Bereaved - lost our piggie

[dangalf]

So today we lost our lovely Frankie. I'm feelng very sad about this and worried about what to do now, especially given the Covid-19 situation.
We have 1 remaining boar (Paddy) who is about 10 months old. I was unable to let him see Frankie's body as the vet rang me up to say Frankie passed tonight and is going to dispose of him. Paddy has been subdued today without Frankie and Frankie was obviously not well for the 24 hours or so preceding. He had taken himself to the sheltered bit of their hutch and barely moved. I think Paddy knew something was up and he seems like he misses his buddy.

I'm really not sure what to do now (or what we can do) in terms of getting a new boar to be a companion/friend for Paddy. We do not have somewhere I can put them if they do not get on. Given Paddy's age is he likely to reject a young boar? Also, I'm not even sure if I can get one from the pet store at the moment. If I can get one how can I get them to bond safely?

Or should I give Paddy up for sdoption? This would make us all very sad but perhaps is the right thing to do.

Help please!

 

[Piggies&buns]

i am so sorry for your loss.

Your priority now is ensuring paddy is kept as happy as possible and still keeps eating. Keep him occupied with some enrichment ideas. I’ll add some links in below.

In terms of a new friend, with the restrictions due to Covid 19, it won’t be possible for you to get him a new friend at present.

The key to success of any relationship is character compatibility. You cannot just buy a new piggy from a pet shop and put them together and expect them to get on. Doing it this way runs the risk that they simply won’t like each other, the bonding will fail and you’ve then got two single piggies. Sometimes it works out absolutely fine, but it is going to be a risk.
To ensure the characters are compatible, the safest and best way to find a piggy a new friend is with the help of a rescue centre. You only bring home a new piggy once paddy has chosen his own new friend. Rescue centres aren’t rehoming at present but you can still call them and get your name on a list for bonding once the restrictions are relaxed.
Going about getting him a new friend the right way is even more essential given his age. At 10 months he is a teenager and is right in the difficult time for bonding. it’s not impossible but it is where a rescue centre is the best place to go to for a new companion to ensure compatibility.

You do however have the option to have him neutered, have his six week wait and then find him a female friend.

Do take some time though, it’s not good to make decisions while grieving and your loss is so new.

Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

 

[Wiebke]

So today we lost our lovely Frankie. I'm feelng very sad about this and worried about what to do now, especially given the Covid-19 situation.
We have 1 remaining boar (Paddy) who is about 10 months old. I was unable to let him see Frankie's body as the vet rang me up to say Frankie passed tonight and is going to dispose of him. Paddy has been subdued today without Frankie and Frankie was obviously not well for the 24 hours or so preceding. He had taken himself to the sheltered bit of their hutch and barely moved. I think Paddy knew something was up and he seems like he misses his buddy.

I'm really not sure what to do now (or what we can do) in terms of getting a new boar to be a companion/friend for Paddy. We do not have somewhere I can put them if they do not get on. Given Paddy's age is he likely to reject a young boar? Also, I'm not even sure if I can get one from the pet store at the moment. If I can get one how can I get them to bond safely?

Or should I give Paddy up for sdoption? This would make us all very sad but perhaps is the right thing to do.

Help please!

Hi and welcome!

I am very sorry about your loss. We have got a Rainbow Bridge section where you are welcome to post a tribute with pictures if you feel that it would help you.
Here is our grieving guide, which also includes tips and resources for children: Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

Guinea pigs don't grieve any less than humans also generally shorter as the pressures of survival are much stronger and more immediate. As long as Paddy is still eating and drinking, he will hold for a few weeks if necessary until lockdown is hopefully eased or lifted again.
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

Your options depend largely on your local availabilities. As you are saying 'pet store' and not 'pet shop', I assume that you are US or Canada based? And if yes, handling of adoptions differs from rescue to rescue. What most but the most rural states ones can't do at the moment is boar dating; i.e. allowing your boar to meet rescue boars in order to find a personality match. A few good welfare standard US rescues have a spaying policy for sows, so pairing up would be much easier.

Which state/province are you in?

 

[dangalf]

Hi and welcome!

I am very sorry about your loss. We have got a Rainbow Bridge section where you are welcome to post a tribute with pictures if you feel that it would help you.
Here is our grieving guide, which also includes tips and resources for children: Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

Guinea pigs don't grieve any less than humans also generally shorter as the pressures of survival are much stronger and more immediate. As long as Paddy is still eating and drinking, he will hold for a few weeks if necessary until lockdown is hopefully eased or lifted again.
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

Your options depend largely on your local availabilities. As you are saying 'pet store' and not 'pet shop', I assume that you are US or Canada based? And if yes, handling of adoptions differs from rescue to rescue. What most but the most rural states ones can't do at the moment is boar dating; i.e. allowing your boar to meet rescue boars in order to find a personality match. A few good welfare standard US rescues have a spaying policy for sows, so pairing up would be much easier.

Which state/province are you in?

I'm actually in London, UK. We have a local pets at home store which I know is still open but I have no idea if they're still selling animals. I just worry that if the lockdown continues for 2 or 3 months then Paddy could end up really depressed.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I'm actually in London, UK. We have a local pets at home store which I know is still open but I have no idea if they're still selling animals. I just worry that if the lockdown continues for 2 or 3 months then Paddy could end up really depressed.

They should not be selling animals. Pet shops should only be selling essentials such as food and bedding, all animal sales should have been suspended.
As I said though, going out and buying another piggy without having any idea if they have compatible characters and with Paddy being a teenager is a risk.
It is incredibly difficult situation with the lockdowns. There simply is very little option available at present other than ensuring he is kept as happy as possible .

 

[Wiebke]

I'm actually in London, UK. We have a local pets at home store which I know is still open but I have no idea if they're still selling animals. I just worry that if the lockdown continues for 2 or 3 months then Paddy could end up really depressed.

Pet shops should only sell food but no pets or any other stuff in their shops in order to minimise browsing.

But the RSPCA has just been given permission by Defra today that adopting out is OK provided that there are safety measures in place. They were running out of space and money taking in more emergency cases all the time without any chance of rehoming.
Other guinea pig rescuea may follow suit in the coming days, so please don't panic. You need to give your remaining boy time to do his own grieving anyway. The ideal time to find a new friend for a not acutely pining piggy is about 1-4 weeks but if it takes a little longer it is no tragedy, either, if that means that you can find the perfect companion instead.

The RSPCA only does neutered boars and cross gender or sow bondings now, so they are not a bonding option for you.
But it may be worth enquiring with other private guinea pig rescues around London. The link below lists the rescues of good welfare standard and practice that we can recommend and where you and your boy are in safe and experienced hands; we can't vouch for any others as anybody can call themselves a rescue or breeder without licensing or supervision - and the results can be sadly accordingly. All the listed rescues in the London area have a mandatory quarantine and they offer bonding once lockdown conditions are eased.
Rescue Locator

PS: If you could add London to location in your account details (accessed by clicking on your username on the top bar), this would make it appear with every post you make and allow us to tailor any advice and recommendations straight away to what is relevant and available where you are with just a quick glance to the left. We have members and enquiries from all over the world. Thank you!

 

[Flutterby]

I'm so sorry for your loss xx