Just Lost My Guinea Pig Advice On What To Do Next

[musicqueen]

Hi, unfortunately I had to put my 6 and a half year old guinea pig Grace to sleep yesterday. I'm hearbroken and very upset but I need to put my feelings aside and think of my other gp Hope. Can anyone give me adivce on what to do with Hope? She seems to be coping well, eating and drinking fine. She is 6 and I am worried she is too old to be bonded with another gp.

 

[sport_billy]

I am really sorry you have lost Grace. It is so hard to lose a piggy and PTS is always such a painful hard decision to make but always one made with love.

It is good news Hope is eating and drinking takes away a little of the worry, it is bad enough losing a piggy this can be made so much worse by worrying about any left behind. Whereabouts in the UK are you based? A local rescue may be able to help you find a friend for Hope?

 

[Flutterby]

I'm so sorry for your loss x

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, unfortunately I had to put my 6 and a half year old guinea pig Grace to sleep yesterday. I'm hearbroken and very upset but I need to put my feelings aside and think of my other gp Hope. Can anyone give me adivce on what to do with Hope? She seems to be coping well, eating and drinking fine. She is 6 and I am worried she is too old to be bonded with another gp.

HUGS!

I am very sorry for your loss!

No piggy is too old to meet new friends and decide for herself whether they like a new companion or not, or have two younger pig(s) as next door stimulation if you don't mind starting afresh.

I might be getting a friend's bereaved 8 year old to live out the remainder of her days with piggies of mine. I did mind her and her then two elderly companion for half a year a year before, so she is familiar with me and my set-up. I have also adopted several 5 year olds - and they have all had the time of their lives. One of them lived to 8 years old and enjoyed her regular waddle-zoomies despite being virtually blind with cataracts until 2 days before her sudden death.

Perhaps one of the rescues within your reach has got an elderly piggy they could try?
Guinea Pig Rescue Centre Locator
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
@pig in the city

 

[musicqueen]

Thank you x I live in Sheffield. Do you think it's the right thing to do then given her age?

 

[musicqueen]

HUGS!

I am very sorry for your loss!

No piggy is too old to meet new friends and decide for herself whether they like a new companion or not, or have two younger pig(s) as next door stimulation if you don't mind starting afresh.

I might be getting a friend's bereaved 8 year old to live out the remainder of her days with piggies of mine. I did mind her and her then two elderly companion for half a year a year before, so she is familiar with me and my set-up. I have also adopted several 5 year olds - and they have all had the time of their lives. One of them lived to 8 years old and enjoyed her regular waddle-zoomies despite being virtually blind with cataracts until 2 days before her sudden death.

Perhaps one of the rescues within your reach has got an elderly piggy they could try?
Guinea Pig Rescue Centre Locator
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
@VickiA @pig in the city

I'm not sure emotional I could get an elderly piggie. Does it matter if the gp will be youger?

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you x I live in Sheffield. Do you think it's the right thing to do then given her age?

I have just linked in @pig in the city for you in my previous post; she fosters guinea pigs for BARC rescue. The other place you might contact is Cavy Corner sanctuary in Doncaster.

As to new bondings, please

I'm not sure emotional I could get an elderly piggie. Does it matter if the gp will be youger?

Not if it gets along well with yours, but in that case, I would strongly recommend to look either for a neutered boar you could then rebond with two sows or two fairly submissive sows - that last thing you want is to be faced with the same dilemma anytime soon. Alternatively, some rescues will allow you to adopt a companion for the duration of its life that then reverts to the rescue if you want to stop with guinea pigs.

Take a deep breath and see how your girl copes. As long as she keeps eating, you have a bit of time to explore your various options with BARC and Cavy Corner and see which one is the best for you to persue. ideally you let your surviving girl choose.

 

[GPTV]

Sorry to hear of your loss - xx

i had a pair of sisters that were both 5yrs old, when I lost Dash to pneumonia, Libby was ok but she lost her sparkle - she didn't like being alone &craved company.
I don't have any local guinea rescues near me & the few general animal rescues had no guineas in at the time either, but i phoned the veterinary practice i go to & asked if they knew of any, the receptionist i spoke to said she'd had 4 guineas & now there was only 1 remaining, Ellie she was 5yrs old too- the kids had grown up,moved out & lost interest- so she wanted to give her some company.
Introductions went well for these two old ladies & Libby chirped upon meeting her new friend, she was so happy again, they snuggled together
unfortunately I lost Libby a couple of months later.

Ellie was 8yrs old when i lost her to multiple health issues, but she was an adorable piggy & taught the vets & myself so much, i think she was happy & enjoyed the 3 yrs i had her - her final companion was also a Grace they were introduced when Grace was about 6months - she's 5yrs old roughly now - they always got on well too as i think they had a kind of mother/daughter type bond- although in no way related.

I must admit although i love the youngsters/babies, there's something special about the Golden Oldies, there's something satisfying about having them & letting them live out there days being loved & totally spoilt (not that i spoil my piggies at all... no, no, no ) but i know what you mean about the emotional side of oldies, they take a big chunk of you with them when they leave for rainbow bridge, which usually is sooner than the younger ones do.

If you could find a rescue locally they will often help you bond Hope to one of their piggies.

Good luck with your decision, chinny tickles for Hope & popcorn pain free over rainbow bridge little Grace RIP. xx

 

[PoptartShop]

I am so sorry for your loss. RIP Grace.
That is great you have had your piggies for so long, I hope you do find another friend for Hope. <3

 

[GPTV]

A photo of my golden oldies Ellie &Libby on their first day together in the afternoon, snuggled together
Love at first sight

 

[pig in the city]

Hi, so sorry that you have lost your girlie. We have a single 2 year old sow available if you want to message me l can give you details. She is an indoor piggy.

 

[musicqueen]

I have just linked in @pig in the city for you in my previous post; she fosters guinea pigs for BARC rescue. The other place you might contact is Cavy Corner sanctuary in Doncaster.

As to new bondings, please


Not if it gets along well with yours, but in that case, I would strongly recommend to look either for a neutered boar you could then rebond with two sows or two fairly submissive sows - that last thing you want is to be faced with the same dilemma anytime soon. Alternatively, some rescues will allow you to adopt a companion for the duration of its life that then reverts to the rescue if you want to stop with guinea pigs.

Take a deep breath and see how your girl copes. As long as she keeps eating, you have a bit of time to explore your various options with BARC and Cavy Corner and see which one is the best for you to persue. ideally you let your surviving girl choose.

It's my first time loosing a gp so Wiebke thank you for all your help. I really appreciate it! Will definetly get in touch with one of the rescues.

 

[musicqueen]

Sorry to hear of your loss - xx

i had a pair of sisters that were both 5yrs old, when I lost Dash to pneumonia, Libby was ok but she lost her sparkle - she didn't like being alone &craved company.
I don't have any local guinea rescues near me & the few general animal rescues had no guineas in at the time either, but i phoned the veterinary practice i go to & asked if they knew of any, the receptionist i spoke to said she'd had 4 guineas & now there was only 1 remaining, Ellie she was 5yrs old too- the kids had grown up,moved out & lost interest- so she wanted to give her some company.
Introductions went well for these two old ladies & Libby chirped upon meeting her new friend, she was so happy again, they snuggled together
unfortunately I lost Libby a couple of months later.

Ellie was 8yrs old when i lost her to multiple health issues, but she was an adorable piggy & taught the vets & myself so much, i think she was happy & enjoyed the 3 yrs i had her - her final companion was also a Grace they were introduced when Grace was about 6months - she's 5yrs old roughly now - they always got on well too as i think they had a kind of mother/daughter type bond- although in no way related.

I must admit although i love the youngsters/babies, there's something special about the Golden Oldies, there's something satisfying about having them & letting them live out there days being loved & totally spoilt (not that i spoil my piggies at all... no, no, no ) but i know what you mean about the emotional side of oldies, they take a big chunk of you with them when they leave for rainbow bridge, which usually is sooner than the younger ones do.

If you could find a rescue locally they will often help you bond Hope to one of their piggies.

Good luck with your decision, chinny tickles for Hope & popcorn pain free over rainbow bridge little Grace RIP. xx

Thank you GPTV! Ellie & Libby looked like best of friends Libby is the identical twin to Hope. My beautiful Hope:

Your piggies had the best mommy looking after them

 

[Wiebke]

It's my first time loosing a gp so Wiebke thank you for all your help. I really appreciate it! Will definetly get in touch with one of the rescues.

You may want to start with messaging @pig in the city (click on the envelope icon at the top), a sheffield forum member that fosters for BARC rescue and has lots of experience in dating/bonding.

All the best! Your girls are both gorgeous.

We have got a Rainbow Bridge section where you are welcome to post a tribute whenever it feels right for you.

 

[Tiamolly123]

I'm so sorry for your loss, Sleep Tight Grace xx

 

[musicqueen]

You may want to start with messaging @pig in the city (click on the envelope icon at the top), a sheffield forum member that fosters for BARC rescue and has lots of experience in dating/bonding.

All the best! Your girls are both gorgeous.

We have got a Rainbow Bridge section where you are welcome to post a tribute whenever it feels right for you.

Thank you I've sent her a message x