How to Ear Tag Your Show Cavy

So you would like to show your cavy at a US ARBA sanctioned cavy show? An important part of preparing your cavy for the show-table is to make sure an identifying metal ear tag is properly put in your cavy's left ear.

Your cavy must have a monel metal (a corrosion-resistant alloy metal) ear tag (size 001 or 003) permanently placed in the left ear, in order to be shown at ARBA shows. Each tag has an imprinted number on it - which identifies your cavy both on the show entry form and on the show table in addition to providing identification for legs, pedigrees and registration papers. For under $30, you can get both the pliers and a supply of tags from most any rabbit or cavy supply vendor such as Klubertanz.

Ear tagging a cavy is a lot easier than tattooing a rabbit! The procedure does not seem to bother the cavies very much, but some will let out a few squeaks! Don't use your best show cavy for your very first ear-tagging job, practice tagging a cavy that won't be shown, or one that is a pet. Although we don't have a cavy available to demonstrate an actual ear-tagging for you, below we have simulated the procedure using our cavies; Harley and Patches:

click on pictures to see a larger version!

	1) Set up your work area: -firm footing for your pig -well lit, and have your eyeglasses handy if needed! -clean rag or cotton in case of bleeding (rare!) -cavy tag pliers -several cavy ear tags -healthy, clean guinea pig -a helper is always handy to have!
	2) Set up and test your pliers -gently insert a tag into the pliers as shown. The flat portion of the tag, with the imprinted numbers, goes on the top jaw of the pliers. Record the tag number of the actual tag you will be putting in your cavy's ear before you begin - it is just easier to read before it is on a moving cavy! -Important: while the tag is in the jaws of the pliers, do not exert any more pressure on the pliers handles other than what's necessary to keep the tag from falling out of the plier jaws - if you squeeze too much, you will bend the tag and it may not insert correctly. If you bent a tag, don't try to rebend it back, it is best to throw it away and use a new one! -the bottom picture shows how the tag looks when you clamp the pliers completely shut. -practice on a piece of paper. You'll find that the thinness of a piece of paper simulates a guinea pig's ear and you don't need much pressure to install the tag! Practice using a firm, quick squeeze and an immediate release!

	3) Insert the tag high on the front of the LEFT EAR -See the picture of Harley for correct tag placement. If placed too low in the ear, your pig can 'scratch it out' and rip his ear in the process. -Set your pig on firm footing and give it a treat. Have your helper restrain the guinea pig-making sure your guinea pig cannot jump up or back up. If you are alone, you can wrap your cavy in a towel with only the head sticking out, to prevent movement, or wedge him in the crook of your left arm so you can tag with your right hand (or visa versa if you prefer) -gently grasp the upper left ear; the pig's crown hair may be lying over this area. -position the pliers over the target area. If tagging a fully-grown pig, the bent edge of the tag should rest gently on the outer edge of the pig's ear, if tagging a growing pig, you need to allow room for its ear to grow so don't place the tag right up to the ear edge-leave a small space. -when you are confident on the positioning of the tag, simply squeeze the pliers firmly and release it immediately. A quick firm squeeze is all that's needed, not as much pressure as you would use to clamp-tattoo a rabbit. -If you make a mistake and place the tag in a poor position - we advise that you don't try to remove it unless you feel it is absolutely necessary! This could cause a lot of damage to the cavy's delicate ear, In most cases you will still be able to show the pig. -If you must remove the tag, you'll need a sharp wire-cutter (front-nipper) - grasp the cavy's ear and use your fingers to push the ear away from the curved outer edge of the tag (the ear will bunch up under the tag) then snip the tag in half-it will usually fall away.


4) Now you are finished! See how easy it is to ear tag your cavy? You will become more and more comfortable ear tagging with each one you do! Really, it is not hard to do and is not hard on the cavy-within a few seconds every cavy we've ever tagged has gone right back to his/her normal inquisitive behavior with no indication that he/she was even ear-tagged! I have never had an ear bleed from tagging, but if it does, just gently press with a clean rag or cotton and I am sure it will stop. Over next week or so, watch for infection or swelling, but this must be rare- we've never had it happen yet! If you are still nervous about ear-tagging your show cavy, contact us - I can do it for you at any of the shows we will be attending. To see our current show schedule, click here. Cathy LaReau 10/04