GVD, and what to do next w/ the survivor of the pair

[4boipigs]

Woke up to one of my boars puffed up, not wanting to eat, drooling excessively and sneezing. Took him to our exotics vet, did xrays, and determined he had GVD. He was perfectly fine last night...doctor says he had a lot of fluid in his abdomen, ileus, and was essentially coughing back up the fluid and his nasal cavity was filled fluid. Xrays showed a very bloated tummy. Discussed surgery, but high rate of death. We decided to euthanize. I feel terrible. It came on so sudden. Doctor discussed that it's rare to see since most pigs die from it before they ever get care. We booked an emergency appt a couple hours after I woke up. Has anyone ever experienced GVD?

I'm also unsure what to do next because the remaining boar is going thru puberty. He is about 5 to 6 months old. I don't want him to be alone, but I'm unsure what age partner to get. I don't want any puberty mayhem. I thought about neutering and getting a female, but I have 2 other boars who live in a different cage and I've read adding a female where there is all males can cause trouble.

 

[Wiebke]

Woke up to one of my boars puffed up, not wanting to eat, drooling excessively and sneezing. Took him to our exotics vet, did xrays, and determined he had GVD. He was perfectly fine last night...doctor says he had a lot of fluid in his abdomen, ileus, and was essentially coughing back up the fluid and his nasal cavity was filled fluid. Xrays showed a very bloated tummy. Discussed surgery, but high rate of death. We decided to euthanize. I feel terrible. It came on so sudden. Doctor discussed that it's rare to see since most pigs die from it before they ever get care. We booked an emergency appt a couple hours after I woke up. Has anyone ever experienced GVD?

I'm also unsure what to do next because the remaining boar is going thru puberty. He is about 5 to 6 months old. I don't want him to be alone, but I'm unsure what age partner to get. I don't want any puberty mayhem. I thought about neutering and getting a female, but I have 2 other boars who live in a different cage and I've read adding a female where there is all males can cause trouble.

Hi and welcome

BIG HUGS

We do not use the expression GDV but serious bloat; it happens out of the blue and can kill very quickly.
However, with all the fluid backing up, the symptoms do point more towards a blockage or a twisted gut; i.e. saliva (which is constantly produced) can no longer pass through the gut.
If it is any consolation, you have made absolutely the right decision and have spared your boy some hours of total agony before he would have passed away naturally.

This guide here may help you to make sense of it: Digestive Disorders: Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement) And Not Eating

If you have never experienced it before, it is a very terrifying experience because you cannot prevent it and cannot brace for it. It is not because YOU have done anything wrong; just what I call 'cosmic bad luck' - winning the short straw in the luck lottery.

Please be kind with yourself in the coming days; it will take a little while for you ti digest the shock and to go through the grieving process.

This link here contains a practical guide for what you can do for a bereaved companion immediately and in the longer term and a grieving guide for yourself to understand your need to make sense, your strong and very variable feelings and the blues that come when the adrenaline is running out. The guide also contains tips on what you can do for yourself and where to look for pet bereavement support. Please take the time to read the information. You will hopefully find it very helpful to put your experiences in the coming days and weeks into perspective as you go through them.
Here it is: Death, Dying, Terminal Illness; Human Grieving and Bereaved Companions: Information and Support for Owners and Their Children

 

[Merab]

Holding you in my heart

 

[VickiA]

I’m so sorry for your sudden loss x

 

[weepweeps]

I’m sorry you lost your gorgeous piggy. You made the extremely hard but right decision to help him over the bridge. Take care.

 

[4boipigs]

This link here contains a practical guide for what you can do for a bereaved companion immediately and in the longer term and a grieving guide for yourself to understand your need to make sense, your strong and very variable feelings and the blues that come when the adrenaline is running out. The guide also contains tips on what you can do for yourself and where to look for pet bereavement support. Please take the time to read the information. You will hopefully find it very helpful to put your experiences in the coming days and weeks into perspective as you go through them.
Here it is: Death, Dying, Terminal Illness; Human Grieving and Bereaved Companions: Information and Support for Owners and Their Children

Unfortunately I'm no stranger to bereaved boars, but the survivor is my first teenager. I got him in Oct 2021. He didn't go to the vet with us, so he has no idea his partner is dead. In the past, the pig either died overnight or I brought the body back so they know the partner is dead. My baby has been hiding the whole day and his behavior is subdued and quiet now that his partner is gone. He is scared and only eats the food I put in front of the hide. I'm going to get him a new friend asap, I'm just worried I will pick the wrong age group.

Currently at the shelters there are 1 year old, a 2 year old, and a month old baby. There are also 6 month old pigs, but I'm not sure another teen is the best idea. Should I look at a baby or someone older?

 

[Siikibam]

I’m so sorry you lost your boy. But the decision you made was the right one for him.

If the rescue m is willing, I’d take him so they can see who he gets on with. Compatibility comes before age. You could get a young on who he doesn’t get on with. But the same could happen with an older boar. You can’t know till you try.

Does the other pair currently live on a cage the same level as your teenager? Is it possible to stack the cages and have him downstairs with a lady friend and the boar pair upstairs?

Good luck and I’m sure you will find the best solution for everyone.

 

[Wiebke]

Unfortunately I'm no stranger to bereaved boars, but the survivor is my first teenager. I got him in Oct 2021. He didn't go to the vet with us, so he has no idea his partner is dead. In the past, the pig either died overnight or I brought the body back so they know the partner is dead. My baby has been hiding the whole day and his behavior is subdued and quiet now that his partner is gone. He is scared and only eats the food I put in front of the hide. I'm going to get him a new friend asap, I'm just worried I will pick the wrong age group.

Currently at the shelters there are 1 year old, a 2 year old, and a month old baby. There are also 6 month old pigs, but I'm not sure another teen is the best idea. Should I look at a baby or someone older?

If he has been together with his companion when he started to be very ill, then he'll know that he has lost his friend. Don't underestimate piggies. Ill guinea pigs remove themselves from the company of others (it is instinctive behaviour in quite a number of social species that minimises the risk of transmission). Any companions will usually take leave at this stage, whether the piggy goes into inner exile or is not able/fit to remove themselves in a cage situation. But not every piggy is able to deal with being on their own equally well.

Key to any piggy bond is personality compatibility and mutual liking before age and gender. If your boy is a submissive piggy, then a full adult is an option; otherwise the baby would be better but that comes with the risk that you'll only find out how they really vibe when the baby reaches their own teenage.
Ideal would be if your boy could meet the oldest boar first at the shelter to see how they vibe with the baby in reserve.

Make sure that your boy still has something that smells of his friend to snuggle up with in the meantime. As long as he is eating and drinking, please allow him to do his own mourning; he is pining but not acutely (which is actually much rarer than most people seem to think). Guinea pigs don't grieve any less deeply than us but the urge to survive kicks in more strongly so they will usually pick up after a few days. That is when they are ready and open for new company. It is hard for a grieving and upset owner to bear the pain of another being but please don't knee-jerk.