About to lose a pig, what should I do?

Elsie's pigs

Elsie's pigs

Junior Guinea Pig
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Location
Shropshire
Hi, I would really appreciate some advice on my situation.

I have 2 female guinea pigs who are just over 2 years old. One of them has always been a sickly pig and has suffered from and been treated for recurrent URI and overgrown tooth problems. She recently took a turn for the worse and our vet has advised us to consider euthanasia (she is currently at home but really isn’t herself, she doesn’t show signs of URI and her teeth are fine at the moment but her breathing is laboured her gums are grey, she isn’t interested in food and is rapidly losing weight). I don’t want her to suffer but I’m concerned for my surviving pig.

My main questions are:

If I take my sick pig to be euthanised tomorrow how soon should I find a new partner for my other pig?

Neither pig is showing any signs of URI but should I still quarantine for 3 weeks, leaving my bereaved pig on her own? Will this distress her too much?

I have always wanted to have 3 pigs (my cage is big enough) but wouldn’t introduce a new pig whilst I still had a pig who was susceptible to illnesses that could be passed on. Would I be better to get 2 new babies now (I have a friend of a friend who has baby girls available) and introduce them to my surviving pig together or to get one now and another when they are settled?

As my surviving pig has been exposed to URI through my sick pig on 2 occasions (the last being around 2 months ago) will she now be a carrier of some sort? I want the best for my surviving pig but not at the expense of another new pig’s health.

I’m sorry for all the questions, I want what’s best for my pigs at a very upsetting and emotional time and I have no experience of this sort of thing and need some advice. I don’t want my ill pig to suffer for any longer than necessary but I have no plan of what I should do after she has gone.​
Thanks for reading, any advice would be appreciated.
 
So sorry to hear you have a poorly piggie x I think you must firstly decide what’s best for your poorly piggie first of all. Has she eaten at all and is she being treated for her condition?
I have no experience for URI’s but I’m sure that a more experienced member will be along soon to help you.
 
Elsie's pigs said:
Hi, I would really appreciate some advice on my situation.​
​
I have 2 female guinea pigs who are just over 2 years old. One of them has always been a sickly pig and has suffered from and been treated for recurrent URI and overgrown tooth problems. She recently took a turn for the worse and our vet has advised us to consider euthanasia (she is currently at home but really isn’t herself, she doesn’t show signs of URI and her teeth are fine at the moment but her breathing is laboured her gums are grey, she isn’t interested in food and is rapidly losing weight). I don’t want her to suffer but I’m concerned for my surviving pig.​
​
My main questions are:​
​
If I take my sick pig to be euthanised tomorrow how soon should I find a new partner for my other pig?​
​
Neither pig is showing any signs of URI but should I still quarantine for 3 weeks, leaving my bereaved pig on her own? Will this distress her too much?​
​
I have always wanted to have 3 pigs (my cage is big enough) but wouldn’t introduce a new pig whilst I still had a pig who was susceptible to illnesses that could be passed on. Would I be better to get 2 new babies now (I have a friend of a friend who has baby girls available) and introduce them to my surviving pig together or to get one now and another when they are settled?​
​
As my surviving pig has been exposed to URI through my sick pig on 2 occasions (the last being around 2 months ago) will she now be a carrier of some sort? I want the best for my surviving pig but not at the expense of another new pig’s health.​
​
I’m sorry for all the questions, I want what’s best for my pigs at a very upsetting and emotional time and I have no experience of this sort of thing and need some advice. I don’t want my ill pig to suffer for any longer than necessary but I have no plan of what I should do after she has gone.​
Thanks for reading, any advice would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome!

I am very sorry; it is always so heart-breaking and difficult when you have to make the final decision yourself. :(

Please always quarantine with any infectious disease unless any survivors suffer from acute pining (stopping to eat and drink and giving up on life). If neither of these applies, you can look for a new companion once your bereaved piggies are coming out of deep mourning. With most piggies that is around 4 days, after which they pick up their life again, if more subdued. Our bereavement guide will discuss all these aspects in more depth and detail.
If at all possible, please date any bereaved piggies at one of our recommended rescues (links for several countries in bereavement guide). Key to any happy bond is mutual liking and character compatibility; if you can let your bereaved piggy choose, please do so! You will reap the benefit of a stable new relationship. All our recommended good standard rescues practice mandatory quarantine/vet care and only put up guinea pigs for adoption when they are healthy and ready for a new home. Sows undergo a mandatory pregnancy watch; all piggies are properly sexed so you can neatly avoid all the pitfalls that await the unwary. Most listed rescues offer dating under expert supervision at the rescue for single and bereaved guinea pigs; a few rescues offer full/residential bonding where visiting piggies go through the whole bonding process at the rescue over the course of several days; this allows the bonding of guinea pigs at all ages, including full adult boar-boar dating. In the case of sows, you can consider both a neutered boar or sows as new companions. Mutual liking comes long before age differences.
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?
Bonding: Illustrated Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics
 
Can you get a diagnosis on whats wrong with your pig? Whats causing the heavy breathing and grey gums? Might be something antibiotics could sort out. Could be pneumonia. Any clicky breathing sounds?

Ive dealt with 3 uri's and 1 pneumonia in an old pig i used to have. Showed no signs other than heavy breathing and no appetite
 
So sorry for what you’re going they.
Whatever decision you make will be right as it will be made out of love.
It’s so good that you are thinking about your other piggy’s well-being already.
The advice @Wiebke has given is excellent.
Keeping you in my thoughts
 
Thank you all for your replies, your information has really helped. Earlier in the evening I had a long and tearful conversation with our vet. Given her history the vet thought that further treatment would at best be delaying the inevitable. I am grateful that we got to take her home to say goodbye first.

I think I will see how Ginger reacts to being on her own and take it from there. It’s so difficult at an upsetting time to make the right decision for both pigs.

Thank you again for your help x
 
Sending your lots of hugs, it’s such a hard decision to make, But made out of the love you had for her x
Sleep tight little lady x
 
Thank you all for your kind messages and support xx
I took Pickles to the vet today, it was the right decision for her but it’s a very hard one to make. The vet was lovely and really helped.
Ginger is doing really well, I’m very proud of her and will be finding her a new friend soon.
 
Sorry you had to make such a difficult decision for Pickles.
It hurts even when we know it’s right.
Be gentle with yourself as you grieve
 
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