Guinea pig loss

T

toast

New Born Pup
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Hi all,
One of my trio (Greta) really sadly passed away last week after being hospitalised for a respiratory infection.
I think one of my pigs (Agnes) is taking it a bit harder than the other - she's still eating, but just seems a bit quieter. She used to be very good friends with Greta.
She and my remaining pig (Maud) haven't been getting on so well. The three of them used to get on well before Greta died, but their dynamic feels different since Greta died. There haven't been any fights - haven't seen any rumbling, bites, or chasing, it's just that Maud likes her space and Agnes doesn't seem to get it. The most that they'll do is wheek at each other if Agnes tries to share a hide with Maud, but I'm wondering if there’s anything I can do to help Agnes feel a bit less lonely or help them get on better.
Thanks in advance.
 
toast said:
Hi all,
One of my trio (Greta) really sadly passed away last week after being hospitalised for a respiratory infection.
I think one of my pigs (Agnes) is taking it a bit harder than the other - she's still eating, but just seems a bit quieter. She used to be very good friends with Greta.
She and my remaining pig (Maud) haven't been getting on so well. The three of them used to get on well before Greta died, but their dynamic feels different since Greta died. There haven't been any fights - haven't seen any rumbling, bites, or chasing, it's just that Maud likes her space and Agnes doesn't seem to get it. The most that they'll do is wheek at each other if Agnes tries to share a hide with Maud, but I'm wondering if there’s anything I can do to help Agnes feel a bit less lonely or help them get on better.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Hi!

After the death of group member the remaining piggies have to establish a new hierarchy. If there is a new group leader, especially one more by default than ability, then they will be more stand-offish in term of the under-piggies respecting the personal spere and choice of prime space. It is just very minor dominance that typically lasts around 2 weeks after an introduction/change in hierarchy. You should find that after this time things will relax again and that your two girls will get on better again.

If you are thinking of adding another piggy, I would recommend to consider 'husboar' dating at a good welfare standard rescue that offers this service to ensure that you are coming home with a lad only after acceptance has happened. Unfortunately with the pandemic this is not quite easy and may require joining a waiting list but as mutual liking and personality compatibility come a long way before age or gender, letting your piggy have a say in who they want to be with, is important. I would not get a baby on spec as it may cause more problems than it solves.
Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?
Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

Unfortunately as you haven't added a country, state/province or UK county, I cannot give you any more concrete recommendations.
 
Wiebke said:
Hi!

After the death of group member the remaining piggies have to establish a new hierarchy. If there is a new group leader, especially one more by default than ability, then they will be more stand-offish in term of the under-piggies respecting the personal spere and choice of prime space. It is just very minor dominance that typically lasts around 2 weeks after an introduction/change in hierarchy. You should find that after this time things will relax again and that your two girls will get on better again.

If you are thinking of adding another piggy, I would recommend to consider 'husboar' dating at a good welfare standard rescue that offers this service to ensure that you are coming home with a lad only after acceptance has happened. Unfortunately with the pandemic this is not quite easy and may require joining a waiting list but as mutual liking and personality compatibility come a long way before age or gender, letting your piggy have a say in who they want to be with, is important. I would not get a baby on spec as it may cause more problems than it solves.
Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?
Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

Unfortunately as you haven't added a country, state/province or UK county, I cannot give you any more concrete recommendations.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the response, I'm in the UK :) was really hoping to get another sow since I’ve always had all girls, but haven't decided anything
 
toast said:
Thanks for the response, I'm in the UK :) was really hoping to get another sow since I’ve always had all girls, but haven't decided anything
Click to expand...

Go with what is around at the rescues you can get to and with what your girls prefer.
It is generally easieest to either introduce one neutered boar or a bonded sub-adult pair of sows that cannot upset the existing hierarchy but that turn pair dynamics into small group dynamics, which often makes acceptance easier and avoid the tricky 'odd one out' issue that plagues many trios. A neutered boar is part of the group hierarchy but not of the sow hierarchy so he is kind of a natural outsider but this works only if the sows are getting on and are not feuding. You can find more information on these aspects in the first link in my last post.
Personally I love my husboars - you get the best in the boars (no fighting and teenage headaches) without having to give up sows...

The enrichment guide is there to give your girl some new challenges to brighten up her life in the immediate term.

Here is our rescue locator; please be aware that rescues will have to individually adapt depending on their resources, volunteers and safety measures etc. this year. Rescue Locator
 
Wiebke said:
Go with what is around at the rescues you can get to and with what your girls prefer.
It is generally easieest to either introduce one neutered boar or a bonded sub-adult pair of sows that cannot upset the existing hierarchy but that turn pair dynamics into small group dynamics, which often makes acceptance easier and avoid the tricky 'odd one out' issue that plagues many trios. A neutered boar is part of the group hierarchy but not of the sow hierarchy so he is kind of a natural outsider but this works only if the sows are getting on and are not feuding. You can find more information on these aspects in the first link in my last post.
Personally I love my husboars - you get the best in the boars (no fighting and teenage headaches) without having to give up sows...

The enrichment guide is there to give your girl some new challenges to brighten up her life in the immediate term.

Here is our rescue locator; please be aware that rescues will have to individually adapt depending on their resources, volunteers and safety measures etc. this year. Rescue Locator
Click to expand...
Thanks again, I'll look into the enrichment options.
Everything's on hold until after lockdown, but I have been looking at rescues. We'll see how things look when we can move around again
 
I’m sorry you have lost Greta - hopefully the two are just adjusting to their new lives. Take care
 
So sorry you have lost Greta, hope things “click” with the girls soon x
Sleep tight little lady 🌈
 
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