Hey everyone. Today, I had just come home to see something sad happen to my piggy. I quickly rushed him to the vet, but sadly, the condition seems to have no positive outcome. I’ve made the choice to put my piggy down. I am overwhelmed right now, and all I can think about is my other piggy. I know they can’t be alone, but buying another piggy so quickly is something I don’t feel comfortable doing. I really don’t know what to do
I had to make the choice to put my piggy down
- Thread starter gdiaz982
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Turns out it was the result of a fight. Now knowing that my current piggy may have hurt him, I’m not too sure what to do. Obviously I don’t want to give him up, but I’m scared that if I get another, they might end up the same. I’ve heard of piggy matching, with personalities and such, but idk where to start. I’m really lost
HUGE HUGS
I am so, so very sorry. Fatal injuries in guinea pigs are actually extremely rare and not intended. It is usually the result of a split second defence bite accidentally hitting a vital spot. And it always comes as such a gut punching shock.
Please take a deep breath and look after yourself. Fights between hormonal boars or stressed out piggies during bonding can unfortunately blow up very quickly in a matter of minutes if the wrong signals are exchanged or a piggy feels trapped with an aggressive push/defence bite the only way out. It was just really, really bad luck and it doesn't make you a bad owner.
Your remaining boy will be very shaken as well. Please leave him be (apart from the usual care of course) and don't push him now so he can settle down himself over the coming days.
As long as he is eating and drinking, he will hold for up to a month or even longer if you would consider neutering him in order to live with a sow or rather have a divided territory with next door companionship arrangement in the longer term, which is the more common solution for fallen or bereaved boars with bonding issues. There are safe ways forward.
Please don't be tempted to do a knee jerk reaction now. It will only make things worse. And please do not blame the remaining boy. It is quite simply an accident that has gone terribly wrong.
Give yourself time to digest it all and to grieve. That is going to take its own time. It is one of these curve ball things that happen out of the blue and that you can never anticipate or prevent. But it is not your fault, either. There is enough time for it all without you having to make any decisions right now.
fluffysal
Forum Donator 2024/25
I'm sorry you lost your boy in these circumstances, what a shock. Give yourself time before making any decisions 
I really appreciate all the love and support, it means the world to me. I’m wondering whether or not to keep him single. I know piggies are better kept in pairs or in groups, however considering he was pretty aggressive towards my other piggy, having just him seems the safest. Again, I’m a new owner and new to guinea pigs, so idk if that’s a remotely good idea.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
That must have been a huge shock.
Being totally alone without any piggy interaction at all is never a good idea.
As wiebke has mentioned you have two options:
1. Neuter him, and after the six week wait to become infertile, find him a sow to live with.
2. Get another boar and keep them as side by side if he won’t share territory again. Keeping side by side allows companionship and crucial interaction without having to share territory.
You have time to make a decision though so please don’t feel you have to do anything right now
That must have been a huge shock.
Being totally alone without any piggy interaction at all is never a good idea.
As wiebke has mentioned you have two options:
1. Neuter him, and after the six week wait to become infertile, find him a sow to live with.
2. Get another boar and keep them as side by side if he won’t share territory again. Keeping side by side allows companionship and crucial interaction without having to share territory.
You have time to make a decision though so please don’t feel you have to do anything right now
Thank you a lot. I’m a bit iffy on neutering, considering finances and since he’s such a small animal, I’m a little worried. However I think it might be the best considering I’d still like for him to interact with other piggies. I think it’ll help with his aggression as well, and I know doing it while they’re younger is best.
Merab
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So very sorry for what has happened and the difficult situation you are in.
I’ve had boars neutered with no problems and they lived very happily with my sows.
You will know, in your heart, what is the right decision for you because you will make it out of love.
Hugs
I’ve had boars neutered with no problems and they lived very happily with my sows.
You will know, in your heart, what is the right decision for you because you will make it out of love.
Hugs
Update: I wanted to wait for a new piggy, but I guess my dad didn’t have the heart to see me sad, so he got me a new one. It’s a bit bittersweet, he’s adorable but I still miss my past piggy so much, the cage is separated, as I don’t want anything to happen to either piggy. It feels a bit like I’m starting over again.