Grooming Hints

Feet: Toenails need to trimmed once a month. If the nails get to long or stay long on a constant basis, the quick or blood supply moves down closer to the tip of the nail. This makes trimming painful and bloody. If you accidentally cut too close, use styptic powder on the nail. I use a kitten safe one, use very little, and after the bleeding has stopped-brush off any remaining powder so the pig doesn't ingest it. You also need to check for pad calluses (spurs), bumble foot, cracked nails or pads and any other trauma.		Style of clipper I use for nails. I use a cuticle trimmer to carefully remove spurs.
Ears: Out of everything I've tried, I best like an ear cleaner made for ferrets by Marshall Pet Products, INC. in Wolcutt, NY. Soak a cotton ball with the cleaner, wipe the ear to really wet the buildup, then wipe out with a clean cotton ball. Q-Tips can be carefully used to get the build up out if deep crevices.	This cleaning is best accomplished with 2 people.
Teeth: 1. Broken front teeth are the most common problem. This is usually the result of bar chewing. A) Unless broken down to the gum line, they grow back on their own. B) Breaks to the gum need to see a vet. 2. Spurs on the molars. A) These are toothy growths that can cut into the cheeks. You can check for these with a Otto- scope or a small tube that will fit in the mouth and a flashlight. a) If you think you see anything abnormal, see a vet! b) If your pig is drooling or not eating, see a vet! 3. Abscesses. A) Definitely see a vet! 4. Misaligned front teeth. A) A genetic or inherited problem. Can be caused by bar chewing. B) The teeth will not wear down if they don't meet properly. C) They will need filing down by a vet.
Coat: The question most often asked of me is, "How do you know if it's lice, mites, hormones, fungus, or scurvy that is causing my cavy to loose its fur?" I have never seen a cavy with fungus or ringworm. Almost every case of fur loss I've seen was caused by the other problems. Mites being the most common, followed by lice. And even with heavy lice infestation, hair loss is not as prevalent as it is with mites. Scurvy is only seen in severe cases of poor nutrition. Skin scrapings do not show the presence of mites. If lice are ruled out, please treat quickly for mites!!!! A cavy can very quickly scratch itself bloody and painful from mites. Lice can be seen running in the hair when you back brush it with your finger. Click on the link below for excellent info on this subject.
Bath Time: I use Bunny Bath, a shallow plastic pan that the cavy can stand on the edge of, and warm water. Lather-up twice, be gentle and start this when they are young. Avoid the ears and eyes!		Rinse Well! Soap left in the fur makes them itch! Some prefer to get rinsed in the pan, but Fizzgig doesn't mind the running water in the sink.
You need to make sure to dry your cavies well. Towel dry first, then use a hair dryer on low speed and warm temperature. Keep your hand between the warm air and your pig. DON'T overheat them!