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Lonely Guinea Pig

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justinmartin79

justinmartin79

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi all

Hoping someone can give me any advice on this.

Sadly, one of my piggies, Fernando, passed away overnight on Friday night.

His brother Myles is picking at his food at best and is just hiding away in his cottage since Fernando passed away.

I've given him a couple of cuddles and have been talking to him a lot, but he just doesnt seem interested in socialising with me.

Is it simply that he is missing his bro? Is this a big thing with guinea pigs? I'm worried about him.

Any guidance well received, cheers

Justin
 
Yes, he is missing Fernando ): sorry for your loss. If you haven't already, perhaps you should look into finding him a new cage mate, preferably a younger pig.
 
I hadn't really thought of getting a new piggie. I guess I'm being a bit selfish if I can't face that right now, so soon. Though, the bigger picture is looking after Myles, and if a new piggie helps him then I should probably look into it. Cheers for the advice :-).

Isn't there an issue if they don't come from the same family? Do they tend to not get on as much? Bit tricky if I get one and they hate each other. Advice?
 
Hi! I am very sorry for your loss. You are welcome to post a tribute to Fernando in our Rainbow Bridge section if or whenever it feels right for you.

The behaviour is typical for pining. If possible, I would recommend to find him a new friend at one of our recommended rescues, which in your wider area will all allow you bring Myles to choose a character compatible new boar mate himself under expert supervision, so you come home with a new piggy only if there has been success. I would strongly recommend to ring up all rescues you can get to, as it very much depends on what piggies they have got in.

Here are more tips on what you can do for Myles, including our rescues link: Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
 
It's not as much an issue of coming from the same family as it is of some pigs simply not getting along. Do you have any rescues close by that you could take Myles to to find a new cage mate that he likes? A cage mate would help him alot. If you get a young pig they are more likely to get along.
 
justinmartin79 said:
I hadn't really thought of getting a new piggie. I guess I'm being a bit selfish if I can't face that right now, so soon. Though, the bigger picture is looking after Myles, and if a new piggie helps him then I should probably look into it. Cheers for the advice :-).

Isn't there an issue if they don't come from the same family? Do they tend to not get on as much? Bit tricky if I get one and they hate each other. Advice?
Click to expand...

It is a persistent myth that boars need to be related or the same age; in fact boars can be bonded at any age with another boar of any age. The key is that they like each other and that they get on, which is the reason why we recommend dating at a rescue. it takes on average about 1-3 candidates to find "Mr Right", but the resulting bond will be as stable as a sow bond.

Please try to find a friend for Myles quickly. You will be gratified by seeing the enormous change this will make to him and it will help you to concentrate on your human grieving. Right now, your personal needs couldn't be more different to a guinea pig's, which is always a very tough situation for any loving owner, as you have go against your deepest emotions.
 
Some rescues will help you find a suitable friend for Myles :) Some will guinea pig date them :)

Sorry for your loss.
 
Wow, thank you so much everyone for all your help and kind messages. I read the link on helping a bereaved guinea and found it massively helpful. It helped me understand the signs of Myles grieving.

I'll give him 2/3 more days as recommended and see if he starts brightening up, then I'll look into getting him a friend :-). I sponsor the local South Bucks RSPCA small animal centre, so I'll probably visit them to see what piggies they may have.

I just gave him a huge hug and he watched a bit of the F1 on my lap. He was so still and indifferent, not himself at all :-( (maybe he didnt like that Fernando Alonso was trundling around at the back hehe) - who Fernando is named after.

Again, many thanks again people. And yes, I'll definately pop a tribute to Fernando in the Rainbow Bridge :-).
 
:( Poor Myles is greiving the loss of his cage mate. They do lose their mojo after their partner passes. It's so hard because we are grieving at the same time. Could you try him boar dating to see if he can find a new companion and rediscover his mojo.
 
Hi - Thanks for the reply.

It is so bloody hard.

Myles is in pieces clearly, as am I.

I just buried Fernando in my folks garden. He is at peace, with all the rabbits I had as pets as I grew up.

Definately going to contact the South Bucks RSPCA people in the week. I just hope Myles holds on!

He is still picking at food, but he is eating bits. He doesnt go to the water bottle, but if I take it to him he drinks - lazy! :-).
 
justinmartin79 said:
Hi - Thanks for the reply.

It is so bloody hard.

Myles is in pieces clearly, as am I.

I just buried Fernando in my folks garden. He is at peace, with all the rabbits I had as pets as I grew up.

Definately going to contact the South Bucks RSPCA people in the week. I just hope Myles holds on!

He is still picking at food, but he is eating bits. He doesnt go to the water bottle, but if I take it to him he drinks - lazy! :-).
Click to expand...

Hang on in there. Burying a beloved pet is one of the lowest points in my experience, as it makes it all so final. :(

All the best for your plans with Myles.
Rescues that are not specially piggy savvy do not offer dating. If you have to do this at home, please read our tips at the top of the behaviour section and make sure that the rescue is willing to take back their piggy if things are not working out.
 
Again thanks for the reply :-). This is the first pet I have been attached to and buried as an adult, and it's so difficult. Think I'm more in touch with my feelings than when I was a kid!

I'll be using the forum all the way worry not. Having said that, Myles just strolled out of his cottage and had a nibble of museli, took 2 chocolate drops from me then crashed out in a heap in the open :-).
 
I think we can all sympathise with you and Myles. It's amazing how attached we become to our piggies and how much we miss them. Burying them is so hard -we have a little area in our garden where several are buried. Good luck finding a companion for Myles.
 
I think I'm on the verge of cracking up. Myles is a lot worse today. Hasn't eaten anything aside from 1 green leaf.

Hasn't drunk much and when he emerged from his cottage his movement looked quite laboured, sort of dragging is hind legs a bit.

Can this be medical? It literally started today, the laboured movement. He was fine Friday, when fernando was last with him.

Taking him to vet first thing tomorrow.

So worried about him, yet feel I haven't grieved for Fernando at all as I'm so stressed about Myles.
 
Oh dear - can you syringe feed him any food - it is really important that he keeps eating and the guts keep going - if you have a 1ml syringe you need to snip the end off and pull off the rubber stopper - get some guinea pig nuggets - crush them up and and add some boiled water - add more water to make a watery paste that you can get up the syringe - if no syringe see if he is willing to lick off a teaspoon - he really needs to eat so that the guts keep moving and he doesn't go into gut stasis- this can happen in a very short time- there is a link somewhere on here with a guide to syringe feeding - it might be under the health and illness section - if you cant get any food or drink into him I think you might need to see an out of hours vet who could at least get some food and fluids into him and check him over - hopefully Wibeke or someone will come on with some advice - good luck.
 
Hi all

I've some more sad news. Myles got worse this afternoon after the vet visit and sadly passed away :-(.

He was lying down in his hutch and his breathing was getting shorter and shorter. I take solace from the fact I was with him, talking to him, stroking him etc and that like Fernando he passed away in his home.

Thanks for all your kind words and advice. Look out for Myles on the Rainbow Bridge soon :-) X
 
So very very sorry for your double loss. Some piggies are literally heartbroken and won't go on without their partner, and there's nothing you can do. You clearly adored your boys and they were so lucky to have you. Popcorn free Myles and be reunited with Fernando. Hugest hugs xx
 
I am so sorry - my Noodles didn't want to go on without Nuggets - it's so painful to loose one - but doubly cruel to loose a pair in a very short space of time - heartbreaking to see them just give up - pop-corning together at the bridge.
 
Somewhere, Fernando has started pissing Myles off again just like old times :-). Fernando always swiped Myles' food...though every so often I caught Myles nicking Fernando's food. Always made me wonder who started it..Myles was possibly not so innocent, the cheeky little piggie.
 
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