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Pet shop piggy passed away - what to do?

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clairelou

clairelou

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Hi, I'm new to this forum and hoping that someone can give me some advice. I bought our 2 guinea pigs, Cookie and Patch from Pets at Home 3 weeks ago. They both looked healthy but Patch was always very excitable and vocal and used to squeak alot when doing the toilet. We got home yesterday to find her dead in the cage. Her tummy looks very swollen. I phoned pets at home and have been told to take her back for them to have an autopsy done. I asked about getting a companion for Cookie, the surviving guinea pig. They have refused to do this and say that I have to return Cookie and they will give me a new pair.. Obviously I would be introducing the new guinea pig slowly, do you think I should argue my case with the store manager? We really don't want to part with Cookie as the children are already distraught at losing Patch.

Thanks for any help
 
1) They won't autopsy her, they will dispose of her. Sorry that sounds a bit harsh but I know others who have taken their dead pets in thinking it will be investigated only to be told that the shop will just dispose of the body for them.

2) You do not have to take Cookie back, what they are doing is bribery. I would strongly, strongly recommend you fight to get your money back, keep Cookie and, in a month or so when you know she is well, go to a reputable rescue and get her a companion there. I see you're in Glasgow - the SSPCAs in Milton, Hamilton and the Glasgow Dog and Cat home also often have piggies.

P.S. If it's OK with you I'm going to split your post off and make it a new thread so more people see it.
 
clairelou said:
Hi, I'm new to this forum and hoping that someone can give me some advice. I bought our 2 guinea pigs, Cookie and Patch from Pets at Home 3 weeks ago. They both looked healthy but Patch was always very excitable and vocal and used to squeak alot when doing the toilet. We got home yesterday to find her dead in the cage. Her tummy looks very swollen. I phoned pets at home and have been told to take her back for them to have an autopsy done. I asked about getting a companion for Cookie, the surviving guinea pig. They have refused to do this and say that I have to return Cookie and they will give me a new pair.. Obviously I would be introducing the new guinea pig slowly, do you think I should argue my case with the store manager? We really don't want to part with Cookie as the children are already distraught at losing Patch.

Thanks for any help
Click to expand...


I've very sorry for your loss. That must have been such a shock for all of you.
RIP Patch.

You will get more advice if you post a new topic in the health and illness section.
It sounds as if your piggy may have died from bloat. :( It can take hold very quickly.

I don't see any reason for you to hand back your Cookie. I suggest you approach a guinea pig rescue to find a friend though. They will have health checked their guinea pigs and will help you with bonding to make sure you get the right friend for Cookie. :)


p.s. I posted at the same time as daftscotlass. Good advice from her. x
 
clairelou said:
Hi, I'm new to this forum and hoping that someone can give me some advice. I bought our 2 guinea pigs, Cookie and Patch from Pets at Home 3 weeks ago. They both looked healthy but Patch was always very excitable and vocal and used to squeak alot when doing the toilet. We got home yesterday to find her dead in the cage. Her tummy looks very swollen. I phoned pets at home and have been told to take her back for them to have an autopsy done. I asked about getting a companion for Cookie, the surviving guinea pig. They have refused to do this and say that I have to return Cookie and they will give me a new pair.. Obviously I would be introducing the new guinea pig slowly, do you think I should argue my case with the store manager? We really don't want to part with Cookie as the children are already distraught at losing Patch.

Thanks for any help
Click to expand...

So sorry to hear about Patch, that must have been awful for you.
Please get Cookie checked with a vet ASAP to make sure that whatever caused Patch to pass away isn't transferable to Cookie (just to be on the safe side). I would also recomend giving the cage a full clean.

I WOULDN'T return Cookie to pets at home. What is there motive for this and what are they going to do to with him? I think it's disgusting of the manager to even suggest this. What has happened to Patch has unfortunately happened, the important thing is the welfare of Cookie.

Cookie could be bonded with another guinea pig, there are plenty of rescues which you could adopt a new piggie from and some will offer piggie dating to find a match for Cookie.

Once again I would urge you to clean the cage and houses and make an appointment to give Cookie a quick check up at a vets. Hopefully some other posters can suggest a Cavy Savy vet local to yourself. I do not know of any rescues in Scotland however there are many Scotish posters on here so hopefully someone may be able to suggest one.

P.S i too posted at the sametime as the above posters
 
Thistle Cavies is in Argyll if you don't mind travelling, I am sure there is also someone who fosters for Becklen in Glasgow as well, I can't remember her name off the top of my head.
 
I am so sorry you have lost Patch so unexpectedly. I think it's dreadful that they are saying you should return Cookie. Please don't! You can find Cookie another cage mate by going to a rescue. Cookie can even go and choose his new friend. I think the fact they expect you to just hand back the other piggie shows just how uncaring and how little they value small animals.
 
i would under no circumstances bring them the body! more than likely it will be thrown in the bin! and do NOT bring them the surviving pig! They are unbelievable! I'd be taking cookie for a good heaqlth check and ask the vets questions about the other pigs symptoms. I wouldnt be letting this one go!grrrr
 
I am sao sorry for your loss and the trauma that you are going through. I definately agree with the above posts. Under no circumstances return the body of Patrch or Cookie, i would dread to think what would happen to Cookie if you took her back. She is lucky to have you as an owner and you can easily find her another companion in the near future from a local rescue.
I was in pets at home yesterday getting some supplies and i went over to look at the rabbits and pigs and wished i had not. The rabbit enclosure was way over crowded and all the bunnies looked hot and bothered. I also overheard snippets of conversation from a women who was talking to a very yound staff member about a rabbit she had brought and it was dead the next day. The young assisstant was giving absolute driffle out as advice and clearly had no idea what she was talking about. I had to get out of there quick because it was too upsetting.
I think you will fail with a refund, they will just insist on replacing the pair. If i were you i would not bother contacting them again and taking care of matters yourself. I would get Cookie checked over by a vet and then adopt a new friend from a rescue.

I wish you all the best in this difficult time and we are all here on the forum to support youso please keep in touch and we can help with any advice x
 
I'm so sorry to hear about Patch. I agree with the other replies, please do not take Cookie back, you can find a friend from a rescue.

Squeeking when peeing / pooing could of been an urinary tract infection or bladder stone, swollen tummy sounds like bloat.
Have a look at http://www.guinealynx.info/emergency.html#bloat so you know what to look out for with Cookie. Most things can be easily treated but need to be acted upon quickly as piggies can go down hill fast. I would recommend getting a health check done just to put your mind at rest apart from anything else.
I'd also recommend weighing Cookie weekly on the kitchen scales (if your not doing so already) as weight loss is often an early indication of a hidden illness, piggies are very good at hiding it when they're feeling poorly.
There's lots of great information on this forum so have a look in the reference section and don't be afraid to ask lots of questions.

Kate :)
 
I've not read all the replies, but think most has been covered, but just incase it's not been said, you will need to quarantine the remaining one for a few weeks before getting her a new companion.
 
I had a similar thing happen to be. Contact their customer services explaining you want to keep remaining piggy. They were very good with me, paid vets fees.
I dont know if my local branch is extremely good, but I cant fault them. They are always at the vets with sickly animals, and really care about their wellbeing x
 
I'm so sorry that this has happened.

That is the most appalling thing I have ever heard asking you to return your children's pet when they have become attached to her. I would write to head office and make a complaint including the vets bill for getting cookie checked over (which shouldn't be very large).

Paula
 
katiepops said:
Glenn Hodgson at Apex Veterinary Centre comes highly recommended by members as a very cavvy savy vet in your area

Winchester Avenue
Denny
By Falkirk
FK6 6QE

http://www.apexvets.com/
Click to expand...

I use Glen, he's fantastic I wonder if it would be worth getting a Post mortem done yourself, only in the hope cause of death could be flagged up. Although they are normally inconclusive.

Please don't give the remaining piggy back, as someone has already said contact a rescue about a friend :).

Good Luck xx
 
So very sorry to hear about Patch 8...8...8...
RIP Patch run free at the bridge, enjoy munching on the green grass and dandelions and popcorning thru the meadows, you'll be sadly missed by your family and little friend Cookie but never forgotten xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
(((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))) and lots of loves from us all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Another little star now twinkling in the sky ........... :(


I agree with everyone you keep Cookie and let things settle down......then take her to a rescue and let her find her forever friend :)
so sorry to hear the way you've been treated :(
 
awww rip patch, poor thing x

(just a little note also, to say if they are crying when going to the loo its always a good idea to take them to the vet to get them checked out as its probably that something is wrong too late now i know but for future reference)
 
I'm so sorry for your loss!
PLease please PLEASE dont take the remaining pig back! She's got a broken heart and she needs your love, and you KNOW pets at home will simply keep her out the back for a while before dumping her into their 'adoption' centre with some fictional sob story about her owner not wanting her!


I think you should argue your case, but at the same time you should go elsewhere and get a companion for your piggie (After she's been checked out at the vets) because if two young pigs are going to live together forever they need to be used to each other from quite a young age!


(*^!** pets at home,,,:)>>>
 
Please dont take your remaining piggie back. When you feel ready contact Becklen Resuce, 4 of our 6 piggies were from there, I would reccomend them without a second thought. Becky, Jane (nutmeg) snd Rogernic were fab :)):)) We've had our guys for just over a year now and all are dammed fine and dandy :)
 
Thanks for the advice everyone. I went back to Pets at home today fully intending to just ask for my money back and go to an animal shelter to find a companion for Cookie. However when I got there they had obviously had a change of heart possibly due to the message I left on the Pets at Home facebook page! They told me to choose a companion for Cookie and they gave me a free cage, bedding, hay and toys. Cookie was so happy when we walked in with her new friend, I have the cages side by side and they are chirping and squeaking.
We are obviously still very upset about Patch and I just wish I had taken her to a vet but I just thought the loud squeaking was apart of her personality and it dawned on me too late that it was connected to her doing the toilet.
Pets at home seem confident that it was nothing contagious and probably connected to her bladder/kidneys but they have said if I want Cookie checked over by a vet they will refund the bill.
 
Wow that was incredibly good of them. I am glad you are sorted and still able to keep Cookie xx
 
Well done for being firm with them. Have you named the newbie? I'm sure Cookie will be very happy with her new friend. It may be worth getting Cookie checked out if she shows any discomfort when going for a wee or poo.

Just as a side - regular weighing of piggies is recomended as poorly piggies tend to lose weight quickly and it is an indicator of anything wrong.

Once again sorry about little Patch, Hope you stay on this forum, it's very friendly and supportive, always feel free to ask questions.
 
Thanks to everyone for the kind words and helpful advice. I will weigh the piggies on a regular basis and I'll be watching them very closely for any signs of illness.

The kids want to name the newbie after Patch as a tribute to her. The original Patch was white with a brown patch across her eye, the newbie is a mix of black and brown with a white patch.
 
Thanks to everyone for the kind words and helpful advice. I will weigh the piggies on a regular basis and I'll be watching them very closely for any signs of illness.

The kids want to name the newbie after Patch as a tribute to her. The original Patch was white with a brown patch across her eye, the newbie is a mix of black and brown with a white patch.
 
I'm so glad they had a change of heart, but even the suggestion sickens me! I'm sure you have bonded with Cookie already and seen her little piggy personality and there was no way you'd want to part with her, so for them to even think that would be a solution angers me! I am so sorry about Patch, it's so sad when a piggy leaves us.
I hope you have a successful bonding between Cookie and your new piggy, good luck x>>
 
Best wishes for the new pairing. I hope you'll stay on the forum as there's lots of great advice here and you can ask as many questions as you like. :)
 
Awww- I'm sorry for your loss! I'm in Canada and we don't have Pets at Home here, so I can't give advice in dealing with the store. I would keep Cookie and pair her up with a nice pig from a rescue in your area rather than giving the pet shop any more of your money!
 
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