Accepting the fragility of guinea pigs - do i carry on keeping them?

[Qualcast&Flymo]

Just a update, we're waiting to hear on possible new cage mates for Fern, but I'm a little concerned about her behaviour.
She is eating well and finishing her dinner each night, and is a consistent weight when I weigh her every day, as I'm tracking in case she drops out of grief - but this all seems fine. However she is almost exclusively staying in her favourite hidey, I varied her setup today but it hasn't seemed to make her want to venture out more. She has a little potter about after I give her a cuddle, and when fed but apart from that she's hidden away in her hay. Should I be concerned?

I knew she would have a confidence crisis as Sweetpea is no longer around, but I'm quite surprised how obvious it is!

I'm sorry for your loss.

As regards to Fern's reduction in activity since losing her friend, from my own albeit limited experience it is probably nothing to worry about if she is still eating well and maintaining her weight.
When I lost my old boy Zebedee, his 2 year old cagemate Squeaks became much less active. He no longer had his friend to hump and rumble at, or compete with for the best food and comfiest spots. He spent most of his time sitting on his favourite house, but was much perked up by the temporary presence of two 3 month old boars in a cage next to his that I fostered for a few weeks, until eventually he was bonded with his 2 "wives" and returned to normal activity levels.

Hopefully Fern will also be more active again once she has a new friend to interact with x

 

[piggieminder]

I am so sorry to hear of your loss.
I've had a similar experience to @Qualcast&Flymo most of my bereaved piggies have been very quiet until they are rebonded with a friend. I hope your girl picks up soon.

 

[Julie M]

Just a update, we're waiting to hear on possible new cage mates for Fern, but I'm a little concerned about her behaviour.
She is eating well and finishing her dinner each night, and is a consistent weight when I weigh her every day, as I'm tracking in case she drops out of grief - but this all seems fine. However she is almost exclusively staying in her favourite hidey, I varied her setup today but it hasn't seemed to make her want to venture out more. She has a little potter about after I give her a cuddle, and when fed but apart from that she's hidden away in her hay. Should I be concerned?

I knew she would have a confidence crisis as Sweetpea is no longer around, but I'm quite surprised how obvious it is!

So sorry for your loss. Its never easy. It sounds like your girls a bit lost without her friend. Hopefully you find a friend soon. The fact that she is maintaining her weight is good so no need to overly panic.

 

[Wiebke]

Just a update, we're waiting to hear on possible new cage mates for Fern, but I'm a little concerned about her behaviour.
She is eating well and finishing her dinner each night, and is a consistent weight when I weigh her every day, as I'm tracking in case she drops out of grief - but this all seems fine. However she is almost exclusively staying in her favourite hidey, I varied her setup today but it hasn't seemed to make her want to venture out more. She has a little potter about after I give her a cuddle, and when fed but apart from that she's hidden away in her hay. Should I be concerned?

I knew she would have a confidence crisis as Sweetpea is no longer around, but I'm quite surprised how obvious it is!

Hi

Being withdrawn at this stage while piggies are doing their own mourning is totally normal. It is very upsetting for us as loving owners to stand by and let them do their own thing. She will come out of it soon and then you know that she is ready to pick up life, if without her normal sparkle - she will come to life again with a new mate.

Now you know why I was so keen on Dryw to have company before Pioden's passing (apart from her being a poyential bonding nightmare) - she's been with him since she was 5 weeks old (when Pioden was left with only one very frail 8 years old wife himself). Of the 7 piggy deaths in the last 3 months, that was at least the one I could anticipate; the others I had to do the rough way, like you; so I fully sympathise!

For now, just hang on in there. Thankfully, this phase is much shorter with piggies than it is with humans.

HUGS

 

[Megham]

Hi

Being withdrawn at this stage while piggies are doing their own mourning is totally normal. It is very upsetting for us as loving owners to stand by and let them do their own thing. She will come out of it soon and then you know that she is ready to pick up life, if without her normal sparkle - she will come to life again with a new mate.

Now you know why I was so keen on Dryw to have company before Pioden's passing (apart from her being a poyential bonding nightmare) - she's been with him since she was 5 weeks old (when Pioden was left with only one very frail 8 years old wife himself). Of the 7 piggy deaths in the last 3 months, that was at least the one I could anticipate; the others I had to do the rough way, like you; so I fully sympathise!

For now, just hang on in there. Thankfully, this phase is much shorter with piggies than it is with humans.

HUGS

Thank you for your advice! I've only experienced this once before with my previous pig Prim but she awkwardly didnt seem the mind the passing of her sister. Sweetpea and Fern were the closest bonded I've ever had though so I knew it would be rough, thanks for the reassurance!

I'm sorry about Pioden, you did a amazing job at preparing for that despite how unexpected it was.

 

[Megham]

So sorry for your loss. Its never easy. It sounds like your girls a bit lost without her friend. Hopefully you find a friend soon. The fact that she is maintaining her weight is good so no need to overly panic.

Thank you for the advice! she does seem a bit lost bless her. But hopefully we'll get her mingling soon.

 

[Megham]

I'm sorry for your loss.

As regards to Fern's reduction in activity since losing her friend, from my own albeit limited experience it is probably nothing to worry about if she is still eating well and maintaining her weight.
When I lost my old boy Zebedee, his 2 year old cagemate Squeaks became much less active. He no longer had his friend to hump and rumble at, or compete with for the best food and comfiest spots. He spent most of his time sitting on his favourite house, but was much perked up by the temporary presence of two 3 month old boars in a cage next to his that I fostered for a few weeks, until eventually he was bonded with his 2 "wives" and returned to normal activity levels.

Hopefully Fern will also be more active again once she has a new friend to interact with x

Aw poor Squeaks! I'm glad you found a friend for him, and it's so sweet you fostered those boys.
Thank you for the reassurance! I'm glad it's normal for them to withdraw that much

 

[Claire W]

I am so sorry for your losses It is hard but like with any animal (or human), they and we can all become poorly.

I've had guinea pigs since 2008 and it never gets any easier when we lose them. I have often thought about having a break but that hasn't happened so far. I had a run of bad luck in 2013 where I lost 3 piggies at a young age and another run of bad luck in 2015 where I had poorly piggies and lost 2 of them. But thankfully (and touch wood), my current 4 are doing well and Edward has just celebrated his 6th birthday in November. It really is luck of the drawer

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for your advice! I've only experienced this once before with my previous pig Prim but she awkwardly didnt seem the mind the passing of her sister. Sweetpea and Fern were the closest bonded I've ever had though so I knew it would be rough, thanks for the reassurance!

I'm sorry about Pioden, you did a amazing job at preparing for that despite how unexpected it was.

When piggies get to that kind of age, they get very frail so that death - when it happens - is usually very sudden and quick, whether their body closes down or their immune system gives and something blows up with terrifying speed and severity.

Having lost several old piggies before (including two of Pioden's previous wives, who also lived to 8 years), I have made my experiences. Without the pandemic, I would have sorted the situation about a year ago but this was the earliest that rescue born babies were available for adoption within my reach.
After having to wait two months with Macsen and the other several widows from losing 4 piggies very unexpectedly in less than three 3 weeks in August (the reserved mother and rescue born baby developed a bad case of ringworm), I had a big bonding orgy in October with those two and three more bereaved piggies from a sanctuary.
Dryw and the babies had to wait until I had sorted all my actually bereaved piggies, which took several rounds of musical bonding chair to match up all piggies with somebody they got on with. That is why I ended up cutting it very finely.

I fully know how stressful it is for you right now, but hang in there. It will get better again and you and your girl with appreciate it all the more!