Don't know what to do for the best for Sparkle

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So… after losing Sian, I am now down to 4 guinea pigs - my neutered boar, Dexy and 3 sows … Sparkle, Jet and Onyx . My 2 6ft hutches are joined by a runaround door so, all 4 currently have access to 2 6ft x 2ft hutches.
I put an equal share of food water, hay and hideys in both hutches in case there are squabbles.
Dexy, Jet and Onyx are getting on very well but Sparkle seems to be an outsider. Sparkle favours one hutch (I'll call it the Left one) . She also favours 2 hideys and, if any of the others get near to her when she is in either of these hideys, she makes a loud protesting squeal.
The only time I have seen Sparkle go to the Right sided hutch is tonight … when I put their pellets in... Dexy , Jet and Onyx were in Sparkle's favourite side (the Left hutch) so, Sparkle went to the other side to eat pellets.
I don't know what to do for the best for Sparkle. She is 6 years old and has ovarian cysts. There is no sign of aggressive behaviour from any of my guineas but she is clearly making a conscious decision to keep away from the others. I am wondering if she would be happier if I separated her .
 
It does sound like she prefers her own company, maybe she finds the other's a bit much if they are younger and more active. Is it possible to position the hutches so she can see the others but they can't get into hers?
 
Veggies Galore said:
So… after losing Sian, I am now down to 4 guinea pigs - my neutered boar, Dexy and 3 sows … Sparkle, Jet and Onyx . My 2 6ft hutches are joined by a runaround door so, all 4 currently have access to 2 6ft x 2ft hutches.
I put an equal share of food water, hay and hideys in both hutches in case there are squabbles.
Dexy, Jet and Onyx are getting on very well but Sparkle seems to be an outsider. Sparkle favours one hutch (I'll call it the Left one) . She also favours 2 hideys and, if any of the others get near to her when she is in either of these hideys, she makes a loud protesting squeal.
The only time I have seen Sparkle go to the Right sided hutch is tonight … when I put their pellets in... Dexy , Jet and Onyx were in Sparkle's favourite side (the Left hutch) so, Sparkle went to the other side to eat pellets.
I don't know what to do for the best for Sparkle. She is 6 years old and has ovarian cysts. There is no sign of aggressive behaviour from any of my guineas but she is clearly making a conscious decision to keep away from the others. I am wondering if she would be happier if I separated her .
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You can try and see whether Sparkle is happier to have her own territory all to herself (which I think is likely), but as you provide plenty of space, she actually is able to make the choice for herself and have as much or - obviously preferable - as little company as she wants to. Old ladies can be soooo tricky! I know that so many people complain about teenage boars, but they haven't met a grumpy old sow yet!

I would recommend that you arrange any separation in a way she can still interact with the others through a divider, as much as she wants to if that is possible.
 
Thank you for the replies . I’m afraid a chatting fence is the only option I only have as the divider is only a runaround door .

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I think I’ll persevere a bit longer .

I am monitoring her weight and she’s maintaining her weight so at least she’s happy enough to be eating OK.
 
Just a thought, but if she has ovarian cysts, is it worth asking the vet if she can do a trial of say 2wks of Metacam/loxicom & see if she's more interactive with the rest of the group? (or ask if you can up the dose if she's already on some?)
If she's feeling uncomfortable she might feel a bit unsociable towards the others & be staying out of their way.

Have you thought about trying Chorulon injections for the cysts if she's older? My Ellie was 6 & the injections worked really well for her, although I know they don't work for all cysts.

Chinny tickles to Sparkle & hope you can resolve the situation. Xx
 
GPTV said:
Just a thought, but if she has ovarian cysts, is it worth asking the vet if she can do a trial of say 2wks of Metacam/loxicom & see if she's more interactive with the rest of the group? (or ask if you can up the dose if she's already on some?)
If she's feeling uncomfortable she might feel a bit unsociable towards the others & be staying out of their way.

Have you thought about trying Chorulon injections for the cysts if she's older? My Ellie was 6 & the injections worked really well for her, although I know they don't work for all cysts.

Chinny tickles to Sparkle & hope you can resolve the situation. Xx
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..she’s on Metacam . She was reviewed by Ellie Whitehead who decided not to go ahead with a spay because she is not showing major symptoms . I must admit , I wasn’t keen on starting injections .... maybe I should reconsider 🤔
 
quick update : I tried floor time this evening …. with a chatting fence . Sparkle stayed in her wine box bed all the time … even when veggies were served. She didn't eat anything until she was back on her own in the hutch so … I'm keeping them separated .
 
Sending hugs, poor Sparkle, looks like she's decided though... but you can always try the chatting fence at floor time again, and monitor her to see if she wants to rejoin the others- never say never! But if she's an elderly lady with health issues who wants her own space, trust her and your judgement, you and she know instinctively what she needs to be comfortable. Love the winebox bed, my own older lady Jezzy who likes her own space often claims one of these and wont get out until it dissolves with wee and she needs a bum bath! X
 
Poor Sparkle wasn't eating enough and I had to start syringe feeding her but yesterday , she wasn't swallowing the syringe feed. I took her to the vet who gave her a gut stimulant - this got her poo'ing , but she wouldn't take any syringe feed. Today, the vet and I decided that the kindest thing would be to help her over the bridge 😪
 
Veggies Galore said:
Poor Sparkle wasn't eating enough and I had to start syringe feeding her but yesterday , she wasn't swallowing the syringe feed. I took her to the vet who gave her a gut stimulant - this got her poo'ing , but she wouldn't take any syringe feed. Today, the vet and I decided that the kindest thing would be to help her over the bridge 😪
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So sorry to hear this, what a tough decision, but you've done the kindest thing for her x
 
I’m so sorry to read this Lisa. Clearly Sparkle had decided this was her time. She had a lovely life with you. Popcorn free little one x
 
oh no. I'm so sorry Lisa..you gave her a massive chance and that's what you must remember..
Big hugs to you and Sparkle you sleep away at the beautiful rainbow world. xx
 
Oh Lisa, I'm so sorry to hear this. You did all you could. Sparkle had made the decision for you she was telling you she had had enough of living in this world and wanted to live at the Rainbow Bridge.
 
So sorry to hear this sad news. :hug:
Perhaps Sparkle was missing Sian too and had decided she had had enough. She had a great life with you, hope you can remember lots of good times to soften the pain of losing her.
Sleep tight little Sparkle! 🌟 🌈
 
Oh Lisa, my heart sank when I read about Sparkle.
I am so sorry that you had to make that tough decision, even if it is made out of love.
6 is a very good age and she had a life filled with love.
Holding you in my heart
 
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