Pregnant baby from a pet shop

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banz2009

Hello, just wondering if anyone could help in my ongoing arguement with my local pet shop!
About two weeks ago I bought a baby pig (Bella) from my local pet store (not sure if I'm allowed to name it, I should though!) I was told she was about 8-10weeks old. I'd say she was more like 10-12 weeks myself.
I brought her home and have noticed that she is quite obviously pregnant. I'd say at least 5 weeks as she has a big round belly, I can't feel the babies move but i'm pretty sure it wont be long. I phoned the shop today and had a lengthy chat with the rude manager! Her only sugesstion is for me to return Bella, let her stay with them until she has her babies then return her to me. If any problems arrise they will use their own vet. Also they have spoken to their vet and he says a guinea pig cannot get pregnant untill at least 8 weeks of age. So, they really dont think she is pregnant anyway!
I dont want to return her to the same incompetant people who allowed her to get pregnant in the first place and really dont want to stress her out anymore by moving her again.
I suggested that I keep her here, if any problems do come about, which they may not then I would take her to their own vet. They wouldn't agree to it.
I dont know what to do for the best. If she has a perfectly smooth pregnancy then I would be happy to just get on with it but my point to them is if she has to have say a cesarean or something it's going to cost me alot of money which really they should be covering.
Sorry to ramble on... Not sure what my rights are if any! Any help much appriciated!
 
Sorry to hear that your piggy is pregnant at such a young age. I had one here who was about that age when she came in pregnant and she littered safely, nature is quite amazing!

I wouldn't take her back to the petshop as I think you're then in a grey area as to whether the pig and the babies are 'yours' or not, I've heard of petshops offering to take the sow back and then selling the babies.

Most pigs litter with relatively few complications and cesareans are quite rare, I think if I were you I would write to them (or their head office if they are a chain) as really they should provide something e.g additional housing for the babies. But I would keep the pig with you where she is safe rather than move her in later stages of pregnancy.

Good luck

Sophie
x
 
Don't take her back to the shop, you may never see her again. Don't be tempted by the offer of a refund and a replacement pig. I often wonder what happens to "sick/pregnant" pigs.
 
Dont worry I have no intention of taking her back there. I'm just really annoyed that they don't seem to want to help or even care! She was in with two others when I bought her so no doubt some other unsuspecting person will have more on the way!
 
No way, don't do it! I forget who it was now as it is going back but someone here did take their pig back and got another. They didn't want to but felt it best at the time!

That really angers me, will they provide fresh veg for the pregnant pig! They just want the babies! If they were any good they would offer spare cages for the pregnant pig and not want her back!
 
i had 2 sick piggies from pets at home, they paid for all vets fees and gave me spare cages whilst ill (the plastic being easier to sterilise than the wooden hutches they were in) The fees came to over £200 and they paid them straight away. I was given the choice of swapping them, returning them until they were well, or keeping them here and taking them to either my own vets or theirs, I chose theirs.

I was very happy with the way this had been dealt with as I have 2 beautiful healthy boys.

I would suggest if it a big chain, then to go to head office. Most companies wouldnt want to think they were getting bad publicity. Perhaps mention the forum and state the age piggies can get pregnant etc.. my vets does a free check if pregnant.. if yours does maybe get the piggies there and check def pregnant too

Hope it all goes wellx
 
Thanks for that, just to clear up, I have no intention whatsoever of returning this poor little thing. I just wondered if anyone knew if I had any rights? Do you think trading standards would know? Or maybe citizens advice?
They probably are just thinking of the money from the babies. It's not a big chain. Its Newton pet and aquatics, think they only have two shops. One in Newton Abbot and one inside a garden center in Fermoys which is where I got Bella!
 
I'm not sure what your rights are in this case, unfortunately I'm not sure if you have any. It's sad they don't even know the right info about the earliest age a piggy can get pregnant.

Sophie
x
 
Also, continuing my rant! They sold me a book about a month ago on guinea pigs. Even in there it says that a guinea pig can become pregnant from as young as 4 weeks. I'm going to take it in and show them!
 
plz take very good care of her i got a guinea from p@h 3-4 wks ago she was about 10wks id say nt certain shehad 2 babys 2 days ago and both sadly died 8...:08...:0im in the process of complaing at the mo keep complaining and get our point acrooswhat you want ftom them if you dont say they will think your not interested in the babys........and as she is so young be extra carefull taking any thing could happen.........hope al goes well
 
'Animal rights' infringements usully go down well in local newspapers. I'm sure the company could do without the (threat of ) bad publicity. I agree with other members that handing babies over will mean that they get sold, i.e. more profit for the pet shop. I would complain to Head Office, they have every thing to gain by trying to support you, even if only half way.
 
yOU SHOULD CONTACT THE LICENSING SECTION OF YOUR COUNCIL. iT WOULD BE THEM THAT GOT INVOLVED IF ANY COMPLAINTS TO TRADING STANDARDS. aLSO CONTACT HEAD OFFICE EXPLAINING THAT MANAGER WAS RUDE AND WAS GIVING OUT INACCURATE INFORMATION.

(OOPS JUST REALISED CAPS LOCK ON)

Good luck with it and i hope that she is ok.


banz2009 said:
Thanks for that, just to clear up, I have no intention whatsoever of returning this poor little thing. I just wondered if anyone knew if I had any rights? Do you think trading standards would know? Or maybe citizens advice?
They probably are just thinking of the money from the babies. It's not a big chain. Its Newton pet and aquatics, think they only have two shops. One in Newton Abbot and one inside a garden center in Fermoys which is where I got Bella!
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for that. I will be keeping any sows, would have to re home the boars though. Just hope it all goes well for her!
 
That's so typical from a pet shop. Unfortunately a lot of them don't give small animals great care. I had one young one from the pet shop, pregnant too and she delivered three healthy babies.

All the pet shop cares is to have extra "stock" to sell later on. So it's wise to keep the pregnant sow and let her litter safely in your home and then rehome the little ones that you don't want to keep, once they are weaned.
In regards to any payment from the pet shop in case something goes wrong with the sow... don't think you will see any cash at all.

Good luck!
 
Make sure you give her alfalfa hay and plenty of fresh veg and water! Good on you for keeping her. I hope all goes well!
 
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