A New Member Of The Family

[ZeepeX]

Mikey's father and cage buddy died a while back, and a few days ago I finally got my hands on a new friend for my poor piggy. Her name is Maybel and she's (hopefully) 4 weeks old. (I forgot to ask the breeder when she was born. I'll just have to trust her on this, so she better take this seriously)

The breeder I bought her from seemed like a good breeder and she seemed to know a lot about guinea pigs. It was a festival and she had brought her two pigs and their 7 babies so children could look at them. She also tried to sell them to good new homes. I quickly decided that I wanted to bring one home to my depressed and bored Pig at home. Maybel was used to be picked up, and when i left I held her in my arms on the way home. When i got home i held her as my sister put up our ekstra cage (Mikey was at my apartment, and I was visiting my parents that weekend, they would meet later)
I fed her dandelion leafs and she happily ate them right out of my hands. The kept walking around on me the whole time and she seemed adventurous. When the cage was set up, i put her in.. And she didn't move, she stopped making the happy purring sounds and talking sounds and just sat there. in the middle of the cage. She had earlier been all over the place and chatting with me like we where old buddies but as soon as I put her in the cage she just froze. This kept on for 24 hours. I tried to put dandelion leaves for her to eat, but she didn't move. I was worried about her not drinking. I tried to take her out worried that something was wrong with her, and then she went back to normal.

She seemed to hate the cage and love being around me. At night I had to leave her alone, i sat her in the corner, near the hay with dandelions (that was the only thing i had seen her eat) close by. Then I covered her cage with a blanket and went to bed. In the morning she was still in the corner.. Since this wasn't the cage she would have to get used to i decided to try bonding with her. She didn't seem scared of me at all and used to people so i kept her on my lap mostly of the day before i packed my stuff and went back to my place. There i cleaned up Mikey's cage and let them meet. This time she moves around in the cage and even eats food and hay. but she still seems to enjoy my lap the best? Is this a normal thing for such young pigs? Shoulden't she be scared of me and hide in a tunnel?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome

First question - is Mikey neutered? Please DO NOT put a boar and sow together if not at least one of them is neutered!

Mabel is feeling very much out of her comfort zone right now, having just lost her family and her home. Please do not interrupt any introductions and let the two get on with settling together; they will never bond properly if you do not let them get on with it, as hard as it is for you.
As they have already met, recommending a quarantine as we usually do for guinea pigs that have not undergone one at a rescue is rather moot in this case.

You can find lots of tips and information on guinea pig behaviour and how to introduce guinea pigs in these links. Please take the time to read carefully through them, so you can help Mabel and Mikey to settle in well and help Mabel come out of her shell in due time.
How Do I Settle Shy New Guinea Pigs?
How To Understand Guinea Pig Instincts And Speak Piggy Body Language
Introducing And Re-introducing Guinea Pigs
Illustrated Bonding Behaviours And Dynamics

 

[ZeepeX]

Hi and welcome

First question - is Mikey neutered? Please DO NOT put a boar and sow together if not at least one of them is neutered!

Mabel is feeling very much out of her comfort zone right now, having just lost her family and her home. Please do not interrupt any introductions and let the two get on with settling together; they will never bond properly if you do not let them get on with it, as hard as it is for you.
As they have already met, recommending a quarantine as we usually do for guinea pigs that have not undergone one at a rescue is rather moot in this case.

You can find lots of tips and information on guinea pig behaviour and how to introduce guinea pigs in these links. Please take the time to read carefully through them, so you can help Mabel and Mikey to settle in well and help Mabel come out of her shell in due time.
How Do I Settle Shy New Guinea Pigs?
How To Understand Guinea Pig Instincts And Speak Piggy Body Language
Introducing And Re-introducing Guinea Pigs
Illustrated Bonding Behaviours And Dynamics

No, he's not. My plan was to get another Boar, but she only had sows left, But when I talked to the breeder about it shesaid that a sow and a boar would not be a problem as long as I was prepared to get pupps.

If i leave her alone, will she begin eating and drinking properly by herself? I haven't really seen any of them drink yet, and only ate a little.

And not taking her out would make another problem for me. Mikey can't have any vegies atm, but I still think Maybel should have them, how do I solve this?

 

[Keiko The Pig]

Please separate immediately! A girl that young could die from trying to give birth! Breeding is awful there are way too many pigs in need of homes already. Let them live side by side and get your boy neutered if you are really that attached. Once he is no longer fertile they can be introduced

 

[ZeepeX]

Please separate immediately! A girl that young could die from trying to give birth! Breeding is awful there are way too many pigs in need of homes already. Let them live side by side and get your boy neutered if you are really that attached. Once he is no longer fertile they can be introduced

I've been worrying about her age too, but I live in Norway in a farm area and its not that hard to find homes around here..
I've tried to look everywhere for info about how old she has to be, but it only says before a year... Do you know hold old she should be?

 

[Wiebke]

No, he's not. My plan was to get another Boar, but she only had sows left, But when I talked to the breeder about it shesaid that a sow and a boar would not be a problem as long as I was prepared to get pupps.

If i leave her alone, will she begin eating and drinking properly by herself? I haven't really seen any of them drink yet, and only ate a little.

And not taking her out would make another problem for me. Mikey can't have any vegies atm, but I still think Maybel should have them, how do I solve this?

What an irresponsible person!

Please be aware of these facts:
- Sows can get pregnant as soon as they are weaned and can get pregnant within hours of having given birth. they are breeding machines until they die from exhaustion or from complications. Can you imagine what that does to their bodies?
- 20% of pregnancies end with the death of pups and/or mum; it can be higher. Are you prepared for babies that are born dead or not able to survive or seeing Mabel die horribly, slowly in pain if a baby gets stuck during birth? Norway is not a country known for guinea pig savvy vets, so you can't count on a sow surviving an emergency spay even if you can get her to a vet in time.
- Mabel is far too young for a pregnancy yet as she is still growing quickly; any babies will take away vital nutrients from her body at this early time.
- boars can make babies from 3 weeks onwards; if you mis-sex just one pup, you risk a lot of problems!

- you will have to take Mikey out before the birth and won't be able to put him with Mabel afterwards unless he is neutered and has waited his full 6 weeks afterwards to be safe around sows. Otherwise you will be up to your ears in babies very quickly! So what good does it to him if he can have fun with Mabel for just a few weeks? He won't like being separated AT ALL and he certainly won't like being an off-on companion!

Please read up on pregnancy here before you risk putting the two of them together: https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/pregnancy-guide.109375/

Please also note that we are a strictly non-breeding forum, for very good reasons. The welfare and happiness of all guinea pigs is our upmost aim, not the selfish desire for little babies by putting lives at risk unnecessarily. We will help you to try and sort out this situation as be as we can, but we will not support you on the baby front if you breed intentionally. You are welcome to have a look at our pregnancy section (for unplanned births caused by mis-sexing, shop/breeder pregnancies or bad advice) and just count for yourself how many dead babies we have to deal with!
Here are our forum rules: Terms of Service And Forum Rules

 

[Wiebke]

I've been worrying about her age too, but I live in Norway in a farm area and its not that hard to find homes around here..
I've tried to look everywhere for info about how old she has to be, but it only says before a year... Do you know hold old she should be?

Neither boars nor sows ever stop being fertile, sorry. The risk of fatal complications/miscarriages just gets higher the older they get.

 

[ZeepeX]

Neither boars nor sows ever stop being fertile, sorry. The risk of fatal complications/miscarriages just gets higher the older they get.

I mean, What is the earliest a sow can have pupps?

 

[Wiebke]

I mean, What is the earliest a sow can have pupps?

Sows have their first season between 4-6 weeks of age. They can give birth as early as 14 weeks while they are still not even teenagers. You can find that information at the top of the pregnancy guide. mabel is already old enough to get pregnant.

I am very sorry for the mess you and Mikey have been landed in.

 

[ZeepeX]

Sows have their first season between 4-6 weeks of age. They can give birth as early as 14 weeks while they are still not even teenagers. You can find that information at the top of the pregnancy guide. mabel is already old enough to get pregnant.

When is the earliest she SHOULD get pregnant?

 

[Wiebke]

When is the earliest she SHOULD get pregnant?

We are a strictly non-breeding forum, so that is advice we are not permitted to give, but it won't be for several months yet.

 

[ZeepeX]

We are a strictly non-breeding forum, so that is advice we are not permitted to give, but it won't be for several months yet.

Okay, I get that. I'll see what I can do. I've moved the girl into a cart board box (without ''roof''). It's a good sized box so don't worry about that. She got bedding, water, hay, food, veggies vitamins and several houses. I'm from a farm area in Norway and sale of guinea pigs are common, I'm not worried about not being able to find good homes for kids if any show up (I will avoid having any). I've had 5 pigs to this date, and i've had a female having pups twice. It might not seem like i'm experienced at all. But i'm used to pigs, pregnant pigs, pups and everything. I've had boars and saws in the same cage earlier, without any problems, I just parted them after birth. They weren't always in the same cage but when they were spending time together he would usually leave her alone. What's new for me is adopting a new born, That's a first and I'm going to call the vet tomorrow and ask about some things I'm unsure about

Thank you

 

[Hops_in_Heaven]

Breeding is a bad idea. When I got Frolic, she was already pregnant. I didn't want to have more piggies, thinking three is the perfect number for me, but a small part of me was excited for the little ones to come. She had two pups, but one was a runt. He was rejected from his mother, and I had to very quickly learn how to foster little Hopper. My best efforts were not enough, and he died shortly after. I feel guilty each time I think about him, feeling as though I should have noticed his delicate health sooner, or fed him more often, etc.
Lets Remember Them All - Memorials Only Please
Newborn pups are cute, but do you want to live with guilt like that?

 

[ZeepeX]

Breeding is a bad idea. When I got Frolic, she was already pregnant. I didn't want to have more piggies, thinking three is the perfect number for me, but a small part of me was excited for the little ones to come. She had two pups, but one was a runt. He was rejected from his mother, and I had to very quickly learn how to foster little Hopper. My best efforts were not enough, and he died shortly after. I feel guilty each time I think about him, feeling as though I should have noticed his delicate health sooner, or fed him more often, etc.
Lets Remember Them All - Memorials Only Please
Newborn pups are cute, but do you want to live with guilt like that?

One of my pups where crippled, so she only survived 2 days. We tried our best to feed her and water her, but she died. I don't think much about it really. It happens, it's nature.
It would not really bother me too much if I could not save them all.

 

[LisaAli]

One of my pups where crippled, so she only survived 2 days. We tried our best to feed her and water her, but she died. I don't think much about it really. It happens, it's nature.
It would not really bother me too much if I could not save them all.

As its been previously stated this is a rescue friendly forum and the discussion of intentional breeding is totally unacceptable. There have been many situations on the forum where we have supported members who through no fault of their own have encountered an unplanned pregnancy of their piggy. Like the majority of members here on the forum we grieve for any lost piggy regardless of how old it was. Personally your attitude towards nature seems to be rather flippant. Unlike you the crippled pup had it been in our care would've been seen by a vet rather than allowing it to suffer for 2 days (whether its nature or not!). It bothers us considerably that you let that pup suffer unnecessarily as it clearly needed more than food and water. If I were you I would consider if this is the type of forum that will meet your needs as this forum has and will always have its roots in the welfare and well being of all piggies.

Lisa & Ali

 

[cassybaby89]

One of my pups where crippled, so she only survived 2 days. We tried our best to feed her and water her, but she died. I don't think much about it really. It happens, it's nature.
It would not really bother me too much if I could not save them all.

I think it is very clear that you are missing the point. There are thousands of piggies who are in a shelter or rescues who need homes. Millions more being breed and sold to mistreating misinformed pet stores. What is the sense in intentionally bringing more babies into the world when the health risk is so high to your pet sow?? I honestly don't understand why you would be ok with this and not look else where for another boar instead of taking what you could get. I got my girls from a pet store (wife bought one on a whim and we went back for cage mate due to bad conditions at the store and made complaints) One of them is pregnant. I am terrified that she will be hurt or die in the process. Please be responsible.

 

[ZeepeX]

I think it is very clear that you are missing the point. There are thousands of piggies who are in a shelter or rescues who need homes. Millions more being breed and sold to mistreating misinformed pet stores. What is the sense in intentionally bringing more babies into the world when the health risk is so high to your pet sow? I honestly don't understand why you would be ok with this and not look else where for another boar instead of taking what you could get. I got my girls from a pet store (wife bought one on a whim and we went back for cage mate due to bad conditions at the store and made complaints) One of them is pregnant. I am terrified that she will be hurt or die in the process. Please be responsible.

I'm a good owner, Its biffrent here, Its easy to sell pigs... I'm not gonna breed babies, but I'm just saying there isnt that much homeless pigs here.. I wont bring up breeding again. It was never my intention. I was worried breeding would happens at this age, and i got it confirmed that it would and that it was harmfull. therefor i split them. I'm calling the vet tomorrow. My sow accidentally got near my boar. pups showed up. One of them where defected. We talked with a vet, she told us what to do. Keep trying to feed it, and give it water. Vitamins etc to try to make it stronger. She could have survived, she just had a little issue who the vet said could get better, no pain.. I'm responsible... I take good care, I just needed to clear some things up before i let my boar and sow be toughether alone, which i wont let them. I will let them meet and hang out, later. but ill make sure they wont get too close each other.

I've realized that this forum isn't for me. I just needed an answear quick and took the first forum i found. I wont be using this again. The pig consept is way diffrent than it is in norway. And I want to point out that I'm not ''voting'' for breeding, ive saved several pigs myself, but I'm just saying it wouldent be a big deal -in norway-

 

[Keiko The Pig]

I agree with all that has been said above. I will personally only own boars as cavy savvy vets are few and far between around here so if one ever (God forbid) ended up pregnant or needing an emergency I would not feel comfortable that she could be seen and treated promptly and properly. I understand it is the circle of life and all of us die eventually, but your attitude seems less than compassionate. These domestic pets are not wild anymore. They don't need to be subject to things they would in the wild. Examples being back to back litters, and pups dying without a chance at vet care or at least help to the bridge if they are truly suffering. Please rethink placing these two together

 

[ZeepeX]

I agree with all that has been said above. I will personally only own boars as cavy savvy vets are few and far between around here so if one ever (God forbid) ended up pregnant or needing an emergency I would not feel comfortable that she could be seen and treated promptly and properly. I understand it is the circle of life and all of us die eventually, but your attitude seems less than compassionate. These domestic pets are not wild anymore. They don't need to be subject to things they would in the wild. Examples being back to back litters, and pups dying without a chance at vet care or at least help to the bridge if they are truly suffering. Please rethink placing these two together

Ive split them, I'm calling the vet tomorrow. I wont let them have pups.. Ive told you. The crippled pup got vet help. It was not more we could do.

 

[BossHogg]

I've realized that this forum isn't for me.

OK, goodbye then, don't let the door hit you on the arse on the way out.

 

[niklovesrats]

OK, goodbye then, don't let the door hit you on the arse on the way out.

That just turned a bad day into an ok one!