Beans Is Struggling Without Toast

Beans&Toast

Beans&Toast

Adult Guinea Pig
Joined
Feb 6, 2016
Messages
2,382
Reaction score
3,031
Points
1,225
Location
Falkirk,Scotland
Since losing Toast on Tuesday Beans has been struggling. She didn't seem too bad at first, she was clearly sad but she would still come out for food, hay and water and for a wander around.

As the days have went on she's gradually became less active and more withdrawn, not eating hay and sleeping more. This morning I couldn't get her to eat her veg, nuggets or take a drink. She just wanted to lie down in the one spot.

After some coaxing I've managed to get her to eat around 6 nuggets and take some water. She's only nibbled at some veg and I really had to strongly encourage her.

Is it normal to get worse as time goes on? I thought she'd cope better not decline. As I'm in Scotland we don't really have rescues or fostering options like down south and as horrible as this sounds I was really hoping I wouldn't have to get another pig because I just don't think I can go though it again. Beans is an old pig so I thought she'd manage on her own but I don't think she is now.

I'm due back at work today after some time off due to Toast's passing so I'm really worried. My Mum's here to keep her company but what do I do? She just looks so sad and loney it's breaking my heart. I've tried a soft teddy but she doesn't want it...
 
I'm going to tag @Wiebke for you as I think she may be back from her holiday.
I think Beans is grieving and lonely. How old is she? If she is acutely pining then you may need to take some swift action to find her a companion. Hugs x
 
Not too sure on exact age around 6.

Do you mean just buy from a shop? I don't think she'd like a young pig because Toast loved to run about and play a lot which really annoyed Beans sometimes when she just wanted to nap. I feel sick at the thought of her feeling lonely
 
Beans&Toast said:
Not too sure on exact age around 6.

Do you mean just buy from a shop? I don't think she'd like a young pig because Toast loved to run about and play a lot which really annoyed Beans sometimes when she just wanted to nap. I feel sick at the thought of her feeling lonely
Click to expand...
Obviously it's not the best way but perhaps check local adverts- sometimes there are others in your position who might need a home for an older piggy who is also pining for a friend?
 
I'm going to have to go to pets at home tomorrow and get a young sow. I really do not want to do this because I absolutely do not support forced breeding of animals but if its a case of life or death for Beans then I will. I'm also nowhere ready for another pig and I don't want Toast to feel like she's been replaced.

Will they give me a single pig if I tell them I already have one at home?
 
When you have an acutely pining piggy you sometimes have to take whatever step,you consider in the best interest of your piggy x
 
How do I know that she's acutely pining? What if this is a health problem brought on by the stress of losing Toast. What if I get a new pig and Beans passes anyway in a few days? I don't know how people do this
 
Is it possible she is unwell? Have you a friend who has piggies? Basically you want to see if she perks up if she can smell and hear other piggies.
Just a bit worried that it might be more than just pining. I would hate for you to get another piggy and it not to make a difference.
 
Firstly sorry for your loss of Toast. I think Beans might be grieving but I would personally get them checked out by the vet first, just in case there is anything physical going on before getting another companion x
 
I am very sorry about your loss! Toast and Beans have both been cherished!

Please have Beans vet checked first and foremost. Acute pining happens (total refusal to eat or drink; turning the head to wall), but much more common is that the immune system is lowered from the stress of the loss and any underlying illness can come to the fore. If Toast has had a potentially transmittable problem, you and your vet need to check for that and you need to take that into your considerations for any further plans (necessity of quarantinig period).

You can try and see whether you can kick start the appetite if Beans is not eating by a syringe feeding/water session, followed with some fresh grass. It has done the trick for me a couple of times.

Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
 
Wiebke said:
I am very sorry about your loss! Toast and Beans have both been cherished!

Please have Beans vet checked first and foremost. Acute pining happens (total refusal to eat or drink; turning the head to wall), but much more common is that the immune system is lowered from the stress of the loss and any underlying illness can come to the fore. If Toast has had a potentially transmittable problem, you and your vet need to check for that and you need to take that into your considerations for any further plans (necessity of quarantinig period).

You can try and see whether you can kick start the appetite if Beans is not eating by a syringe feeding/water session, followed with some fresh grass. It has done the trick for me a couple of times.
Click to expand...
Thanks so much. Beans is definitely pining but I'm not sure it's acute.. I had to persist but managed to get her to eat nuggets and take water from the syringe but she doesn't want to eat veg which highly unsual for her. She is just sitting under her hidey wanting to sleep/do nothing but I chased her out and reluctantly she's started eating some hay out in the open. I'm going to get her checked tomorrow at the vets then look into another pig if necessary.
 
Beans&Toast said:
Thanks so much. Beans is definitely pining but I'm not sure it's acute.. I had to persist but managed to get her to eat nuggets and take water from the syringe but she doesn't want to eat veg which highly unsual for her. She is just sitting under her hidey wanting to sleep/do nothing but I chased her out and reluctantly she's started eating some hay out in the open. I'm going to get her checked tomorrow at the vets then look into another pig if necessary.
Click to expand...

Take a deep breath - she is not acutely pining, but she is definitely grieving. That is not unusual. Give her room to grieve and do not stress her out too much over food as long as she is eating a little and is not losing more than 50g. If it is more, start offering syringe feed. Most piggies come round again within 2-4 days and get on with life again.
 
She lost 43g over night this morning when I checked her. I know it might not seem like a massive amount but in the 2 years I've had Beans her weight pretty much never changes.

It also worries me that since Tuesday she's getting worse - not getting better or even just staying the same, shes such an independent pig it's really concerning me just how much she's struggling. I can't lose Beans as well
 
It was so sad that you lost Toast, and I do hope Beans is pining rather than ill, although both are upsetting.

I had a wee look at the SSPCA website, and there is a gorgeous pair of 1-2yr old females just now in Angus/Fife/Tayside, which is a bit nearer you than Ayrshire, if you were considering getting Beans some company.

I hope everything works out ok for both you and Beans x
 
Reenie said:
It was so sad that you lost Toast, and I do hope Beans is pining rather than ill, although both are upsetting.

I had a wee look at the SSPCA website, and there is a gorgeous pair of 1-2yr old females just now in Angus/Fife/Tayside, which is a bit nearer you than Ayrshire, if you were considering getting Beans some company.

I hope everything works out ok for both you and Beans x
Click to expand...
Thanks for checking that's really nice of you. And good to know as well x
 
Aww poor Beans. And poor you! I think sometimes they half expect their companion to come back in the first few days and are a bit hopeful, and then get very down when they realise that, sadly, they aren't coming back :(
I agree with the above - take her for a checkup with her favourite vet and then let her take some time to grieve. Some seem to grieve longer than others! Good luck, hugs to you and Beans :hug:
 
Thank you everyone, you have all been so supportive. My Mum had been keeping me updated while I was at work and Beans was still very withdrawn. When I came home from work Beans came running to see me at the front door, something that her and Toast have always done. She picked up after seeing me but she's now back to being sleepy/lethargic.

I done a full cage change yesterday night, the first one since losing Toast. Could it be that changing all the fleece to fresh fleece has caused her to miss Toast again? Toast's smell is still in the room of course and the cage but it won't be quite as strong now.
 
Ayr's guinea pig rescue have got lots of guinea pigs in at the moment looking for homes. She's full to capacity. There is a trio of girls and a pair of girls nearly ready for a home. There's quite a lot of boys in at the moment too. The pair of girls have been put in with the herd of elderly resident piggies and they've mixed really well.
 
Julie M said:
Ayr's guinea pig rescue have got lots of guinea pigs in at the moment looking for homes. She's full to capacity. There is a trio of girls and a pair of girls nearly ready for a home. There's quite a lot of boys in at the moment too. The pair of girls have been put in with the herd of elderly resident piggies and they've mixed really well.
Click to expand...
Thank you that's good to know. I'll phone tomorrow to see about it all X
 
I've asked Kirsteen how many girls she's got in. As I only manage in once a week to volunteer.
 
She's got 2 trios of girls (1 trio still under assessment)
1 pair of 2/3 years olds.
1 pair of 5 year olds (really cute, one is a fuzzy pig)
 
I'm sure she would let you bring Beans along to choose some new friends. As she's had piggies in before to bond.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top