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Post by lisa on Feb 1, 2009 16:46:08 GMT -5
Man, all it takes is reading a lot of differing opinions to make me think I'm doing things wrong with the quarantine. - I am currently keeping the new guy outside of my bedroom. Basil is in the "guest" bedroom down the hall. Baz plays in the hall in cardboard play pen and would probably be about 3 feet away from the new guy during play time. Should I move the little guy downstairs? The only thing that worries me about moving him downstairs is that we've been getting earwigs. I guess I'd just have to make sure to be vigilant about sucking them up.
- Also, the new kid had some funny looking poos last night - some are small, some malformed, and some are very light colored. He has had normal sized ones as well. Debbie mentioned that he had been constipated. He's also very thirsty. Any ideas? I'm thinking about adding LifeLine to his food for a couple days.
- All my chins supplies are in the same room as Baz. Is it going to be an issue if I use hay that's been sitting in a cardboard box for the new guy since it's been in the same room as Baz?
- One last thing. I asked this question elsewhere and it pretty much seemed like I was going to need to wear a Haz-Mat suit to protect one chin from the other. I'm now freaking that I can't talk to the new kid while he's in the cage and then go bother Baz because something's on my clothes. Realistic expectations please!
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Post by Inked Up Tara on Feb 1, 2009 16:52:56 GMT -5
I know my chins were in seperate rooms, for quarantine, but seeing as how you have already not done that, I should think keeping bodily fluids contained should be ok. I would make sure you wash your hands after touching each chin.
As far as the clothing, I know that I didnt Handle Gabby too much, so I didnt think about it, and I always played with her last, so the boys didnt have contact with her scent or fluids or poops.
I know a chin can get weird poo from stress, and I am sure the life line would not hurt. You can even give him acidopholus. But no I would not pet the new chin and go right to the other chin and pet them.
If you have bugs downstairs I should think you are doing just fine. Just make sure they do not have access to each other's poo etc. I used all the same food for Gabby but I made sure to not put something from her cage into the food IE her food dish to scoop it up.
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Post by dawn on Feb 1, 2009 16:55:04 GMT -5
Those same people bring chins home from shows and do not quarantine any of them since it is not practical to do so with a bunch of chins, so its basically do as I say, not what I do. That said, keep them in separate rooms, keep them from mixing body fluids and waste, wash your hands between handling, make sure they cannot get at each others toys and food and the such and call it square, JMO from someone who has fostered many chins. Lifeline would be a good idea also.
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Post by mistywaterwoman on Feb 1, 2009 17:28:30 GMT -5
I think it's more about bodily fluids being exchanged. Wash your hands between handling one chin and the other, and don't let them share a play space or toys.  Or dust!! Seperate dust containers. Some people on other forums can get ridiculous about quarantines. You are never going to be able to do a TRUE quarantine without seperate buildings and a chemical shower in between.  Heck if you have central air, they are breathing the same air anyway, the rest is just precautionary. The weird poos could be stress, just keep an eye on him. |
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Post by tagna on Feb 1, 2009 18:01:10 GMT -5
You just have to do the best you can. No one can do it perfect. Anyway you do it, Quarantine sucks! ha! 30 days to go for me!
Pandora has weird poop but I find when they are on Kaytee they do have the weird poos. And like Kara said, stress can do it to them too.
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Post by Mrs. Peeperz on Feb 2, 2009 0:27:56 GMT -5
You got some pretty good advice with the quarantine. I make sure to play with Coda last so I don't worry about changing my clothes. Those poos look the same as Coda's did on his first couple days. Just make sure he is eating and pooping. They should start being regular size within a week or so.
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Post by lisa on Feb 2, 2009 2:39:59 GMT -5
Thanks for the input. I didn't let Basil out to play last night so I feel a little better about the quarantine. The new guy is now down at the foot of the stairs.
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Post by dawn on Feb 2, 2009 8:59:27 GMT -5
Quarantine is more of a time to keep the chin quiet and let it adjust to its enviroment rather than trying to keep the other chin safe from illness, since you will never achieve true quarantine in a home environment. Some chins stress to the point they will stop eating and drinking so during the 30 days you are watching for any weight loss, watch poo output, watch poo quality and basically just observe the chin while it gets used to its new home. The other chin needs to be watched too-some chins go nuts when a new one gets into the house so that chin needs to be watched for the same thing.
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Post by ♥Pam AB Chins♥ on Feb 2, 2009 12:40:52 GMT -5
Quarantine is more of a time to keep the chin quiet and let it adjust to its enviroment rather than trying to keep the other chin safe from illness, since you will never achieve true quarantine in a home environment. Some chins stress to the point they will stop eating and drinking so during the 30 days you are watching for any weight loss, watch poo output, watch poo quality and basically just observe the chin while it gets used to its new home. The other chin needs to be watched too-some chins go nuts when a new one gets into the house so that chin needs to be watched for the same thing. I totally agree with Dawn here. This is the the main reason we quarentine. The stress of coming to a new home can cause all manner of problems for a chin. There is only so much you can do to keep any illness from travelling back and forth. I do as others suggest and tend to the new chins needs last in the day to prevent unnecessary contamination. |
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Post by mistywaterwoman on Feb 2, 2009 13:18:18 GMT -5
AMEN!! Amy gets totally whacked out every time I add to my herd, I have to break out the Rescue Remedy and everything for her. Each time I added a chin, the new chin did fine, but Amy flipped out.  |
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