Pets at Home compelled to cease promoting guinea pigs after strep outbreak | EUROtoday

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Popular animal retailer Pets at Home has been compelled to cease promoting guinea pigs amid an infectious illness outbreak.

The retailer realized a few of its rodents have Streptococcus, extra generally often called Strep, which may unfold to different animals.

Customers who bought a guinea pig from Pets At Home have been contacted by the chain with “detailed advice and guidance”.

The an infection could cause guinea pigs to catch pneumonia and will trigger them to die immediately with out displaying any signs. The micro organism can unfold from animals to people and result in a variety of signs.

It will not be recognized how most of the chain’s 474 shops throughout the UK have been impacted by the outbreak.

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Carl Tyrrell, his accomplice Tiffany and his son Logan, purchased two guinea pigs from Pets at Home in Lincoln, who quickly turned worryingly unwell with a ‘contagious’ respiratory virus, in line with Metro.

Carl, 42, advised the newspaper: “The initial guinea pig we had chosen wasn’t able to be sold as she had what appeared to be discharge from the nose.

“We were allowed to purchase two other piggies from the same enclosure and bought them home.”

The household is terrified the strep micro organism has put their different guinea pigs, who’re at present residing individually, in danger.

Their son Logan “has such a bond with guinea pigs”. Mr Tyrrell added: “He would be absolutely devastated if the guinea pigs passed away.”

A Pets At Home spokesperson mentioned: “We have identified a small percentage of cases of infection in our guinea pig population resulting from streptococcus equi zooepidemicus.

“Pet welfare is always our top priority and as a precautionary measure we have taken swift and immediate action to temporarily pause the sale or adoption of guinea pigs.

“We will be contacting customers directly who have purchased a guinea pig from us recently with detailed advice and guidance.

“However, if you have immediate concerns, please contact your local Pets at Home or veterinary provider for further advice.”