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Urgent baby help

Bradshaw Piggies

Bradshaw Piggies

Forum Donator 2023/24
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Hi All,

I’ve had a message from a desperate lady (who lives 2 hours away - met via a guinea pig Facebook group). Their sow was unfortunately pregnant when they got her. 3 babies died and one is alive but has issues with his back legs (turning inwards) and has been rejected. She tried syringe feeding him but has contacted me this morning to say he has clicky breathing (he’s 6 days old).I’m thinking he’s aspirated when she’s been feeding him. He also has a pressure sore from not moving around.

She has no money for the vet and can’t take care of him as she is due to go into labour any day now.

it’s breaking my heart hearing about him.

Should I go get him? And try my best?
Or do you guys think I’m being stupid? Is he not likely to make it? I don’t know what to do. Wish I could help him
 
I’ve also advised her to contact some rescues ASAP to see if surrendering is an option and get him veterinary treatment if she can’t.
 
Poor little pup :no:
If she got the sow from a pet shop, she could ask them to pay for vet care as they sold her a pregnant animal.
Whereabouts is the lady? Is she anywhere near a rescue?
xx
 
Qualcast&Flymo said:
Poor little pup :no:
If she got the sow from a pet shop, she could ask them to pay for vet care as they sold her a pregnant animal.
Whereabouts is the lady? Is she anywhere near a rescue?
xx
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She’s in Stafford. She got the sow from free ads 🙈😔
I’m desperate to help but I have to think about my finances too xx
 
I’m afraid that the only thing that she can do is to take the piggy to a vet.
 
I r
VickiA said:
I’m afraid that the only thing that she can do is to take the piggy to a vet.
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I agree. I’ve tried to tell her but she has no money. Feel like I should go get him and take him, but I have to think about my guys. It’s heart breaking hearing about him and not being able to help :(
 
I am afraid that responsible pet ownership involves taking pets to the vets when they are in need. Vets have a duty under their code of conduct to alleviate suffering so would be obligated to see such a desperately ill sounding pet regardless of finances.
I have to say I am uncomfortable discussing a third party’s situation.
 
update: She has surrendered him and he’s getting urgent veterinary care this afternoon.

happy for this thread to be deleted as I didn’t realise I wasn’t supposed to ask about third party pigs.
I just really wanted to help him
 
What’s happened with mum? Did she surrender him as well? Given she doesn’t have the money to take to a vet...
 
Update.

The baby has been surrendered to a reputable rescue and is getting the help needed. I could say more but I won’t.

As is often the case, the back story is not so straightforward or simple. Put simply : the owner is a breeder of pure breed Californian piggies and this was not this sow’s first litter. This is an example of why the Forum does not support intentional breeding.
 
Pity there’s no angry emoji! Glad she’s given her up but that won’t be the last 🤬 🤬🤬
 
I
VickiA said:
Update.

The baby has been surrendered to a reputable rescue and is getting the help needed. I could say more but I won’t.

As is often the case, the back story is not so straightforward or simple. Put simply : the owner is a breeder of pure breed Californian piggies and this was not this sow’s first litter. This is an example of why the Forum does not support intentional breeding.
Click to expand...
Is she really? She told me they were pets? She honestly contacted me via the group asking for help and advice for unexpected babies.
I feel like I shouldn’t have stepped in or offered to take him.
Sorry for all the upset I’ve caused on the forum. I’m going to step back and log off for a while.
Sorry again.
 
Bradshaw Piggies said:
I

Is she really? She told me they were pets?
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That’s why you have to take things said by private owners with a pinch of salt, especially where they’re desperate to give them up. Sorry you were duped but it’s lucky you didn’t take her and pup on!
 
Sadly our experience in the rescue (also backed up by what we see here on the forum) is that breeders are seldom honest when they hit a problem with a piggy. That’s why those of us involved in rescue may appear more cynical than other members. We have seen and heard it all.
 
Glad to hear that the b
VickiA said:
Update.

The baby has been surrendered to a reputable rescue and is getting the help needed. I could say more but I won’t.

As is often the case, the back story is not so straightforward or simple. Put simply : the owner is a breeder of pure breed Californian piggies and this was not this sow’s first litter. This is an example of why the Forum does not support intentional breeding.
Click to expand...
Glad to hear that the baby is getting the help he needs. God only knows what would have happened to him if a rescue hadn't stepped in to help. Sending a big thank you to whoever it is that has taken him.

I can't put into words what I think of the breeder as it would probably bring the 'ban hammer' down on me. :rant:
 
YvonneBlue said:
Glad to hear that the b

Glad to hear that the baby is getting the help he needs. God only knows what would have happened to him if a rescue hadn't stepped in to help. Sending a big thank you to whoever it is that has taken him.

I can't put into words what I think of the breeder as it would probably bring the 'ban hammer' down on me. :rant:
Click to expand...

I think on this occasion the ban hammer would probably have to be brought down on me. My opinion cannot be put into print. Just when I thought my opinion of breeders couldn’t get much lower...
 
Bradshaw Piggies said:
I

Is she really? She told me they were pets? She honestly contacted me via the group asking for help and advice for unexpected babies.
I feel like I shouldn’t have stepped in or offered to take him.
Sorry for all the upset I’ve caused on the forum. I’m going to step back and log off for a while.
Sorry again.
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Don't blame yourself. They're very good at making stories up and manipulating people.

They can literally make up a plot when puppies are shown in a houses with staged families, when in fact they come from horrid puppy farms (and men will die and cause heartbreak).
I've fostered piggies from breeders and it was disgusting to think they've made money, yet couldn't even be bothered to give them bedding and hay!
In my opinion, there isn't a reputable or responsible breeder...
 
Bradshaw Piggies said:
I

Is she really? She told me they were pets? She honestly contacted me via the group asking for help and advice for unexpected babies.
I feel like I shouldn’t have stepped in or offered to take him.
Sorry for all the upset I’ve caused on the forum. I’m going to step back and log off for a while.
Sorry again.
Click to expand...

You are not the first and you won’t be the last person to be given false information by a breeder. My antennae twitched because they had not come here directly to ask for advice - and it is so hard giving advice via a 3rd party.

You weren’t to know. But for your action this breeder would not have contacted rescues and surrendered this little chap so he can finally get the treatment he needs and deserves. That likely would not have happened if she had not contacted you. So you have played a part in getting this little mite to a vet and to a knowledgable rescue.

But it’s another reason why I left guinea pig groups on FB. Too many breeders.
 
Was the mother not given up as well? Sorry, unsure what's truth or lies.
Hope little boy recovers 😔
 
I don't bother with Guinea Pig Facebook groups. I have taken a look and seen too much bad advice given. I will stick to the forum and supporting the great work of the reputable rescues I follow on Facebook.😃
 
Hath said:
Was the mother not given up as well? Sorry, unsure what's truth or lies.
Hope little boy recovers 😔
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She told me she wanted rid of all pigs because she was pregnant. So I presumed she had.
I feel terrible for upsetting everyone on here and I feel stupid for offering to go rescue him myself.
 
Over the last 10 years my team and I have been involved with some horrors but this situation is by far the worst for sheer deceit and total lack of regard for a Guinea Pigs welfare by a breeder.We are supporting the rescue concerned who have helped out this poor animal and shall be contributing to veterinary bills.

Bradshaw Piggies you did the right thing bringing it to the forums attention, your just a victim of breeders using social media for sympathy x
 
Bradshaw Piggies said:
She told me she wanted rid of all pigs because she was pregnant. So I presumed she had.
I feel terrible for upsetting everyone on here and I feel stupid for offering to go rescue him myself.
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Don't be. What they sometimes do is get rid of ill and old so they can start over with young animals. You're lucky to have trust in humanity. Keep it, we need people like you ❤️
 
Hath said:
Don't be. What they sometimes do is get rid of ill and old so they can start over with young animals. You're lucky to have trust in humanity. Keep it, we need people like you ❤
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I just thought that if I drove a couple of hours to go get him, that I could get him to a vet and do my best to save him. But I had to think of saving my finances for my own boys in case they get ill. Which is why I told her to contact a rescue
 
Bradshaw Piggies said:
I just thought that if I drove a couple of hours to go get him, that I could get him to a vet and do my best to save him. But I had to think of saving my finances for my own boys in case they get ill. Which is why I told her to contact a rescue
Click to expand...

Given the problems this little one has, he really is best placed with the rescue who have taken him in. If he survives he is going to need considerable care for the rest of his life. It’s a big ask even of a rescue who can fundraise/appeal for funds, and not something that an individual could really take on in terms of time and financial commitment. The breeder knew that - and in my view it was unfair of them to ask for your help when the only place they should have been asking for help was from a vet. We can’t save them all. And even with the very best of intentions, going off rescuing piggies can often end up in the rescuer needing to be rescued themself. The ONLY person who should feel bad about this situation is the person who intentionally bred him and failed to get him veterinary help for 6 days.
 
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