Grieving guinea pig

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piggylulu

piggylulu

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hello! I have just stumbled across your website by typing in 'guinea pig advice' and I hope someone can help. Our beloved 6 year old guinea pig Merry died last week which means that we have his brother on his own. Pippin (also 6) lives indoors with us and has daily interaction and socialisation. Do you think I would need to get another one as I hate the thought of him being lonely? He seems to be ok and loves that food is always there when he wants. Merry was the dominant one. The main thing which worries me is that I have not heard him squeak in the last week since Merry died. I promise that I do handle him daily and he gets looked after to a high standard. I do really love this piggy so want what is best for him. Any advice would be appreciated!
 
Sorry to hear you lost Merry. Losing a piggie is hard enough, but can be made worse by the worry of the one left behind.

Pippin sounds like he is doing well after the loss of his Brother and that is a credit to you giving him lots of attention and interaction. Is he eating fine? Lost no weight? He will respond better to having a new friend as piggies are social animals they do love company of their own kind. Our girl lost her sister earlier this year and we had to wait 4 weeks to get her some new friends, during this time she was still eating but a lot quieter than she used to be.. Once she had new friends she visibly picked up so I would advise that if you can get a friend for Pippin then to do so.

In the meantime just carry on as you are doing, lots of attention and you'll help each other through this painful time

Here is a link to our reputable Rescue locator http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/locator/ All the rescues on there have high standards of care

Should you wish you can post a memorial to Merry in our Rainbow Bridge Section of the forum, it is where posters post tributes to pets they have lost as a memorial http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?16-Rainbow-Bridge-Pets

Finally, Welcome to the forum, sorry it is in such sad circumstances, we started posting on here when one of our frst girls was poorly and unfortunately passed away. We found it a great source of comfort to talk to people who understand.
 
I agree it sounds like he is bearing up well since Merry died. Its down to you if you want to commit to more guinea pigs or not at 6 years old he could live a good few more years. One of mine lived to be 9. If you do decide to get him a friend I would go down the rescue route they could pair him with someone he will get on with :)
 
I agree with Sport Billy and Degu Rock, we've been through similar situations more than once and would recommend a friend for Pippin. If you can find a reputable rescue and take him on a "boardate" so that he can choose his own friend ( always better than us "hoomans" doing the choosing) then that's the best way to go about finding another friend. So sorry to hear about the loss of Merry.
 
I lost one of a duo on saturday and the remaining one was still eating and drinking but was quieter and more fearful so my mum got her a friend.At the moment the baby is in a cage within the c&c cage and am swapping smells but she is already more active and happier.Its horrid having to get new friends and Iwhen I got her home just cuddled her and cried for the one I lost but know I am doing the best thing for pebbles (the remaining one) I tried two girls from a rescue but she went for both, even the placid one so woman that brought them suggested she would take to a baby better but none available in my area and don't want to risk hr going downhill. Pebbles is only aboit c months old so not a lot of choice.Good luck in finding him a friend, it has already made a difference to pebbles
 
Welcome to the forum but I'm so sorry for your loss. It does sound like he is coping well. Good luck in whatever you decide to do :) I'm sure he would love a friend, if that is something that you also want for yourself...?
 
Hi guys. Thank you so much for the lovely messages - they have bought a tear to my eye. Merry really was a lovely piggy, after a tough start in life. I got both Merry and Pippin from Woodgreen Animal Shelter near Huntingdon when they were 6 months old. The previous owner got bored of them. I dont know how they could have given them up as they were lovely but clearly rarely been handled. My husband bought them for me as a wedding gift as I had such fond memories of my piggies when I was younger. I have since had a child (he will be 3 in a couple of weeks) who thinks Pippin is awesome. Pippin also has a hernia on his back which he has had for at least 18 months. The vet and Vedra at CCT insist that he is fine though and it doesnt affect him. Pippin is still eating lots of food. He is a big pig! I will attempt to upload a pic! I will leave him for a few more weeks and then have a look at finding him a new friend. Thanks again for your messages.
 
piggylulu said:
Hi guys. Thank you so much for the lovely messages - they have bought a tear to my eye. Merry really was a lovely piggy, after a tough start in life. I got both Merry and Pippin from Woodgreen Animal Shelter near Huntingdon when they were 6 months old. The previous owner got bored of them. I dont know how they could have given them up as they were lovely but clearly rarely been handled. My husband bought them for me as a wedding gift as I had such fond memories of my piggies when I was younger. I have since had a child (he will be 3 in a couple of weeks) who thinks Pippin is awesome. Pippin also has a hernia on his back which he has had for at least 18 months. The vet and Vedra at CCT insist that he is fine though and it doesnt affect him. Pippin is still eating lots of food. He is a big pig! I will attempt to upload a pic! I will leave him for a few more weeks and then have a look at finding him a new friend. Thanks again for your messages.
Click to expand...

I have uploaded a pic! Merry is the blonde crested one on the left and Pippin is our remaining piggy on the right. This is them about a year ago after a bath!
 
Hi, I'm sorry to hear of your loss, they were certainly a fine pair of piggies. R.I.P. Merry. xx

The best way to check that Pippin is eating enough is by regularly weighing him then you'll know for certain. Normally you would weigh them weekly but for the time being, every 3 or 4 days. Piggies do tend to eat less when they're by themselves as there's no competition for the food & there's no need to go on a feeding frenzy as the food is there all day if they don't eat it. If his weight does go down, it will soon go back up when he gets a new companion. I would go for seeing if a local rescue does a boar dating service & try to get a piggy over 18 months so that the hormonal (teenage) stage is out of the way. Thinking long term you could even consider getting a neutered boar so that if you go through the same in a couple of years time you'd then have more options & also be able to get a sow to be a companion for the newcomer.
 
Awwww Love that photo in your Avatar. If you ever need to talk we are all here for you.
 
ah, thank you Sport Billy. Thanks also for moving this thread. I was not sure where to put it. This seems like a lovely forum. All your advice has been read and appreciated x
 
piggylulu said:
ah, thank you Sport Billy. Thanks also for moving this thread. I was not sure where to put it. This seems like a lovely forum. All your advice has been read and appreciated x
Click to expand...

No problem :) If you are ever unsure where to post go for guinea pig chat as it is always well read :)

The forum is a very supportive place, you can always talk piggie here and everyone knows how much they mean to you.
 
Sad news, I am afraid. I got home from work tonight to a barely breathing Pippin pig. He was been looking increasingly sad over the past few days. I can not believe that both Merry and Pippin have both past away within 21 days of each other. At least they both got a lovely home and over 6 years of life together. RIP boys x
 
I'm sorry to hear that you've lost both your boys. :(
 
I'm sorry you have lost both your boys within such a short time, at least they are together now. I have just lost two of my girls within the same time so I can understand how you are feeling. xx
 
I am so sorry to hear this. To lose one piggie is bad enough but to lose both so close together is really hard. Very sorry for your losses.

RIP Merry & Pippin
x x
 
I am very sorry that Pippin felt he wanted to be with his friend again so much. What a blow for you!

RIP Pippin and Merry - popcorn together again
 
Photos as promised courtesy of piggylulu. ;)

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No problems, any time - that's what we're here for. ;)
 
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