Adopting what a difference a day makes / big decisions

[Tinuviel44]

Good morning! Thanks to everyone who posted their warm thoughts over the loss of our precious Lucy yesterday. The kids spent the afternoon yesterday making a memorial stone for our new herb garden in honor of of her.

My evening routine was off, missing our snuggle time in the rocking chair, after the kids went to bed. This was our favorite time together. she got excited every night when i got out her pink blankie. our other girls (Sally and Pepper) like snuggling too, but are not yet a comfortable as Lucy was. They prefer to be held together on the couch, whereas Lucy liked the time to herself and LOVED rocking in the chair! Ok... enough of the sad, its a new day, the sun is shining, and we have been left with a huge decision.

I was shocked yesterday, when i got a phone call from a friend who told me that a friend of hers that works for a large pet store had someone come in and just leave their gpig on tuesday. The store accepted it for their adoption program, as they were afraid that the owner would just let her go if they didn't. They were looking for a forever home, and she knew we had gpigs of our own. Can you belief this all happened about 4 hours after we lost little Lucy? Yesterday was quite an emotional roller coaster.

I drove over to the store to look at her as we knew someone who wanted to adopt a female. She looks great, with no signs of any illness and seems to have been well fed. She was active and very social, eating and drinking well, while I was there. I asked if she had been seen by the vet (this stores animals is under the care of the best known small animal vet in our area) and I was shocked when the answer was no. I was told by the manager that he was not allowed to call the vet in unless the animal showed signs of health related problems.

I was so angry! Not to mention emotional over the events of the morning! I kept my cool and asked to pick her up. she did well and has obviously been held before. she even let the manager hold her on her back and rub her tummy. when he did that, It became apparent that her belly was a bit plump and pear shaped... kind of like a very young puppy's belly, and her girlie bits seemed a bit swollen. I told the manager that my suspicion that she was pregnant. he seemed surprised but admitted it was entirely possible.

If a pregnant gpig is not an obvious health issue I don't know what is! So heres the delima. I don't feel confident that she will get the care she needs there. His hands are tied as far as the store goes in getting her vet care. I spent the afternoon looking at any of the rescue groups near me and they are full and begging for foster homes. I even went to our local Humane society which is a no kill facility and is under the care of the other small animal expert in our area. As soon as I walked in there, I knew it was NOT and option.

What should we do? Our hearts are torn. We absolutely don't want her to stay there. I not sure she's pregnant, but Id bet my lunch money today she is. I called the vet and we can bring her in and have her seen for $50 and he can do it today. However,my concerns are both for her and us. We just lost Lucy. Can we take such a risk of another heartbreak so soon? She looks goo as of now... but they don't even have an idea of how old she is. I have read all about the risks. what a huge responsibility!

On the other side, for the same reasons, maybe we are the best she is going to find. if she is expecting, she needs a home very quickly. What if another unsuspecting family takes her and they don't know about the possibilities? Does anyone have some suggestions for what we should do? are there options that would better benefit her, or are we her best bet for safety and health? Any advice would be great! Also if anyone is in the greater Atlanta area and has more experience than us, I will be glad to go and get her, and make sure to get her to a more experienced home. Thank you so much.

 

[Petlovr]

I think you should adopt her. You sound very responsible. She'll need to be quarantined for 3 weeks, and if you can house her so the kids aren't around her, it would be better for her pregnancy (if she is pregnant), and the kids if something should happen. I would be very afraid someone with less knowledge would take her. We'll be here cheering you on and as a resource for any questions if she is pregnant. Good luck!

 

[foggycreekcavy]

There is a greater chance that she has ovarian cysts and is not pregnant. Ovarian cysts present themselves like a pregnancy-- a pregnant looking belly and enlarged and often crusty nipples. The treatment for ovarian cysts is a spay, which costs at least $200 and usually more.

It is not surprising that the store did not take her to the vet. Most pet stores do not.

 

[Tunundary]

I'd agree with petlovr. I had a pregnant pet store pig and didn't even know it. She was still getting acclimated at that point and thought she was just a chubby piggy. The little guinea piglets were so cute and it is definitely an experience I'll remember forever.

 

[foggycreekcavy]

Another thing to think about-- do you know why Lucy passed away? Was it something contagious? There's a possibility that your other pigs may be sick, or carrying something. Or there's a possibility that this other pig may be.

 

[Tinuviel44]

Thank you all! You all make such great points, which is why it's so hard to make a decision like this. I am very happy to report that when I went back to the store to check on her ( I worried all night), I was met by the manager who quickly and proudly informed me that he had called the vet and had him come out and check on her! I don't know wether it was my obvious anger over hearing they didn't plan to have her checked out, or my red swollen eyes from crying over Lucy, but who cares! They did it! After the last week, I am no longer at a place to just take a pet store at their word...so I called the vet. After a short wait, I got a call back and he was able to confirm that he had indeed seen her. He said she looked great and had obviously been taken care of. I voiced my concerns over pregnancy, and he said that he didn't see obvious signs of pregnancy, however if we adopted her, we could get an appt. for early next week ( and at a discounted price I might add)and he would give her a complete well check up and if needed and ultrasound to confirm pregnancy or not. I think I was in shock at all of this! I was also able to ask about our concerns over Lucy's illness and out other babies. He said that he felt there was little risk that Sally and Pepper were affected as they had not been around Lucy in a week. Out of caution of all sweet ones involved, we are going to keep them separated for a couple of weeks at least ( I guess more if our new adopted sweetie is expecting). I guess next week will be our field trip to the vet! Just me and three little piggies! Now for the introductions... Meet Hermione! Our very first adoptee! Here's looking forward to a very successful and good report from the vet next week that includes the words..."she's not pregnant." however, if we hear that she is, I am very grateful, that we will have all of you for encouragement and advice.

 

[scruffytufty]

awh shes adorable! she has a good home with you also, my gingey had a plump belly she was considerably larger than her friend, but the vet just told us she is a big girl so maybe yours just has a big belly ^^

 

[cibrown]

It is like Lucy sent you another piggie to love and take care so that you won't miss her so much. Good luck with everything. I bet Lucy is in heaven popping and squeaking with happiness.

 

[foggycreekcavy]

It's nice that he will ultrasound her. It usually costs around $250 or more for one. The ultrasound will also show if she has ovarian cysts.

Did you check her nipples? Is there any "crust" on them?

 

[Tinuviel44]

Wow! I knew he (the vet) was being generous with his offer, but I had no idea an ultrasound would be that expensive! I will most definitely have to send and or bake the office a nice thank you after our visit!
After reading your advice and info about the cysts this morning ( before I went to see her) I did check her nipples and everything looks fine. No crusting anywhere. The two things I took note of, were what looks to be some areas of mildly dry skin on her ears. Not flaky, itchy, or irritated, just a bit dry. Is there anything to do about this? Or is there no need? Also her hind end looks a bit swollen to me, I'm wondering if the fact that she's obviously older than our others might make a difference in how she looks. She seems very happy, contented, pain free, and VERY talkative! She was whistling at us already this evening after we fed her. An hour later she was very willing to come right over and take a sprig of parsley right from my hand. I think she must like her new house!