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Adopted rescue advice

Amberly81

Amberly81

New Born Pup
Joined
Mar 13, 2021
Messages
14
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140
Location
Scotland
Hello. I adopted my little Theodore on Saturday. He was in very non ideal conditions such as living in a dark back bedroom in a high rise flat, in a cage which was collapsing. He very very rarely cleaned out and I also noted his water bottle was lying on its side, empty. The owner was selling him for a mere ten pounds on eBay and stated she never speaks or cuddles him and only really feeds him. He's been on his own for two years. He's never been outside either.

I have a vet appointment for him today but I have been giving him space to settle into his new home. So now I'm thinking it may be too soon for a health check yet? However, his nails are so overgrown and curled. Would he feel traumatised if I handled him then got his nails cut only 3 days of arrival? I'm worried he's in pain.

Secondly, he's been on his own for so long. Is it too late to introduce a buddy? And what would be the recommended time frame for introduction? I don't even think he's snipped so I'm worried that is something else traumatic he'd have to go through.

I've had guinea pigs all my life. But on this occasion, I'm struggling on knowing what to do for the best as never been in this situation before.

He's in a cage at the moment to settle him plus it was a last minute mission to get him. We do have plans to build a larger run in the spare room using ikea units etc. Our last guinea passed away age 7 last July so we had no resources and bought last minute.

Any other tips or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks
 

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Well done for taking him in.

Getting him to the vet is a very good idea. It may be stressful for him but his health needs to be assessed.

In terms of a friend, it’s all going to come down to whether he will ever accept sharing territory with another piggy. He may never have learnt how society works as a youngster. This isn’t something you will know until you try.
Having a rescue help you with bonding would be a good idea.
If he won’t accept sharing territory the best thing would be to have another piggy living alongside in a separate cage. That way he had the communication and interaction with another piggy but doesn’t have to share territory.

In terms of timescale, give him a few weeks to settle in and then look to it into the new year.

Bonding with a sow (following neutering) may be the best thing to try rather than with another boar.
The cage size needed for two boars is 180x60cm and with a sow is 150x60cm
 
Piggies&buns said:
Well done for taking him in.

Getting him to the vet is a very good idea. It may be stressful for him but his health needs to be assessed.

In terms of a friend, it’s all going to come down to whether he will ever accept sharing territory with another piggy. He may never have learnt how society works as a youngster. This isn’t something you will know until you try.
Having a rescue help you with bonding would be a good idea.
If he won’t accept sharing territory the best thing would be to have another piggy living alongside in a separate cage. That way he had the communication and interaction with another piggy but doesn’t have to share territory.

In terms of timescale, give him a few weeks to settle in and then look to it into the new year.

Bonding with a sow (following neutering) may be the best thing to try rather than with another boar.
The cage size needed for two boars is 180x60cm and with a sow is 150x60cm
Click to expand...
Thank you for your reply. I will take him to the vet today because as you say, it's important. I've also just contacted a rescue with regards to bonding opportunities so fingers crossed we could look at that in near future. I'm hoping to arrange our spare bedroom into a guinea pig room and hopefully get an enclosure big enough that I can separate two if needed. Thanks again ☺️
 
Thank you for rescuing him, I hope his health check goes well. He's a very handsome chap ❤️
 
Thanks you for rescuing this cute little fella. I hope that his health check goes well. You can start to look at options for a companion in the new year, once he has had time to settle into his new home. There are lots of helpful guides on this forum that will help you with making a decision.

T

Thread 'Companionship'

- Guinea pigs live in groups and herds
- Human third wheel
- Dominant pig
- Speaking pig
- Learning pig
- Myths on companionship
- Where to I best find a suitable companion?


When researching guinea pigs, one of the first thing many newbie owners of single pigs will come across is their need for companionship.


Guinea Pigs Live in Groups and Herds
The wild relations of our domestic piggies are herd animals who live in small groups of a boar paired with a few females. As prey animals they find safety in...
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Amberly81 said:
Hello. I adopted my little Theodore on Saturday. He was in very non ideal conditions such as living in a dark back bedroom in a high rise flat, in a cage which was collapsing. He very very rarely cleaned out and I also noted his water bottle was lying on its side, empty. The owner was selling him for a mere ten pounds on eBay and stated she never speaks or cuddles him and only really feeds him. He's been on his own for two years. He's never been outside either.

I have a vet appointment for him today but I have been giving him space to settle into his new home. So now I'm thinking it may be too soon for a health check yet? However, his nails are so overgrown and curled. Would he feel traumatised if I handled him then got his nails cut only 3 days of arrival? I'm worried he's in pain.

Secondly, he's been on his own for so long. Is it too late to introduce a buddy? And what would be the recommended time frame for introduction? I don't even think he's snipped so I'm worried that is something else traumatic he'd have to go through.

I've had guinea pigs all my life. But on this occasion, I'm struggling on knowing what to do for the best as never been in this situation before.

He's in a cage at the moment to settle him plus it was a last minute mission to get him. We do have plans to build a larger run in the spare room using ikea units etc. Our last guinea passed away age 7 last July so we had no resources and bought last minute.

Any other tips or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome

So great that you are taking on this poorly boy.

Firstly, just concentrate on his health. He may have social deficits and may also be an iffy eater when you try to shift him onto a better diet.
Wiebke

Thread 'New Guinea Pigs: How to Best Manage Arrival and Settling In'

Intro
1 What to do on arrival at home
- A welcome in piggy language
- Health check, sexing and weighing
- Quarantine or not if you have other guinea pigs?
2 Helping your guinea pigs to settle in
- Some practical tips for settling in new guinea pigs
- Avoiding predatory behaviours
- Skittish or ill?
- Group establishment and dominance
3 Handling and human...

sport_billy

Thread 'Comprehensive Owners' Practical and Supportive Information Collection'

Overview
1 Guinea pig species needs and human ownership
- Guinea pigs as a species and their social needs
- Family and classroom guinea pigs
- Naming considerations and finding out the breed
- Pet Owners Anxiety (helpful advice for sufferers and supporters)
2 Getting guinea pigs, sexing, common starter problems and customer rights
- Where to best get your piggies from, common new guinea pig health problems and your customer rights...
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My Dylan who came from a similar background had socially interactive issues. He also had issues with muscular deficits at the bum end and was unable to walk as far as a yard without his bum giving way at first.

He was neutered by the rescue I adopted from and after a failed start with a submissive baby boy (ended in a friendly divorce during teenage when Dylan increasingly insisted on abject submission from his quietly confident mate), Dylan found lasting happiness with a baby girl. Companionship is something you can look into later on. There is always the option for next door company as well.
 
You have given this handsome chap the best Christmas present he could wish for and that is the loving home he deserves! I hope the vet appt is a positive one. Keep us updated and more pics please (when he has settled in)
 
What a lucky boy he is to be rescued by you.
He’s certainly landed on his paws.
Hopefully the vet appointment goes well and as he settles in bonding him with another piggy will work out well.
 
Ah how lovely you rescued Theodore 🥰
He has landed on his paws with you
I hope the Vet visit went and his nails were trimmed
 
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