Need Advice.

[kkendall]

Hi,
I'm new here. I bought 2 piggies from Petsmart this saturday. I did research on cavies but only yesterday did I hear about the problem with pet stores. I'm having problems with one of my pigs. He looked really healthy but now his eyes are looking crusty and "just not well", maybe a little red or just sick looking. He also bites the heck out of me when I hold him. I give him treats and everything but he hates to be held. I do not see any obvious skin problems. Should I take him back to the store for a refund and search out a local breeder or shelter? My other piggy seems healthy but he is more skittish. They see the vet tomorrow BTW.

 

[Denise]

My baby girls came from PetsMart and we've had a heck of a time with URI's. They've been on antibiotics nearly constantly since we got them in April. They are both better now except now they have mites (I'm pretty sure). Your one may be very afraid that's why it's biting. Try picking it up with a hand towel to protect your hands and to make the piggy feel more secure. Sit with it in your lap for a while gently stroke it. I have heard mites can make them very irritable, so it wouldn't hurt to treat them no matter what your vet says. It's normal for them to be skittish around you, mine still are. But they are getting better. Good luck and let us know.

 

[kkendall]

Thanks. I wish I had read about pet store animals. I ignorantly had no idea. My piggy I'm having problems with is biting me more and more with every interaction. I'm going to try the towel thing. He drew blood a few minutes ago. I may try to see if they will take him back. I know that sounds horrible. I think he is going to be a sickly pig. UGH! I don't know!!

 

[Denise]

I'm sorry for the troubles. I wouldn't rush him back just yet, wait to see if the vet thinks he has mites. I also was ignorant about pet stores. We all live and learn and hopefull don't make the same mistakes twice. Best of luck.

 

[blink1177]

Did you handle your pigs before you took them home from the store?

 

[AmeliaBedelia]

I would really try treating for mites before giving up on your other piggy. I have a girl who I got 2 1/2 months ago from a pet store and she's a biter!!! I was hoping she would get used to being handled but she still tries to bite and I know it can hurt!!! She has gotten better but still prefers to interact with me on the floor and not on my lap. I did start also to give her a chunk of food treat as I would pick her up so that she would chew that instead of my finger! The vet gave her some ivermectin shots for the possibility of mites a few weeks after I got her and I started to see some significant improvement. If you try to get the mites treated I might suggest making sure the vet doses at least three times. As I started to see an improvement from the ivermectin, I think my girl started to get mites again (I don't think they were all killed) as she only had two doses and she started to get more jumpy when I picked her up. Now I'm back to square one for treating her for mites and am waiting for it to get better again....I'm treating her at home this time and am planning on dosing her at least 3-4 times to make sure I get all those mites!

 

[loves2travel]

I would really try treating for mites before giving up on your other piggy. I have a girl who I got 2 1/2 months ago from a pet store and she's a biter!!! I was hoping she would get used to being handled but she still tries to bite and I know it can hurt!!! She has gotten better but still prefers to interact with me on the floor and not on my lap. I did start also to give her a chunk of food treat as I would pick her up so that she would chew that instead of my finger! The vet gave her some ivermectin shots for the possibility of mites a few weeks after I got her and I started to see some significant improvement. If you try to get the mites treated I might suggest making sure the vet doses at least three times. As I started to see an improvement from the ivermectin, I think my girl started to get mites again (I don't think they were all killed) as she only had two doses and she started to get more jumpy when I picked her up. Now I'm back to square one for treating her for mites and am waiting for it to get better again....I'm treating her at home this time and am planning on dosing her at least 3-4 times to make sure I get all those mites!

For all fo you with biters, did you notice this when you picked them up at the store? Did this behavior only start at home? Is there any way to prevent getting a biter?

 

[AmeliaBedelia]

For all fo you with biters, did you notice this when you picked them up at the store? Did this behavior only start at home? Is there any way to prevent getting a biter?

My piggy was so scared (the poor thing) that when I held her in the store and when I first brought her home, she was very skittish and would stand still, staring off into space like she was hoping I wouldn't see her. I truly believe that her initial biting was because she was scared of me. I can tell that she is more used to me as she constantly approaches me and will generally give me some teeth chatters as a warning before any bites. The thing is, even if she never truly becomes a lap pig, she's such a joy in many other ways, that if she's doesn't like to be held/carried, I'm ok with that. I'm hoping though that after round two with getting rid of the mites and with even more time, she'll warm up to snuggling. If not...we'll have fun playing on the floor!

 

[kkendall]

I held him at the store and he didn't bite me. We brought him home saturday and he started biting sunday. It started with one little bite. I have not (nor will I ever ) "punish" him for it. Now he is biting more aggressively. My other is just as passive and sweet as can be. My biter is also looking sick now so he may be ill. We see the vet tomorrow.

 

[kkendall]

AmeliaBedelia,

Thanks for your reply. I'll see what the vet says tomorrow. I'm almost afraid of him now.LOL I think I have the only aggressive piggie on earth! LOL

 

[Denise]

kkendall, Yes, I did hold both of them before I brought them home.

 

[mom to cujo]

I would definitely go to the vet and check for mites. The biting will probably stop when your piggies gets adjusted and comfortable. They usually nip or bite a bit at first, but then outgrow it, at least that is whatI've found. No question that mites would contribute to the problem because when you pick him up it hurts. See what the vet says and try not to get discouraged. Mites are4 easily treated and then things should be fine.