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Depressed Guinea Pigs

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Sammybear991

Sammybear991

Junior Guinea Pig
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I am a mummy piggie slave of 4. We recently lost our Rowan, who was just over 3 years old. Since he passed his two brothers and cage mates, Gingy and Knight, have become depressed. Gingy especially, I have noticed he is losing weight gradually but he still eating and drinking. He also sleeping a lot and does not even wake when I'm in their room, he only wakes when I touch him. They have been getting a lot TLC from me since Rowan died but I don't know how else to help them. I thought of getting another male pig, a younger one, but threw the idea right away as I am aware how difficult it is to bond bores. Is there anything that I can do to help? Please any advise would be very much appreciated.
 
I'm sorry for your loss xx Perhaps give them and their cage a wash? When I lost Minja, Ginny was alone and to avoid him sinking I chucked out what smelled of her (though sometimes keeping a piece of fleece etc what smells of him comforts pigs) and washed the fleece. It will give them a new start, also changing the cage around if you can and moving around houses toys etc and getting more toys to stimulate them.
 
Sammybear991 said:
I am a mummy piggie slave of 4. We recently lost our Rowan, who was just over 3 years old. Since he passed his two brothers and cage mates, Gingy and Knight, have become depressed. Gingy especially, I have noticed he is losing weight gradually but he still eating and drinking. He also sleeping a lot and does not even wake when I'm in their room, he only wakes when I touch him. They have been getting a lot TLC from me since Rowan died but I don't know how else to help them. I thought of getting another male pig, a younger one, but threw the idea right away as I am aware how difficult it is to bond bores. Is there anything that I can do to help? Please any advise would be very much appreciated.
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Hi! I am very sorry for you loss!

Please have Gingy vet checked in case the loss has brought out an underlying health issue. Be aware that hay is making up to 80% of the daily food intake, which is something you cannot control. It is often first food group that is being dropped if there is a pain/health problem. If necessary, switch to topping up with syringe feed.

Only once you have excluded the medical angle would I contact Tees Valley Guinea Pig Rescue, which is your closest good standard rescue that offers boar dating under expert supervision at the rescue. All their piggies are quarantined/have received medical care if needed, and you come home with a new companion only if there has been success. You also have got the rescue to fall back on if there are problems along the way.

Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
Guinea Pig Vet Locator
Guinea Pig Rescue Centre Locator
 
Poor boys! I'm not surprised they're both depressed :( RIP Rowan x

Have you tried putting in a teddy or babies comfort blanket? I'm not sure if that would help.

It might be worth having a change around of their cage layout or having them out for run time a bit more just to try and give them something else to focus on.

As you say, it's very difficult to bond boars (especially in groups) and as they have each other for comfort I don't know whether it would help them or not to have another friend?

Hope your boys perk up soon :)
 
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