Advice needed - pining bereaved end of the line boar

-Drezella-

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I’m in a bit of a dilemma. My elderly 6 year old boar Paddy Bear was bereaved yesterday, and is pining terribly for his lost brother. He was drinking sips of water yesterday but not eating at all, so I’ve had to step in with syringe feeds of critical care. He has since started to eat a few blades of grass that I put in the cage, but won’t do so unless I’m sat there with him. Other than that he’s not touched anything and I’m getting very worried.

Given my way, I’d simply take him to a local rescue and date him until he found a friend that he liked and would bring them home together. However, as I live with my mum and she’s adamant that she doesn’t want me to get any more, I’m in a tricky situation. I am an adult (31) so technically she can’t stop me from getting him a friend, but equally I don’t particularly want another Guinea pig long term, as I don’t know what my financial situation is going to be like in the future. I’m committed to Paddy and will do whatever it takes to make him well again or do the right thing for him if he decides that he no longer wants to live and deteriorates. I couldn’t bare the thought of giving him away to a new home now, as he’s settled with me and turns to me for comfort. I’m leaning towards trying to find a friend for him at the moment, but I want to know what my options are.

Is there such a thing as borrowing/fostering a guinea pig off someone for a while (if both guinea pigs get on) until the elderly Guinea pig passes and then return the baby or younger piggy to its original home to be housed with other piggies? I don’t really want to take on a baby piggy for the next 6-8 years and find myself in a similar situation when Paddy dies, with having to take on another companion for another bereaved piggy. I just want a companion for Paddy until he passes, then I don’t wish to have any more piggies after that for a good while. Does anyone know of any other options, other than out right adopting a new piggy?

Thank you
Drezella (Sarah)
 
Sorry for the loss of your piggy.

Not sure where you are located but a number of rescues in the UK will let you foster a piggy when you are in this situation with an elderly piggy.

There are a list of recommended rescues in the UK on this forum (sorry I can't copy the link).
 
So sorry for your loss buddy x x
 
I’m in a bit of a dilemma. My elderly 6 year old boar Paddy Bear was bereaved yesterday, and is pining terribly for his lost brother. He was drinking sips of water yesterday but not eating at all, so I’ve had to step in with syringe feeds of critical care. He has since started to eat a few blades of grass that I put in the cage, but won’t do so unless I’m sat there with him. Other than that he’s not touched anything and I’m getting very worried.

Given my way, I’d simply take him to a local rescue and date him until he found a friend that he liked and would bring them home together. However, as I live with my mum and she’s adamant that she doesn’t want me to get any more, I’m in a tricky situation. I am an adult (31) so technically she can’t stop me from getting him a friend, but equally I don’t particularly want another Guinea pig long term, as I don’t know what my financial situation is going to be like in the future. I’m committed to Paddy and will do whatever it takes to make him well again or do the right thing for him if he decides that he no longer wants to live and deteriorates. I couldn’t bare the thought of giving him away to a new home now, as he’s settled with me and turns to me for comfort. I’m leaning towards trying to find a friend for him at the moment, but I want to know what my options are.

Is there such a thing as borrowing/fostering a guinea pig off someone for a while (if both guinea pigs get on) until the elderly Guinea pig passes and then return the baby or younger piggy to its original home to be housed with other piggies? I don’t really want to take on a baby piggy for the next 6-8 years and find myself in a similar situation when Paddy dies, with having to take on another companion for another bereaved piggy. I just want a companion for Paddy until he passes, then I don’t wish to have any more piggies after that for a good while. Does anyone know of any other options, other than out right adopting a new piggy?

Thank you
Drezella (Sarah)

I am very sorry for your loss!

I am linking in @Flutterby and @VickiA for you; they foster for The Potteries Guinea Pig Rescue but are living on your side of it.
 
So sorry for your loss.
Fostering does sound like a good possibility- hope something works out for you
 
So sorry for your loss x
It’s a difficult situation, but that seems a good solution to me
Hopefully he will pick up soon, in the meantime keep hand/syringe feeding him x
let’s us all know how you get on, good luck!
 
He’s still not eating anything, and has stopped drinking too at the moment. I’m really worried. I keep getting him out every few hours and syringe feeding and cuddling him, he just keeps trying to climb up me, and wants to be held and stroked. He keeps making little noises. :(

As an emergency temporary measure I’ve arranged for my friend to bring a couple of her boars round, just to see if he’ll interact with them or be encouraged to eat, if he hears/sees some other piggies. I’m going to contact a local rescue tomorrow and see if she has any piggies in at the moment.

I really hope I can get this sorted soon.
 
He showed interest in the boars and sniffed and followed them, rumblestrutted and tried to mount them, so all normal behaviour. But he’s still refusing food. So I’m still syringe feeding him. Keeping everything crossed for my little boy. ❤️
 
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