What to do, what to do?

[Sidera17]

Okay, so every now and then I may stop in at the All Pets Club to see if the piggies are being treated well. Today, I went in and found two piggies that had been left at the store for adoption. They look like brother and sister--short-haired with slight spikes, but not Abbys-- somewhere around 6 months to a year old. They were kept in horribly small cages, and everything was being sold for $20 each.

When I took a closer look at the male, I noticed he had NO POOPS in his cage at all. However, near the water bottle, there was a liquid-y brown patch. I've never seen piggy diarrhea before, but I assumed this was the case. I mentioned this to one of the employees, who did a quick check and saw no traces of diarrhea on the pig. However, it looked VERY suspicious.

It could just be nothing, but if it IS diarrhea, I'm afraid the piggy may be in trouble! There's no way that I can bring him home because my mom is anti-living creatures, and I can't afford the vet bills to help him. I'm also afraid that he may have some illness, and I might bring it into the house and infect Spike. Both pigs are sweethearts and tame. Does anyone have any suggestions? Or is anyone around Wallingford, CT, that can go check this out?

[BABY'S MOM]

If someone is in that area, that could go and give the piggies a second opinion, that would be a great first step.

If they find that everything is okay, I would keep a close eye on them anyway. If they find that the pigs are in need of medical care, I would first - suggest to the owners to get medical treatment. If nothing's been done, then I would second - notify animal rescue.

It's hard not to be able to bring home an animal when you know that it needs special love, and attention. But the next best thing is to notify the proper authorities.

Good luck, and those piggies are very lucky that you saw them.

[cielo]

No poops means there is something wrong with him. Are they up for adoption or for sale?

[Sidera17]

Cielo- That's just the problem. They aren't pet store pigs-- they're up for adoption, but because their owners are doing it through the pet store, the pet store has an adoption fee of $20 for the pig and the puny cage. If they weren't benefiting the pet store, I would have adopted them. But because the pet store is benefiting, it's almost like buying a pig from them. Poor piggies.

[AmysAnimals]

The liquid brownish substance could be either oxidized urine or diarrhea. Did you happen to notice if the pigs seemed overly thin or impacted? If they are impacted that could be a reason for no poo in the cage. Also, if they arent getting any food then obviously they cant produce any waste. You could try a couple of things. Talk to the manager of the store and offer to take the piggies off their hands for free and provide them with proper care. Express that you are concerned about their health and well being and if the store can not offer imporvements and/or is not willing to allow you to take the animals then you will have to contact the authorities. Of course, before you do any of this make sure that the pigs actually are ill/in danger. If that doesnt work, you could try contacting a local rescue for a second opinion and see what that rescue can do to help. If all else fails and you KNOW there is a problem, contact the local SCPA or other humane animal enforcement agency.

You can try contacting The Critter Connection in Durham, CT for help. Unfortunately, I couldnt find a number but here is the email for the head faculty: cindy_kuester@CTGuineaPigRescue.org

[Crazy_Guineas]

Hmm... I can't take in a pig right now and I'm pretty far from Wallingford. Is there anyway for you to march down there and demand to see the manager? If you do get the manager I would wail on him. That seems to be the most effective way to get the pigs taken care of.