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URGENT - Now in long term foster care
 
Can anyone help with Georgie and Cocoa?  They are both elderly.  Georgie has congestive heart failure and is on treatment twice daily.  Cocoa is fine.  They live in the lodge with the others and have a heatpad at night.  However, because of circulation problems Georgie really should be indoors.  At present my house is full up with pregnant ladies from the "Faversham 43" as we do not have any vacant "female" hutches in the lodge. If so, the "ladies in waiting" could go in the lodge,  Georgie and Cocoa could then come indoors.  Can anyone help?
The boys have gone off to live at Sturry indoors with lots of one-to-one care and plenty of meds!!  Thanks to Joanne Griffin for taking on the two boys on long-term foster care.
 

TIKKA

Tikka was dumped in Pets at Home in Broadstairs, the owner claiming she couldn't pay the vet bill.  He was treated there for two weeks but there was little progress.  We were contacted to see if we could do anything with him.  He had a very nasty wound to the side of his chest.  He was stressed and continued to self mutilate the wound.  We finally had no option but to use a daily bandage ETC.  As you can see is ok now.

March 6th Quiz Night at Sandwich Scout Hall

The quiz night which raised £122.00
 
The Winning Team "The Larkets" The Team that one the booby prize "The Happy Campers"
THE FAVERSHAM 43
 10.02.10
 I had a phone call asking if we could take 23 guinea pigs who were living in two greenhouses in Faversham.  We were informed that the owner had a nervous breakdown and the caller was his carer.  It took us two weeks to organise empty hutches as we had to foster out ten of our guinea pigs to free up spaces for the new arrivals, whose future was looking pretty bleak.  The carer brought them to us in a variety of boxes and cages leaving these with us she then left.  While sorting them out, firstly it transpired that the sexes were mixed up.  We were then horrified to count not 23 but 43 guinea pigs and it appears that most of the females are pregnant!  We are now under huge pressure as our stock has jumped from 60 to 103.  Our expenses have soared with extra veg (this has rocketed from £30 per week to £50 per week!) hay, bedding and medication as well as extra accommodation.   It has been calculated that we probably have the same amount again if we include the unborn piglets.....86!  I can't even think about it!  There is also tremendous pressure on my very special volunteers as their workload has increased by around 73%.   They are JO, JILL, CAROLE, SUE, PAULINE, EMILY, CHRIS, JASON, SUSAN, AND RACHEL.  They all do voluntary animal care once a week including operating our on-site guinea pig shop and assisting in the clinic which is open daily.
 
If you think you can help in any way by volunteering, fostering or funding please do not hesitate to contact us on aprillodgeguinea@aol.com  Thank you. Val.

03/03/2010 - Babies From The Faversham 43 an update to the above are these pictures of a proud mum and the first babies born who are now 2 days old.

 

WAITROSE'S COMMUNITY MATTERS SCHEME - We would like to thank all those who supported us in this scheme at Waitrose Hythe Kent where over £200.00 was raised.

JUST ANOTHER DAY

On Monday 4th January two unwanted guinea pigs were brought to our rescue centre.  The owner said they were about three years old.  I asked the owner and her daughter where they got them from and if the young daughter could remember how old she was when they got the guinea pigs.  She said "seven".  And how old are you now? I asked. "Twelve" she replied (maybe 13 this year, I thought, which made the guinea pigs six years old?).  The reason for them being unwanted was "my daughter is far too busy with homework to look after them" the Mum said.   We are still amazed that parents actually believe their children when they promise to look after them, although seven years old is a bit steep, don't you think?  And the other big question is "to give up your pets" at all is pretty sad but to do it when they are sick and old certainly raises a few questions.  However, we are glad they came to us as on their first health-check on the day they arrived, these were the problems we encountered.  We are pretty confident we can get them on the road to recovery after which they will be available for long-term foster-care.

Their names are Cocoa (brown) and Georgie (black).  They had been living outside in a hutch.

Cocoas Health-check  Weight - 875g.  Not too bad although boars are normally heavier than this.  We have put him on Vitamin C drops as he has probably never had veg so to give it now would probably bloat him up.

Lips and Teeth - One front tooth has an abnormality.  We have put him on a short course of Calcium.

Eyes, Nose and Ears - He appears to have an infection in the left ear for which we are using Antibiotic Ear Drops and a fungal mark on his nose - Anti-fungal Cream 3 times daily.

Microscopic Skin Slide - No lice but a very dry, scaly skin.  A course of anti-fungal bathing coming up!

Genitalia/Rectum - An Impacted Anus.  Easy to deal with but will need regular attention.

Legs, Feet and Nails - All ok here.  Just clipped nails all round.

Heart and Respiration - Both No Abnormalities Detected through a stethoscope.

 

Georgies Health-check Weight - 718g. Symptoms of mal-nourishment, like falling asleep.  Course of Vitamin C. Spillers readigrass and a herbal grass mix from Galens Garden.  No veg yet to avoid bloat.

Lips and Teeth - No Abnormalities Detected

Eyes, Nose and Ears - Ear Infection (very sensitive) and fungal mark on nose - Antibiotic Ear Drops and Cream.

Legs, Feet and Nails - nail clipping postponed as this little boy has problems and we don't want to stress him out too much on his first day.

Genitalia/Rectum - Bloodstained wood shavings found in sheath. Clean-up.

Heart - NAD

Respiration - Laboured breathing with some fluid on the lung.  Diuretic given before the start of a course of antibiotics.

 

 Both these boys "could be better".....(sound familiar?!).  Regular 3 monthly good health maintenance checks may have prevented these problems.  We will let you know how they get on but if you are interested in having these two boars on long term foster-care please contact us on aprillodgeguinea@aol.com

A NEW ROOF

Special thanks goes to Pets at Home who have kindly responded to our grant application for the new roof to our lodge and are providing the full amount requested.

STOP PRESS - E.COLI

Cases of E.Coli have been detected where fruit and veg has not been washed properly or it has been defecated on by sheep then later eaten.  To avoid E.Coli  wash fruit and veg prior to eating, remove old fruit and veg from the hutch on a daily basis and use a disinfectant spray when cleaning the hutch.  Do not use disinfectant whilst the guinea pig is still in the hutch.
 
Always wash your hands before and after handling animals or use a sanitizing gel.

PLEASE COULD YOU HELP WITH MY GUINEA PIG PROBLEM ? - This is an email we received on 23rd September 2009

 

I am very upset to say that I have quite a big problem with my guinea pigs. We have 16 at the moment and I am really concerned because it is becoming a very big problem.  The majority of them have got a skin disease which I have tried to treat myself and it is not working.  I am very worried about them and I can not stand to see them suffer.  I don't feel that I can take them to the pdsa as there are so many of them and I can not stand to see them suffering.  I am very sorry to contact you, but I am very desperate ....I love animals and I am really trying.  I am  just concerned because I have tried to separate them into their sexes but am getting that wrong too - Is it possible that you can help me I live in south London. We ended up collecting 14 guinea pigs many of which have a chronic fungal skin problem.  We had to take a pair of one-week old babies away from their Mum as she is very sick with fungal, mange and other problems.  The babies are now being hand reared by one of our foster carers.  There are also two pregnant females.  We will keep you updated.

        BEAUTIFUL NOW
This is the "After" picture of Beautiful.   She has been on treatment since 25th September so this one has been quite a long jaunt!  After curing the fungal skin infection she then got a "broken back".  Its not literally broken.  Its a term used when the guinea pig keeps re-opening the same wound where the neck joins that backbone until in the end it becomes habitual and the body drops at the front.  We used a D.A.P. (Dog Appeasing Pheramone) plug-in and gradually introduced stress-related issues, so eventually she was able to face "life" without going berserk scratching.  Her wound has been treated with antibiotic creams, iodine solutions and mild salt washes of late.  When she first arrived someone looked down at this poor, wee heap of "issues" and said "Beautiful?, you will be love"....and here she is.


 

OPEN DAY 2009-  Kindly Sponsored by Mr Peter Wash of Smart Stationery, Castle Street, Dover and Eagle Vets at Minster

Summer weather means a record turn out for Guinea pigs

On Sunday 2nd August, April Lodge held their annual open day. People from as far away as The Medway Towns brought their Guinea pigs to the rescue centre at John's Green in Sandwich, for a fun day out. The event was blessed with sunny weather, which increased the number of guests at the day. Around 200 people and their pets attended, and were entertained with a number of activities, stalls and events.

The day started with a talk about the health and welfare of Guinea pigs, given by Val Savage, who runs the centre. The main event was a Guinea pig show, where people entered their pets into categories such as Prettiest female; Most handsome male; Best veteran; Best rescue and Fastest Carrot eater. In some categories there were over 20 entrants, all hoping for a rosette to pin to their hutch. The category of 'Specialist Piggy' was won by Ivory now called Pip with his owner Tracey Iverson his specialist subject being a "pat" guinea pig ( you can read about this on the Adoption Profiles page).  Also running all day was the 'Agility' event. Each Guinea pig entered received a medal for their efforts, scrambling through tubes, ringing bells and nosing balls along the ground. The winner of the Challenge cup and title of 'Best in show', went to Lucy Wade's Guinea pig 'Truffles'.

Other entertainments throughout the day were traditional summer fete stalls such as Hook-a-duck, a tombola, guess the weight of the jar of sweets (turning out to weigh 3.8kg), a children's colouring competition, BBQ, home baked cakes and refreshments. The total amount taken on the day was £1340.82, a fantastic amount. Val Savage said 'The total is more amazing this year, because even though there's a credit crunch, people are still willing to help'. The amount raised will help fund the repair of the lodge roof, which is badly leaking, but the same  needs to be raise again, to cover the cost, before the winter weather arrives.

Another success of the day was a new home found for 'Squiggle' and long term resident 'Elliott'. They were adopted by Miss Berry, of Dover, who said: 'Yesterday was really good- you guys deserve a medal for organising it all! Elliot and Squiggle are settling in well. I think we'll need a bigger house next year!'

 

   

Jason Winner of Helper of the Year             Lucy Wade & Truffles receiving the Challenge Cup for Best in Show

                                                                     

   

BASSHUNTER

I know that many of you have followed with great interest the progress of Basshunter who came to us on 20th January 2008 after being dumped and attacked by a rat at a nature reserve in Deal.  Following his amazing progress, It is with great sadness that I have to tell you on Thursday 4th September 2008 he was rushed to our vets following a blockage and a bout of bloat.  This type of bloat was caused by a build up of gas.  Despite every possible attempt by the Vet to save his life, Basshunter sadly died at home two hours later.  His treatment included an x-ray, aspiration of some gas, a vitamin B injection, rehydration fluids, antibiotics and an electric massage pad in an attempt to shift this gas.  You may not know that guinea pigs cannot be sick, so everything has to come out the back door as such.  Therefore when there is a gut problem it can have very serious consequences. I am floored by this event.  He was doing so well.  His recovery was an inspiration and an education, he will be remembered for that alone as well as the evenings he would snuggle up to me as we crashed out in an armchair following another full-on day in The Lodge.  Now he can rest in peace, at last.

BOO

So many visitors have got to know Boo over the years.  So it is with regret that I have to tell you that he passed away in February of this year...indoors where he was warm and comfortable.  He was one of our first rescue piggies back in 2004.  He suffered terrible neglect before coming here and had been a permanent resident ever since.  He had 7 companions over the years and out-lived them all.  When he first came here his age was unspecified so he could have been quite old when he died maybe 7 or 8 or even older.  When April Lodge started back in January 2004, Boo and I struggled along together as I read countless books on the subject with him in my arms.  It often looked like he was reading them too!  Well, he was probably wondering how we were going to manage.  So "thanks little one for teaching me so much"...V.S.

Thomas & Tank - The Railway Children

        
It was an ordinary day for Amanda's husband who worked on railway sidings.  Today he was in Maidstone.  As he worked along the siding he noticed a plastic bag against the fence that ran parallel with the railway line.  As he got closer he began to realise that this was no ordinary bag.  Not only was it sealed, there were four guinea pigs inside.  Sadly two of them were already dead but the other two were alive...just.  It seems that they were either thrown from a train or launched over the fence.  Amanda's husband buried the dead guinea pigs and took the other two home.  Amanda immediately got them to the vet.  Miraculously there was no obvious damage apart from trauma related problems.  Amanda brought Thomas and Tank to us that very same evening.  They stayed with us for a while until their confidence had been restored and then at a "talk" one night at our local scout group, a family there fell in love with "The Railway Children" as they were by now affectionately called by our carers.  Following a home visit, Thomas and Tank were rehomed and are now living the life they deserve, being very much a part of the family.    

Thunder - Runt To Triumph

             

1st September 2008, Thunder was one of a litter of four.  She was the "runt" in the litter (I hate that word).  She was being pushed around by her litter mates and having difficulty getting to the milk bar.  She came to us at 2 weeks, underweight, with abnormal, brown, transparent top teeth, wasted and underdeveloped around the rear end, paralysed hind legs that she dragged around behind her and 3 bite marks from other family members. Here she is today, up to weight, with super top teeth following an intensive course of calcium, beautiful skin and coat, a well rounded bottom and two hind legs in perfect working order.

Booty - These Boots Were Made For Walking

We were phoned on 4th October 2008 by someone who had taken Booty home after finding her sitting on a pile of broken eggs in a supermarket car park.  He said he thought that she had been under attack by having eggs thrown at her.  When we collected her from Whitstable, apart from being terrified, she had bald patches on her skin, broken top teeth and paralysed hind legs.  She was an adult.  We put her on a course of calcium and syringe fed her Oxbows Critical Care formula, rehydration fluids and anti- fungal treatment.  She also had signs of "liquid" bloat so we gave her a diuretic, a Rennie Rapeze and Buscopan. Ten days later we started her on a course of Vitamin C which lasted 10 days.  Her hind legs were not perfect but had improved. Following treatment we noticed that her hind legs were not just trailing behind her, she rested her back legs on her 'fetlocks'.  12th November 2008 I noticed that she was using her back legs as she walked albeit a little strange, somewhere in between walking and bunny-hopping.  However, every day that goes by she is showing signs of improvement and we now have her paired off with another sow.  She was finally able to move about very well, albeit hind legs slightly akimbo !  In January she and her elderly companion went off to our retirement home in Herne Bay.

 

Swanscombe Rescue

               

Blondie

In February we followed up a call from Swanscombe.  Eleven guinea pigs were being kept in two small indoor cages.  2 Males in one and the rest in the other.  The rest included babies, nursing Mums, various health problems and two males.  They were all unfamiliar with veg and some are now heavily pregnant. 2 of the 9 girls turned out to be boys and so far, three of the remaining 7 girls are definitely pregnant, if not all of them.  All guineas are inbred, were mal-nourished, living on wood shavings that were rotten, dehydrated with mange, underweight and overcrowded.  These are photo's of some of those rescued.

An important part of the treatment for all the above guinea pigs and others in similar situations, is to make them feel important, you can see by the picture of Blondie how low morale was.

DO YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ?

With regard to the guinea pigs found near a railway siding, there have been more guinea pigs found in sealed plastic bags throughout various railway locations in Kent.  We would be very interested to hear from anyone who may be able to throw some light on this subject so we can bring an end to the suffering caused to these animals.

HELP!!

"With the current economic climate, guinea pig rescue is the last thing to worry about" someone said.

 
So many are affected by the "current economic climate" .  Even our rescue is suffering.  Unfortunately for some people, the animals are often the first thing to go....even before Sky TV !!  So, as you can imagine we have been inundated with requests to take on unwanted guinea pigs.  Because of the way things are, we are having great difficulty in funding our charity.  Also, we are not doing nearly enough re-homing, which in turn is not freeing up the spaces we so desperately need for all the unwanted guinea pigs.   
 
We are also down on donations which is serious as we rely heavily on this form of funding.
 
Despite a massive campaign to launch our new website, which includes several ways of making a donation, we are very disappointed to have received only one donation of £10 from a lady in Surrey !  Thank you Mrs Howe!
 
We hope you can help us.  Especially if you can donate by standing order.  It can be for a very small amount, perhaps once a month and it can be cancelled at any time, so its not too scary !
 
Thanks.

SATURDAY 11TH APRIL 2009 - EASTER EGG HUNT & SPONSORED WALK

The Easter Egg Hunt and Sponsored Walk was today at Fowlmead Park, Deal.  There was only about 10 of us, half of which were little children.  We raised about £200 in all most of it being sponsors for the walk.  Great weather though!! 

Sharing out some of the eggs found are Rhys May aged 2 from Sandwich photographed with his older sister Kasey who had kept him company during the Egg Hunt.

 

PIGGY PLOD 23rd to 25th May 2009

   

   
A huge thank you to everyone who sponsored Pete and I on our walk for April Lodge Guinea Pig Rescue. We raised a total of £433.07, a fantastic amount!!
 
We walked 45 miles over 3 days, 23rd to 25th May. Dungeness to Folkestone on Saturday, Folkestone to Deal on Sunday, and Deal to Sandwich on Monday morning.
 
There were no major injuries, apart from getting hit by a golf ball, and a slightly swollen ankle, but we are both recovered and well rested now!
 
Thank you very much from us and some grateful piggies!

Dover 10 Rescue

 It was the 1st of June and a phone call with a lady telling us how she had found a box of guinea pigs (not chocolates? I thought.....it would have made a nice change) in Tower Hamlets at Dover.

I would guess the story went something like this.  Two guineas were bought from a pet shop.  Three months later it is discovered that they are opposite sexes as three little lodgers have moved in.  Oooh, but they are so cute.  So Dad stays on the scene who unbeknown to the owner has already has his wicked way yet again with Mum.  In less than four weeks, he is at it again, only this time with his daughters ?  Now its not a joke anymore as Mum produces yet another three babies and the two daughters produce one each.  In less than seven months, two have turned in to ten!  Panic is now setting in.  Money is short.  What to do?  Its already four weeks later again and now the owner has completely lost the plot.  What to do?  Well dump them in a box I suppose and here they are.

TRUFFLES RESCUE

Truffle arrived shortly after a phone call on 27th July that decided in no uncertain terms that Truffle was no longer wanted.  Having been living with two boars and resembling a black and white, furry dinner plate, the indications were that her babies were due any minute!  The previous owner thought she may be getting on a bit and also that she had not had a litter before.  This can sometimes present problems as the pubic bones become, shall we say "not so flexible".  Anyway, after a couple of days of sitting in the corner looking extremely uncomfortable, poor Truffle finally conceded to start munching again.  She started to look "ok" as she shuffled her huge bulk around the cage.  However, we phoned the vet to warn them of what the future may have in store...just in case.    But, alas on August 4th, by 6am she had delivered two lovely little Abys.  They weighed in at 104 and 107g so that was great and all were happy. I was relieved that she was going to be ok..... But by 9am Truffle became very unsettled and started grunting and having contractions again......but to no avail.   I must admit I was surprised and relieved that she only had two pups.  I thought she may have another pup inside that she couldn't deliver or a retained placenta.  Anyway,  all four of us went to see the Vet where she was given an inducing injection.  Unfortunately that didn't work either which only left one option..........a caesarian section!!  Now we were worried we might lose Truffle AS WELL AS the unborn baby.  So what to do?  Truffle would die if we did nothing.  And then you think of the two little piglets who would be orphaned definitely if we didn't have it done and orphaned possibly if we did have it done.  So we had the caesarian done at a cost of £120.  The "long-dead" pup was removed, weighing an incredible 117g and Truffle was stitched from one end to the other.  5am Weds 5th August.  Another restless night and I woke in between a dream state and reality.  My first thoughts were Truffle lying dead in her cage with the two babies trying to feed from her!  Down the staircase, two at a time, but no!  She was ok, all snuggled up with her babies.  They are all eating so now I just hope she will go the distance.  We could have put her babies with a nursing sow but I can't help feeling that they are somehow a part of her recovery.  Truffle is amazing.  Stitched up like a rugby ball and nursing her two siblings.  Find out about one of Truffle's babies on the Foster Care Page.  

 Here are Truffle's pictures. FOR AN UPDATE ON TRUFFLE PLEASE GO TO ADOPTION PROFILES PAGE

   

Collection Pots - If anyone knows of a suitable outlet for one of our collection pots, we would be most grateful. 

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