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Pet Shop Piggy Passed Away

C

Charcoal

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Apr 8, 2017
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I purchased a guinea pig (Charcoal) from Pets at home on the 25/03/2017, Charcoal was already sneezing a bit when he first came home and brought him to Vets for Pets on the 03/04/2017 as he started breathing really hard, he was then diagnosed as URI and was prescribed antibiotic and Metacam.

When Charcoal went back for a second check on the 17/04/2017, he was diagnosed ringworm or fungal on his ear and skin. However, he was doing much better and the doctor asked us to stop the Metacam, but continue for the antibiotic for 10 more days and spray the anti-fungal/ringworm spray for him.

He then started to sneeze again, cannot walk properly and hopping in and out only. So, we brought him to the vet again on the 24/04/2017 and was prescribed another type of antibiotic due to the probability of the resistance of the previous antibiotic.

Charcoal was still doing okay that night and the next morning, but after noon time that day, we noticed that he cannot even stand up and started lying down, so we rush him to Vets for Pets. The vet diagnosed him with pneumonia and he was getting worse and worse in the afternoon and the doctor suggested to put him to sleep as he was suffering too much. Eventually, he passed away at around 7:15pm 25/04/2017.

This was literally one month after we purchase Charocal from pets at home, I have emailed pets at home telling that the whole situation stated above. Don't know what they gonna do tho
 
I've not been in this situation with a Pets at Home pig but I think that you will be able to get them to pay for the vet costs if you complain.
 
I'm very sorry for your loss.
Sadly we do see on this forum stories of piggies that are poorly at the time of sale or who become poorly shortly thereafter.
You do have rights under consumer law and complaining to the pet shop is the correct first step under consumer legislation.
 
Charcoal said:
I purchased a guinea pig (Charcoal) from Pets at home on the 25/03/2017, Charcoal was already sneezing a bit when he first came home and brought him to Vets for Pets on the 03/04/2017 as he started breathing really hard, he was then diagnosed as URI and was prescribed antibiotic and Metacam.

When Charcoal went back for a second check on the 17/04/2017, he was diagnosed ringworm or fungal on his ear and skin. However, he was doing much better and the doctor asked us to stop the Metacam, but continue for the antibiotic for 10 more days and spray the anti-fungal/ringworm spray for him.

He then started to sneeze again, cannot walk properly and hopping in and out only. So, we brought him to the vet again on the 24/04/2017 and was prescribed another type of antibiotic due to the probability of the resistance of the previous antibiotic.

Charcoal was still doing okay that night and the next morning, but after noon time that day, we noticed that he cannot even stand up and started lying down, so we rush him to Vets for Pets. The vet diagnosed him with pneumonia and he was getting worse and worse in the afternoon and the doctor suggested to put him to sleep as he was suffering too much. Eventually, he passed away at around 7:15pm 25/04/2017.

This was literally one month after we purchase Charocal from pets at home, I have emailed pets at home telling that the whole situation stated above. Don't know what they gonna do tho
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I am ever so sorry for your odyssey. How piggy savvy is the vet you have been seeing? Sadly an undertreated URI can kill, especially a young piggy with a not yet fully developed immune system. :(

Has your baby been housed outdoors or indoors?

As exposure to the bacteria that caused the respiratory infection as well as ringworm must have happened at the shop, you can reclaim any resulting vet cost from the shop if you provide a bill of sale together with the vet bills. You can also complain to your local council over trading standards.

You are welcome to post a tribute in our Rainbow Bridge section if or whenever it feels right for you.

Has your piggy a companion? if yes, here are tips on what you can do for him: Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

If you want to get more guinea pigs, please adopt healthy and fully quarantined ones from a good rescue, so you do not have to worry about your piggies coming with any hidden luggage. Please be aware that good rescues will not rehome guinea pigs into single situations, but many offer dating for bereaved guinea pigs to allow the piggies a say in who they want to live with. Unlike pet shops they request compliance with minimal RSPCA welfare standards in terms of cage/hutch size, safety and winter care - which is perfectly fair as you want your pets to have a good and long life after all!
We have both a locator for those guinea pig rescues we can guarantee for that you are in safe hands as well as a recommended vets locator on the top bar.
Guinea Pig Rescue Centre Locator
Guinea Pig Vet Locator
 
Unless you took him to the vet within a week of buying him, I'm not sure they will take responsibility, as this was the case with a piggy of ours who sniffled from pets at home. So sorry for your loss.
 
Pets at home has already covered the vet cost. But I have email them to let them know my situation so they may be will put more attention on the pets and ensure similar situation happen.

Charocal was 297g when we purchased him, and the heaviest he got was 383g. He had been kept indoor and he used to live with one of my fallen out piggy brothers Muffin, but since he was ill, we have already separated him 10 days after we bought him.

Charocal was sure a cutie, he was no afraid to anything and bonded with us so well. Even though he live on his own, he will still run lap and jump out his tray for his own entertainment time.

IMG_6839.webp

IMG_6840.webp
 
Awww, I'm so sorry for your loss. He was absolutely adorable, I love his differently-colored little feet. Huge ((HUGS)) to you!
 
I'm really very sorry, I hope you can find a new friend for Muffin.

I lost Misty to pneumonia too...it was so fast though I didn't know she was ill and she had no signs of a URI. In the morning she was fine then I happened to give them all a treat about 3 hours later but she wouldn't take it, then I noticed thick mucus on her nose and she was gasping. The vet put her in an oxygen tent and injected antibiotics but she didn't pick up and we had her put down.

I've bought quite a few piggies from my local Pets@Home stores and they have always been healthy, thankfully.
 
Wiebke said:
I am ever so sorry for your odyssey. How piggy savvy is the vet you have been seeing? Sadly an undertreated URI can kill, especially a young piggy with a not yet fully developed immune system. :(

Has your baby been housed outdoors or indoors?

As exposure to the bacteria that caused the respiratory infection as well as ringworm must have happened at the shop, you can reclaim any resulting vet cost from the shop if you provide a bill of sale together with the vet bills. You can also complain to your local council over trading standards.

You are welcome to post a tribute in our Rainbow Bridge section if or whenever it feels right for you.

Has your piggy a companion? if yes, here are tips on what you can do for him: Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

If you want to get more guinea pigs, please adopt healthy and fully quarantined ones from a good rescue, so you do not have to worry about your piggies coming with any hidden luggage. Please be aware that good rescues will not rehome guinea pigs into single situations, but many offer dating for bereaved guinea pigs to allow the piggies a say in who they want to live with. Unlike pet shops they request compliance with minimal RSPCA welfare standards in terms of cage/hutch size, safety and winter care - which is perfectly fair as you want your pets to have a good and long life after all!
We have both a locator for those guinea pig rescues we can guarantee for that you are in safe hands as well as a recommended vets locator on the top bar.
Guinea Pig Rescue Centre Locator
Guinea Pig Vet Locator
Click to expand...
I would like to get another piggy or even two, but the rescue center is no where near my town and the nearest vet from the link also takes me 45 minutes to drive, so I only can take my piggies to vets for pet and other vets, but I don't think they are familiar to small animal tho.
 
I think it depends on the vet you see. At my Vets4Pets that have quite a few vets...I've had two locums who were not guinea savvy at all, others though have been very good, and the head vet has guinea pigs for her children.
 
What a very lovely, beautiful, special piggy, this is such a shame, very sorry indeed for your loss too!

I hope you get all the support you need in this difficult time.

Charcoal was very blessed to have you be there for him.

Muffin and any future piggys are also very blessed too!
 
Bella123 said:
What a very lovely, beautiful, special piggy, this is such a shame, very sorry indeed for your loss too!

I hope you get all the support you need in this difficult time.

Charcoal was very blessed to have you be there for him.

Muffin and any future piggys are also very blessed too!
Click to expand...

Is good that Muffin is not alone as he got his fallen out brother Brownie to play with him. They are both 9 months, as they fight when putting together, they are in a cage with grid separated with same hay rack, so they can still talk to each other and eat together.
 
Charcoal said:
Is good that Muffin is not alone as he got his fallen out brother Brownie to play with him. They are both 9 months, as they fight when putting together, they are in a cage with grid separated with same hay rack, so they can still talk to each other and eat together.
Click to expand...

Oh thats wonderful, it's so nice that they have each other for company!
 
Charcoal said:
I purchased a guinea pig (Charcoal) from Pets at home on the 25/03/2017, Charcoal was already sneezing a bit when he first came home and brought him to Vets for Pets on the 03/04/2017 as he started breathing really hard, he was then diagnosed as URI and was prescribed antibiotic and Metacam.

When Charcoal went back for a second check on the 17/04/2017, he was diagnosed ringworm or fungal on his ear and skin. However, he was doing much better and the doctor asked us to stop the Metacam, but continue for the antibiotic for 10 more days and spray the anti-fungal/ringworm spray for him.

He then started to sneeze again, cannot walk properly and hopping in and out only. So, we brought him to the vet again on the 24/04/2017 and was prescribed another type of antibiotic due to the probability of the resistance of the previous antibiotic.

Charcoal was still doing okay that night and the next morning, but after noon time that day, we noticed that he cannot even stand up and started lying down, so we rush him to Vets for Pets. The vet diagnosed him with pneumonia and he was getting worse and worse in the afternoon and the doctor suggested to put him to sleep as he was suffering too much. Eventually, he passed away at around 7:15pm 25/04/2017.

This was literally one month after we purchase Charocal from pets at home, I have emailed pets at home telling that the whole situation stated above. Don't know what they gonna do tho
Click to expand...
I'm so sorry i am only 14 and had to go through that pf my guinea passing away last night in my arms so ik how u feel
 
I've heard there's unlimited veggies & hay up there. Also he can play over the rainbow bridge, I hope he's free & happy up there. I would have killed pets at home, but then I do have a slight temper.
 
I meant to say PLEASE complain to trading standards, if they get enough people complaining they will lose there license regarding selling pets. As Wiebke said go to a rescue, then you know they are fit & healthy.
 
I'm 17 and had my guineapig pass away in my arms just after my birthday. I know it's hard. So sorry for your loss, both of you! ❤
Gingertheguinea said:
I'm so sorry i am only 14 and had to go through that pf my guinea passing away last night in my arms so ik how you feel[/Q
Click to expand...
 
Charcoal said:
I purchased a guinea pig (Charcoal) from Pets at home on the 25/03/2017, Charcoal was already sneezing a bit when he first came home and brought him to Vets for Pets on the 03/04/2017 as he started breathing really hard, he was then diagnosed as URI and was prescribed antibiotic and Metacam.

When Charcoal went back for a second check on the 17/04/2017, he was diagnosed ringworm or fungal on his ear and skin. However, he was doing much better and the doctor asked us to stop the Metacam, but continue for the antibiotic for 10 more days and spray the anti-fungal/ringworm spray for him.

He then started to sneeze again, cannot walk properly and hopping in and out only. So, we brought him to the vet again on the 24/04/2017 and was prescribed another type of antibiotic due to the probability of the resistance of the previous antibiotic.

Charcoal was still doing okay that night and the next morning, but after noon time that day, we noticed that he cannot even stand up and started lying down, so we rush him to Vets for Pets. The vet diagnosed him with pneumonia and he was getting worse and worse in the afternoon and the doctor suggested to put him to sleep as he was suffering too much. Eventually, he passed away at around 7:15pm 25/04/2017.

This was literally one month after we purchase Charocal from pets at home, I have emailed pets at home telling that the whole situation stated above. Don't know what they gonna do tho
Click to expand...

I am very sorry for poor Charcoal and your odyssey. You should hopefully be able to reclaim at least the vet cost for his treatment for problems that have originated at the shop. You can also complain to your local council over trading standards for selling damaged wares, in your case an already infected guinea pig.

There could however have well been an underlying issue, as the hopping is not a normal symptom of any of his other issues. How piggy savvy was the treating vet? Vets for Pets are not known to be all that savvy on exotics, as which guinea pigs are classed at.

You are welcome to post a tribute to Charcoal in our Rainbow Bridge section if or whenever it feels right for you. We all grieve differently. The section is there for those who wish to make use of it.

Has Charcoal got a companion?
Here are our tips on what you can do him: Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

If you want to get him a companion, please go to one of our recommended good standard rescues that only put up fully quarantined and medically treated healthy guinea pigs for adoption that are properly sexed and guaranteed not pregnant. Most of these rescues offer dating at the rescue, so it is the companion who decides which potential mate he wants to get on with. This makes for a much more stable bond. An age difference in boars is also of advantage if one of the boars is pre-teenage.
Guinea Pig Rescue Centre Locator
Guinea Pig Vet Locator

As Charcoal has suffered from infectious issues, you may need to wait out a quarantining period. If Charcoal was on his own and you want more guinea pigs, please make sure that your cage/hutch is large enough and that anything is suitably disinfected with F10. Ringworm spores (which are shed in their thousands in an acute outbreak) can alive for 18 months and infect all mammals, including humans. F10 is the only disinfectant that is proven to also kill ringworm spores.
Importance Of Quarantine
Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures

It would help us a lot if you please added your county to your details. We have got members and enquiries from all over the world, so any advice and recommendations can differ quite a bit depending on what applies and is available.
Please click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location to make it appear with every post you make and to allow us tailor any advice straight away. Thank you!
 
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