Heather Gail
Junior Guinea Pig
Hi
I'm new so I'll fill you in on my piggie story.
Just over 3 years ago I got my first guinea pigs, 2 little boys called fluff and scruff. They were about 8 weeks old when I got them and happily bonded. We've enjoyed 3 fun years together but sadly 2 months ago fluff became sick. I took him to the emergency vets on a sunday but sadly he had a nasty chest infection and the vet struggled to find his heart beat.
I was advised the kindest thing would be to put him to sleep. Safe to say I was devastated though the vet was very kind, reassuring me that it was the kindest thing and giving me time to say goodbye.
I spent the next few weeks watching scruff like a hawk, paranoid something might happen to him while debating if I should get him a new friend.
Vigilance paid off as I spotted it as soon as scruff stopped eating 3 weeks later. He was taken to the vets and found his back teeth were touching preventing him from swallowing. While under anesthetic the vets became concerned his tongue wouldn't twitch when touched. I was told it was possible he had a neurological problem which was causing him problems eating given his diet and healthy appetite should've meant his teeth would've been well worn down.
After a few days syringe feeding he started eating on his own but it was soon clear he was not eating enough to sustain himself and loosing weight. Discussions with the vet concluded with there was nothing that could be done if scruff didn't want to eat enough as constant syringe feeding was just causing him more distress ( he hated it). I had to accept he wouldn't be with me much longer.
Scruff died very peacefully in his sleep 2 weeks ago and is buried beside fluff under their favourite apple tree, they used to squeak like crazy until I gave them the peelings.
Despite missing my boys terribly I am looking to the future and considering getting another pair of guinea pigs in a few weeks after I have been on holiday ( my mum is very upset the boys won't be visiting her any more when I go away).
Obviously I have the cage, play pen, tunnels and toys from my time with the boys but what do I need to do, if anything, to use them with new piggies? Also is it ok to reuse these items or should I get some new items/replacements?
Also if anyone has been through the same thing am I better off getting babies or should I go for 2 adults?
All advice welcome
I'm new so I'll fill you in on my piggie story.
Just over 3 years ago I got my first guinea pigs, 2 little boys called fluff and scruff. They were about 8 weeks old when I got them and happily bonded. We've enjoyed 3 fun years together but sadly 2 months ago fluff became sick. I took him to the emergency vets on a sunday but sadly he had a nasty chest infection and the vet struggled to find his heart beat.
I was advised the kindest thing would be to put him to sleep. Safe to say I was devastated though the vet was very kind, reassuring me that it was the kindest thing and giving me time to say goodbye.
I spent the next few weeks watching scruff like a hawk, paranoid something might happen to him while debating if I should get him a new friend.
Vigilance paid off as I spotted it as soon as scruff stopped eating 3 weeks later. He was taken to the vets and found his back teeth were touching preventing him from swallowing. While under anesthetic the vets became concerned his tongue wouldn't twitch when touched. I was told it was possible he had a neurological problem which was causing him problems eating given his diet and healthy appetite should've meant his teeth would've been well worn down.
After a few days syringe feeding he started eating on his own but it was soon clear he was not eating enough to sustain himself and loosing weight. Discussions with the vet concluded with there was nothing that could be done if scruff didn't want to eat enough as constant syringe feeding was just causing him more distress ( he hated it). I had to accept he wouldn't be with me much longer.
Scruff died very peacefully in his sleep 2 weeks ago and is buried beside fluff under their favourite apple tree, they used to squeak like crazy until I gave them the peelings.
Despite missing my boys terribly I am looking to the future and considering getting another pair of guinea pigs in a few weeks after I have been on holiday ( my mum is very upset the boys won't be visiting her any more when I go away).
Obviously I have the cage, play pen, tunnels and toys from my time with the boys but what do I need to do, if anything, to use them with new piggies? Also is it ok to reuse these items or should I get some new items/replacements?
Also if anyone has been through the same thing am I better off getting babies or should I go for 2 adults?
All advice welcome
to the forum. I'm so sorry to hear you have lost some guinea pigs recently.