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| Medical & Veterinary This forum does not replace the advice of a competent guinea pig vet. (Pregnancy and Babies subforum!) |
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#1
10-28-09, 02:06 pm
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  Not Ranked. Helpful AND tactful post? : 0
We got two new piggies for our kids from Petco on Saturday "Pumpkin" and "Cocoa". Cocoa is active, tries to run away when we pick him up (though he's getting better), and alert. Pumpkin on the other hand doesn't move too much, and my wife and I are getting more and more concerned that something is wrong. Pumpkin DOES eat, he even will eat while being held. However, he doesn't hold up his head, hardly walks (though can move), and upon further inspection, doesn't seem to have much use of his front two feet. All day long, he will just sit around the cage, head laying on the bottom. It's night and day differences between the two, and while we thought initially it was personality differences, we're starting to think he's sick, and don't quite know what to do. Any advice would be appreciated! --Michael       |
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#2
10-28-09, 02:12 pm
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Not Ranked. Helpful AND tactful post? : 0
Yes, indeed, he does sound quite ill. Unfortunately, pet store pigs quite often are. He should see a guinea pig savvy vet right away. His symptoms are serious and I wouldn't delay getting him in. Afterwards, raise a fuss with Petco and they'll likely reimburse you for your vet bills. And in the future, please adopt any future pigs (or any other animal) instead of buying. Buying perpetuates a cruel cycle of back-to-back breeding and other mistreatment. Many folks don't realize that, in great part because pet stores work so hard to promote the buying of these animals, but there are just as many homeless guinea pigs and other small animals in shelters and rescues as there are dogs or cats, and that's why this site and many of its members promote adoption and rescue rather than buying animals from pet stores. Good luck to you, and please keep us updated. |
| "Thank you, Paula, for this useful post," say these 9 members: | ||
2pigs2kids (10-28-09),
Arielle72 (10-29-09),
gooberific (10-28-09),
Heady (10-28-09),
MissFormosa (10-31-09),
Peggysu (10-28-09),
princesspoppy (10-28-09),
rabbitsncavyluv (10-28-09),
Tdchewy (10-28-09) | ||
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#3
10-28-09, 03:17 pm
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Not Ranked. Helpful AND tactful post? : 0
Ditto - you need to take him to a cavy vet asap. Petco pigs are from breeding mills and usually sick. You may even have a breeding pair or pregnant pigs too since they are usuallly missexed. Make a big stink to the management and corporate. They usually pay the vet bill to keep you quiet. Do not return the pig to the store as he stands little chance then. Read over http://www.guinealynx.info/uri.html http://www.guinealynx.info/mites.html http://www.guinealynx.info/emergency.html http://www.guinealynx.info/healthycavy.html |
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#4
10-28-09, 03:31 pm
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Not Ranked. Helpful AND tactful post? : 0
Hmm, I guess I should have guessed that a major Pet store wouldn't be the ideal place to buy the piggies. Where should I have bought them? Is there a list of local breeders in my area? |
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#5
10-28-09, 03:45 pm
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Not Ranked. Helpful AND tactful post? : 0
We don't support breeders either. Anyone selling an animal for profit like a piece of furniture is going to be something you won't find advocated on this forum. The thought is to avoid breeding or buying while there are so many dying or facing euthanasia in shelters. Reputable rescues will make sure the animals they adopt out are healthy before sending them to their new home, screen adopters, give you important health and housing information on your new pets, none of which are things the vast majority of pet stores or breeders will bother to do. Instead, consider looking at your local craigslist, humane society or rescue. You can also check classified ad sites like kijiji or hoobly. Petfinder is an excellent resource for animals needing homes. |
| "Thank you, Paula, for this useful post," say these 4 members: | ||
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#6
10-28-09, 05:28 pm
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Not Ranked. Helpful AND tactful post? : 0
Breeders sell to pet stores and they are usually sick or missexed and pregnant too. Find a rescue or shelter like on petfinder. There is a list of rescues at Guinea Pig Home - Home and www.guinealynx.info too |
New Petco piggy not doing so well 
