Questions to ask when adopting

[PhoenixFeather]

What questions do you ask the prior owner before adopting? Also what do you do about confirming the sex? Do you just look for yourself, or do you insist on taking it to a vet, or what? I am looking at a piggy I found on Craig's List, and it's been (I believe) in a pet store cage, so I don't think it's in the hands of a knowledgeable owner.

Questions I am thinking about are:

Are you sure it's female -- how do you know?

How old was she when you got her (and, depending on the answer, do you know if she was housed with males before you got her)?

Has she ever been to a vet?

Do you feed her any fresh veggies? (I know she gets timothy hay; I'm not sure if she's getting any alfalfa in pellets or hay right now -- she's 3 months old)

Anything else we should ask?

The current owner is offering to provide the half-used bag of the pellet food she has been feeding, so at least I'll know what it is, and can gradually introduce her to veggies and the KM (alfalfa) pellets we use.


If you bring a cavy into your home from a situation like this, do you treat prophylactically with Ivermectin during quarantine? Or only if you notice signs of itching etc.

[PhoenixFeather]

C'mon guys! I know there are tons of adoption experts out there. I know there are tons of Craig's List addicts! So... what do you ask? What do you need to find out to keep your new piggy as healthy and happy as possible?

[babytulip07]

Those are all really good questions Phoenix, I would also check the sex of the guinea pig myself. Along with asking her age, ask how long the owner has had her. I would also check her physically, eyes are clear, ears are clear, check her teeth. When you go to the vet to check the sex of Frisky have them show you how to check a guinea pigs back teeth as well.
You can treat the new pig with Ivermectin just in case, it won't hurt her. I would just wait and see if she develops symptoms (assuming she doesn't have anything obviously wrong when you see her). That's what quarantine is for anyway, to see if anything develops. Keep us posted!

[rabbitsncavyluv]

There is a sexing guide at Index of / and Guinea Lynx :: A Medical and Care Guide for Your Guinea Pig . I usually treat with ivermec during quarantine as a precaution.

[buttons]

I agree with babytulip07 that you should definately check her sex yourself. You may also want to ask:

- if she has been sick
- what vet she went to, as not many vets know what they are doing around guinea pigs

Otherwise your questions you have in mind and babytulips07's suggestions are great.

I'd quartine her for sure!

Have fun with your new piggie!

[banjosnotbombs]

Thanks alot for these questions. There should be a sticky made about the questions and procedures you should go through with adopting a piggy!

[catzeye21138]

Well I'm not sure about the other questions as technicly I have never adopted from an owner... But treat with ivermectin anyway. I always do that when a new pig comes my way. I even do it for my friends if they want me to.

Better to be safe then sorry. =]