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Help!

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kitch82

Hello I'm Kitch82's wife,

Yesterday Kevin and I went into a petshop by where we work. It's a horrible, rank nasty place and I'm not even sure why we went in there but basically there was a little pig in there who has been there since about April time. He was in with a rabbit and didn't look particularly bad in himself although the place is the most disgusting I have ever seen. Anyway I just couldn't leave this little pig behind and had to take him home with me. i appreciate this makes me more part of the problemthan the cure but the little guy had been there so long It just broke my heart to think that he wasn't being loved.

Got piggy home and he was very quiet. So quiet that when I picked him up he just went limp in my hands, he was so scared to even move a muscle. I gave him 24 hours to settle but when I came home from work today he hadn't moved and not eaten a thing. I examined him all over and found that his top right and bottom left incisors were half the length on their corresponding teeth, he is slightly under weight and has mites. I've sorted his teeth and given him a bath (I'll get some mite shampoo tomorrow) and after that he started to purr a little the more I stroked him. Then he dared to eat the hay and he quite liked that and also tried some carrot which I doubt he'd ever had before. He wasn't eathing enthusiastically but at least he was eating.

The problem is that I've put him back in his cage and now he's gone all timid and quiet again. He's just gone back to lying in the same spot not moving at all. He hasn't got anywhere to hide at the moment because I wasn't sure whether to give him one or not. I didn't want him to hide and then refuse to come out and eat. what do you all think? What can I do to relax him?

Many thanks
 
I'd get the vets to treat him for the mites... they can also give him a check up. As for somewhere to hide/timidity just give him time. My flame is still quite timid but as soon as he is out he is fine and v. wheeky
 
Thank you for the advice. I was thinking about getting him to the vet for a full check anyway. The teeth thing concerned me because I can't see the back ones to see what they're like.

Are mite shampoos ineffective?
 
you cant cure mites with shampoo as its under the skin! so the vets is the only way to cure it
 
poor little man.I usually treat them for mites and find that after quarentine the best way to make them come out is to give them a tame friend
 
Its so hard when you see animals in pet shops and they are not being looked after properly i completely understand you bringing him home, i'm sure he will come around with time and patience and will have a lovely life with you.

Definately get him checked out and treated for the mites! xx
 
He's probably stressed which might have caused the mites. This can be treated with ivermectin from the vet (either by spot on or injection). He will then need another treatment in about 10 days time I think. He's probably nervous still so maybe if you give him more cuddles and hand feed him when he's on your lap. Give him plenty of hay to hide under so he feels safe. Also hay is the best thing for teeth and so is green veg like broccoli stalk and cabbage leaves, but not too much otherwise it can upset his tummy. Hope the trip to the vets goes well and let us know how he gets on :)
 
It takes time too to let him get used to you and gain his confidence. A vet check up will put your mind at rest and lots of tlc and love from his new family!
 
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