What Do You Think?

[Trish B]

I was just after some expert advice really after a good deal of soul searching...

We have been offered an 8 week old boar who is at a reputable pet shop for a potential companion to my bereaved 13 month old male Mandril. Bonding was arranged for next week when we are going on a 2 day break and Mandril would board at the pet shop on neutral territory with the baby. A trial run,so to speak.

On Tuesday when I handled the baby I noticed a small lesion of baldness by his nose and asked them whether this could be mites. The reaction was that it may be a bite but I could see no puncture sites and said that I wanted a veterinary opinion before I could allow Mandril to bond. We rang on Thursday and were told that there were no staff available to take him to the vets but they still thought it was a bite. I went in today and the lesion had grown and the staff agreed that it was mites probably caused by the fact that he had been left behind as his brothers were sold last weekend. They still were not able to get him to the vets but said that I could take him if I wanted to.....I presume this means that I would fund the treatment myself

Now I am willing to help any animal in need but there is no guarantee that Mandril will successfully bond with him anyway. Am I being taken advantage of and should the pet shop be doing this anyway? Surely it is their responsibility to care for their animals until sold? Having said this I hate to think of the mites taking a hold of this poor little pig who otherwise seems in good shape-he is eating,drinking and pooing quite normally and is well-fed. Would he be a liability? I have no space to house him separately until he's given the all-clear but I do feel very sorry for him and want to help.

Any advice please?

 

[twiams]

May be worth just discussing with the pet shop and getting them to put in writing that they'll pay for treatment if you take him to the vet practice! Anything he does have he would have caught while there! Sounds like the pig could do with some help and chances are if he goes to different home they might not take him to the vet either!

Good luck with the bonding!

 

[cavy clicker]

Thats why it is not a good idea to go to a pet shop

 

[Trish B]

May be worth just discussing with the pet shop and getting them to put in writing that they'll pay for treatment if you take him to the vet practice! Anything he does have he would have caught while there! Sounds like the pig could do with some help and chances are if he goes to different home they might not take him to the vet either!

Good luck with the bonding!

 

[Trish B]

That's a good idea twiams and thank you for your advice. Cavy clicker, we weren't actively looking for a guinea pig but were shown this pig as the pet shop wanted him to go to a good home as they know that we are experienced owners and didn't want him to be left on his own. He was offered free of charge. In my opinion there are plenty of deserving cases in pet shops who have been left as single pigs and are overlooked. We have adopted from rescue centres for years. Any pig in need wherever it is based is fine by me.

 

[Wiebke]

I was just after some expert advice really after a good deal of soul searching...

We have been offered an 8 week old boar who is at a reputable pet shop for a potential companion to my bereaved 13 month old male Mandril. Bonding was arranged for next week when we are going on a 2 day break and Mandril would board at the pet shop on neutral territory with the baby. A trial run,so to speak.

On Tuesday when I handled the baby I noticed a small lesion of baldness by his nose and asked them whether this could be mites. The reaction was that it may be a bite but I could see no puncture sites and said that I wanted a veterinary opinion before I could allow Mandril to bond. We rang on Thursday and were told that there were no staff available to take him to the vets but they still thought it was a bite. I went in today and the lesion had grown and the staff agreed that it was mites probably caused by the fact that he had been left behind as his brothers were sold last weekend. They still were not able to get him to the vets but said that I could take him if I wanted to.....I presume this means that I would fund the treatment myself

Now I am willing to help any animal in need but there is no guarantee that Mandril will successfully bond with him anyway. Am I being taken advantage of and should the pet shop be doing this anyway? Surely it is their responsibility to care for their animals until sold? Having said this I hate to think of the mites taking a hold of this poor little pig who otherwise seems in good shape-he is eating,drinking and pooing quite normally and is well-fed. Would he be a liability? I have no space to house him separately until he's given the all-clear but I do feel very sorry for him and want to help.

Any advice please?

A lesion on the nose is more likely ringworm (fungal) than mites; it is not at all rare in shop piggies. The little boy needs a vet check/diagnosis and a quarantine if you take him on. Any vet cost you incur sorting out the issue he comes with will have to be paid by the pet shop; if you take on the boy, please make sure that you get that confirmed in writing. Otherwise, wait until he has been sorted by the shop.
Ringworm: Hygiene And Pictures
Importance Of Quarantine

 

[Freela]

I would think it might be fungal, which would be contagious (to humans too if it's ringworm) until treated. I agree that the pet shop should be footing the bill, as he is still in their care. I would see what the pet shop is willing to do or get it in writing that they will pay for treatment, and I wouldn't introduce him to your other pig until he is treated, otherwise you may be dealing with treatment for both of them!

 

[Trish B]

Thank you very much for the excellent advice. I will speak to the pet shop today about the potential ringworm diagnosis and will make sure that he is seen by a vet asap.