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Upcoming events
ACS
Pignic in the park (26th NOVEMBER 2011)
The major event of the year not to be missed!
Visit the
official Pignic in the park event website HERE
for further information about our annual special event. ACS major
event of the year and a unique fun-filled family day out for you and
your guinea pigs!
ACS Latest News
ACS NEWSLETTER
If you would like to receive our 3 monthly ACS Newsletter please join our
mailing list via the following weblink:
http://www.australiancavysanctuary.com/mailinglist.htm
The ACS Newsletter is here to keep you informed about all the latest
happenings within ACS while also sharing with you articles of
interest about guinea pigs and there general and medical care. The
newsletter is set to be released every 3 months.
Join us on Facebook and keep regularly updated on all
the latest happenings at the ACS Shelters. Click on ACS Shelter
badges below to visit.
 
ACS Brisbane Shelter - Cages for sale!
ACS Brisbane Shelter often has cages available to purchase
through the shelter or pre-order. All proceeds go directly to the
care of the animals at the shelter.
CLICK HERE to view what we have available!
ACS Annual Slideshow Presentation
ACS 2009 Slideshow Presentation
Please note our 2009 Slideshow Contains Graphic Images. If you are
under 18 please get parental permission before watching.
Click here to watch part 1 of the presentation
Click here to watch part 2 of the presentation
ACS Archived Articles/News of Interest
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ACS Article of interest
ACS Guinea Pig Summer Heat Guide
Keep your guinea pigs safe!
 Guinea
pigs are very susceptible to changes in the weather and temperature
and in particular sudden changes. A guinea pigs health can
deteriorate quickly if procedures aren't put in place to help keep
your guinea pig comfortable during these changes. Summer in
Australia can be harsh for humans and also harsh for guinea pigs.
When the temperature changes suddenly from cool to hot or when the
temperature is very high or humid this is where heat management
techniques to keep your guinea pigs safe and happy need to be put in
place .
Their have been many cases reported to ACS whereby guinea pigs
have been housed outdoors and left in their cage in part or full sun
for as little as 30mins and this has been enough to cause severe
heatstroke and death in these cases.
Guinea Pigs rely on their owner for every aspect of their care and
they are not able to remove themselves from their enclosure or apply
what they need to, in order to survive weather extremes or changes.
The easiest tip for guinea pigs owners is to treat your guinea pigs
just as you would yourself. If you are cold your guinea pigs will
also be cold and if you are hot and wouldn't stay outside in the sun
on a summers day then your pets shouldn't be either. If methods are
needed for you to keep cool or warm throughout the months of the
year then methods will need to be applied for your guinea pigs as
well.
In the summer months when temperatures rise above the low 30's or
when the humidity is quite high (over 55%) then this is when the
summer heat management techniques need to be put in to place so that
your guinea pig does not suffer harmful permanent health effects or
death.
Who is most at risk? Old guinea pigs, young guinea pigs, dark
coloured guinea pigs, guinea pigs in poor health and pregnant sows
are most at risk of developing heat stress although in saying this
any guinea pig can still fall prey to heat stress.
Housing in Summer: Lawn/Outdoor Hutches need to be kept in
complete shade on a warm to hot day. (Note that leaving a cage in
the sun and covering it with something like a towel or piece of
timber is not the same as having a cage in the shade of a tree or
other high solid structure and that this will not ease heat stress
on your guinea pigs). A cage with half to full sun over it can
quickly become surprisingly hot inside and humidity can also rise up
from the ground. Metal cages or part metal cages are 'ovens' in
Summer and 'chillers' in Winter and ACS strongly suggest to not
house guinea pigs in metal lawn hutches.
Shaded indoor or patio housing (if cooler and more shaded than
outside) is recommended either permanently or temporarily during the
summer months in particular if nobody will be home during the day.
Guinea Pigs need housing that has good air circulation particularly
during the summer months. A cage with three or four open wired sides
will give good ventilation during the summer months. The air needs
to be able to pass through the enclosure.
Conditions that can result from the heat include: Dehydration, Heat
Stroke, Toxemia and Pregnancy Toxemia , Heart attack and General
heat stress related symptoms which include slobbering, labored
breathing, weakness (guinea pig feels floppy), a reluctance to move,
high body heat, convulsions and death if left untreated.
Heatstroke:If your guinea pig develops heatstroke immediate
action needs to be taken in order to save your guinea pigs life and
before serious internal damage occurs resulting in death.
To read our full guinea pig summer heat guide and treatment for
heatstroke in guinea pigs
CLICK HERE.
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