[Krisword]

I found my hedgie at a fairly reputable pet supplier (yes a pet store) who deals in both exotics and beginner pets (guinea pigs and such). I found out about this particular place off of craigslist while trying to find someone who has hedgies. When we went, we were blown away with the absolutely beauty of it. It was very clean and well maintained and all of their animals looked fantastic. They tortoises ran around on the floor, and the birds flew free over head and had homes and perches everywhere. One individual wrote a few days ago (almost a week after we bought Q) She suggested this same place where we found Q, but then warned me about pintos and mostly whites being commonly inbred, and this may be a concern with this place as they usually have whites. When my husband and I went, we found a chocolate guy, and another (snowflake?) available along with Q, who as it turns out is a pinto.

This individual in her email recounts a conversation she had with the manager/owner. She asked where they get their hedgies from she was told "a private breeder" and when implying she was looking for a certain color she was told "95% of the time, we have white". She also went on to say that the ONE they had while she was there had a tumor on his foot. And yet, she takes the time to come into my e-mail to tell me they have hedgies available? And she says that she’s gone to this place a number of times. Why would she continue to give business to a place that she says dabble in unmoral practices? She says her thinking is since pinto and white colors are recessive, then it would only make sense that they are being inbred to produce them so often.

Q's vet appointment is this Saturday. So far, he has been fantastic. He is social, and is a perfect mix of explorer and snuggler. His favorite place to be is on the back of my neck under my hair on the couch. We have a message into the store and were hoping they will be a little more forthcoming about where they get their hedgehogs, maybe considering we are not in the market for one any longer and are not looking to undercut them. Or even if they decide to breed themselves...I’d like to know they have something in place to prevent inbreeding.


But I can’t stop thinking about it. Am I freaking out over nothing? I’ve certainly learned my lesson. Not knowing is killing me. Should we decide in a few years to get another, it will be a papered hedgie from an established breeder. Do you have any thoughts on this?

Thanks,
K & Q

 

[PixiesExoticHedgies]

Well......if you want an honest answer, I'm sure most could give it. But please don't be upset at the responses you might receive. Remember we are here for assistance, not to judge.

As a breeder myself, I know that many breeders have it posted on their websites as to WHY YOU SHOULD BUY FROM A BREEDER. Right off the top of my head, I'm not sure which of the hedgehog sites that came from, but I'd say either: IHA, HHC, HBA, etc. reputable sites to say the least.

First thing to find out is whether or not the store has a USDA license. If they don't, then they are selling hedgehogs illegally and you can turn them in for the violation. If they do, then YES, you have taken the risk of purchasing an inbred hedgehog.....no matter what the color.

I know of at least 2 "puppy mill" breeders in my area that sell to pet stores. I also know that one does inbreed, and is totally in it for the money only. They sell unhealthy hedgehogs and do not offer guarantees or replacments (as a reputable breeder would do). I've had a couple people contact me, very upset with this other breeder.....because their hedgie passed away unexpected at a young age. As far as the other, I believe they are honest and reputable USDA licensed breeders, and I don't "think" they inbreed.

Buying from a reputable breeder is the only way to make sure you are not getting inbred hedgies. I suppose it's not a 100% guarantee (as I have heard rumors), but I would hope that approved breeders are not inbreeding.

Pixie

 

[Krisword]

Pixie,

Thank you sincerly for your candid response as well as your assurance that you are here for assistance and not judgement. I hesitated to reach out and be completely honest about his background as I know it is prefered to not purcase from a pet store, and some can be quite vocal and judgemental about doing so. This particular store is licensed and seems to have a fantastic reputation. They deal in quite a few exotics and appears to do so above board. They claim to take care when choosing their animals and have very strict guidlines with who they deal with. I have e-mailed the owner in hopes that I can find who their breeder is. Maybe I can find more information. And I was refered to this location by at least 9 seperate individuals all of which couldnt say enough good things about them. It is this one who has me so rattled. I'll keep you updated on what I find out. And as mentioned before...lesson learned. In the meantime...I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Q will live a fantastic fulfilled life without problems.


Again, thank you.

 

[Gnarly]

I think it is very likely your hedgehog has come from a mill, although it's not impossible that he came from a breeder.

Many, if not all, reputable breeders refuse to sell their hedgehogs to pets stores. Reputable breeders are picky about who they sell their hedgehogs to, and by selling a hedgehogs to a store, who then in turn will sell the hedgehog (indiscriminately) to who ever has the cash first, does not allow the breeder to screen the new owner, or keep track of the baby they bred.

I am not judging you for buying your hedgehog from a pet store; I'm sure you're a fantastic owner either way. The fact that you have asked this question, and that you have learned from your mistake proves that you care very much about your hedgehog, and any future hedgehog you may acquire.

Hopefully, the store will be upfront with you, and disclose where your hedgehog came from.

 

[bryan]

Without getting into the ethical debate, (it's been covered well enough already) Pinto is not recessive. It's dominant and rather easy to produce even if only one parent is pinto. Snowflake and White are both recessive, but this doesn't mean they aren't easy enough to produce, either. Recessive to recessive - related or not - over a couple of generations will appear to reproduce as a dominant characteristic, even though it's still recessive.

Essentially, the colours of the produced hedgehogs and the percentage of certain colours produced aren't an indication for or against inbreeding. It's simply a matter of statistical averages.

 

[Nancy]

My advice is that you are happy with your little guy so love him and enjoy him and don't worry about where he came from. The point is you have a friendly little guy who you are happy with so enjoy him.

Yes, buying from a breeder would have been advisable but just because someone claims to be a breeder does not mean they are ethical or good. Finding a reputable breeder would have been the best way to go.

Having said that. Between my daughter and I our first 9 hedgehogs were from petstores. I wouldn't have traded them for anything. Teasel, my first boy was the most perfect first hedgehog anyone could ever ask for. He died in my arms just short of 5 years old and never had a health issue and his death was sudden without him being sick before hand. Snow is now over 5 and Bandit just turned 5. Yes some did die from cancer but were close to 4 and 5 when it happened. Not one of them had WHS. They've been a range of temperaments with most being friendly. I know we've been lucky with them and often petstore hedgehogs do have issues but think positively for you little guy and love him and enjoy him for being a hedgehog, not worrying about where he came from. Next time you know better.

 

[PixiesExoticHedgies]

My advice is that you are happy with your little guy, so love him and enjoy him and don't worry about where he came from. The point is you have a friendly little guy who you are happy with so enjoy him.....think positively for your little guy and love him and enjoy him for being a hedgehog, not worrying about where he came from. Next time you know better.

KUDOS! That truly says it all. Remember, all hedgies need a loving home. When you purchase a cat or dog from the local pound, ASPCA, or resue shelters .... you pick that animal b/c you wanted it and know that it needs a loving home. You never know what their background is, and it's not something that is a big issue with most of us. Even for those whom have pedigreed hedgies from a reputable breeder....chances are there is a pet store hedgie somewhere in their lineage.

Pixie

 

[Krisword]

So Q had his vet apoinment on saturday. Surprisingly, the vet said she NEVER sees healthy hedgies. Normally they come in when they are sick and something is seriously wrong with them. She also said that she was going to have a tech come in with leather gloves to help her handle him. We brought him out and placed him on the table. She started to touch him, and he sniffed her and let her listen to his heart and breathing. We didnt need the tech or gloves after all! She was so surprised. She had never had a "pleasant" experience with a hedgehog. Normally they are extremely grumpy due to injury or illness. She checked his quills...no mites. Everything looks good. Did a fecal test, and that is clean too! So he is perfectly healthy and happy!

That helped ease my mind a lot. Still no answer from the petstore owner.

 

[Krisword]

So this is what we have learned thus far. We are sluething...

The hedgie with the infection is currently under care and seeing a vet for food allergy. We were told that was the cause of what appeared to be an infection. They hedgies they have are eating Innova while they are there...so I'm not sure what other foods they are eating that would have caused the allergic reaction, but thats what we were told.

We were also told they use a breeder in Texas, but due to store policy...they cant disclose who. They are shipped in to Oregon after they are of age.

We have two e-mails in to the breeders listed on this site to see if they do infact supply to this particular shop. We'll be looking for other breeders as well in the Texas areas as well. Hopefully we'll stumble accross the place where our little guy began.

 

[LizardGirl]

Out of curiosity, are you in Oregon? What is the name of the pet shop?

 

[Krisword]

Yes I am. The pet shop was Critter Cabana in Newberg.

 

[LizardGirl]

Okay, thanks. I've heard of them.