Bereavement - how quickly to step in with feeding

M

Musicalpiggies

New Born Pup
Joined
Feb 12, 2024
Messages
6
Reaction score
11
Points
70
Location
United Kingdom
My boar is on day 3 post-bereavement. He’s been doing well and eating well, but today he’s been eating noticeably less. He’s happily eaten pellets this morning and I saw him nibbling on hay afterwards, but I’ve been watched him carefully for the last 3 hours or so and he’s just been hauled up in his fleece cosy and not nibbling on hay at all anymore. I’ve removed the cosy (which I feel guilty about, as it’s clearly comforting for him) in the hopes that being forced to lay in on the hay in his hide-away might make him think to eat some. I’ve also been slowly feeding him small bits of veg, because I’ve noticed he tends to nibble on a few stalks of hay afterwards. However is now just back to laying down with his back to me without eating again. How quickly should I step in with feeding if his eating doesn’t pick up, or am I being overly paranoid? His next weight in is later this evening, up to now, he hasn’t lost any significant weight.
 
I’m sorry for your loss.

It depends entirely on his weight check really.
At present, it wouldn’t hurt tonight him some mushed pellets (in a bowl) and see what he does with it rather than actually syringe feeding.
It’s actually best to weigh them each morning.

If he is losing weight (50g or more) then you do need to step in with syringe feeding. Finding a new friend also becomes a priority.

Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig
 
Thank you for the advice. Yes he definitely needs a new friend! He’s been out and eating again, so I probably panicked a bit too quickly!
 
It’s a good idea to hay inside his hides so he doesn’t have to come out if he doesn’t want to
 
Musicalpiggies said:
Thank you for the advice. Yes he definitely needs a new friend! He’s been out and eating again, so I probably panicked a bit too quickly!
Click to expand...

Hi

HUGS

I am very sorry. Please switch to weighing daily first thing in the morning tomorrow and step in with feeding support if he has lost weight and isn't back to normal.

Acute pining/bereavement related loss of appetite happens pretty much instantly after a loo but health/immune related problems usually show up after a few days or weeks.

It is always an anxious time. Regular weighing is your best ally. The average time of deep mourning is about 4 days (can be longer of course) after which most piggies start to pick up their normal life again, if without the sparkle. It is hard for a loving nd grieving owner to see their remaining piggy withdrawn.

Try to check up potential companionship this weekend; that is something constructive you can do and that hopefully helps to counter your jitters (which are perfectly normal) to a degree because you will feel more in control again.
 
Musicalpiggies said:
Thanks for all the advice. I’m keeping a close eye, he’s definitely perked up a bit today. I’m sure I’m just being overly anxious after losing his lovely little cage mate.
Click to expand...

HUGS

Just keep an eye on the weight for the next week or so for your own reassurance.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top