So finally got a date to probably get a new friend for Leela... a couple questions

Freela

Freela

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So after losing Hadley about two weeks ago, we are very likely going to be able to bring home a new friend for Leela next week. It has been a mess here because our province is just coming out of a really strict lockdown. But it's looking like early next week is likely to be 'new piggy' day.

We've done introductions several times before and I'm comfortable with that. We have always done a quarantine period with new pigs (no rescues in my area so they are pet store pigs and I don't necessarily trust them to be healthy, if that makes sense.... although so far they all have been fine.) However, I'm considering waiving that this time, as the new piggie is likely to be quite young (six weeks or slightly less), Leela has been on her own for awhile already, and we are going to be going to the cottage in July, which involves a car ride, so I would like new piggie to have as much time as possible to settle before having more disruptions. Any thoughts on this? I really don't want to end up with two sick pigs... but I also don't want to leave a wee baby alone and want to make the transition as stress-free as possible.
 
Freela said:
So after losing Hadley about two weeks ago, we are very likely going to be able to bring home a new friend for Leela next week. It has been a mess here because our province is just coming out of a really strict lockdown. But it's looking like early next week is likely to be 'new piggy' day.

We've done introductions several times before and I'm comfortable with that. We have always done a quarantine period with new pigs (no rescues in my area so they are pet store pigs and I don't necessarily trust them to be healthy, if that makes sense.... although so far they all have been fine.) However, I'm considering waiving that this time, as the new piggie is likely to be quite young (six weeks or slightly less), Leela has been on her own for awhile already, and we are going to be going to the cottage in July, which involves a car ride, so I would like new piggie to have as much time as possible to settle before having more disruptions. Any thoughts on this? I really don't want to end up with two sick pigs... but I also don't want to leave a wee baby alone and want to make the transition as stress-free as possible.
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Hi!

At this young age, babies are truly desperate to belong. If Leela is healthy, then she won't catch URI from your baby (it is an opportunistic illness that the immune system in healthy adults can deal with) but you will have to treat both for any ringworm or skin parasites.

New guinea pigs: Sexing, vet checks&customer rights, URI, ringworm and parasites

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics (See our advice in chapter 1, which deals with all sorts of questions including when to quarantine and how soon to introduce. The guide also has a chapter on baby intros but you can find videos and pictures all over the guide)

Journey through a Lifetime: The Ages of Guinea Pigs (Explains the reason why babies have to be treated differently)

All the best!
 
Wiebke said:
Hi!

At this young age, babies are truly desperate to belong. If Leela is healthy, then she won't catch URI from your baby (it is an opportunistic illness that the immune system in healthy adults can deal with) but you will have to treat both for any ringworm or skin parasites.

New guinea pigs: Sexing, vet checks&customer rights, URI, ringworm and parasites

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics (See our advice in chapter 1, which deals with all sorts of questions including when to quarantine and how soon to introduce. The guide also has a chapter on baby intros but you can find videos and pictures all over the guide)

Journey through a Lifetime: The Ages of Guinea Pigs (Explains the reason why babies have to be treated differently)

All the best!
Click to expand...
So, never have done introductions without a quarantine before... do I just bring her home and immediately let her meet Leela in a neutral area? Do I let her settle somewhere on her own first?
 
Let them meet as soon as she’s home. She’s too young to be given settling time etc. At that age, companionship comes before anything else. All the best and let us know how it goes! 🤞🏾
 
Good luck ! Hope it all goes well and Leela finds a new friend x
 
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