Passed away piggie/new companion advice needed

[Fluffycavie]

Sadly our beautiful girl Oreo passed away last night. She was only 1 3/4 years old and had enjoyed a happy life. Yesterday afternoon she started shaking and couldn’t move her back legs. We had her at the vet within 25 minutes. He couldn’t identify anything in particular but gave us some medicine and liquid food. Unfortunately despite our efforts to syringe feed her in the evening and during the night she deteriorated and passed away.
We have her sister Waffle who so far seems to be coping ok. She was always the more independant of the two but we really don’t want her to be on her own too long and need some advice. Should we try to rehome another piggie with us? We live in central Scotland, does anyone know of anyone looking to rehome a female or of any rescue centres in the area?
They are our first family pets and we are really not sure what to do now?
Thanks in advance for any help and advice.

 

[Wiebke]

Sadly our beautiful girl Oreo passed away last night. She was only 1 3/4 years old and had enjoyed a happy life. Yesterday afternoon she started shaking and couldn’t move her back legs. We had her at the vet within 25 minutes. He couldn’t identify anything in particular but gave us some medicine and liquid food. Unfortunately despite our efforts to syringe feed her in the evening and during the night she deteriorated and passed away.
We have her sister Waffle who so far seems to be coping ok. She was always the more independant of the two but we really don’t want her to be on her own too long and need some advice. Should we try to rehome another piggie with us? We live in central Scotland, does anyone know of anyone looking to rehome a female or of any rescue centres in the area?
They are our first family pets and we are really not sure what to do now?
Thanks in advance for any help and advice.

Hi!

I am ever so sorry for your loss. You have done everything you could and have not failed Oreo. It sounds like a major neurological issue, possibly in the brain and most like genetic. Just one of these cosmic bad luck issues.
As long as Waffle is eating and drinking, she will keep for a few weeks, so you have time to do your research and set things up.
Here is our information collection link for what you can do for bereaved companions as well as for yourself and your family as you are digesting the shock and are going through the grieving process: Death, Dying, Terminal Illness, Grieving and Bereaved Companions: Information and Support for Owners and Their Children

The safest place to find a companion of Waffle's choice is by contacting Ayr Guinea Pig Rescue which are currently the only good welfare standard dating rescue in Scotland.
This will mean that Waffle can say who she wants to be happy with, whether that is another sow or a neutered boar of any age. The key to any happy piggy bond is mutual liking and character compability; it is not something that you can predict. I have repeatedly come home from a dating trip to a rescue with a very different piggy to the one I would have chosen - but seeing how happy my dated piggy was, I always fell in love with their new companion anyway. It is well worth the extra effort to total peace of mind. You also don't have to worry about the usual pitfalls that await the unwary.
Rescue Locator
Rescues, Shops, Breeders or Online? - What to consider when getting guinea pigs (contains a chapter about rescue dating)
@Julie M

 

[Fluffycavie]

Thank you for your kind reply. We are all devastated. It just so unexpected and we are all now really worried about Waffle although she seems fine, eating and drinking and happy for interaction with us as normal. I think we will wait a few days then contact the rescue centre you suggested.

 

[Fluffycavie]

Hi!

I am ever so sorry for your loss. You have done everything you could and have not failed Oreo. It sounds like a major neurological issue, possibly in the brain and most like genetic. Just one of these cosmic bad luck issues.
As long as Waffle is eating and drinking, she will keep for a few weeks, so you have time to do your research and set things up.
Here is our information collection link for what you can do for bereaved companions as well as for yourself and your family as you are digesting the shock and are going through the grieving process: Death, Dying, Terminal Illness, Grieving and Bereaved Companions: Information and Support for Owners and Their Children

The safest place to find a companion of Waffle's choice is by contacting Ayr Guinea Pig Rescue which are currently the only good welfare standard dating rescue in Scotland.
This will mean that Waffle can say who she wants to be happy with, whether that is another sow or a neutered boar of any age. The key to any happy piggy bond is mutual liking and character compability; it is not something that you can predict. I have repeatedly come home from a dating trip to a rescue with a very different piggy to the one I would have chosen - but seeing how happy my dated piggy was, I always fell in love with their new companion anyway. It is well worth the extra effort to total peace of mind. You also don't have to worry about the usual pitfalls that await the unwary.
Rescue Locator
Rescues, Shops, Breeders or Online? - What to consider when getting guinea pigs (contains a chapter about rescue dating)
@Julie M

Thank you for your kind reply. We are all devastated. It just so unexpected and we are all now really worried about Waffle although she seems fine, eating and drinking and happy for interaction with us as normal. I think we will wait a few days then contact the rescue centre you suggested. Also how long does it take to realise if the bonding will work? We live a couple of hours from the rescue centre so would be a big trip out for Waffle.

 

[Bill & Ted]

So sorry you lost Oreo, it’s very hard when it’s least expected x
Sleep tight little one
Hope you can find a little friend for Waffle x

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for your kind reply. We are all devastated. It just so unexpected and we are all now really worried about Waffle although she seems fine, eating and drinking and happy for interaction with us as normal. I think we will wait a few days then contact the rescue centre you suggested. Also how long does it take to realise if the bonding will work? We live a couple of hours from the rescue centre so would be a big trip out for Waffle.

Hi!

Give yourself time to digest the shock and to grieve, and be kind to yourself during the worst of it. It is a process you cannot hurry on.

That is within an acceptable travelling range for dating, as far as I am concerned. I have been longer on two trains each way to day for a new 'husboar' (i.e. a neutered boar living with sows) with some crucial sows of a larger group; it was at the time one of my closest rescues, and still is.
I would however keep the whole day off as you want tre-introduce the piggies at home and give them time to settle in and travel with two separate carriers in case one of them panics during the journey home so there is no risk of a fight.
Here are our travelling tips: Travelling with guinea pigs

The forum member I have tagged into my last post has close connection to Ayr GPR and can tell you more about the bonding process at that particular rescue if they come on here at some point. There may be a waiting list due to the pandemic so I would contact them sooner rather than later. But they are not short of piggies looking for homes.

PS: I have adopted piggies from quite literally all over the UK over the years, from the Channel Islands, Kent, Devon, various places in Wales, the North East and the North West and even from a now defunct rescue in Gretna Green; although the majority have come from more local places. They have all survived the experience, including the 9 years old which I helped get from Jersey to Liverpool and the 7 weeks old that travelled on the train with me all the way from near Swansea.

 

[Julie M]

So sorry for your loss. If you pop the centre a message we will be able to help. We do have some girls in at the moment and there are some people waiting to rehome. 2 new girls arrived today so they will have to stay 10 weeks pregnancy watch as there were males on the property too. The e mails take longer to be responded to as its just the boss who has access to them. Facebook messenger is usually quicker if you have that as a lot of us volunteers have access to reply (myself included). Look forward to hearing from you soon.
*edit we have a pre adoption form on the website to complete too.

 

[Merab]

So sorry for your loss.
It’s such a shock when death is so sudden.
Be gentle with yourself as you grieve.
Holding you in my thoughts

 

[Freela]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Many gentle ((HUGS.)) We recently lost one of our piggies too... it's never easy. RIP Oreo.

 

[Fluffycavie]

So sorry you lost Oreo, it’s very hard when it’s least expected x
Sleep tight little one
Hope you can find a little friend for Waffle x

Hi!

Give yourself time to digest the shock and to grieve, and be kind to yourself during the worst of it. It is a process you cannot hurry on.

That is within an acceptable travelling range for dating, as far as I am concerned. I have been longer on two trains each way to day for a new 'husboar' (i.e. a neutered boar living with sows) with some crucial sows of a larger group; it was at the time one of my closest rescues, and still is.
I would however keep the whole day off as you want tre-introduce the piggies at home and give them time to settle in and travel with two separate carriers in case one of them panics during the journey home so there is no risk of a fight.
Here are our travelling tips: Travelling with guinea pigs

The forum member I have tagged into my last post has close connection to Ayr GPR and can tell you more about the bonding process at that particular rescue if they come on here at some point. There may be a waiting list due to the pandemic so I would contact them sooner rather than later. But they are not short of piggies looking for homes.

PS: I have adopted piggies from quite literally all over the UK over the years, from the Channel Islands, Kent, Devon, various places in Wales, the North East and the North West and even from a now defunct rescue in Gretna Green; although the majority have come from more local places. They have all survived the experience, including the 9 years old which I helped get from Jersey to Liverpool and the 7 weeks old that travelled on the train with me all the way from near Swansea.

Thank you once again for the help and advice. It’s so helpful to be able to speak to more experience owners. Waffle seems ok at the moment so hopefully we have some time to sort out a friend

 

[Fluffycavie]

So sorry for your loss. If you pop the centre a message we will be able to help. We do have some girls in at the moment and there are some people waiting to rehome. 2 new girls arrived today so they will have to stay 10 weeks pregnancy watch as there were males on the property too. The e mails take longer to be responded to as its just the boss who has access to them. Facebook messenger is usually quicker if you have that as a lot of us volunteers have access to reply (myself included). Look forward to hearing from you soon.
*edit we have a pre adoption form on the website to complete too.

Thank you for getting in touch. I will be in touch via messenger this week. Hopefully we can find Waffle a friend soon.