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Monday, January 29, 2007
A Video of My Baby Mice
Oh my goodness, how could you ever want to harm these beautiful creatures?




















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Sunday, January 28, 2007
My baby mice are growing up
Oh how I love thee, let me count the mice..Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting



Mice at 2 days old...
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Mice at 1 week old...
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Mice at 2 weeks old...
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Saturday, January 27, 2007
Is your Guinea Pig Bored?
keeping your cavy interested.....

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What should you put in the cage to keep your guinea pig interested? Here's where you get to be creative. A popular item is 4-inch PVC pipe from house supply stores; it lasts much longer than cardboard tunnels and can be cleaned easily. Plus, it can't be eaten! A shelter of some sort is necessary, though some will argue that a hiding place will make your guinea pig more skittish. However, guinea pigs are "run and hide" creatures, so yours will need some sort of dark refuge. A house can be as elaborate as you can build it, or as simple as a cardboard box. My suggestion: make it a three-sided shelter, so your guinea pig is under something, but can still see you (and you can see them).

Climbing toys are good and include wood blocks, flowerpots, cut tree branches, and wooden platforms with ramps. Remember to keep climbing things low; a fall can seriously injure a guinea pig, and they're a little daft when it comes heights.

Many owners suggest bird toys or ferret toys for guinea pigs; try anything, as long as it:

1. Can be eaten or chewed without risk of choking;

2. Does not have sharp edges or anything that can harm a guinea pig;

3. Won't take up too much room in the cage; and

4. Isn't too narrow (tubes) or small for your piggy.

Some guinea pigs love squeaky toys,Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting or little cat toys with bells in them. Others will try to destroy anything you put in the cage! You'll have to try a few different things to see what toys your guinea pig likes. When trying out new toys, it's good to think like a toddler: can you chew it, or lick it (like Onion)? Will it break if you throw it around?
a list of safe toys for your guinea pig

* thick PVC pipe (short sections)
* Pigloos, with a larger entry hole cut in them
* terra cotta flowerpots
* carboard boxes (no glue, staples, plastic)
* bricks or tile
* wood blocks
* fruit tree branches, chemical-free



* guinea pig toys, safe for chewing
* tennis balls
* straw chew/hide balls
* ferret toys safe for chewing
* safe squeaky toys
* cat/dog toys with bells in them
* wooden baby blocks


wheels, balls and other hazards....Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Do not buy rodent wheels for your guinea pig, even if they say "for guinea pigs." The bars on the wheel can easily injure a foot, and guinea pigs are simply not made for them: they are heavier than rodents and not as nimble for such a fast-moving contraption. Your cavy can easily break a foot in a rodent wheel. Those big plastic balls are marketed as being ideal for guinea pigs, but 99% of the guinea pigs in the world will sit, terrified, in the ball. This plastic ball is too disorienting for guinea pigs; it cuts them off from their environment, and doesn't allow them to really see where they're going. It's much better to just let your piggy roam in the kitchen, with a few towels thrown on the floor. Keep all wires, small spaces and other hazards out of your guinea pig's way during floortime.






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Thursday, January 25, 2007
Ever Wonder How Fast Your Hamster Runs?




Ever wonder how fast your hamster runs when he's spinning 'round on his wheel? Well, apparently someone on YouTube did and they attached a speedometer to their furry friend's wheel to find out just how fast their four-legged pet could sprint. The little fella gets the speed count pretty high before the wheel gets the best of him and spins him around for 12 counts.



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Monday, January 22, 2007
Oh So Cheesy Tribute
I would like to take a moment to pay a tribute to a fellow Blogger. Not only a fellow Blogger, but a very good friend. She is an all knowing, all loving Recipe master, cookbook collector, and Pug mama. She has 2 Pugs and a husband with an in-depth coffee blog. I never really cared to much about food, but I just can't stop looking, her blog makes me want to cook, or learn anyway. And in tribute to her, here is my own recipe, not meant for human consumption, HEY! I'm the Rodent Mama.

Cavy Cookie

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Description
Cookies for your little friend.

Ingredients
2 C Whole wheat flout
1 C Shredded carrot
1/4 C Shredded Apple
1 C Warm water
2 T Honey
Directions
Mix into fairly stiff dough...if the mixture is not firm like a bread dough..add some more whole wheat flower. Roll to 1/4 inch thickness on a lightly floured surface and then,using a cookie cutter or small paring knife...cut into shapes (circles,etc). I use a carrot shape or an oval shape. Bake in a 350 degree oven (Fahrenheit)for 9-12 minutes...until edges are crispy. Let them cool in an air-tight container. These cookies will last around two weeks. You can also freeze them for longer storage. The bigger the herd,the faster they will disappear.



Please also visit two ingenious blogs that I read everyday.

Shabby Cheap

Origin




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Thursday, January 18, 2007
Oh Baby! The Mice Are Here
After a short 3 week pregnancy, Sugar has given birth to 7 beautiful babies. Fawn has given birth to 7 babies as well but she is more of the quiet type and I choose to let her be at this time. But just look how cute. They will have the best life ever, warm and safe in the rodent home with me.


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Sunday, January 14, 2007
Winterizing for your hedgehog and first aid
Here in the Mid-west we have had some terrible weather lately. This is a perfect time to go over your hedgehog first-aid kit. A first-aid kit is a crucial essential since the power can easily be shut off for several days. My hedgehogs are indoor pet's and are accustomed to a constant 76 degree temperature. In case my power did go out I would locate my first-aid kit with the following items in it.

Hedgehog first aid kit

1. MONEY. Always have at least $200 available for an emergency vet visit. So often people post that their pet is very ill but they don’t have the money to take it to the vet. Hedgehogs hide illness very well. By the time they are showing symptoms of illness, they are usually very sick and require vet attention IMMEDIATELY!

2. A card with your vet’s phone number and address. Also add alternate vets phone numbers and addresses and an emergency vets phone number and address.

Below is a list of Lab Values for hedgehogs. Print these and keep with your vets information.

3. Always have a human heating pad. If you do not need it on a regular basis you will have it for emergency use.

4. 2 cans of Hills AD cat food which is available at your vets. This is used for syringe feeding and is a fine consistency that will easily go through a syringe. Make sure it is room temperature or warmer before feeding. (keep track of the expiry date and replace as needed)

5. A couple of bottles of pedialite for syringing water. Make sure it is room temperature or warmer before syringing it. (keep track of the expiry date and replace as needed)

6. A can or two of human Boost or Ensure as it is a good source of nutrition for an ill hedgehog and it is easily syringed. Make sure it is room temperature or warmer before use. (keep track of the expiry date and replace as needed)

7. A supply of syringes. Either ones made specifically for syringing small animals, or 1ml syringes available at any vet or pharmacy. These wear out quickly with use so have numerous ones on hand.

8. A supply of white or predominantly white liners or receiving blankets to use as bedding. These enable you to see what colour the hedgehogs bodily functions are. Baby receiving blankets are cheap and available at any department store.

9. A mid sized clear sterlite or rubbermaid bin for use as a sick cage. It prevents drafts and is easily transportable Ensure it is at least 15” tall. Ventilate the lid. This bin will also hold all of your emergency supplies. This cage can also be used in the event of a power outage as it will be easier to keep warm.

10. Regular Polysporin. DO NOT use extra strength or pain control as these are toxic.

11. Vaseline or a water based, non-toxic lubricant.

12. A roll of paper towels.

13. A package of sterile gauze pads. A human first aid kit works well.

14. Unscented baby wipes

15. Nail clippers & small scissors

16. Tweezers

17. Q-tips

18. Four or cornstarch to stop bleeding of nails

Items I recommend,

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Point is, keep your hedgie nice and warm and ride out the cold together.

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Friday, January 12, 2007
My review of Kaytee Soft-Sorbent
Kaytee Soft Sorbent Natural Lavender Scented Bedding...


I give it two enthusiastic thumbs up. I have a new litter of fancy mice coming and the mom-to-be is relaxed and in a very comfortable state. I recommend this product for animals in a stressful state or ones just needing a little relaxation.



Just click the bag for the online store!





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