Guinea Pigs

HJandR

Help ! on bank holiday monday we bought 2 guinea pigs, in less than 2 weeks one of the pigs developed a very crusty ear.. we took it back to the shop to see if they had any advice (and they indicated that if it had any problems within a few days we should take it back). They said it may have been nibbled by the other guinea pig and got infected - take it to a vet, but they wanted no part in it.

The vet thought it might be ringworm and took a culture and has now confirmed 2 weeks later that it is ringworm. Apparently treatment is not simple or cheap and medication alone costs over £50 and has to be treated over 4-6 weeks.

The big problem is that ringworm is contageous to humans and it is therefore not advisable for my 4 year old to have contact with either pig (as they may both be infected by now) - so he cannot handle his pets, and as the spores are airborn it may be very difficult to treat without compromising his health etc.

We are now considering returning the pigs to the shop - we have a letter from the vet explaining the tests and confirming the diagnosis and associated issues - while I cannot catagorically prove the pig was infected when purchased the vet does agree that the ringworm was well established within 2 weeks and it is likely that the infection came from the pet shop where many other animals are kept close together... Is it likely they will accept the pigs back and refund the £40 (which is the tip of the iceberg considering buying homes for them to be kept apart, vets bills, and runs etc)

Any thoughts on how best to approach this would be welcome as I have no idea what my alternative is if they refuse to accept the"return" - other than persuing the written complaint route and including other costs for vets bills etc etc. I do not feel I can safely keep them - so perhaps take them to the RSPCA and explain the position, in this instance it is less about the cost but more about the timescales to treat and risk of infecting my family.

Moody_Mare

Would it not be fairer to get the pigs treated by a the vet, then they pose no threat your family. Then you could try claiming off he pet shop for the vets bill. Or are these ill little pigs just a play thing for your child that you no longet want?

Surley any decent person would be concerned about their welfare as well as your family?

You would not compromise your sons health during treatment if you isolated them. What if he had had his pets for many months and they became contagious, surley you would isolate them rather than upsetting your son?

RadoJo

When you say the vet wanted no part in it, do you mean they refused to treat the guinea pig?

Coopdivi

Moody_Mare wrote: »

Would it not be fairer to get the pigs treated by a the vet, then they pose no threat your family. Then you could try claiming off he pet shop for the vets bill. Or are these ill little pigs just a play thing for your child that you no longet want?

Surley any decent person would be concerned about their welfare as well as your family?

You would not compromise your sons health during treatment if you isolated them. What if he had had his pets for many months and they became contagious, surley you would isolate them rather than upsetting your son?

This is the Consumer Rights Forum

If you want to take a dig at the OPs moral values, I suggest you confine your posting to the Pets Forum.

Freddie_Snowbits

Coopdivi wrote: »

This is the Consumer Rights Forum

If you want to take a dig at the OPs moral values, I suggest you confine your posting to the Pets Forum.

This is the second Giunea Pig thread this week, Not be long afore OP is back to say they have got a hiundred of the bleeding things.

Get a cat!

adam.mt

Agree with Moody Mare.

Get the guinea pigs treated and fixed, pay the vets bill to do this, then claim it back from the pet store*. It's the 'nice' and morally right thing to do.

* - If they're unhelpful then go the path of the Small Claims Court, you appear to have sufficient evidence (the vet report) to prove your case.

Remember these are living creatures, not just 'items'.

OlliesDad

adam.mt wrote: »

Agree with Moody Mare.

Get the guinea pigs treated and fixed, pay the vets bill to do this, then claim it back from the pet store*. It's the 'nice' and morally right thing to do.

* - If they're unhelpful then go the path of the Small Claims Court, you appear to have sufficient evidence (the vet report) to prove your case.

I would go and speak to the pet shop first. They will have their own vet (or at least a contract with a local vet) to look after all the other animals in their care.

Remember these are living creatures, not just 'items'.

We had a guinea pig from Pets at Home that died after 3 weeks, they refunded us the money and gave us a receipt for the refund. It stated "Reason for refund: Faulty Goods"

adam.mt

OlliesDad wrote: »

I would go and speak to the pet shop first. They will have their own vet (or at least a contract with a local vet) to look after all the other animals in their care.

Good point.

Moody_Mare

Coopdivi wrote: »

This is the Consumer Rights Forum

If you want to take a dig at the OPs moral values, I suggest you confine your posting to the Pets Forum.

Firstly the OP posted here and I did suggest reclaiming vets bills! (consumer rights point) secondly consumer rights or not these are living creatures not toys that are broken.

If you have a problem with some folk suggesting trying to do the right thing, while protecting their consumer rights then thats your right. But I too also have the right to an opinion that differs from your view!