Dealing with a bereaved pig

[lizzie_71]

I have just posted about losing one of our two boys today Jack and Charlie were brothers and have never been separated until today. Now Jack is alone and I don't know what to do for the best for him.

I have given the cage a good clean out, made a nice bed of hay for him and then popped him back with a nice lot of food and a few cuddles. I am pretty sure he doesn't really realise what has happened yet, but he probably will when he has to sleep alone tonight.

He is 4 years old, not neutered, and has never been around any other piggies except his brother. I am nervous about trying to pair him up with a new friend, as I am not sure how he will take to it. And I don't know whether it is best to try and get him a friend soon before he gets too used to be on his own, or whether to leave it for a while, or maybe just leave him as a lone boar seeing as he is getting on in years himself.

Any advice on what to do next?

 

[Wiebke]

I am so sorry for your loss; please accept it if Jack is mourining and withdrawn for a few days.

The best way is to contact rescues in your reach and try and find one where you can take Jack and let him make his own choice. Best ring around, as you want to go where there are as many candidates as possible! Jack may yet surprise you yet!

A young baby boar may work as well - Jack will happily "daddy" him!

Here is a list of guinea pig rescues: http://www.guineapigrehome.org.uk/gp/centres.asp

 

[lizzie_71]

Thanks - the vet has given me a number of a local rescue and I will check out the link too. I'll ring around on Monday and see what they say. I am a little wary of getting a baby as we may then end up with the same problem again in a year or two given Jack's age, but if that's the best thing, we might give it a try.

 

[Wiebke]

Alternatively, you could try and rehome a couple of younger piggies and let them live with or next to Jack, so he can interact through bars or mesh.

I would see what the rescues in region have first and then find a solution that is best for your situation; just keep an open mind!

 

[lizzie_71]

Thanks very much. I would also consider neutering him if that would help, then maybe he could get a girlfriend of his age which could work. There are two rescues on the list very close to us and I'll see what they say.

 

[Mimi]

When Tigger died I allowed him Goofy to see his body so he could realise that had happened. It took him few days to become more active and now I am waiting to have him neutered so I could introduce him to his future girlfriends

 

[Wiebke]

You CAN have a boar neutered at four years old, depending on his general health. However, the risks are that bit higher and the healing will be slower, so it's rarely done - and you want to have a top vet for it!

while neutering is certainly an option for younger boars, one should only think about it if a an older boar will NOT bond at all with another male or even suffer one near him.

 

[lizzie_71]

Good morning. The first signs are positive for Jack. He took ate his veggies last night, and took some lettuce from my son's hand this morning. He also went downstairs in the hutch when we filled the food bowl like he normally does. He is showing no signs of moping or being lonely.

I am going to keep a close eye on him, but if he is happy and contented alone, we may decide to let him live out his twilight years as a much spoilt and loved only pig.