Bereaved Guinea Pig :(

[sophiem92]

Hi Everyone!

I'm new to this. I had 2 beautiful twin boy piggies, both just over 1 years of age, and unfortunately earlier this week we had to have one of them (Toby) put to sleep He'd been suffering for a couple of weeks from infections etc. which we treated him for and had multiple vet visits, but it turns out in the end it was a neurological disorder and he was having small seizures on his last day It was absolutely heartbreaking. He was the more dominant piggie out of the two of them as well so to see him deteriorate like he did was mortifying. We tried our absolute hardest and put so much time and money into him to get him better but there was no saving little Tobes

It's very fresh still, so we're still very upset at home as it's only been 3 days but i'm looking for advise for our other boy, Malcom. Malcom and Toby were so close they sometimes used to sleep in one house together, I think this is because of their twin bond. They'd follow each other around all the time and do everything together it was adorable.
At the moment, Malcom doesn't seem too bad. We brought Toby home when he'd passed and we read that it helps the piggie left behind to show them the body of their old companion before burying them, so we did this. Very upsetting. Malcom was nudging Toby and then laid right next to him for a while. As heartbreaking as it was to watch, we're hoping this helped Malcom with closure!

So anyway, Malcom is still eating and drinking just as normal, but last night I started noticing that he would do little high pitched squeaks on his own in his little towel tent, ,followed by the teeth chattering sound which I know normally means they're upset/angry?
I'm so reluctant to get another piggie because I don't know how Malcom would react, but is it cruel to leave Malcom on his own in his big pen?

I'm just lost on what I need to be doing. We're giving Malcom lots of attention when we're at home, but when we aren't there I don't want him to be lonely and depressed.


Has anyone else had to go through this at all? I can't cope picking a new piggie yet as its too fresh, but I want to do what's best for Malcom, not what's best for me.

Any help would be much appreciated and sorry for the essay!

 

[Merab]

I am so sorry for your loss.
I lost a piggy a few years ago to something similar- it was heartbreaking when he started having seizures and we had to have him pts.
Look after yourself and allow yourself time to grieve.

It’s great that you are thinking of Malcolm’s needs even in your own sadness.
You have 2 main options and different forum members will be along to share their experience and wisdom.
When Philemon died his brother Titus was Left and so I did as much research as I could ( my pre forum days)
I decided the best option was neutering and then getting a sow for him to live with.
I ended up with 2 sows - a mother and daughter.
Titus was a very happy boy for the rest of his life.
Merab is the only one still alive - my avatar. She was the daughter and is 6 this month.

The other recommended option is boar dating at a rescue. There is a link at the top of the forum. This way Malcolm chooses his own companion.
Whatever you do will be the right choice for you and Malcolm.

Please feel free to post a tribute to Toby on the Rainbow Bridge thread.

 

[sophiem92]

I am so sorry for your loss.
I lost a piggy a few years ago to something similar- it was heartbreaking when he started having seizures and we had to have him pts.
Look after yourself and allow yourself time to grieve.

It’s great that you are thinking of Malcolm’s needs even in your own sadness.
You have 2 main options and different forum members will be along to share their experience and wisdom.
When Philemon died his brother Titus was Left and so I did as much research as I could ( my pre forum days)
I decided the best option was neutering and then getting a sow for him to live with.
I ended up with 2 sows - a mother and daughter.
Titus was a very happy boy for the rest of his life.
Merab is the only one still alive - my avatar. She was the daughter and is 6 this month.

The other recommended option is boar dating at a rescue. There is a link at the top of the forum. This way Malcolm chooses his own companion.
Whatever you do will be the right choice for you and Malcolm.

Please feel free to post a tribute to Toby on the Rainbow Bridge thread.

Thank you so much for replying! It is so heartbreaking isn't it Sorry you had to go through the same situation. Malcom is definitely my priority, I just want to make sure he's ok! So would you suggest getting a sow would be better than getting another boar? I know that boar's can fight can't they which is what I was worried about, but if a sow is a safer option then I'll definitely be open to doing the same as what you did.

Awww Merab is doing well then Is she ok on her own too?

I've heard about this boar dating thing, it sounds like an option for definite so I'll check that out too. Thank you so much for sharing your experience very Helpful!

I'd love to post a tribute to Toby so I'll be sure to do that soon when I can write about him without getting upset !

 

[Merab]

I can only say what I decided for Titus.
I didn’t know about boar dating then so I don’t know if I may have tried that.
Merab has a companion - Jemimah who came as a baby with her sister Keziah 3 years ago after Merab was left alone.
Sadly I lost Keziah to a tumour 2 weeks ago so I know I’m still grieving for her.

Look at all the possible options for Malcolm before deciding which is the best for you and him.

 

[sophiem92]

I can only say what I decided for Titus.
I didn’t know about boar dating then so I don’t know if I may have tried that.
Merab has a companion - Jemimah who came as a baby with her sister Keziah 3 years ago after Merab was left alone.
Sadly I lost Keziah to a tumour 2 weeks ago so I know I’m still grieving for her.

Look at all the possible options for Malcolm before deciding which is the best for you and him.

Oh gosh i'm so sorry to hear that ! I hope you're ok. It's a horrible thing to go through.

I will do I'll look at all options and start to get some ideas of what to do in the near future for him. I want to make the right decision so time will tell Thank you again!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi Everyone!

I'm new to this. I had 2 beautiful twin boy piggies, both just over 1 years of age, and unfortunately earlier this week we had to have one of them (Toby) put to sleep He'd been suffering for a couple of weeks from infections etc. which we treated him for and had multiple vet visits, but it turns out in the end it was a neurological disorder and he was having small seizures on his last day It was absolutely heartbreaking. He was the more dominant piggie out of the two of them as well so to see him deteriorate like he did was mortifying. We tried our absolute hardest and put so much time and money into him to get him better but there was no saving little Tobes

It's very fresh still, so we're still very upset at home as it's only been 3 days but i'm looking for advise for our other boy, Malcom. Malcom and Toby were so close they sometimes used to sleep in one house together, I think this is because of their twin bond. They'd follow each other around all the time and do everything together it was adorable.
At the moment, Malcom doesn't seem too bad. We brought Toby home when he'd passed and we read that it helps the piggie left behind to show them the body of their old companion before burying them, so we did this. Very upsetting. Malcom was nudging Toby and then laid right next to him for a while. As heartbreaking as it was to watch, we're hoping this helped Malcom with closure!

So anyway, Malcom is still eating and drinking just as normal, but last night I started noticing that he would do little high pitched squeaks on his own in his little towel tent, ,followed by the teeth chattering sound which I know normally means they're upset/angry?
I'm so reluctant to get another piggie because I don't know how Malcom would react, but is it cruel to leave Malcom on his own in his big pen?

I'm just lost on what I need to be doing. We're giving Malcom lots of attention when we're at home, but when we aren't there I don't want him to be lonely and depressed.


Has anyone else had to go through this at all? I can't cope picking a new piggie yet as its too fresh, but I want to do what's best for Malcom, not what's best for me.

Any help would be much appreciated and sorry for the essay!

Hi and welcome

I am very sorry for your loss! You are welcome to post a tribute to Toby in our Rainbow Bridge section if you would like to and whenever it feels right for you

Please have a read of this guide here. You may find it helpful as it addresses your problem in detail; it is a very common experience. Human and cavy needs are never further apart than after the death of a piggy as we grieve differently (if not less deeply!) as a species.
The guide also contains tips of what you can do in the immediate term and further information as well. Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

The best good standard dating rescue for you to find new companionship for Malcolm is Cavy Corner in Doncaster. They are truly lovely people there and fully understand what you are going through.
https://www.facebook.com/cavycorner/

The current issue of Guinea Pig Magazine that is just coming out is dealing with loss, pts and grieving as its main subject. You may find it very interesting!
I have written two piggy stories of mine as an illustration for the main article; one that deals with my special Minx's last day and my own feelings and experiences when her companion went into acute pining and needed a new mate asap as a life saver, long before I was ready myself! The other text deals with the difference new companionship can make even to a very old guinea pig with Calli's story. Another forum member has written about the guilt and soul searching that any loving owner inevitably suffers from at the onset of the grieving process.
Guinea Pig Mag

PS: Calli is sadly one of the three oldies I have lost in the space of just two weeks; two of them had to be pts. Dratted heatwave - it is poison for the old and frail as it can shift a delicate balance to the wrong side with the extra stress on the body!

 

[sport_billy]

I can't add to the excellent advice above, but just wanted to say sorry for your loss

PTS is an agonizing decision and one that we always make by putting their quality of life above all else. We help then and in return cause our hearts to break. But PTS is the final act of love we can make for our pets when they need us and you were there when little Toby needed you the most.
I know putting the body back is is an upsetting thing to do but it really helps... over the years I have seen varying responses, from nudging to ignoring, but the piggies can sense they have lost their friend and it does help them so well done, I know it is hard to watch.

Huge hugs and good luck with finding Malcom a friend when you feel the time is right

 

[sophiem92]

Hi and welcome

I am very sorry for your loss! You are welcome to post a tribute to Toby in our Rainbow Bridge section if you would like to and whenever it feels right for you

Please have a read of this guide here. You may find it helpful as it addresses your problem in detail; it is a very common experience. Human and cavy needs are never further apart than after the death of a piggy as we grieve differently (if not less deeply!) as a species.
The guide also contains tips of what you can do in the immediate term and further information as well. Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

The best good standard dating rescue for you to find new companionship for Malcolm is Cavy Corner in Doncaster. They are truly lovely people there and fully understand what you are going through.
https://www.facebook.com/cavycorner/

The current issue of Guinea Pig Magazine that is just coming out is dealing with loss, pts and grieving as its main subject. You may find it very interesting!
I have written two piggy stories of mine as an illustration for the main article; one that deals with my special Minx's last day and my own feelings and experiences when her companion went into acute pining and needed a new mate asap as a life saver, long before I was ready myself! The other text deals with the difference new companionship can make even to a very old guinea pig with Calli's story. Another forum member has written about the guilt and soul searching that any loving owner inevitably suffers from at the onset of the grieving process.
Guinea Pig Mag

PS: Calli is sadly one of the three oldies I have lost in the space of just two weeks; two of them had to be pts. Dratted heatwave - it is poison for the old and frail as it can shift a delicate balance to the wrong side with the extra stress on the body!

Thank you for all of your advice I'll definitely be having a read of the article you have attached and the Cavy Corner in Doncaster is ideal for me!
It's still a bit too soon for me yet, i'm going to monitor Malcom this weekend and spend as much time with him as I can as I'm at home all weekend which is good.

Its a horrible thing to have to go through and I can't wait to start feeling back to normal again I'm sure Malcom is the same.

I appreciate all the help its great !

 

[sophiem92]

I can't add to the excellent advice above, but just wanted to say sorry for your loss

PTS is an agonizing decision and one that we always make by putting their quality of life above all else. We help then and in return cause our hearts to break. But PTS is the final act of love we can make for our pets when they need us and you were there when little Toby needed you the most.
I know putting the body back is is an upsetting thing to do but it really helps... over the years I have seen varying responses, from nudging to ignoring, but the piggies can sense they have lost their friend and it does help them so well done, I know it is hard to watch.

Huge hugs and good luck with finding Malcom a friend when you feel the time is right

Thank you so much for your kind words
It was the hardest decision I've ever had to make, stood in that vet room with Toby slumped in my arms making the decision to PTS was pretty traumatising for me, I've never had to do that before. I think it's what i'm struggling with the most because I took him in hoping that the Vet would change his medication or come up with some kind of miracle but I was definitely wishful thinking Then I had to leave with him in his little carry pod no longer around, I can't stop remembering that!
Time is a healer and i'm hoping I can get over that and be back to normal soon. Malcom is my priority now and I'll do anything I can to help the poor guy.

I'm glad you've reassured me about putting the body back to show Malcom because we were so reluctant to do it but hopefully it has helped him. He kept nudging his head and tried to crawl under him, then he just got as close as he could and lay next to him for a while before I took him away. heartbreaking.

Thank you again, it means a lot

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for all of your advice I'll definitely be having a read of the article you have attached and the Cavy Corner in Doncaster is ideal for me!
It's still a bit too soon for me yet, i'm going to monitor Malcom this weekend and spend as much time with him as I can as I'm at home all weekend which is good.

Its a horrible thing to have to go through and I can't wait to start feeling back to normal again I'm sure Malcom is the same.

I appreciate all the help its great !

Unfortunately the grieving process is not something you can hurry on; you have to grieve as much as you have loved.
But you can de-couple the companionship issue from your own grieving by not setting yourself under a lot of unnecessary pressure that you have to love and bond with a new companion instantly.

Give Malcolm time to do his own grieving, which takes several days, and contact Cavy Corner over the weekend to allow time for the adoption process. 1-2 weeks after a death is an ideal time to re-bond any guinea pig that is not acutely pining (not eating/no interested in the world). If Malcolm is withdrawn and doesn't want too many cuddles, please respect that. I know that it is tough for you, but he is grieving in his own way as you are in yours, and they do not necessarily come together. He will however love and trust you more in the long term if he feels understood and respected.

 

[sport_billy]

Thank you so much for your kind words
It was the hardest decision I've ever had to make, stood in that vet room with Toby slumped in my arms making the decision to PTS was pretty traumatising for me, I've never had to do that before. I think it's what i'm struggling with the most because I took him in hoping that the Vet would change his medication or come up with some kind of miracle but I was definitely wishful thinking Then I had to leave with him in his little carry pod no longer around, I can't stop remembering that!
Time is a healer and i'm hoping I can get over that and be back to normal soon. Malcom is my priority now and I'll do anything I can to help the poor guy.

I'm glad you've reassured me about putting the body back to show Malcom because we were so reluctant to do it but hopefully it has helped him. He kept nudging his head and tried to crawl under him, then he just got as close as he could and lay next to him for a while before I took him away. heartbreaking.

Thank you again, it means a lot

You will, time does heal I promise. Bad memories fade. Pain lessens, you still miss them but the pain gets less and less raw.

Huge hugs, Malcolm is lucky to have such a caring piggy slave as you. We are all here for you