Grieving Guinea Pig

Rwells98

Rwells98

New Born Pup
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Hello everyone,

I am new to this forum and have felt the need to join you as one of my guinea pigs sadly passed away suddenly a couple of days ago and his friend has taken it really hard. We followed all of the guidelines by letting Milky say goodbye to Monty's body, we have made sure that he still has two pieces of fabric that smell of Monty and we have been spending extra time with milky even though he is out at all times anyway.

Milky has not eaten since Monday morning. He has been seen by a vet to ensure that he is not unwell and he has been given a clean bill of health. We have now gotten our hands on some syringe food to try and jump start his appetite again as he will not drink or eat anything which is obviously concerning. He is just laying down, snuggling blankets or sitting on me. The best way to describe it is a Guinea Pig's version of depression!

If anyone else has experienced a grieving piggie to this extent, please do get in touch as any help/ guidance would be much appreciated!

Thank you,
Beckie :)
 
Hello and welcome

I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. Thinking of you all.

I am glad you have seen a vet for advice. Please do make sure you are syringe feeding adequately, the guides on here are amazing (give them a read) :
Illness, Emergencies, Vets & Home care Guides

You also need to be weighing him daily to make sure he is not losing weight.

What are your plans going forward? Are you planning on finding him a new friend?
 
I am so sorry for your loss.

It sadly sounds as if Milky has gone into acute pining. You have absolutely done the right thing by seeing a vet and stepping in with syringe feeding. As above, you will need to weigh him daily to ensure you are getting enough syringe feed into him. Weigh him at the same time each day.

It is important that you find Milky a new friend. I know it may feel far too early for you, but Milky is likely very desperate for companionship.

The guides below offer further advice

Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre
Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig
 
Rwells98 said:
Hello everyone,

I am new to this forum and have felt the need to join you as one of my guinea pigs sadly passed away suddenly a couple of days ago and his friend has taken it really hard. We followed all of the guidelines by letting Milky say goodbye to Monty's body, we have made sure that he still has two pieces of fabric that smell of Monty and we have been spending extra time with milky even though he is out at all times anyway.

Milky has not eaten since Monday morning. He has been seen by a vet to ensure that he is not unwell and he has been given a clean bill of health. We have now gotten our hands on some syringe food to try and jump start his appetite again as he will not drink or eat anything which is obviously concerning. He is just laying down, snuggling blankets or sitting on me. The best way to describe it is a Guinea Pig's version of depression!

If anyone else has experienced a grieving piggie to this extent, please do get in touch as any help/ guidance would be much appreciated!

Thank you,
Beckie :)
Click to expand...

Hi

I am very sorry. The problem is thankfully rare but is known as 'acute pining'.

Please step in with syringe feeding and watering support asap (mushed up pellets will do, as long as you cut off the tip of the syringe with a pair of scissors just before it widens to allow the rought pellet fibre to pass through but still hold the plunger in). Sometimes, this can restart the feeding reflex but your piggy will need your support until they eat again on their own.
Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment

You have already done step 2 - seeing a vet to exclude a medical issue. If nothing can be found, an emergency companion is often a life saver. Acceptance is generally very high as having company again often works to get your piggy going again. Speed is of essence rather than where you get a new piggy from; even more so in the current situation. Especially as you haven't got any good welfare standard guinea pig rescues within easy reach.
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig (See the chapter on 'acute pining')
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

All the best!
 
All I can add is support.
You have already been given great advice and it sounds as if Milky is in the best hands with you.
Hope you can find him a com soon.
 
Thank you everyone for your responses. We have been looking for a friend for milky even though we do not feel ready, we know that it is what we need to do for him. But, given the current situation it isn’t easy!
As well, I have seen varied opinions of what gender/age guinea pig to get to be his new mate. Any advice or recommendations on that? I just want what’s best for my little man :)
 
Rwells98 said:
Thank you everyone for your responses. We have been looking for a friend for milky even though we do not feel ready, we know that it is what we need to do for him. But, given the current situation it isn’t easy!
As well, I have seen varied opinions of what gender/age guinea pig to get to be his new mate. Any advice or recommendations on that? I just want what’s best for my little man :)
Click to expand...

If he is an unneutered boar, then your only option is to get him another friend quickly is to have another boar.
To undergo neutering is a long process requiring to still be kept single for six weeks post op to become infertile. He could be kept alongside a sow in separate cage during his wait as through the bar interaction still enables interaction but whether that would be enough for him given his acute pining state is not possible to know.

The vital component of a bond is character compatibility, age does not really feature in whether a bond will work, and unfortunately you have little way of knowing whether two piggies will be compatible until you try.
 
I can't give qualified advice, but the advice already given is the best! One of my boar piggies went through a bereavement last summer and it was heartbreaking to see him, but luckily we went to a good rescue for him to meet a new friend and he couldn't be happier. You have my sincere sympathies for your loss and all I can do is send you and milky love and hugs and wishes for happier times to come. RIP Monty x
 
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