Help with bereavement

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Mercs

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Hello, long term lurker and user...but first time I have posted anything.

our Gino passed away this morning after a very quick deterioration. He wasn’t himself on Xmas eve and despite rushing him to our vet and running tests, he continued to lose weight to the point where he was unable to feed or move. Very sad for us as he was just 15 months old.

the problem we have is his cage mate. Although they weren’t birthday card close like you imagine...for example they didn’t huddle, sleep together and would often get jealous of the other one...however it’s clearly had an effect now he can see the other one isn’t there eg whimpering a lot, very moody etc.

the problem is we don’t know what to do now. We visited our pet centre and they suggested getting a new pair in another cage and try to introduce them as a trio. This isn’t the route we were looking to go down as now we have three pigs of two different ages, two cages etc etc and it’s still pretty raw for us...

next they suggested they may have a single boy adoption for next week...but again the two cage slow introduction approach. Apparently this may be better as both would have their own space but can communicate if in same room. This sounds unusual but is an option.

the other thing suggested is to keep him alone but ensure he’s given attention at all times (move to our main room, toys, plenty of cuddles etc). Again I don’t know if this is right.

my question is how have you guys handled this? I’ve heard it’s hard for boys to be introduced as they fight, however they are still young and I don’t want him to be lonely or on his own.All help greatly appreicated
 
I am sorry for your loss.

Three boys together is a definite no no. You can keep two boys together, but three or more together is a recipe for disaster.

You would need to bond him with a single boar, or have him neutered, then have his six week wait and bond him with a female. You can keep a new piggy in an adjoining but separate cage for a short while, while they get to know each other, before doing the formal bonding which will enable them to live together.

Being different ages is not a problem, and can, in some cases (such as when dealing with teens), be advisable. Age is a lot less of a factor than mutual liking and character compatibility.
The key to a successful bond is mutual liking and character compatibility. It’s not hard to bond boys, it is simply about finding the right piggy
If you just go out and get another piggy, then there is absolutely no guarantee that they will get on. The best way to find a new friend is to go to a rescue centre and enlist their help. They can help you find and bond with a character compatible friend. You will then only bring the new piggy home once your piggy has accepted him thereby creating a successful long term relationship.

Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
 
Piggies&buns said:
I am sorry for your loss.

Three boys together is a definite no no. You can keep two boys together, but three or more together is a recipe for disaster.

You would need to bond him with a single boar, or have him neutered, then have his six week wait and bond him with a female. You can keep a new piggy in an adjoining but separate cage for a short while, while they get to know each other, before doing the formal bonding which will enable them to live together.

Being different ages is not a problem, and can, in some cases (such as when dealing with teens), be advisable. Age is a lot less of a factor than mutual liking and character compatibility.
The key to a successful bond is mutual liking and character compatibility. It’s not hard to bond boys, it is simply about finding the right piggy
If you just go out and get another piggy, then there is absolutely no guarantee that they will get on. The best way to find a new friend is to go to a rescue centre and enlist their help. They can help you find and bond with a character compatible friend. You will then only bring the new piggy home once your piggy has accepted him thereby creating a successful long term relationship.

Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Click to expand...

Many thanks for this great response and already one option crossed off. Having a trio would be too much for us. We are a bit raw losing one...now we have three in two cages. I mean where does it end? We love our two but we didn’t want a never ending supply of them if that makes sense! if it’s also asking for trouble then I would rather not go down that route.

I’m interested in this idea of pairing for personality as I want him to be happy and not fighting or threatened. Neutering isn’t a problem (well for me at least!) but we asked about this before and we were advised it could be dangerous to the pig and so they don’t advise to do it.

finally is keeping him alone the ultimate no no. I don’t want him to be sick and go through this again. Very sad as we loved them so much
 
Mercs said:
Many thanks for this great response and already one option crossed off. Having a trio would be too much for us. We are a bit raw losing one...now we have three in two cages. I mean where does it end? We love our two but we didn’t want a never ending supply of them if that makes sense! if it’s also asking for trouble then I would rather not go down that route.

I’m interested in this idea of pairing for personality as I want him to be happy and not fighting or threatened. Neutering isn’t a problem (well for me at least!) but we asked about this before and we were advised it could be dangerous to the pig and so they don’t advise to do it.

finally is keeping him alone the ultimate no no. I don’t want him to be sick and go through this again. Very sad as we loved them so much
Click to expand...

i am incredibly surprised you have received information that neutering is dangerous. It’s about having a competent vet. No surgery would ever be completely risk free but neutering is very common and not a dangerous operation compared to others, particularly for a young healthy piggy. If you can find a character compatible boar to bond him with then that obviously removes the need to neuter, but a Male/female bond is often the most stable Bond but it still relies on character compatibility.

Keeping him alone for the rest of his life would be unfair. They are highly social creatures and need to be kept with a friend for long term happiness.

Can I clarify, is this boar (the one we are discussing) your only piggy now, or do you have others already with you?
 
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Piggies&buns said:
i am incredibly surprised you have received information that neutering is dangerous. It’s about having a competent vet. No surgery would ever be completely risk free but neutering is very common and not a dangerous operation compared to others, particularly for a young healthy piggy. If you can find a character compatible boar to bond him with then that obviously removes the need to neuter, but a Male/female bond is often the most stable Bond but it still relies on character compatibility.

Keeping him alone for the rest of his life would be unfair. They are highly social creatures and need to be kept with a friend for long term happiness.

Can I clarify, is this boar (the one we are discussing) your only piggy now, or do you have others already with you?
Click to expand...

he is on his own now. If he was 6 or 7 then I wouldn’t be too concerned but he’s not even 18 months old so it’s too long.

the other thing I was told is a rescue piggy who has been through this (one available next week) is a good match as when you are doing the two cage slow approach, if it doesn’t work then you can still have both of them in parallel cages separate but able to communicate and sense one another. This may be something we can do and hopefully they bond
 
Piggies&buns said:
i am incredibly surprised you have received information that neutering is dangerous. It’s about having a competent vet. No surgery would ever be completely risk free but neutering is very common and not a dangerous operation compared to others, particularly for a young healthy piggy. If you can find a character compatible boar to bond him with then that obviously removes the need to neuter, but a Male/female bond is often the most stable Bond but it still relies on character compatibility.

Keeping him alone for the rest of his life would be unfair. They are highly social creatures and need to be kept with a friend for long term happiness.

Can I clarify, is this boar (the one we are discussing) your only piggy now, or do you have others already with you?
Click to expand...

adding the neutering and female approach may be something we can support. Is it the same approach with introducing and are there other factors (alongside personality) to be aware of?
 
Yes, he is too young to contemplate keeping him alone.

Interaction is about more than just physical contact, so in the respect that if a bonding fails, then keeping them in separate but adjoining cages is an ok solution - they can still smell, see and talk to each other. Obviously actually having a successful bonding and living in the same cage would be better.

If you do a slow bond, keeping them in separate cages but next to each other for a couple of days before doing the bonding, then that is fine, but once you do the actual bonding in a neutral area and they physically meet, they must stay together from then on. Don’t have them meet in a neutral area and then put them into separate cages and then have them physically meet again the next day etc. That is stressful for them and interrupts the bonding process.
 
Mercs said:
adding the neutering and female approach may be something we can support. Is it the same approach with introducing and are there other factors (alongside personality) to be aware of?
Click to expand...

The process of bonding is exactly the same- neutral area etc
The sow needs to accept the boar, so in terms of character etc, you still need to find the right piggy

If you were to decide to neuter, then he must remain single and not put with a female for six weeks after his operation. Any piggy less than six weeks neuter can still get a female pregnant
 
Piggies&buns said:
The process of bonding is exactly the same- neutral area etc
The sow needs to accept the boar, so in terms of character etc, you still need to find the right piggy

If you were to decide to neuter, then he must remain single and not put with a female for six weeks after his operation. Any piggy less than six weeks neuter can still get a female pregnant
Click to expand...

thank you. I think this will be our approach. I am going to see if we can get him neutered and then try to introduce him with a new partner. maybe neutering will make him calmer too.

my worry is six weeks is a long time. Will he be ok on his own in this period?
 
Neutering will not change his behaviour at all, so don’t rely on that.
Six weeks is a long time to wait but it’s not forever and it would be worth it if he can find a suitable wife.
 
Piggies&buns said:
Neutering will not change his behaviour at all, so don’t rely on that.
Six weeks is a long time to wait but it’s not forever and it would be worth it if he can find a suitable wife.
Click to expand...

another myth busted! I’m pleased I asked now. He’s eating and we are giving plenty of attention, so I guess you are right.

the other thing I want to confirm. When you have both pigs, they are in different cages so they can sense, smell, hear etc. You introduce in neutral areas, but how do you then introduce in the same cage? Surely that’s his territory you are placing the new one in? It’s the one bit I don’t “get” at the minute
 
Mercs said:
another myth busted! I’m pleased I asked now. He’s eating and we are giving plenty of attention, so I guess you are right.

the other thing I want to confirm. When you have both pigs, they are in different cages so they can sense, smell, hear etc. You introduce in neutral areas, but how do you then introduce in the same cage? Surely that’s his territory you are placing the new one in? It’s the one bit I don’t “get” at the minute
Click to expand...

You need to clean the cage down thoroughly to remove all scents of the existing piggy, rearrange furniture etc do whatever you can to neutralise the cage.
Dominance behaviours will continue for a couple of weeks after introduction but hopefully if the bonding is a success, then things settle down.
 
Piggies&buns said:
You need to clean the cage down thoroughly to remove all scents of the existing piggy, rearrange furniture etc do whatever you can to neutralise the cage.
Dominance behaviours will continue for a couple of weeks after introduction but hopefully if the bonding is a success, then things settle down.
Click to expand...

thank you! I will keep you guys posted on how things go. A pretty awful day for us and very sad, but also very aware that we have Louis left on his own and we need to change that for him
 
So sorry for your loss.
Good for you thinking about your surviving boy’s needs.
A guinea pig will cope for a short while alone. When Merab was 3 she lost her cage mate and it was about a month before I could find her suitable compan.

If you decide to go down the road of neutering and finding a sow - or 2 - they can live side by side until he’s safe. That has the added advantage of them getting to know each other before bonding.

Don’t forget to look after yourself as you grieve
 
I didn’t update you guys. We adopted a perfect little pig called tango and they are bonded perfectly. We miss Gino, but with the help of PinnyGiggs in Peterborough we managed to find the perfect match for him
 
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