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Guinea Pig Mourning

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Andywilson

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Hi Everyone,

I haven't posted for a while as my boys Bumble and Clyde had been doing so well and enjoying life.

Two weeks ago sadly Clyde had to be put to sleep. He all of a sudden stopped eating his food and had chewing problems. He had an operation to have a rear tooth worn down but they found his lower left jaw pointing inwards almost to the point of collapse (Calcium deficiency?), and sadly I had to make the decision to send him to his fields of gold. :-( He was 24 months.

Anyway I have now been trying to look after the other one and he has completely gone off his salad (All of it apart from spinach maybe) which I give him twice a day. He doesn't touch his pellets (Two types Burgess Excel), and will only eat Hay and Grass. I did get him some muselli which he picks at but I think he is in deep mourning for his lost mate.

He is booked in to be castrated on Friday as I would really need to het him 1-2 girls as friends asap.

Can someone advice me please, if he is mainly just eating hay and grass, is that enough to get him through to the operation on Friday, and has any one have any ideas how I can get him eating again, he just sits in his bed all day.

Thank you.

Andrew. x
 
So sorry to hear about your loss. I am sure a more experienced GP owner will be in touch soon to give you advice on your remaining boar - Bumble.

Please bear in mind that he won't be safe to pair with a female until at least 6 weeks after his castration.
 
PiggieOwner said:
So sorry to hear about your loss. I am sure a more experienced GP owner will be in touch soon to give you advice on your remaining boar - Bumble.

Please bear in mind that he won't be safe to pair with a female until at least 6 weeks after his castration.
Click to expand...

Oh god really, six weeks? fear he won't improve.

Thank you for replying worried sick x
 
how old is he? could he be paired with a young boy?

so sorry you're going through this. after ches passed, maisie had the most awful sad look in her eyes. it broke my heart. so really want to send you hugs. it's not nice to see them so sad.

all the best to your boy x
 
I would weigh him daily to make certain his weight is stable & if necessary supplement his food with either Critical Care or Recovery Plus or mushed up pellets. You could also give him Fibreplex which can stimulate the gut. Hay is the most important part of his diet and should account for 80% of his intake so if he's still eating plenty then he's getting a fair proportion of his daily needs. You could also maybe put a cuddly toy in for him but it sounds like he is pining for his lost companion.
 
Sorry to hear you lost Clyde.

It could be one of two things either Bumble is in a very deep mourning which has been known or he may have an issue himself.

I would advise you to get his teeth checked ASAP with a vet to rule out any issues, castration is a big operation and he will need to be strong to recover well after it so the not eating is an issue

If it is the the case that he has been badly affected by the loss of Clyde have you thought about another male friend instead, as said you will still have to wait for a period after the operation before you could introduce him to any females and to leave him any more extended period of time may make him worse.

I would urge you to get his teeth checked over, weigh him daily for the time being and syringe feed with Critical Care or mushed up pellets to get his strength up.
 
Hi Everyone who has helped with advice,

An update on Bumble. He went for his operation today (castration) and all went well. I got his teeth checked out whilst he was under to and he has no spikes or teeth problems. They said he is of a good weight and I couldn't believe how bright he looked when I picked him up. He is now in his bed (Safety bedding no hay) and has been eating a few bits and pieces and a couple of nuggets (Bought for him today Supreme ones). Vets said need to keep an eye on him and that he is genuinely morning. Now need to wait six weeks to get him a buddy or 2.
 
I would be inclined to syringe feed him to keep his food topped up & guts moving :) Did the vet give you any Emeprid & Zantac at all? He also needs pain relief, split to twice a day if possible to relieve his discomfort. Some people have bought teddies for their lonely piggies, one for a baby is best with no button eyes or detachable bits :)
 
So pleased to hear that Bumble is a bit brighter, poor boy. Best wishes for his recovery, and in his search for a soul-mate.
 
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