Pet shop rodent turned out to be pregnant

korvskrot

I do not blame the person who double checked the sex and who checked the general health state of the animal.

It is a guinea pig, yes. I wanted to keep the species out of the picture, as social media crew obviously keep track, but thank you for pointing it out.

I can feel fetuses in her tummy. Either that, or she has several tumours and a very active digestive system. Tumours that have been growing and gained her 100 grams on her 450 over two weeks.

They are both girls. I have had 5 boys and 2 girls previously,and I had to clean the boys' genitals regularly at the time from growing to mature, so I am familiar of guinea pig genitals.

My issue is with the fact that they have clearly been keeping boys and girls together for too long.

I agree that I do not have a leg to stand on, so I will most likely have to settle for leaving the particular place of purchase a poor review.

korvskrot

Here's a pic of the piggy resting, legs spread... I'm hoping it's just 3. Pig is now approx 6 months old. She is not clinging, I'm laying at about 45 degrees, and se has found a good place to rest between the soft parts.

krlyr

If it was from PAH, I would contact head office rather than your branch. I have heard they're much more responsive to complaints than some branch managers etc. can be. I would outline your requests and see what they say.

ljonski

you may want to get a snake to help sort out your overpopulation problem. If that escapes then it could save you some money on mice control!

calicocat

Feral_Moon wrote: »

Wouldn't touch any animals from P@H as they're all produced in large breeding units similar to puppy farms. They have inherent health problems due to poor breeding.

I used to health check the livestock as it came into store and reject any obvious unhealthy ones. These were returned to the unit and no doubt passed onto another store or slaughtered.

I used to very occasionally supply my local P@H with guinea-pigs if I had babies spare. This was years ago, and they were great with me and the pigs. However they did know I went in every other day if my piggys were in to check on them. There was only one time I went in and took them back out and took them home. They immediately changed the area/numbers.

All my pigs started out rescue, I ended up breeding show pig standard apparently looks-wise. They were cuties I must admit, all used to running around a house.

calicocat

korvskrot wrote: »

Here's a pic of the piggy resting, legs spread... I'm hoping it's just 3. Pig is now approx 6 months old. She is not clinging, I'm laying at about 45 degrees, and se has found a good place to rest between the soft parts.

She does look preggers to be honest bless her. They will take the babies if you don't want them, so don't worry.

Mini-me's are very cute, they come out practically picture perfect, mum will do everything i'm sure, but obviously watch just in case.

Main thing is to make sure cage/hutch is little dude friendly....they run and jump from around 4hrs old if not before. It all needs to be on floor level unless you are kitted up.

calicocat

ljonski wrote: »

you may want to get a snake to help sort out your overpopulation problem. If that escapes then it could save you some money on mice control!

Idiot......

Classic for that owner, but still an idiot. Don't knock yourself out for a sensible response.

Feral_Moon

calicocat wrote: »

I used to very occasionally supply my local P@H with guinea-pigs if I had babies spare. This was years ago, and they were great with me and the pigs. However they did know I went in every other day if my piggys were in to check on them. There was only one time I went in and took them back out and took them home. They immediately changed the area/numbers.

All my pigs started out rescue, I ended up breeding show pig standard apparently looks-wise. They were cuties I must admit, all used to running around a house.

Yes, some stores would accept baby Guinea pigs from private breeders. Chipmunks and chinchillas were also supplied by private breeders. I don't know whether P@H still sell these. I was horrified to discover they've also branched out into selling reptiles.

The training the staff get in animal husbandry is very basic and, in my opinion, not sufficient to enable them to adequately care for the number and type of species they sell. Also, the training they receive in offering nutritional advice is from Hills Science Diet.

Having said that, you do sometimes find knowledgable members of staff that have completed proper animal care courses at diploma level at an approved college. Or may have previously gained experience at veterinary practices and other animal care establishments.

ljonski

Be nice to moneysavers!

calicocat

ljonski wrote: »

Be nice to moneysavers!

Feed the troll