Help with bonding/advice

[Pigmom95]

Hello all,
I’ve read the very helpful and informative post about bonding but I have a few things I’m still a little unsure of! I’m hoping somebody can help me.

My beloved piggie Scruff passed away in January, leaving behind her sister Ginger who is roughly 3.5 years (she was adopted). I’ve been on the hunt for a sow of similar age and I’ve hopefully found one.

My query is- I know you are supposed to quarantine them in case of illnesses etc, but the pig I may be getting at some point (covid etc), is from a breeder. (I wanted to adopt but tried ALL local rescues and could not find one). This pig is of similar age and is a retired piggie whose previously had 2 litters. Ginger is starting to get a little withdrawn and depressed due to being alone, so I wondered when I can eventually get this pig, what is more important-Quarantining them apart to make sure the new pig doesn’t have any illnesses etc, or putting them together because ginger is withdrawn and clearly struggling? As the pig is from a breeder I doubt it will have any illnesses, but of course you can never be sure.

Also, do I need to get all new toys for what will hopefully be their home pending them getting on. I read if things in the cage have gingers scent on, it could make things difficult for the bonding process..but of course I would rather not by everything new if possible as I have a lot of lovely toys in gingers cage and as you know they can be expensive! What do you all think?

Thanks so much in advance and hoping everyone is keeping well & safe xx

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m sorry for your loss.

Of course Ginger’s welfare is a huge consideration but it’s whether you think skipping quarantine is worth the risk when compared to how Ginger is doing.
All we can do is give you the facts to help you make a decision to whether you want to take the risk.

Quarantine should be done in situations where piggies do not come a reputable rescue centre.

If Ginger is stressed due to being alone, then her immune system will be lowered which will make the chances of her catching some higher, even if the new piggy doesn’t show symptoms of anything when you first bring her home.

There are two situations where you don’t need to quarantine

1 - when the piggy you are getting is under four months of age. Here, you simply have to take the risk of bringing something in and be prepared to treat all piggies in case of an illness. The social needs of youngsters comes first.
2 - when the piggy you are getting is from a rescue centre, as you can be guaranteed that they are healthy before being rehomed (they will already have been quarantined before being rehomed).

You cannot trust that a breeder piggy is healthy. There is always risk of bringing something in when getting piggies from breeders or pet shops. We see many posts where breeder or pet shop piggies come home and need treating for something within the first couple of weeks. Quarantine needs to be done in a separate room to any existing piggies.

Did you consider getting a neutered boar, or did you just ask rescues for sows?

In terms of the actual bonding, it is done in neutral territory with just a pile of hay (no hides). If successful, then the cage needs to be cleaned down so it too is neutral before moving them to the cage together. If Ginger still sees it at her territory it may cause problems.

As this will be an on spec bonding, you do need to have a plan B in mind in case they don’t get on. Age is not a consideration when bonding piggies, it’s all about character compatibility.

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Importance Of Quarantine

 

[Siikibam]

You say she’s a retired breeding sow but how sure can you be of that? Breeders sometimes want to ‘get rid of their no longer useful stock’. Just something to think about.

 

[Pigmom95]

You say she’s a retired breeding sow but how sure can you be of that? Breeders sometimes want to ‘get rid of their no longer useful stock’. Just something to think about.

Obviously I can’t be sure, I am just trusting the ladies word on that. Regardless I would give her a very loving home so if she does see her as ‘old stock’ I would rather me have her than her! I’ve looked at every local rescue possible as wanted to adopt of course, but no luck and I’ve got to put Gingers needs first in being lonely etc

 

[Pigmom95]

I’m sorry for your loss.

Of course Ginger’s welfare is a huge consideration but it’s whether you think skipping quarantine is worth the risk when compared to how Ginger is doing.
All we can do is give you the facts to help you make a decision to whether you want to take the risk.

Quarantine should be done in situations where piggies do not come a reputable rescue centre.

If Ginger is stressed due to being alone, then her immune system will be lowered which will make the chances of her catching some higher, even if the new piggy doesn’t show symptoms of anything when you first bring her home.

There are two situations where you don’t need to quarantine

1 - when the piggy you are getting is under four months of age. Here, you simply have to take the risk of bringing something in and be prepared to treat all piggies in case of an illness. The social needs of youngsters comes first.
2 - when the piggy you are getting is from a rescue centre, as you can be guaranteed that they are healthy before being rehomed (they will already have been quarantined before being rehomed).

You cannot trust that a breeder piggy is healthy. There is always risk of bringing something in when getting piggies from breeders or pet shops. We see many posts where breeder or pet shop piggies come home and need treating for something within the first couple of weeks. Quarantine needs to be done in a separate room to any existing piggies.

Did you consider getting a neutered boar, or did you just ask rescues for sows?

In terms of the actual bonding, it is done in neutral territory with just a pile of hay (no hides). If successful, then the cage needs to be cleaned down so it too is neutral before moving them to the cage together. If Ginger still sees it at her territory it may cause problems.

As this will be an on spec bonding, you do need to have a plan B in mind in case they don’t get on. Age is not a consideration when bonding piggies, it’s all about character compatibility.

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Importance Of Quarantine

Many thanks for your response! How long do you recommend keeping them separate for? Of course I think it is best to separate and quarantine, but I’m also a little worried about Ginger. I’ll see how she gets on over the next week or so.

I considered a neutered boar but there were also none available in the local rescue centres. I would try side by side cages if they were unable to be in together, but if they didn’t even tolerate that (I’ve heard some piggies refuse to even be neighbours), then the lady said she would happily have her piggie back

 

[Piggies&buns]

Many thanks for you’re response! How long do you recommend keeping them desperate for? Of course I think it is best to separate and quarantine, but I’m also a little worried about Ginger. I’ll see how she gets on over the next week or so.

I considered a neutered boar but there were also none available in the local rescue centres. I would try side by side cages if they were unable to be in together, but if they didn’t even tolerate that (I’ve heard some piggies refuse to even be neighbours), then the lady said she would happily have her piggie back

Quarantine needs to be for two weeks, but something like ringworm has a period of 10-14 days between infection and symptoms starting to show so you dont want to do anything less than two weeks. You'd also want a vet check done.

Piggies who cant live together are usually happy to be neighbours. It does of course happen that they cannot stand the sight of each other and cant live side by side but mostly neighbours is acceptable.

 

[Pigmom95]

Quarantine needs to be for two weeks, but something like ringworm has a period of 10-14 days between infection and symptoms starting to show so you dont want to do anything less than two weeks. You'd also want a vet check done.

Piggies who cant live together are usually happy to be neighbours. It does of course happen that they cannot stand the sight of each other and cant live side by side but mostly neighbours is acceptable.

Thanks very much for your helpful responses, I appreciate it

 

[Siikibam]

Well done on taking her on I hope the bonding goes well. We’d love to see photos once you’ve brought her home.