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Original poster

Help please! My new guinea pig is trapped :(

34 replies

VodIsGod · 23/08/2013 09:57

I bought a new guinea pig yesterday. I'm so stupid but I thought the little thing might like a bit of time in the run. In 3 seconds the little thing managed to find the one bit of the run that wasn't absolutely level and got out, the gap was tiny. And then he ran and ran and ran under the shed Hmm

The shed is sunk into the grass a bit so it's really hard to see or do anything. He's got himself trapped in the concrete blobs that the paving slabs sit on that support the shed. I could hear him squeaking and tried to lever him out with a stick Hmm but he won't budge. The only way I can see where he is to take a pic with my phone in the gap. I can see his little face set right back in a little cave of concrete HmmHmm

How on earth do I get him out?

OP posts:
HeySoulSister · 23/08/2013 09:59

You sure he is stuck and not hiding and too scared to come out?

Could you remove some of shed floor if its panelled?

OddBoots · 23/08/2013 10:01

I'm trying to picture it, if you dig up some of the lawn and earth below would you get a better view/access?

slenderman · 23/08/2013 10:01

oh blimey maybe call rspca for advice? silly poor thing

Chopchopbusybusy · 23/08/2013 10:02

He's probably just frightened to come out. Can you tempt him out with a trail of cucumber or lettuce.

insancerre · 23/08/2013 10:03

I think a call to the RSPCA is in order if you can't get him out

PostBellumBugsy · 23/08/2013 10:04

When you do get him out, please consider getting him a friend. GPigs are sociable and get very lonely on their own.

katehastried · 23/08/2013 10:05

Try something like basil to lure him out?

Original poster
VodIsGod · 23/08/2013 10:10

Well yes I think he is only trapped from my point of view, sure he's scared and my trying to get him and taking photos of him to see where he is isn't helping. I can't take the shed floor up because he's underneath the concrete slabs that support the shed. Really difficult to explain.

I'm worried that he'll dash out for the food and then go back in before I can get to him.
What could the RSPCA do?

We have two other GPs so he's not going to be alone...

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insancerre · 23/08/2013 10:11

is there any way you can get at him from the other end, from behind him and push him out?

ZolaBuddleia · 23/08/2013 10:13

Can you lay the food as bait and wait beside it then trap him?

Original poster
VodIsGod · 23/08/2013 10:18

I don't think so Hmm when my DH built the base for the shed he put 5 blobs of concrete down (corners, middle) and he's gone in one of the side gaps and is tucked round in another.

I might dig out some grass so I can get a better look and there's more room for him to come out and stay out.

God I wish I'd never even tried this. What the hell was I thinking? :( should have just let him be in his hutch for a bit :(((( I'm so so stupid.

OP posts:
PostBellumBugsy · 23/08/2013 10:19

Could you get a bean pole and slide that under the shed & gently nudge him out with that?

Original poster
VodIsGod · 23/08/2013 10:20

I'll put out some bait.

Just gonna get dressed as I was in my PJs and now I'm wet and covered in mud Hmm

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LadyPeterWimsey · 23/08/2013 10:24

My GP was under the shed for 5 days recently... little bugger darling would come out, eat lettuce from our hand and then run like the wind whenever we tried to grab him.

Eventually, he came out again in search of food, and three of us cornered him and managed to catch him.

All the best.

Original poster
VodIsGod · 23/08/2013 10:25

There's no where to slide something as it's sunk down into the grass (so anything I prod would have to be angled. And it's stones and concrete, not a wooden floor. I can't describe it properly and he's so scared bless him and I really should have just let him be.

And he's supposed to be a present for my son's birthday on Monday and now what do I do??? Panicking a lot Sad

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crochetkate · 23/08/2013 10:28

Could you use a humane squirrel trap? I know a friend had to use one to recapture a lost degu, but not sure if it would be safe for a GP?

LadyPeterWimsey · 23/08/2013 10:30

Can you put out food, and then have someone ready to block his retreat when he comes out? It's worth being patient as every time we tried to catch him it took ages for him to get the confidence to come out again.

Original poster
VodIsGod · 23/08/2013 10:41

I've got one of those igloos I might fill it with hay and then dig out enough grass that I can wedge the igloo between the hole and the grass, block off the sides...

A bit calmer now but still upset for the little fluff and I've got a million things to do today and rescuing GPs wasn't on the list....

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FernieB · 23/08/2013 11:00

Hope he pops out soon. Fill a box or igloo with hay and veg and be patient. They think with their tummies so he'll investigate eventually. What about putting the other pigs in the run near the shed. He may come out if he hears them squeaking and eating. Good luck.

PostBellumBugsy · 23/08/2013 11:07

Igloo idea sounds like a good one. They are greedy, so hopefully food will tempt him out. Like Fernie's idea of having the others nearby too, so that their chat will encourage him out too.

Original poster
VodIsGod · 23/08/2013 11:19

Right, have dug out space big enough for igloo filled with food and hay. Other GPs are in run near hole and are being encouraged to squeak. Failing dismally but it's early days....

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katehastried · 23/08/2013 11:21

Good luck!

HeySoulSister · 23/08/2013 12:33

How you doing? Any luck?

alemci · 23/08/2013 12:42

is there another pig who could lure him out. that usually works? is he stuck they are so silly aren't they?

i remember our one went under roof tiles in the garden and other GP went to see and she came out. also another gp running next door through tiny gap in fence and then myself and dh in garden with torch. we managed to grab him but it took ages.

Original poster
VodIsGod · 23/08/2013 12:55

Panic over

Just checked the igloo and still nothing and then put my phone in to take another pic and in it I could see fur!!! So I put my hand in the hole and just grabbed. Ended up pulling him out by his bum and leg Confused but got him!

He's now on my lap and doesn't seem too traumatised! Thank you for all the suggestions and it was good to vent while I was panicking!

He is as yet unnamed.... Houdini? Blaine?!

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