Biting Pig

[AmysAnimals]

Well, I would give him a perventative treatment, but the vet said he's clean as can be and also the rescue would treat him on a regular basis because he was a resident piggy and they didnt want to risk him getting and mites. When I picked him up they had just treated him a few days before I believe they said. He has never scratched his skin, his hair is perfectly intact and I checked over his body and theres nothing. Im pretty positive mites etc isnt the problem. If I try all the other strategies and he still nips then Ill get some Ivermectin for him. By the way, where exactly can I pick that up? But Im thinking it may be more related to trauma than anything else.

As far as being innocent, oh my lord does he fake it so well! His cute little face, you'd never guess that hes such a little stinker sometimes. For instance, I had him down on his little play mats for floor time. I had one large potty pad setting down at one end of the cage and the rest he was free to run around and munch on veggies. When I put him down, I said "Oscy, please tinkle on the white square" not that he really knew what that meant. But when he finally did go, he wattled his little tooshy to the complete opposite side of the potty pad and went. I knew he was getting ready to go so I kept putting him on the potty pad but no, he would keep running at the complete opposite end until finally I just gave up.

I have some pictures I have to post of him in his cuddle cup. He has the most angelic look, no one would ever suspect that he chases after the dog in his spare time

[piggieluver101]

lol, Nugget peed in the corner in the 2nd level. And it dripes down onto the floor. Little stinker.

[Foggycreek]

which caused him to be scared of heights

All guinea pigs are nervous about heights. This is not unusual. It would be more unusual if he were not afraid.

He most likely is still scared and acting defensively. Pigs that bite aggressively are very few and far between.

What I've done with biters in the past is leave them alone, without being handled (except for necessities), for a week or two. Then slowly start holding them once or twice a day for short periods. No walking while holding, just sitting with pig in lap and petting gently from front to back.

Just a note for beginners--mites are microscopic and often when vets say the pig is mite free the pig does indeed have mites. Even skin scrapings are inconclusive.

[AmysAnimals]

Originally Posted by Foggycreek

Just a note for beginners--mites are microscopic and often when vets say the pig is mite free the pig does indeed have mites. Even skin scrapings are inconclusive.

I read about that on guinealynx and did give some thought to it, but since he was treated with Ivermectin about 2 weeks ago and on a regular basis before that, I dont suspect mites are the culprit especially since he never scratches. Im glad to know that his fear of heights is a normal piggy thing and not caused by trauma, I can have a big sigh of relief now and hopefully, with time, he will settle down and be the good little baby I know he is.

[piggieluver101]

So he wasn't tramatized?

[BABY'S MOM]

The best place to get the right Ivermectin, in the right dosage, is at the vet's office. If you feel comfortable, I think there might be websites that you can buy it on line. Not exactly sure of what website though.

Mites are microscopic, and skin scrapings have been proven to be inconclusive, but when a vet says a piggy is Mite free - the diagnosis is based on what symptoms the owner is seeing from the piggy.

Mites symptoms - scratching, biting, losing patches of fur, some Mites look like dandruff. I can't remember the name of this species of Mites.

Anyway, it is a very good idea to keep on the look out for these little beasts.

[AmysAnimals]

Ill keep an eye out but he's never scratched himself, all his fur is beautifully intact (thank god) and he doesnt bite his skin either, just me when hes being carried to his dinner.

[BABY'S MOM]

Glad to hear that Oscar is Mite free, and has a clean bill of health.

I feel bad for the little guy, because gpigs do have specific fears, and alot of them. But because of his past, I think his normal guinea pigs fears have been made worse.

All piggies do have a fear of heights, but not all of them are scared enough to bite. Oscar is lucky to have a understanding, patient, white gloved mommy.

Hope the gloves will soon be able to come off.

[AmysAnimals]

Ill figure out something and if all else fails, I have no problem running to the dollar store and buying a pair of cheap gloves. After all, it is almost winter and my hands could get cold at any moment right? Haha

[cielo]

You can pick him up with an old t-shirt. Make sure your hands are under the shirt. Towels are not that good because they are too fat.