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Lonely Guinea :'(

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lis84

Hi all,
At the weekend one of my two boy guineas died (he is 5 years and 4 months), he just died very suddenly and now his brother (who is the same age) isn't looking very happy today, very quiet and sulky. He was fine up till today. He has a cuddily toy to snuggle up to, but i just wondered if guineas feel lonely and will he perk up and what can i do for him.
He is in an indoor cage as the weather is freezing, so its easy for me just to pop out into the backroom to see him.

Hope someone can help. I know in the past you guys have been amazing and some of you last year saved the one that has died at the weekend, so he had a whole extra year to live.

Thanks, from Elisa x
 
So sorry for your loss. Yes guineapigs do feel lonely as they are very social animals. Lots of cuddles and interaction with you should help. Hope this helps you.
 
really sorry you lost one of your boys it is heart breaking when we lose a baby8...
they do get lonely & is really sad to look at them when one of my boys lost his cage mate he went quite would eat a bit but didnt want cuddles or play time with me :... so we got him a new friend & he got so excited jumping & shouting so good to watch
my advice is take the boy you have left with you when you go to get him a friend that way you'll know if they get on as you dont want problems later on
 
I'm so sorry that you lost your boy so shortly beofre Christmas. It must have been a big shock for you!

I'm sure that your remaining boy will perk up with some new company! Until then, give him lots of tlc. He will be in deep mourning for a few days, but hopefully come out of it again. Perhaps you can find him one or two little baby boys to daddy, depending on his age?

Here is a list of rescues: http://www.guineapigrehome.org.uk/gp/centres.asp#Wiltshire
or try to email: [email protected] - they are based in Bristol, but rehome in your area and are active on this forum.
 
I am very sorry to hear of your loss, Elisa; best of luck trying to find a new friend for your remaining boar. He's a good age. :)
 
I agree - it's worth trying to find a young boar to pair with the surviving piggie, even though he's a bit of an "elderly gent."

My Kurt was about 7 (he was a rescue pig, so wasn't entirely certain of his exact age) when his companion, Will, died suddenly. I held out on getting another guinea as Kurt wasn't exactly a fit and healthy pig, but after about 2 or 3 weeks of taking him to work with me every day, it was clear that he was still lonely. I introduced baby Gethin, and the two bonded instantly. Kurt only lived another 2 weeks, but he was clearly happy to have a companion for the end of his days. It also meant Gethin was young enough to accept another young boar (Celyn - the big strapping lad in the photo!) fairly soon after "Grandpa Kurt" passed away.

If, however, you are thinking you don't want to have piggies after this one, he'll need lots of loving care and attention to make up for the lack of a companion.
 
Thank you everyone.....Weet Weet did have a day of not eating (tuesday), but since then he has had lots of cuddles and attention and has started eating again......not as much as he usually does and I'm keeping check of his weight as he has lost abit. Still unsure about getting him a companion, if he doesn't eat like normal then will have to think about a companion. I did ring up the local rescue centre and they recommended a baby guinea, not an adult male as they can fight.
He is sulking today as i have cleaned out his cage.....but he still loves his dandilion, hay and grass. Also he does seem to be drinking alot.
 
I am always amazed how much lonely guinea pigs suddenly come alive again and get that sparkle back as soon as they have company - even when you thought they were doing Ok on their own.

For a guinea pigs that is wired to live in groups, being on their own is like isolation prison; and they haven't got a clue why...
 
So sorry to read about the loss of your piggy. Both being a really good age and you must have cared for them both very well.

Yes, he will be lonely but I am glad to hear that he is living indoors so keeping all warm and snug.

If you are aiming to keep guinea pigs then please consider getting him a companion. Obviously a baby boar not an adult boar. However if your boar is neutered then a sow will be fine for him.

I hope he is ok after the loss of his friend.
 
So very sorry to hear of your loss Elisa...
Grommie who is 6+ lost his cage mate Fleure last month. I compensated with cuddles etc but it wasn;t enough

What finally brought him back was putting a new guinea in his environment

Actually it was a bonded pair in a separate cage......Muffin bless her is very vocal ...just the sound of piggies every day brought him back even though he is still on his own

Hugs to you
xx
 
aw, so sorry hun... :0 i think he would benefit alot from having a new friend. hope he is ok..:)
 
Had to feed him critical care today as he still isn't eating much. Think he is also sulking cos i cleaned out his cage yesterday and wasn't impressed.
I going to try to ring the local guinea rescue on Thursday to see if they have any baby boar guineas.
 
Just to update you all. I rang the local rescue centre last thursday, but they didn't have in any baby males. Anyho i continued syringe feeding Weet Weet. But in the evening of New years eve, he started acting very strange, trying to jump of the chair that he was on while i was feeding him. When he went back into his cage he made the most horrible sound, like a baby crying :(......i then cudddled him and he was moving very uncomfortable and moving his head from side to side. When i put him back into his cage he froze, i encouraged him to move and he wobbled (as if he was drunk) and hid his face in his hay.
Basically i then rushed him to the vets and the vet tested his reactions in his eyes and leg movements, the result was he had a seizure and had gone blind :'(
So in the end i had to make the decission to have him be put to sleep....:'(. He was just so heartbroken to loose his brother, and his little system closed down. Now he is with his brother chumping all the grass he likes :).

Thanks everyone for all your help and advice.
xx
 
so sorry you lost him how heart breaking 8...
sending hugs
 
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