Boars falling out

[Piggies&buns]

I am so sorry for your loss. A sudden loss is always such a shock.

Getting him neutered and having some girls is a good idea. It is a long wait but a sow/boar bond tends to be more stable.

Keep up with weight checks to monitor his hay intake but otherwise keep him mentally stimulated - lots of hiding food and encouraging foraging will keep him occupied

I’ve added a guide below to help further

Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig

 

[AidaB]

So sorry to hear that Tony has passed away. He was a lucky boy to have lived with you.
Sweet dreams at the rainbow bridge Tony.

 

[meepfish66]

Thank you @Piggies&buns I appreciate that. And will do. He's ate plenty of greens this morning and I've seen him eat and drink, but I will weigh him in the morning and keep an eye.

 

[meepfish66]

Thanks @AidaB x

 

[CTWC]

I am so very sorry for your loss

 

[meepfish66]

Thanks @CTWC x

 

[Wiebke]

Sadly Tony passed away last night. We woke up yesterday and he wasn't eating or drinking, was working hard to breathe, it was all very sudden, he was taking carrot sticks off me the night before, so we took him to the emergency vet, he gave us antibiotics and food to syringe feed him but he passed in the night.

I wanted to thank everyone for their help and support here and Chocolate and Tony were living well as neighboars.

We think we're going to get Chocolate neutered and look to bond with a pair of sows to give him his best chance. He's looking for Tony and was very quiet this morning. But he's had plenty of greens, had floor time and popcorned and is eating and drinking. We're contacting some guinea rescues for some support but any advice over next steps or how to stop him getting lonely because it'll probably take 8-10 weeks to get sorted with recovery time.

Thanks again x

BIG HUGS

I am so very sorry. Because of their much faster metabolism, guinea pigs can do downhill and and a lot more quickly and right out of the blue as well.

Fallen-out boars or sows living side by side are often what we call 'can't live together but can't live apart, either' pairs who have their own territories but still share companionship and retain their bond to some degree.

Here is our detailed, practical information for bereaved companions, neutering and cross gender bonds. If you cannot rescue date for adoption, it may be better to look for baby sows under 4 months rather than adult sows, as that will work without fail.

Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig

Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths, Facts and Post-op Care

A Closer Look At Pairs (Boars - Sows - Mixed) (the chapter on mixed pairs basically also applies to trios).

We now have a Bereavement Support Corner where we provide understanding community support to owners for all the emotional and practical questions that come with and in the wake of a loss. You are welcome to open an ongoing support thread there.

 

[meepfish66]

Thanks @Wiebke apologies if I've posted in the wrong place, it was kinda an update/advice post. Thanks for the links, i'll have a look. So if we neuter our 8 month, and can't get bonded quickly, a young sow will easily bond with him?

 

[Truffolo]

Very sad to hear you have lost lovely Tony. Having Chocolate neutered is a good idea. I hope he can find the sow or sows of his dreams and your little herd will be very happy

 

[Truffolo]

Snuggle softly over the bridge little Tony

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks @Wiebke apologies if I've posted in the wrong place, it was kinda an update/advice post. Thanks for the links, i'll have a look. So if we neuter our 8 month, and can't get bonded quickly, a young sow will easily bond with him?

The update is not an issue and you haven't done anything wrong.

What I have suggested is an offer for ongoing support for yourself during the grieving process as well as Chocolate while he is on his own. It's just helping us and others looking for information if you opened a new thread for Chocolate and you for moral and practical support while he is on his own and any grieving issues and questions that may come up for you.
End of Life and Bereavement Support Corner

Most sows up to his current age will usually accept a neutered boar because they have their biological urges pushing them. Adult and especially older sows are an entirely different kettle of fish... There it can go either way and really depends on mutual liking and character compatibility. Sometimes, it helps if a sow can live alongside a boar sitting out his post op wait so they can become friends through the bars; but as I know only too well myself, it is not a guarantee.

PS: The threads in the green field at the top of each Care section are our information guides, which you may find helpful to make sense of what has happened or which give you some guidance.

 

[meepfish66]

Thanks @Truffolo

 

[Merab]

So sorry that you have lost your beloved Tony.
Be gentle with yourself as you grieve.
Hugs

 

[meepfish66]

Thanks @Wiebke I'll continue there x

 

[meepfish66]

Thanks @Merab x

 

[piggieminder]

I have somehow missed your thread and have just been catching up.
I am so sorry to see your very sad news. Sending you hugs.
Sleep tight little Tony.

 

[meepfish66]

Thanks @piggieminder x

 

[meepfish66]

Chocolate says hello!

He's on week 2 of antibiotics, and has 4 more doses left. And then he's booked in to a rescue on Saturday for a week to hopefully bond with a friend. We'll miss him but all being well we'll bring him and his friend home on 10th.

He's not loved being picked up twice a day but he really loves the antibiotics, they smell like foam bananas

We've tried him with raspberries this week but he wouldn't even entertain trying them

 

[Merab]

Hope the visit to the rescue goes well and Chocolate finds a friend

 

[meepfish66]

Chocolate's home and he's brought home his friend Gingerbread (formerly known as Day). Despite multiple washes and spraying and sterilizing everything, Chocolate knew he was home so there's been some rumblestrutting and teeth chattering but the rescue said that's normal and it looks so far that Gingerbread is ok with Chocolate being boss. They've also had some quiet time lying near / next to each other. Early days but we keep our fingers crossed. Also loving their ghost bedding Gingerbread is only 2 months older than Chocolate.

 

[Merab]

I love a happy ending.
So glad that Chocolate has found a new friend.
Looking forward to more pictures of them both

 

[CTWC]

Welcome home boys

 

[meepfish66]

So Day is staying as Day instead of Gingerbread cos his names just stuck but here's more pictures as requested.

 

[Mrs Tiggy Winkle]

Day is rather an unusual name, but assuming Day knows the sound of it, maybe good that it has stuck?

Lovely pics of your boys!

 

[Wheekallweek]

Little cuties! Tony will be looking down on them for sure
We had a pony called Daybreak years ago. We always used to call her Day

 

[meepfish66]

Day is rather an unusual name, but assuming Day knows the sound of it, maybe good that it has stuck?

Lovely pics of your boys!

His previous friend was called Night

 

[meepfish66]

Little cuties! Tony will be looking down on them for sure
We had a pony called Daybreak years ago. We always used to call her Day

The names growing on me Daybreak is a lovely name x

 

[Merab]

 

[CTWC]

Lovely