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Post by 3piggles on Jul 25, 2014 13:09:40 GMT
Small Pet Select and KMshayloft also have excellent pellets, but they are mail order, so more money up front. Also you have to have a regular ordering schedule, or you're back at the store again.
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Post by SiLamb on Jul 25, 2014 15:16:31 GMT
So I realized I posted this (see quote) in the wrong thread. I posted it in my main thread and not this thread...oops. I just found an excellent product by product review. You all are once again right...the top two kibbles are Oxbow and Kleenmama albatross3300.hubpages.com/hub/guineapigdryfoodsSo this is what I've decided. Since my boys are still young, I tracked down Oxbow Cavy Performance Young Guinea Pig (Alfalfa Based), 5-Pound Bag at a local PetSmart. It took some hunting as most stores in the area don't carry it. It is expensive, but I ask myself two questions. What is best for my boys and what will keep them out of the vet office? Once they get to about 10-12 months, I'll switch them over to a timothy hay based feed. I'm leaning towards Small Pet Select or Oxbow for that. I have a little bit of time to decide. So I'm very frugal and money is very tight. Something that I'm struggling with is what to do with the food that I have already? I know I need to slowly switch them to the new food, but I know that I'll have lots of food left over. It's killing me to think of throwing away money by throwing away this food. Also, I can only imagine hubby's reaction. QUESTION: Do you all agree that I should slowly mix the new Oxbow kibble with the kibble I have been giving them? So update... KIBBLE: I checked with Walmart and they will accept a return on their kibble. I used less than 1/8th and they were fine with that. I'm headed there in a few minutes to do this before they change their mind. The part that I used was mixing it with the kibble I had been using, so I have enough of that kibble to help transition them to Oxbow if you all agree that a transition is necessary. HAY: I'm going to keep the new Walmart hay as it will carry me until my order of Small Pet Supply 2nd cutting timothy hay arrives (probably in 4-6 days). I bought a 20 lb box from SPS. This should hold me over until the boys are old enough to switch to the timothy hay pellets that SPS sells. At first I was concerned about ordering such a big box, but their website says that it shouldn't be a problem with lasting a good long while. I'll let you all know how it goes. On the pricing of SPS hay, at the 20lb box, it is cheaper per ounce than the Walmart hay. Plus as a first time customer, I got a $5 coupon to make it even cheaper. { Here is where I found the coupon on their website} It is a win/win situation. Also, they said that they will be sending me a $5 coupon for my 2nd order. It just keeps getting better and better!
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Post by cookie72 on Jul 25, 2014 16:12:35 GMT
I'm glad you're able to return the Walmart kibble! Yes, you should slowly transition them from their current kibble to the new. I think there's a guide printed on the back of Oxbow's bags describing amounts/time frames. I'm going to check into that hay you all are talking about. I'm currently buying the 40 oz bag of Oxbow timothy hay for $11 at a small local pet store. That always seemed reasonable to me, but sometimes the quality doesn't seem to be the greatest. Current bag has an unusual amount of dried up brown strands of hay.
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Post by SiLamb on Jul 25, 2014 16:37:54 GMT
Thanks Cookie. Add to the brown hay in Oxbow, I wonder if they had the same problem that Kleenmama had who had this message on their site.
" THE 2013 2ND TIMOTHY HARVEST Please be advised that though this 2nd timothy is gorgeous, each bale has about 15% brownleaf in it. We will NOT be refunding for brownleaf this year in the 2nd timothy. After weeks of not being able to find any, we are very pleased to have this hay. "
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Post by 3piggles on Jul 25, 2014 20:11:06 GMT
I answered in the other thread
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Post by SiLamb on Jul 28, 2014 3:45:59 GMT
Update on Weasley's allergies...
So yesterday I took Weasley off of Benedryl. This evening when I was feeding the boys veggies, Weasley couldn't smell his food. Unless he could see it coming from my hand, he didn't know it was there. Normally he would drop a portion of the food and eat a bit, pick up more, eat more, pick up more, eat more...you get the picture. Well today, when he dropped the food, he couldn't find it again. He would bend his head to sniff, and nothing. He would have food at his feet, and but he would turn to me for more veggies since he couldn't find his food. While I didn't think the Benedryl was working, well it didn't completely clear him up, but it did allow him to smell.
I decided that I was immediately going to switch him to Chlor Trimeton. I mixed it up with no sugar added apple juice. I gave him 1 cc, which should equal to 1 mg of medicine. I decided to go with the maximum dose this evening since he is so congested. He took it, but wasn't thrilled about taking it. Lord willing, tomorrow morning he will wake up and be able to smell. If he can, I'll give him a half dose to see if that is enough. If he still can't smell, I'll give him a full dose again.
Will keep everyone posted.
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Post by 3piggles on Jul 28, 2014 16:30:05 GMT
I hope it works. Not sure what to do if it doesn't.
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Post by SiLamb on Jul 28, 2014 20:16:01 GMT
Good news. When I got Weasley out for his morning Chlor trimiton, he was still congested so I gave him a full 1 ml dose. This afternoon when I was feeding them veggies, he could smell and locate the food at his feet. Hallelujah! I hope this is a sign of good things for his allergies.
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Post by glittze2001 on Jul 28, 2014 22:09:50 GMT
Good news lets hope things keep improving xx
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Post by 3piggles on Jul 29, 2014 16:38:49 GMT
Excellent I hope it continues. I found I had to do regular doses, skipping days but not stopping all together, for my chronic sufferers. Glad he's enjoying his food again
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Post by faafaa on Jul 29, 2014 23:32:06 GMT
This is wonderful news!
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Post by SiLamb on Jul 31, 2014 14:41:40 GMT
Is it really necessary to take time off from the Chlor Trimeton? Weasley is on his off day and he can't smell as well again.
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Post by jolovespiggies on Jul 31, 2014 17:31:26 GMT
This is great love, top up vibes are on their way.
Hugs JO xx
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Post by 3piggles on Jul 31, 2014 20:25:58 GMT
The meds stop being effective, which is why the breaks. Could you use steam or a dab of Vicks Vaporub under the nostrils, on the off days? Don't know if it will help.
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Post by jolovespiggies on Aug 2, 2014 17:16:59 GMT
How is he today love?
Hugs JO xx
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Post by SiLamb on Aug 2, 2014 22:55:12 GMT
I resumed him on the Chlor Trimeton this morning. He was really congested so I decided to not wait till tonight which would have been 48 hours since his last dose. I only have him a 1/2 dose though.
3piggles I appreciate the information. Thank you.
Jo, thank you for asking. ☺
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Post by jolovespiggies on Aug 3, 2014 17:09:42 GMT
The poor little sweetie and poor mum too. I am sending lots of warm and healing vibes.
Hugs JO xx
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Post by 3piggles on Aug 3, 2014 19:55:25 GMT
I just googled foods that can cause nasal congestion, and found something that might be interesting. Check the section on fruits and vegetables! www.webmd.com/allergies/features/allergies-dietA dab of Vicks Vaporub under each nostril might help to open the nasal passages. The mentholatum is very strong. Also, check your humidity levels. I'm wondering if his nasal congestion is better, worse or no different when humidity levels change radically. If he is better at a certain level, even setting up a place where he could get that level for an hour, might help. Humidity is relative, so the actual percentage doesn't matter as much as how he reacts to changes. I'll keep looking
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Post by SiLamb on Aug 4, 2014 12:22:06 GMT
3piggles, thank you for caring so much to search. So in light of your suggestion, I took him back to eating only carrots and cucumber (what I only veggies fed him when I first got him and didn't have as serious a problem as now)
UPDATE - Weasley has been breathing really hard. I used my stethoscope and could still hear only congestion in his head and not in his lungs. I've repeatedly used Vicks Vaporub on his nose area (he absolutely hates that). I gave him a dose of Benedryl last night hoping that it would clear him up. I also left him in The Burrow with a vaporizer in there.
Last night I dreamed that he died. Least to say that I was afraid to look this morning. Hubby checked, and he is still alive. I then went and checked and he is laboring still to breathe.
Hubby and I agreed last night that if Weasley didn't have any improvement last night that I would take him to the best vet I can find who specializes in exotic animals. I have an appointment in 40 minutes. Will update later.
THANK YOU ALL, you have all been such a support system that I greatly appreciate!
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Post by faafaa on Aug 4, 2014 12:35:46 GMT
Fingers crossed for an amazing vet with answers!
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