Alan Doesn't Get It...

[Sazzy]

Our friend Herbie has crossed the rainbow bridge...he was not sick, and he was acting fine during feeding time last night. I found him this morning when I went to feed the boys. It seemed like he just keeled over from a heart attack or something like that.

Alan doesn't seem to understand. He is eating and drinking and frolicking around as normal. However, I am preparing to go bury my little friend and I'm worried about Alan. Should I expect his behavior to change once Herbie is completely gone?

Also, Nola lost her female companion earlier this year, and her run is right next to Alan's. Could it be appropriate to introduce them, because they are both alone but have been familiar with each others smell and sounds for so long? I was looking to get Nola another girl buddy, but they are hard to find around here.

 

[Wiebke]

Our friend Herbie has crossed the rainbow bridge...he was not sick, and he was acting fine during feeding time last night. I found him this morning when I went to feed the boys. It seemed like he just keeled over from a heart attack or something like that.

Alan doesn't seem to understand. He is eating and drinking and frolicking around as normal. However, I am preparing to go bury my little friend and I'm worried about Alan. Should I expect his behavior to change once Herbie is completely gone?

Also, Nola lost her female companion earlier this year, and her run is right next to Alan's. Could it be appropriate to introduce them, because they are both alone but have been familiar with each others smell and sounds for so long? I was looking to get Nola another girl buddy, but they are hard to find around here.

Hi!

I am very sorry for your loss. A sudden death is always a great shock!
Guinea pigs can react to the death of their companion very differently, depending on their personality and the nature of bond they have had. Not all piggies will necessarily grieve or acutely pine away.
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

Unfortunately, you cannot mix sows and boars unless one party is neutered. It takes only a few seconds and faster than you can react to make babies, which is very risky in adult sows.

Can you get as far as one of these rescues? You would be in very good hands there and would only adopt healthy, properly sexed piggies that you do not have to keep if they don't work out with your piggies. it is well worth going that bit further afield for the service and security you get from a good rescue.
Guinea Lynx :: US Guinea Pig Rescue and Shelter Organizations

 

[eileen]

I'm sorry for your loss,if either your sow is spayed or the boar is neutered you can attempt to bond them,but if not you could quickly find you have babies !

 

[Flutterby]

I'm so sorry for your loss *hugs* xx

 

[Sazzy]

Thank you all for your comments. it has not been a happy morning in this house...

Unfortunately because both Nola and Alan came from pet stores, it's hard to know whether or not they actually castrate the males they sell because the shopowners tend to say anything they think the customer wants to hear in order to make a sale. I will check out the link Wiebke included. That route seems more promising.

Thanks all, again.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you all for your comments. it has not been a happy morning in this house...

Unfortunately because both Nola and Alan came from pet stores, it's hard to know whether or not they actually castrate the males they sell because the shopowners tend to say anything they think the customer wants to hear in order to make a sale. I will check out the link Wiebke included. That route seems more promising.

Thanks all, again.

Spaying/neutering is an expensive operation in the US, so you can bet that no shop or breeder piggy is! Rescues may have neutered boars and (much more rarely) spayed sows, but they are usually prepared to help you find a good companion for your bereaved piggies.

You can tell neutered boars apart because they do not have any testicles and look like baby boars and not like adult boars.
Boar Care: Bits, Bums & Baths

If you can get to a good rescue, please go through them. They are by far the safest place to get guinea pigs from and not have nasty surprises! Some allow you to bring your bereaved piggies to the rescue, so the piggies themselves can decided who they want to get on with, but not all rescues offer this service depending on their capacities.

 

[Jesse's pigs]

Is Alan neutered? If so I see no reason why you couldn't introduce them because yes Alan is probably going to be sad when he realises he's friend is gone and a new companion would help for that and likely benefit Nola.

If not neutered have you considered it? Or you could get another male friends for Alan and another girl for Nola?

I'm very sorry for your loss. X