Local Pet Shop Blues

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neiltay2002

neiltay2002

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Hi. I've got two boars that get on very well, unfortunately one of them has become quite ill over the past weekend. After taking him to the vets and having a bit of treatment he's perked up a lot, but he's still quite poorly. Other than the upset for myself over potentially losing Patch, I was also very concerned what his piggie friend would do without him if the worst did happen. Just in case the worst happened I called my local petshop to ask for advice, in their opinion they would not let 2 boars live together under any circumstances! Seemed a bit shocking to as mine have lived together for nearly a year now and adore each other. The shop staff said that they only sell boars singly or in groups of 3 or more as if there are just two one might bully the other. I hope that I won't need to use this advice for a long, long time yet, but what are your opinions on what the pet shop said, and what I should do should it come to the worst for little patch?
 
Well what the pet shop said is bull! 2 males living together is just fine, I have 2 cages with 2 boys in each and they get on really well as yours have for the last year and 2 of mine have been together for 3 years! 3 or more boars caged together could cause alot more problems with fighting. If the worst should happen (which I truly hope doesn't) you have two choices 1) have your remaining boy neutered and find him a wife or 2) introduce a young baby boy to him. This is my opinion of course and I'm sure you will get some more help from other members. Please keep us informed about your little Patch and how he is doing.
 
What odd advice from the pet shop! Trios are very likely to result in a bullying situation!

If you one day (fingers crossed it will be a long time until then!) find yourself with a lone boar, contact a rescue and ask if they have any baby piggies or friendly older boars that could be bonded with yours!
 
Thanks for advice. The pet shop must have had an experience related to them at some point and stuck to what they believe is correct. They're nice people there, so just mis-informed probably. Just checked on Patch, he's improved so much. It's only his back legs now that're troubling him. He's having to drag himself around and it's so heartbreaking. On Sunday when i took him to the vets he was struggling to breathe and having little spasms. He could barely hold his head up. As I say though, it's just his legs now. He's started eating well again after a few days of picking at his food, so hopefully he's well on the road to recovery.
 
Hi! Welcome to the forum!

If you end up with a bereft single piggy of any age, the best thing to do is contacting a reputable guinea pig rescue in your area where you can take your boy for some boar dating. Often, adult boars do well with a young baby boar. In a rescue you will not only get a guaranteed healthy and properly sexed boar, but you can try them out together under expert supervision to see whether they are compatible.

If your boar is not too old and you have access to a good vet (if necessary ask the rescue who they use), neutering is another option to be considered, so your remaining boar could live with a sow or two and would be a very happy boar indeed!

The rescue in your area I can warmly recommend is honeybunnies. You will also get support during the settling in phase:
http://www.rabbitrehome.org.uk/rescue.asp?Rescue=461

Best of luck for Patches. I hope that he gets better again!
 
I enquired in our local petshop about Rabbits recently and said I would like to get two males and they said absolutely not they WON'T sell two males together. I know for sure that it is possible for two males to live together, I guess it is one of those urban myths that people believe and pass on with out actually knowing for sure.
 
Before we had piggies I had 2 male buns and looked after my sister's old boy, they all lived happily together although my 2 were neutered so I dont know wether that made a difference
 
i hope patches gets better and if you are left with only one piggy then i double what the rest has said. i bless patches the hope of getting better!
 
I have 2 boys and they hate each other! Ive heard of a few boar pairs falling out. I mean my 2 wont even go near each other gues they just fell out but you will know if they dont get on trust me ! I dont think its a reason to not sell 2 boys together cause some girl pairs fall out also x
 
Sadly Patch was put to sleep this morning. He was eating well and seemed to be on the road to recovery. Alas, the vet didn't agree and that was that. Very sad, my first lost piggie. Thanks for the advice and concern showed for Patch when he first became ill.
 
If it is the shop I am thinking it is (going on your area and assuming it isn't Pets at Home), I live near to their other branch which is where I got my first pair from. At this branch they don't appear to be knowledgable about piggies at all. Mine were a mismatched pair and I've heard of other local people who ended up with mismatched piggies.

If I were you, I would contact Honeybunnies. I'm sure that Jill will be able to help even if it is just to offer advice. On their FB page (I posted the link in your other thread) they have an 18mth old boar available. Although it is usually the advice to bond with a younger boar, I'm sure I've read threads about older ones being bonded. If she doesn't have any suitable piggies, she may know of someone else to help.

Sorry for the loss of your piggy x
 
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