Help! New rescue/adoption.

[Violanna]

Hi so I’m a very experienced guinea pig owner. I started raising pigs when I was 9 (I'm 32 now). I’ve raised even infants from birth before. But I have never rescued or adopted a guinea pig before now. So this started as my children got a baby guinea pig a little before Christmas, he is about 4 months old maybe younger. And now that my children were used to him I thought it was time for him to get a friend so I searched online and found one very cheap, guinea pig only, which was exactly what I was looking for.
I expected some social issues and such and a huge adjustment period. But I didn’t expect some of the physical issues. She is very fat for her size. Only 1134g so in a good range, but clearly not good for her, I can even feel fat deposits under her chin. And she looks pregnant, but as I have had pregnant guinea pigs before I know this isn’t the case. She was being fed an all alfalfa pellet diet. I just about cried when they handed me what was left of her food. Luckily I can fix that easy enough. She has already shown interest in healthy fresh veggies. And we will work on hay tomorrow. It’s already available though don’t worry.
The other issue is she was kept in a tiny little baby guinea pig (pet store) cage. She was clearly held often as she is very sweet, loves to be held and snuggle. But she got no CARE her claws were so over grown they were curling under her feet and twisting. I clipped what I could but the quick is so over grown that it will be a long process until she is doing well.
Last issue is she and my other guinea pig seem to really get along in open space, but she showed territorial signs in the enclosure. So my husband is building her a temporary one until the two of them adjust and can cohabitate.
I’d welcome any and all advice on dealing with these. Especially the weight loss. I’ve already read the file on weight, just hoping for some personal accounts. Especially since it’s obvious her weight is all fat and no muscle.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Is your 4 month old piggy neutered and had his six week post neuter wait to become infertile? If not, then they must not have any physical contact and should not be put together

 

[Siikibam]

As you are an experienced owner, you should know not to put an intact boar with a sow. That way lies pups. When you signed up you agreed to not discuss or intentionally breed. So if you are intending to breed them then (which is what you’re doing if putting them together) then unfortunately this is not the place for you.

Do you know how old the sow is? Best way to get her weight correct is to give her the correct diet.

 

[Violanna]

Wow I think I joined the wrong group.... came here for advice not an attack.. fully aware of how babies are made. No I don’t intend to breed them. I’m a Vet Tech thanks and good bye.. try being helpful instead of judge mental next time

 

[Siikibam]

Why are you putting them together if you know that your boar is intact? You said you’re very experienced. In which case you would know it takes a mere second (or three) for a sow to become pregnant. We have to make it clear because we have had people join who do breed, but they are surreptitious about it.

And I did mention weight at the end of my post but you’ve failed to answer the question. Do you know roughly how old she is? Hay, hay and more hay. I’d say no fruits or carrots, and only a tablespoon of plain pellets. Floor time as well, though I don’t if she can run around much with her nails. Are they still curling under her feet?

If you really want to leave you need to contact admin (see at the very bottom) and ask for your account to be deleted. I don’t see where you were attacked. As said I asked a question that you ignored.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I simply asked if he was neutered - most boars aren’t neutered until between four and six months of age then their six week post op wait so if he is potentially younger than four months, then i simply wondered as in this country having a boar potentially younger than four months to have already been neutered and be post op safe, is highly unusual. if your boar (as a baby) is pet shop/breeder purchased which makes is less likely he is neutered. All our advice is always based on a uk basis. If things are different where you live, then that’s fine, but we have absolutely no way of knowing that

Plus bonding is a one time thing so if they cannot physically live together now, then it’s best to not do any introductions until you can see it through to conclusion and have them permanently live together
you say she was territorial in the enclosure - which enclosure was that - was that his or her cage? Was it cleaned down thoroughly - you can’t put a piggy into another piggy’s cage
How long were they in the neutral territory bonding space?

the only that is going to help her weight is a better diet and exercise