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Advice Needed For George!

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Emma2611

Emma2611

New Born Pup
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Oswestry, Shropshire
Hi, I'm looking for some advice regarding my 1 year old pig. George has never been on his own but unfortunately his friend Alvin who was 6 died over the weekend Since then George has been behaving differently, he is much more vocal and just doesn't seem himself. I have had 4 other pigs over the years who have been very placid and accepting of a new friend but I'm not sure if George will, he is very high maintenance! Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Emma
 
hi , i have seen this quite a few times , though usualy with older
long terem boars , angsiaty seperation ,
the surviving partner will give up and fade away.
the good news is that the intraduction of a new pig (first through a devided cage to stop fighting)
always dos the trick
 
Are you based in the UK Emma? It is always worth consulting a rescue to help you find a compatible partner for a lone boar . If you are UK based, you can use the rescue locator on the top toolbar to find you nearest rescues.
 
Thank u for the reply. I went to two of my local pet shops and they only have very young or coupled up pigs! I've tried looking at rescue centres but they r to far away or only have pairs. Should I try a younger pig? George is very excitable and runs around a lot! I don't want him hurting the new pig!
 
Hi @Emma2611

could you possibly add your location to your profile? please :D

Aww poor George, if he's more vocal he could be calling out to Alvin.

I'm not a pro when it comes to bonding, but we've bonded three pairs, all boars. Last year we bonded a 4 and 6 month old, this year we bonded a 2 and 2 and a half year old, and more recently a 9 month and 6 week old, all went smoothly, we were advised to get younger for the more recent one and the first bonded pair, but remember when your baby hits that hormonal age it might become a bit of a pain for George if he wants to be dominant (if that makes sense), I wonder if an adult boar would be better?

@Wiebke is very experienced with bonding guinea pigs, so I've tagged her in for you :)
 
That's great, thank u. I think I'll take him to the pet shop and see how he gets on with the pigs there and hopefully find him a new friend
 
Oh please be careful doing it that way, you are normally advised to quarantine any piggies not from a rescue for 14 days (sometimes from rescue if they don't look after the piggies properly).
 
oops XD lol. That was lucky hehe. You would also quarantine in a different area from your current guinea
 
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Emma2611 said:
Hi, I'm looking for some advice regarding my 1 year old pig. George has never been on his own but unfortunately his friend Alvin who was 6 died over the weekend Since then George has been behaving differently, he is much more vocal and just doesn't seem himself. I have had 4 other pigs over the years who have been very placid and accepting of a new friend but I'm not sure if George will, he is very high maintenance! Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Emma
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Hi and welcome!

I am very sorry for your loss! The best way to find a character compatible friend for George would be dating at a good standard rescue under expert supervision, so you can be sure that they get on and you do not run the risk of ending up with two single boars. All our recommended rescues practice a mandatory quarantine and vet clearance in case of medical treatment, so you are guaranteed to rehome a healthy guinea pig that can live with his new boarmate straight away.

if you find that George is acutely pining, i.e. not eating and giving up on life, then you need to find him a friend asap. In all other cases, he should come out of deep mourning in a few days, but be very subdued.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/looking-after-a-bereaved-guinea-pig.110463/

Unfortunately, there is no good rescue close by, but the RSPCA Bryn Y Maen centre near Colwyn Bay currently have got a single 3 year old boar that is desperate to find a new friend himself; it should be within your reach. they offer dating at the centre.
Your other recommended rescues are the Potteries or the RSPCA Walsall (which will only boar date rescue born babies with single boars, so available).
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/pages/guinea-pig-rescue-locator/ (we can unfortunately only guarantee for these rescues that they are operating to a good standard of care at all stages and are piggy savvy; in all other rescues you do so at your own risk, especially in view that anybody can call themselves a rescue). If you prefer to source a piggy from anywhere else that does not practise a mandatory quarantine, you will have to conduct on yourself, which of course prolongs intros.
Here are our forum tips: https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/importance-of-quarantine.108034/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/single-boar-seeks-friend.129032/

PS: Boars of all ages can be bonded, provided they like each other and get on. We can provide bonding tips if necessary. ;)
 
Hello and welcome to the forum! I second the advice given a boe, quarantine is a must. I've been stung by this before and now anything that comes in gets qaurantined. It won't stop everything, but most problems. Taking him to a reputable rescue is your best bet and definitely worth travelling for if you are able to :)
 
Flutterby said:
Hello and welcome to the forum! I second the advice given a boe, quarantine is a must. I've been stung by this before and now anything that comes in gets qaurantined. It won't stop everything, but most problems. Taking him to a reputable rescue is your best bet and definitely worth travelling for if you are able to :)
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Thank u :)
 
Wiebke said:
Hi and welcome!

I am very sorry for your loss! The best way to find a character compatible friend for George would be dating at a good standard rescue under expert supervision, so you can be sure that they get on and you do not run the risk of ending up with two single boars. All our recommended rescues practice a mandatory quarantine and vet clearance in case of medical treatment, so you are guaranteed to rehome a healthy guinea pig that can live with his new boarmate straight away.

if you find that George is acutely pining, i.e. not eating and giving up on life, then you need to find him a friend asap. In all other cases, he should come out of deep mourning in a few days, but be very subdued.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/looking-after-a-bereaved-guinea-pig.110463/

Unfortunately, there is no good rescue close by, but the RSPCA Bryn Y Maen centre near Colwyn Bay currently have got a single 3 year old boar that is desperate to find a new friend himself; it should be within your reach. they offer dating at the centre.
Your other recommended rescues are the Potteries or the RSPCA Walsall (which will only boar date rescue born babies with single boars, so available).
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/pages/guinea-pig-rescue-locator/ (we can unfortunately only guarantee for these rescues that they are operating to a good standard of care at all stages and are piggy savvy; in all other rescues you do so at your own risk, especially in view that anybody can call themselves a rescue). If you prefer to source a piggy from anywhere else that does not practise a mandatory quarantine, you will have to conduct on yourself, which of course prolongs intros.
Here are our forum tips: https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/importance-of-quarantine.108034/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/single-boar-seeks-friend.129032/

PS: Boars of all ages can be bonded, provided they like each other and get on. We can provide bonding tips if necessary. ;)
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Thank u for your advice
George is only really vocal when I'm in the room. He is still eating his hay, carrots, peppers etc but not his muesli :(
Hopefully he will perk up abit and I'll try and go to Colwyn Bay Sunday or Monday.
Thanks again
 
Emma2611 said:
Thank you for your advice
George is only really vocal when I'm in the room. He is still eating his hay, carrots, peppers etc but not his muesli :(
Hopefully he will perk up abit and I'll try and go to Colwyn Bay Sunday or Monday.
Thanks again
Click to expand...

Wishing you the best! You can message our member @AuntyC who is a fosterer for Bryn Y Maen if you want to know more about Gus; the adoption itself has to run through the centre. I would recommend to contact them promptly as paperwork with the RSPCA usually takes abit of time.
 
Wiebke said:
Wishing you the best! You can message our member @AuntyC who is a fosterer for Bryn Y Maen if you want to know more about Gus; the adoption itself has to run through the centre. I would recommend to contact them promptly as paperwork with the RSPCA usually takes abit of time.
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Thank u very much :)
 
Emma2611 said:
Thank you very much :)
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Hi Emma. Aunty C here. You would be welcome to come to Bryn y Maen to see if Gus would accept George as a new friend. We don't know what Gus is like one to one with other piggies, but he chattered away to the two boys(now rehomed) who used to be in the cage next door. You would need to phone before bringing George over to make sure that one of the experienced piggy bonding staff was on duty that day. That would be either Clare or Rose, or the centre manager Vicky if she is free. Gus is a rather nervous boy, chunky in build( over 1kg) , who came from a multi-animal household. If you think he may be suitable please give us a call or email. Sorry we haven't other piggies in residence at the minute!
 
AuntyC said:
Hi Emma. Aunty C here. You would be welcome to come to Bryn y Maen to see if Gus would accept George as a new friend. We don't know what Gus is like one to one with other piggies, but he chattered away to the two boys(now rehomed) who used to be in the cage next door. You would need to phone before bringing George over to make sure that one of the experienced piggy bonding staff was on duty that day. That would be either Clare or Rose, or the centre manager Vicky if she is free. Gus is a rather nervous boy, chunky in build( over 1kg) , who came from a multi-animal household. If you think he may be suitable please give us a call or email. Sorry we haven't other piggies in residence at the minute!
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That's great, thank u! I was thinking about coming on Monday if that's ok? I just need to put your address in goggle maps to see how far away u r! I'll try and let u know by Friday lunchtime
Thanks again
Emma
 
Emma2611 said:
That's great, thank you! I was thinking about coming on Monday if that's ok? I just need to put your address in goggle maps to see how far away you r! I'll try and let you know by Friday lunchtime
Thanks again
Emma
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Hi Emma. I will be at Bryn y Maen on Friday this week for my usual volunteering shift, so will find out which member is staff is there on Monday. The centre is in the countryside above Colwyn Bay, off the A55 dual carriageway on the Llanrwst road.
 
AuntyC said:
Hi Emma. I will be at Bryn y Maen on Friday this week for my usual volunteering shift, so will find out which member is staff is there on Monday. The centre is in the countryside above Colwyn Bay, off the A55 dual carriageway on the Llanrwst road.
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That will b great, thank u
 
Hi Emma, thanks for getting in touch with the centre. My friend Clare dealt with your email I believe? We have had a bit more interest in Gus over the last couple of days, somebody is coming to meet him tomorrow; so if you feel the journey is going to be long for you from Oswestry I would double check if Gus is still available before setting off! We did have another single little boy piggy arrive today as a transfer from another RSPCA centre, but he will not be available for a little while as he has a sore foot we need to monitor. Hoping George is keeping well. All best wishes x
 
AuntyC said:
Hi Emma, thanks for getting in touch with the centre. My friend Clare dealt with your email I believe? We have had a bit more interest in Gus over the last couple of days, somebody is coming to meet him tomorrow; so if you feel the journey is going to be long for you from Oswestry I would double check if Gus is still available before setting off! We did have another single little boy piggy arrive today as a transfer from another RSPCA centre, but he will not be available for a little while as he has a sore foot we need to monitor. Hoping George is keeping well. All best wishes x
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Hi
Thank u. Clare said that a few people were interested in Gus. I'm working all day tomorrow so I said I'd call up to see if he's gone to a new home.
George seems to have perked up abit He's eating properly now but still very vocal when I'm in the room! He's never really liked being held but likes me stoking him and sitting on my knee!
I'll keep in touch with the centre to see if the new guinea pig might be suitable for George if Gus is rehomed.
Thanks again
Emma x
 
Single piggies may become more demanding and appreciate contact with you more than before! Human interaction cannot fully replace piggy interaction, but you are doing the right thing giving him cuddles. Pleased his appetite is gold, give him a hug from me. :)
 
AuntyC said:
Single piggies may become more demanding and appreciate contact with you more than before! Human interaction cannot fully replace piggy interaction, but you are doing the right thing giving him cuddles. Pleased his appetite is gold, give him a hug from me. :)
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I'll keep giving him hugs (if he'll let me!) and stroking him. He seems to b more interested in my rabbit!
I'll keep u updated!
Thank u for your help
 
@Emma2611 just to let you know that Gus has disappeared from the Bryn y Maen website. This usually means that the animal in question has been rehomed. Which is good news for Gus, of course! I will keep in touch about the newly arrived piggy in case you are still looking in the future xxxxx
 
AuntyC said:
@Emma2611 just to let you know that Gus has disappeared from the Bryn y Maen website. This usually means that the animal in question has been rehomed. Which is good news for Gus, of course! I will keep in touch about the newly arrived piggy in case you are still looking in the future xxxxx
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Thank u for letting me know. Glad Gus had found a forever home Hopefully I can find another friend for George
 
UPDATE ON GEORGE
I thought I had found a new friend for George unfortunately it didn't work out!
They were fine together for 3 days they I heard loads of running around and squeaking! I went to check on them and the new pig had some bite marks on his mouth and blood on his cheek
I did try and reintroduce them but George was showing a lot of aggression.
Sadly the new guinea pig has now gone back and George is on his own again!
I don't know what to do with him! He does seem fine though!
 
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