be sure to be happy soon enough!

Laser Therapy--Usually this is pretty expensive and time-consuming, so I would not recommend it. Some owners, however, have reported that it worked like a charm! If it does work it will be worth it, but it rarely ever works for animals.

Physical Therapy and Hydrotherapy---Most pets who have lost a limb do this. Hydrotherapy is a form of exercise, except it is in a tank of water, letting the dogs feel the natural motion of walking. This is how three-legged dogs get used to walking again, but it still works for arthritic dogs.

Massage---This is one thing you can do at home, or do it at a professional. A belly rub is fine, but you can learn to do different techniques from books and online that have different specific benefits for every part of your dog's body. Most dogs love a massage, as it relaxes their bones, making it easier to walk. The best thing is that it has the same benefits as it does for people!







Even if your dog isn't that old, arthritis can happen. You just need to be prepared. I hope this help your own dog!