Health Guarantee

Last Updated on May 12, 2021.

At Millermeade Farms we do our very best to produce the highest quality animals possible.  We pledge that to the best of our knowledge all the animals we sell are free from any known health problems. Should we have any concerns we will point them out prior to the animal going home.  It is not uncommon for small problems to develop such as a nip from a cage-mate, a quilling related complication, or even an injury to develop unexpectedly.  If you have concerns with the animal you are about to purchase, please express your concerns to us and do not purchase the animal.  We would rather not make a sale than sell an animal that doesn’t meet our quality standards. Both our reputation and customer satisfaction are important to us and so we are happy to offer the following health guarantee.

We are USDA licensed and one of the requirements is to have routine visits by our veterinarian. We can provide heath papers from our veterinarian for an additional $60.00.

Hedgehog longevity has many contributing factors including but not limited but are not limited too:

• Breeding & Genetics
• Diet
• Water
• Temperature
• Bedding
• Exercise
• Accidents
• Illnesses
• Promptness and Quality of Veterinary Care
• Stress
• Breeding

Some of these factors are related to care, others to the risk of owning a living being, and others are related to breeding and genetics.

The factors covered in our health guarantee and replacement program are outlined below.  The replacement guarantee does not include associated veterinary expenses, as these are part of the risk associated in owning a pet. Any animal diagnosed with congenital defects, cancer, or nutritional deficiencies can be exchanged at no cost prior to the first birthday of the hedgehog.

Congenital Defects

• Congenital defects are defects that are present at birth.
• Most life threatening congenital defects are fatal prior to weaning.
• Our guarantee covers the rare occurrence of a fatal defect during the first year.

Cancer

• Like humans and other animals, hedgehogs can suffer from many types of cancer that can affect various parts of the hedgehog.
• Cancer is one of the top causes of hedgehog death.
• Cancer is included in our guarantee for replacement until the hedgehog’s first birthday.

Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome

• Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome (WHS) is one of the most widely talked about hedgehog diseases or disorders.
• Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome can only be confirmed upon necropsy via specialized diagnostic testing.
• True WHS is has no treatment or cure but therapeutic methods can increase the hedgehog’s quality of life.
• Our guarantee for WHS is for two years provided:

1. 1. The Understanding a Pet’s Death Survey has been completed and reviewed by both the breeder and the veterinarian preforming the necropsy.
   2. The necropsy report shows no other life-threatening illnesses or compromises in the immune system.
   3. Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome is determined in the necropsy report to be the sole cause of death.

• There are many treatable and untreatable disorders that have similar signs and symptoms of Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome.

Nutritional Deficiencies

• Each hedgehog breeder has his or her own diet recommendation.
• We encourage our customers to use a diet that has proven to be successful for hedgehog growth, development, and maintenance.
• We stand behind our food recommendations will replace any hedgehogs that are diagnosed with a nutritional deficiency by a qualified veterinarian.
• It is the customer’s responsibility to maintain food records and proof that the hedgehog is being fed by our guidelines.
• Malnourishment due to too little food or obesity due to too much food is not included in this guarantee.
• Our guarantee is for a full replacement for the first year and a 50% reduced price in a replacement for the second year.

Determination of Cause of Death

Necropsy Report

• A necropsy is the animal version of an autopsy.
• We are happy to fulfill the terms of our Health Guarantee provided that a veterinarian provides a necropsy report stating the cause of death is one of the factors listed in our heath guarantee.
• For best necropsy report results it is important to refrigerate, NOT freeze, the remains of a deceased hedgehog as close to the time of death as possible.
• The hedgehog remains should be delivered to your veterinarian within 24 hours of your pet’s death.

Veterinary Recommendations

We suggest a well pet visit for our animals within the first three weeks of going to a new home.  Not all veterinarians will see hedgehogs and as a result we encourage new owners to contact potential veterinarians for their hedgehogs.  Questions to ask potential veterinarians:

1. What is the cost of a well-pet visit?
2. What is the cost of an emergency pet visit?
3. What is the cost of a mite treatment?
4. What is the cost of a gross necropsy?

Please provide your veterinarian with a copy of our health guarantee to ensure they are familiar with our policy.

Additional Health Guarantee

Every USDA licensed breeder is required to have an attending veterinarian who is familiar with his or her breeding program. We are happy to provide a Statement of Veterinary Inspection.  This statement can be provided with advance notice and payment for the physical examination.

Shipping Stress

• Shipping stress is common with animals of all species when going to new homes or changing environments.
• Factors that can influence shipping stress include:
  • Shipping crate or box
  • New home
  • Physical movement during transportation
  • New food or water
  • Temperature variations
  • New noises and smells
  • Different handlers
  • Changes in light cycle

It is important for you to pay close attention to the health and condition of your animal. Millermeade Farms has a lot of experience transporting animals for both long and short distances. We hope that you will follow our suggestions to create as little shipping stress as possible for your new pet. We will make suggestions concerning shipping containers, caging or housing, and diet for your new pet.