UPDATE 11/06/2010 - Fortunately The Faversham 43 had three litters only bringing the final total up to 49, not bad considering the previous owner told us there were only 23 in the boxes when she brought them in.

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.

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.

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.

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