Page 10 - Martin Downs Bulletin - January '20

Page 10, Martin Downs

tip of tHe tail

All About Guinea Pigs distinct personalities. They can be very talkative and love Wellness exams: Guinea pigs are not vaccinated for

to interact with their humans. If you are considering it, infectious diseases in the United States. An annual exam
here are a few things you should know. with the veterinarian is very important. Guinea pigs are
Guinea pigs are native to mountainous regions of South adept at hiding illness since they are prey animals. An
America where they were domesticated as long as 3,000 annual exam may help in detecting abnormalities earlier.
years ago. They live in small groups in the wild and are Many health problems in guinea pigs are related to improper
often more comfortable in the presence of other guinea housing and diet so be sure to go over these issues with
pigs. For this reason, It may be a good idea to have at your veterinarian to make sure you are on the right track.
least two at a time as pets. There are many varieties. The Common guinea pig diseases:
American, Teddy and Abyssinian are most common. The Diarrhea caused by an imbalance in gastrointestinal
average lifespan of the guinea pig is five to seven years. bacteria. This can be caused by stress or an abrupt change
Housing: Guinea pigs should be kept in well-ventilated, in diet.
wire-sided cages with solid bottoms. There should be Guinea pigs have continuously growing teeth. They must
enough space in the enclosure for the pet to move around be aligned properly to make sure they are being worn down.
unencumbered with an area for a hide box. A hide box If the alignment is off, the teeth will overgrow. Overgrowth
reduces stress that can lead to disease problems. of the teeth will prevent pets from eating.
Have you ever thought about getting a guinea pig for Cedar and pine shavings should not be used as they Inadequate Vitamin C intake can lead to hypovitaminosis
a pet? Guinea pigs can be a lot of fun since they have cause skin irritation and respiratory problems. Aspen C resulting in lameness, bleeding, lethargy, loss of appetite,
shavings, recycled newspaper products and shredded paper poor hair coat and teeth grinding.
It’s Almost FAIR Time! make good bedding and floor cushions. The bedding and Bladder stones can form due to high calcium diets
enclosure should be cleaned two times a week to prevent
leading to urinary obstruction.
foot infections and respiratory issues. Sipper bottles work Upper respiratory infections due to Streptococcus
well for water and heavy food bowls should be used to pneumonia are common leading to ear infections, eye
prevent tipping. discharge and pneumonia.
Diet: Feed a formulated pelleted diet made for guinea Other common issues include mites, foot infections and
pigs along with timothy hay and fresh vegetables. The hay ringworm.
should be available for pets at all times. Limit pelleted Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical Center
diet as guinea pigs will become obese if primarily eating is dedicated to providing the best possible care for your
pellets. Fruits should be limited to treats only or less than pets. With focuses on compassionate care in surgery,
10 percent of their overall diet. physical therapy and rehabilitation, preventative medicine,
Guinea pigs are unable to make vitamin C on their extensive diagnostics, and emergency service, Palm City
own so should be given Vitamin C supplementation. Animal Medical Center combines exceptional medical
One-quarter orange per day will provide enough Vitamin care with a caring philosophy for pets and their owners.
C but a Vitamin C supplement tablet is made for guinea For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit www.
Feb 14-22, 2020 pigs that can be offered daily. Dark leafy greens contain palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on Facebook
Vitamin C as well.
at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.
Advanced Tickets CluB news

On Sale Now!

If your family plans to ride Learn How To Organize Christ Child Society

the carnival rides, we Your Genealogy With The Christmas Luncheon
suggest buying the Super Martin County Genealogical The 30th Annual Christ Child Society Christmas

Saver Packs and save $53! Society Luncheon was held at Mariner Sands Country Club,
Dec. 2. Over 200 ladies were in attendance and enjoyed
Most ancestry sleuths face the ongoing challenge the Christmas singing of Andrea Tesoro. Raffle
Available On our website ONLY of organizing the massive amount of information they baskets, silent auction items and numerous vendors

Avoid the lines...buy online collect in their genealogical research. The Martin helped raise funds so we can continue to support
County Genealogical Society (MCGS) invites you
the needy children of Martin County. The delicious
to kick off the New Year at its January meeting by luncheon capped off our Christmas fundraiser. Anyone
learning about Microsoft OneNote, a free digital who is interested in joining the Christ Child Society,
organizing application. Well known genealogist Bob please contact Judy Cashman at (561) 545-1997.
Inhoff returns to MCGS to describe this resource
Fair Volunteers Needed. and demonstrate how to use it to collect, analyze
and organize your research. Using OneNote, you can
Sign up on our website. organize your notes, photos, news clippings and more
in digital “three-ring binders” with topical dividers.
You can tag, draw your thoughts, record audio and
share notebooks with others. Offering powerful search,
linking and sharing features that enhance productive
research, OneNote is available on your desktop – both
Enter your Arts & Crafts! Windows and Mac – tablet, phone and online.
Bob Inhoff brings a wealth of genealogy experience
Sell your crafts in our to MCGS. He currently serves as webmaster for the

Consignment Area! Florida State Genealogical Society and the Goff-Gough
Family Association. He also chaired the Technology
Enter our King Arthur Committee of the Indian River Genealogical Society
in Vero Beach, where he lives.
Flour Competition! Free and open to the public, the meeting is 1 to
3 p.m., Friday, Jan. 17, at Blake Library, 2351 S.E.
Monterey Road in Stuart. Light refreshments will be
served. In addition to its monthly meetings – where
local and national experts speak about how to explore
your family roots – the society offers a variety of
FREE Admission on services at the genealogy room in the Blake Library
which is manned by MCGS volunteers all year long.
Opening Day! For more information about membership, activities and Barbara Langella, Mary Dugan, Andrea Tesoro and
services go to mcgsfl.org, visit the genealogy room or
call Lisa Tompson, MCGS president, (772) 888-2422. Kathy McQuade

MartinCountyFair.com

Monday, January 20