My SO and I recently got just one guinea pig (SO wanted to see how the little one fared in our home before getting another, even though they do better in pairs) from a pet store... a not so wise idea, because we realized that our little Espresso (gp's name) actually has an injured leg... from the pet store. He acts just fine. Gets excited for food, eats regularly, drinks just fine, and even wanders about the cage and popcorns, but will sometimes avoid putting any weight on his hurt leg. The vet gave us some pain medicine and antibiotics in case of infection and told us to try and restrict his movements- so his home has been downsized until the vet sees him again. I'm just a little worried. Should we wait until his leg is completely better to get him a buddy? Would he be okay with another piggy if his leg doesn't heal quite right? As much research as I've done, I haven't encountered information that would help me in this situation, so I was hoping more knowledgeable and experienced guinea pig owners could offer me some insight.
Got a guinea pig about a week ago
- Thread starter Caehl
- Start date
I would think that as there is an injury, doing actual bonding with another piggy now may not be a good idea. Being a male piggy, he will need to be bonded with another male (unless youre planning on getting him neutered and then doing the six week wait and bonding with a female) and the chasing and humping which goes on between boars will maybe make it harder to recover from the injury.
If you have a rescue centre near you who do boar dating (which would be the best way to find a friend for your piggy), then you could use the healing time to start the paperwork part of the process with a rescue centre.
Definitely do make sure you get him a friend as soon as possible though, guinea pigs are highly social and do not cope well if they live alone.
If you have a rescue centre near you who do boar dating (which would be the best way to find a friend for your piggy), then you could use the healing time to start the paperwork part of the process with a rescue centre.
Definitely do make sure you get him a friend as soon as possible though, guinea pigs are highly social and do not cope well if they live alone.
G&C
Junior Guinea Pig
I’m more concerned about his leg atm. Have you contacted the pet shop? You are within your rights to ask them to pay the vet bill since he is new to you and this includes the whole vet bill and medication your vet provided (don’t discard the receipts). -and the cost of the follow up appointment.
From what I have read on here previously, the vet has recommended the right advice by restricting his movement as much as possible, there is no surgery that can be offered, but I think eventually the vet may recommend some physiotherapy exercises you could do. See the recommended vets guides and rescue locators on here for your boy.
Also, I’m guessing he’s a young baby boy and youngsters thrive off the company of another pig, this is how they learn what to eat and it gives them more confidence to explore his surroundings (something which he can’t do at present because of his leg). I agree with piggies&buns that there will be lots of chasing and humping during introductions and it might not be the best time now, you need to monitor his food intake and make sure he can get to water. Good luck, let us know how you get on.
From what I have read on here previously, the vet has recommended the right advice by restricting his movement as much as possible, there is no surgery that can be offered, but I think eventually the vet may recommend some physiotherapy exercises you could do. See the recommended vets guides and rescue locators on here for your boy.
Also, I’m guessing he’s a young baby boy and youngsters thrive off the company of another pig, this is how they learn what to eat and it gives them more confidence to explore his surroundings (something which he can’t do at present because of his leg). I agree with piggies&buns that there will be lots of chasing and humping during introductions and it might not be the best time now, you need to monitor his food intake and make sure he can get to water. Good luck, let us know how you get on.
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Has he been xrayed?
Did the vet diagnose a sprain? Is it front or back leg? Some sprains take weeks to heal.
I would delay any attempt at bonding until
1. Your piggy is fully recovered and given the all clear
2. You have read fully our bonding guides https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/illustrated-bonding-dominance-behafviours-and-dynamics.128361/ Introducing And Re-introducing Guinea Pigs Boars: A guide to successful companionship.
3. You have a cage large enough for 2 boars (pet store cages are almost never large enough. 5 x 2 c and c is recommended for 2boars,
4. You have back up plans in case the bond fails. Unless you take your boar to a rescue for dating there’s is a chance that if you bring a boar home the bond may fail - do you have space for 2 cages etc.
Has he been xrayed?
Did the vet diagnose a sprain? Is it front or back leg? Some sprains take weeks to heal.
I would delay any attempt at bonding until
1. Your piggy is fully recovered and given the all clear
2. You have read fully our bonding guides https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/illustrated-bonding-dominance-behafviours-and-dynamics.128361/ Introducing And Re-introducing Guinea Pigs Boars: A guide to successful companionship.
3. You have a cage large enough for 2 boars (pet store cages are almost never large enough. 5 x 2 c and c is recommended for 2boars,
4. You have back up plans in case the bond fails. Unless you take your boar to a rescue for dating there’s is a chance that if you bring a boar home the bond may fail - do you have space for 2 cages etc.
PigglePuggle
Senior Guinea Pig
Has the leg been xrayed? That would be a priority I think if he's young and still growing and the injury is recent. How old is he? One option might be neutering him while he's on solitary cage rest and pain medication and under the care of a vet anyway, then he has the option of a nice lady friend in a couple of months? Is your vet good with piggy health care?
MomoMura
Junior Guinea Pig
I personally would wait for his leg to heal before finding him a buddy. Boar bonding can be physically taxing, and they can end up rumble strutting and humping each other for days until the matter is officially settled.
Another benefit to waiting a while is to give him a quarantine period. He may have underlying illnesses that may not show up right away. Normally, most people recommend a 30 day quarantine period at the very least. By the time his leg heals, it could give you sufficient notice as to whether or not he has any other illnesses.
Another benefit to waiting a while is to give him a quarantine period. He may have underlying illnesses that may not show up right away. Normally, most people recommend a 30 day quarantine period at the very least. By the time his leg heals, it could give you sufficient notice as to whether or not he has any other illnesses.