Depression after a difficult bonding?

[pawsup]

Hi Everyone,

I haven't posted for ages! Lots has been going on!

A few months ago I sadly lost Lacey to a heart condition
This left neutered boy Tango without a companion.
At first I wasn't sure whether to bond him as he and Lacey lead fairly separate lives but after a few weeks we went on holiday and he boarded with a volunteer from my local rescue. He was very excited to see other piggies and so we decided to find him a new girlfriend!

Last week I took him along to the rescue to attempt bonding with Molly, a very confident but friendly little girl.
At first it didn't go too well. There was lots of rumbling and teeth chattering and one fight which resulted in a few nicks.

After some time together however, they seemed to settle down and although it wasn't exactly love, I brought them home.
This was yesterday.

There has been no fighting and only minor rumbling and they have been coming together to eat hay and veg.

My worry is with Tango. He is a different piggy! He was always very shy and nervous but now I can stroke him in the cage and pick him up easily!
This would be lovely if it wasn't so out of character! He is very sleepy, floppy and lethargic too.

Is he just exhausted from the ordeal? Pleased to be home (he was away from home/me for a week for the bonding)? Or should I be concerned that something else is going on?

This is my first experience with newly bonded piggies so I would really appreciate some advise.

Thanks x

 

[TAN]

Oh gosh! I remember bonding Bumble to his 2 wifepigs from Tracy at Rugby - It was a really stressful experience for me - took about a week to be fully settled with Bumble absolutely knackered from all the humping and hip swaying ,chasing etc.I would say you are doing really well - bonding is a bit like losing your virginity or taking your 1st driving test - you can imagine it all you like, but you aint prepared for the real thing until it hits you!Am going to bond one of my lone boars to my 2 old lady pigs soon(he is the same age) and am dreading it - then will need to bond again when Tracy has another spayed female available for me.Sounds to me like you have a normal and happy pig. Good luck!

 

[Wiebke]

I would strongly suspect a health problem and would have him checked through by a good vet. Weigh him daily to monitor his food intake. I am very sorry for your problems on top of having lost Lacey.

The bonding behaviour sounds normal for a good cross gender "marriage".