Are the kind of person who would enjoy taking care of an exotic animal for a pet instead of a dog, cat, rabbit or any of the regular variety pets? Caring for an exotic pet is serious Business, but it can also be a fun and challenging endeavor.
Exotic pets are animals that are not commonly considered pets by many. They are not your regular, every day pets. Unless your pet dog or cat belongs to a very rare species, it’s not an exotic pet. Exotic pets are also referred to as non-traditional pets because they are not the kind of pets that most pet owners would have. Some of the more popular exotic pets include exotic cats, frogs, hamsters, hedgehogs, lizards, monkeys (illegal in some countries), parrots, snakes, spiders, turkeys and turtles.
Before acquiring an exotic pet, you need to be clear as to why you truly want to own one. Are you just getting an exotic pet so you can be “cool” and show off to friends and family? If you are, it is best to forget getting one. Caring for an exotic pet demands is a big responsible, one you should never take lightly. Because you will be caring for a non-traditional pet, your exotic pet will require special accommodations, attention and food.
However, if you truly want to own an exotic pet not for the cool factor having one but for a real desire to care for one then the next thing you should do is research on the kind of exotic pet you want to have. Also, make sure that the exotic pet you are going to get is legally allowed in the area you are living in.
Below are a few more things you should keep in mind when buying an exotic pet.
* Consider how big the exotic pet you want will grow into as adult. Don’t just go for an exotic pet because you think it’s cute when it’s still a baby. Think about its size when it becomes an adult. Remember that the larger the pet, the bigger the space it will require and the harder it may be to handle.
* Do you want an exotic pet that likes people and frequently handled? Perhaps you want an exotic pet that does not mind if it is not handled regularly.
* What kind of food will your exotic pet need? Exotic pets usually need specialized food. You need to know if you will be able to get food for your exotic food from a regular supplier. Also, consider how food would be prepared as some exotic pets require freshly prepared food every day. Factor this in your decision since you are the one who will be feeding your exotic pet.
* What kind of housing will your exotic pet need? Will a small cage do or will you need to build something to hold your exotic pet?
* Consider the cost of keeping your exotic pet alive. Exotic pets are more expensive to care for than ordinary pets. You will have to find out how much food, housing, supplies and veterinary care your exotic pet will require.
* What are your plans for the long term? Do you see yourself moving to a new place or being away for a long time? How will you take care of your exotic pet during those times when you are away?
* Do you have children living with you? Make sure that the exotic pet will be safe around kids and vice versa.
* If you have other pets in your home, make sure that the exotic pet you get is compatible with them.
* Make sure that there is available veterinary care nearby for your exotic pet.
* There are exotic pets that live a long time and may even outlive you so consider this when choosing an exotic pet.
* Consider an exotic pet’s destructive tendencies. Will you be able to train your exotic pet? How much training will be required to curb your exotic pet’s destructive tendencies?
* Keep in mind that there are animals that carry disease that can be transmitted to humans so take care when choosing an exotic pet.
* Avoid getting an exotic pet that can pose potential danger to your or other people’s life. There are exotic Pets that are aggressive and downright dangerous.
George Chao
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/tips-when-buying-exotic-pets-127959.html
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#1 by Megan on February 14, 2010 - 10:12 am
My guinea pig has a cold!?!?! What should I do?
I bought my guinea pig about a week ago and about on the 4th day of having him he has had something brown and crusty on his nose. I wet a q-tip and put in on the crust and then it fell. The other crusty thing stayed there, and today it fell. He is a bit calmer than usual and makes a chit chit sound when he breathes. He still eats normally, same amount of water, I feed him carrots, lettuce, pellets, Guinea pig food (pet store), banana slices, tomato slices, orange slices and Celery leaves every two days. I don’t know what to do and I have heard about URI’s and I’m scared. Are there other options besides taking Stevie to the vet? If not how much would an exotic vet charge me? Any home remedies? Please helpp!!!!
Waht about the chit-chitty sound he makes?
No discgarge or anything just sneezes occasionally, no puffed up coat or milky eyes or gunky nose or anything .Justhte brown crustiness and a little chit-chitty noise oming from him.
Today Stevie woke up happy, he still eats and drinks water and nibbles at my hair and cuddles against my neck. He still keeps sneezing though. And the chit-chitty sound is gone. However, when he breathes I feel its like when you’re blowing in a whistle. I don’t know if you understand. THANKS!
No wheezing. And actually he’s been sneezing since about 6 days now. He hasn’t gotten worse or anything. I don’t know what is up.
He doesn’t have the crusty thing under his nose anymore. And yesterday he pop-corned for the first time and today too. I have been prayign for him do the same please.
#2 by Crunkedup on February 14, 2010 - 3:14 pm
get a new one
dont flush it like a fish though, cuz he will clog the toilet
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#3 by Leo on February 14, 2010 - 3:16 pm
It sounds like a cold and just as in humans a vet can do nothing to cure a cold. If he’s still eating its a very very good sign, and the range of food you feed him will help (i’d stop feeding him orange, the citrus can harm both his teeth and stomach lining). Keep him warm, don’t put him outside, keep him fed, and keep him happy and unlike smaller mammals a guinea pig should survive a cold.
EDIT – Make sure you’re feeding him plenty of vitamin C, very abundant in peppers (particularly green) as this can help combat colds
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#4 by Notherenow on February 14, 2010 - 3:18 pm
Firstly, make sure your guinea pig drinks; fluids are the most important things. As long as he is eating and drinking fine then don’t worry too much. All animals get colds like us. You should take him to the vet however if the cold doesn’t clean up in a couple of weeks, or if his breathing becomes laboured or difficult. Any normal vet should be able to help you, there isn’t normally need for an exotic pet specialist unless your guinea pig has some unusual problem; some vets do have small animal specialists, so it pays to ask, just in case. If you don’t want to leave going to the vet, just go to whichever vet is best for you, and they will probably give him some kind of antibiotic to take in food or water.
As a kind of preventative measure in future; if your guinea pig lives outside all year, in cold weather try and move his pen and hutch to a greenhouse or shed during the night, and cover his cage in a plastic sheet if it’s raining as being wet can encourage a cold.
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#5 by Jewel on February 14, 2010 - 3:20 pm
Take it to the vet or ask the pet store what medicine u should give it.
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#6 by kaijawitch on February 14, 2010 - 3:22 pm
I agree with the second answer to a point.. it is very easy for a simple cold to become a serious URI.. so up the vitamin c (use food, as well as the supplement drops if at all possible)..
Is the guinea pig in a cage with good ventilation?.. (I ask because I work at a pet store and am amazed at how many people want to keep them in fish tanks) Make sure there is plenty of fresh air..
If the breathing starts to sound crackly.. or the pig seems to be acting really wierd.. take him to a vet.. (they will most likely give you baytril or ditrim).. it doesn’t sound too bad right now.. but I’d start calling around to find a vet that takes exotics.. (I know where I went a small exotic exam was $40 .. meds would add a little more but this will vary by vet) just in case. Pneumonia can kill guinea pigs quickly.. the minute you hear any sound from the lungs.. get it in..
Add on:
another answer says an exotic vet is not needed.. .but most vets that don’t have an exotic specialist don’t take ANY exotic pets.. they are dog/cat only, or in some places dog/cat/farm animal .. So call around and ask… (as I said… just in case)
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#7 by Guinea pig Tree on February 14, 2010 - 3:24 pm
This website may have the answer: http://www.Guinea-pig-Tree.webs.com
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#8 by Cassie on February 14, 2010 - 3:26 pm
Guinea Pigs do not get colds like us humans. IN replace of colds they get URI’s (Upper Respiratory Infection). URI’s are a deadly bacteria infection that usually run through pet store Guinea Pigs. As a new guinea pig owner, im sure you did not expect this. Most owners are not un aware how these small things can run into a big thing in just 1 day. You need to seek a vet ASAP.
Symptoms of URI
• Refusal to eat or drink
• Not eating
• Breathing heavy, Wheezing
• Sneezing, Coughing
• Crustiness of the eyes or nose
• Discharge from the eyes or nose
• Puffed up coat
• Lethargy
What you need to do is do not put water on its nose or up its nose. It may contribute to the URI or even suffer your piggy death. If the URI is not treated on time your piggy may result death. All the vet will do is prescribe your piggy a safe antibiotic to use to clear up this deadly infection.
References :
Guinea Pig Mum
guineapigmother@yahoo.com
Owner of a Guinea Pig information site:
http://www.hotelforguineapigs.webs.com
#9 by I ♥ Guinea Pigs! on February 14, 2010 - 3:28 pm
If he does in fact have a URI, you may want to learn more about them here:
http://www.guinealynx.info/uri.html
The above site I listed is very informative about URI’s and is reliable. Please note you can’t treat this infection on your own, you must take it to an exotic vet. Then again, he may not have a URI. The problem could be something as simple as, for example, an allergy to his bedding. What are you using for him? Bedding that is cedar or pine, despite common belief, is actually okay as long it has been kiln-dried (thus removing harmful oils and such).
I wish both you and Stevie luck.
EDIT: Oh,does the chitty noise you describe sound just a bit like an owl? Like he sounds a big congested in the throat? My guinea pig has made that noise before. He’s okay, though.
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#10 by Oceanlvr on February 14, 2010 - 3:30 pm
You’re feeding your guinea pig entirely wrong. This is the correct diet: Guinea pigs need to be fed a high-quality pellet like Oxbow or Kleenmama’s. I recommend Oxbow’s pellets. Adult pigs (over 1 year in age) should be fed Oxbow’s Cavy Cuisine http://www.oxbowanimalhealth.com/products/type/detail?object=1622 and young guinea pigs (under 1 year) should be fed Oxbow’s Cavy Performance http://www.oxbowanimalhealth.com/products/type/detail?object=1546
In addition, hay should be available at all times. I recommend Kleemama’s hay: http://www.kmshayloft.com/hay.html. Bluegrass or Timothy hay (3rd cut) are the best hays for adult guinea pigs. I feed a mixture of both but either are great. Young guinea pigs should eat a bluegrass/alfalfa mix: http://www.kmshayloft.com/hay.html#abmix
Fresh water in a water bottle such as this one http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752722&utm_source=googleproduct&utm_campaign=1852004&utm_medium=cse&mr:trackingCode=70C32C64-C881-DE11-B712-001422107090&mr:referralID=NA can be hooked to the side of the cage.
Guinea pigs cannot manufacture their own Vitamin C, so they should have about a cup of mixed veggies per pig daily, from this list: http://www.guineapigcages.com/food/Veggie-and-Fruit-Charts.pdf
Here’s some sample menus of veggies you can feed: http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/diet-nutrition/24770-sample-veggie-menus.html
Fruit should be fed once or twice a week and in small amounts as they are high in sugar.
Vitamin C should be provided through their diet, not through tablets or drops – those are just unnecessary. Vegetables and pellets are the best way to go.
Please email me with any more questions about guinea pig care and feeding: cass234@live.com
take your guinea pig to a guinea pig experienced vet right away to make sure your GP doesn’t have anything serious.
Good luck!
http://www.guineapigcages.com/
http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/
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#11 by Ashleigh on February 14, 2010 - 3:32 pm
URI’s are deadly bacterial infections that can result in death if untreated. Bacterial respiratory infections are a common problem among pet store guinea pigs (a good reason to adopt your guinea pig instead of purchasing one from a pet store). New guinea pig owners are often unaware of how quickly guinea pigs can go downhill and how vital prompt vet care is to the health of your new guinea pig. Untreated URI’s are almost always fatal. Guinea pigs do not get cold viruses, and allergies/asthma is very rare. Although, they may show similar symptoms.
Symptoms:
* Not eating or drinking
* Not pooing
* Laboured breathing, wheezing
* Sneezing, coughing
* Crusty eyes, eyes that are almost sealed shut
* Discharge from eyes and/or nose
* Dull and/or receding eyes
* Rough and/or puffed up coat
* Lethargy, hunched posture, weakness, unwillingness to move
See a vet immediately if you see any of these signs, because URI’s are so deadly and fast moving, that it is important that the vet rules out a URI before considering the possibility of an allergy.
Treatment:
A vet will prescribe a safe antibiotic like Bactrim or Doxycycline to treat these bacterial infections. If your guinea pig is not eating, make sure you hand feed them to keep your guinea pig alive while the antibiotic works. Make sure you ask your vet how long it will take for the antibiotics to work, and call them if you see no improvement in a day or two.
Try giving them a nice warm bath, and give them a good clean. Make sure their cage is nice and clean, and separate them from their cage mate, because URI’s are contagious. Once they have been washed, and put back in their clean cage, put a warm water bottle with a towel over it, in the place they usually sleep. Make sure they get lots of fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C such as:
* Spinach
* Parsley
* Orange
* Strawberries
* Lettuce
* Cucumber
Recurrent URI’s may be a sign of heart problems.
–
Best of luck.
References :
Loving guinea pig mother for over seven years
&
Owner of a guinea pig information website.
#12 by Betty on February 14, 2010 - 3:34 pm
Keep him warm and give him vitamin C everyday. If he still has the crusty stuff on his nose in the next two days, take him to the vet. I had to pay $85 for the visit and some medicine for mine when she had a cold
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#13 by leener on February 14, 2010 - 3:36 pm
Vet or death is the reality with pigs
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