400 guinea pigs seized in Vichten due to poor living conditions

Animal protection officers and veterinary inspection officials often encounter extraordinary situations throughout their careers, just like a recent incident that took place in Vichten: private individuals had to surrender over 400 guinea pigs in just a few days. This figure was provided upon request by the Asset Management Office (BGA), which operates under the Ministry of Justice.

In addition to the guinea pigs, 16 rabbits, three ducks, two dogs, and two roosters were also taken in. Some of these animals have already been adopted.

Neighbours became concerned when they noticed something unusual about the suspected individuals and subsequently contacted the Luxembourg Veterinary and Food Administration (ALVA). ALVA, along with private animal protection groups and the police, responded to the situation, quickly determining that conditions were unsustainable.

The owner of the guinea pigs was issued a "Procès verbal de saisie," which he signed, thereby transferring full ownership of the animals to the state, according to officials from the BGA in an interview with RTL.

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Many guinea pigs necessarily euthanised

The private animal protection organisation was tasked with addressing the situation, conducting two operations: one last Monday and another on Saturday. In total, 401 guinea pigs were collected. Unfortunately, many of the animals were not kept in suitable conditions, leading to the difficult decision to euthanise some of them. Following a veterinarian's advice, 25 guinea pigs were euthanised on-site. After a more thorough examination the following day, an additional 92 were put to sleep, as reported by the BGA.

The report indicated that several animals suffered from 'organ fattening', while others, particularly those examined on-site, had dental deformities. RTL's veterinarian, Romi Roth, explained that dental issues in guinea pigs can result in severe health problems.

"Their teeth grow continuously throughout their lives, approximately 2 to 3 millimeters per week, generally outward but sometimes inward. Unlike other mammals, guinea pigs do not have proper roots. If their teeth grow in the wrong direction, they must either be trimmed regularly by a veterinarian or must be extracted."

However, the situation is more complex, Roth explained, drawing from her own professional experience.

Guinea pigs not neutered

In recent days, several more animals have had to be euthanised. According to the BGA, five of these guinea pigs died without external intervention, and it’s important to note that these figures are from Wednesday. This clarification is significant, as the numbers can change daily. The guinea pigs that were taken were not neutered, and several female animals were also pregnant.

"Guinea pigs typically give birth to between 1 and 6 young. The young guinea pigs from Peru have a notably long gestation period compared to other rodents, lasting about 10 weeks, which is similar to that of dogs and cats. In contrast, hamsters carry their young for only 2 to 3 weeks," the BGA stated.
 
The full extent of this situation and the exact numbers remain unclear. By Wednesday, 24 more animals had been born.
 
Approximately 300 of the guinea pigs have been placed with volunteers from the private animal protection organisation, according to the BGA. Additionally, over 50 guinea pigs are currently housed at the wildlife rehabilitation center in Dudelange, 4 are with a veterinarian, and 13 are at the Esch animal park.

The private animal protection organisation is facilitating the adoption of the guinea pigs on behalf of the state, to which they now belong. Those interested in adopting can contact the organisation via email at Deiereschutz@pt.lu.

How can I keep and care for a guinea pig?

Anyone interested in adopting a guinea pig should be aware of several important points. Guinea pigs typically live for an average of 6 to 8 years, and they thrive in social environments; they should not be kept alone. These animals enjoy movement, so many commercially available cages are often inadequate for their needs.

Proper nutrition is also crucial for their well-being. To maintain good dental health, guinea pigs require daily access to hay, along with plenty of fresh greens, including vegetables, and small amounts of fruit.

Additionally, it's important to remember that any animal can fall ill, and you should always have a safe space prepared to accommodate them if you need to be away for a few days.