Lost our piggie to a URI...

[emmaldrk]

Hi. I’m new to the forums but am seeking some mich needed advice.

We adopted two beautiful boars about four years ago. Suspected to be already about 7-8 months old when we took them home.

Sadly, our little Freddy earned his wings yesterday after a horrid URI was caught too late. The vet warned us it was 50/50 but I was still hopeful until the end. His brother, Teddy, is in great health but we’ve been told to keep an eye on him the next week or so in case he has picked it up.

So my question is... what do we do about companionship? I can’t bear for Teddy to be alone for too long. He isn’t neutered but is an older piggie - so is this going to be an issue if we were to get another boar? What do you suggest? Help.

 

[Marlee and Fluffy]

I also have 2 guinea pigs and one died...the other one seems fine and doesn’t really look like she misses her sister...

 

[Wiebke]

Hi. I’m new to the forums but am seeking some mich needed advice.

We adopted two beautiful boars about four years ago. Suspected to be already about 7-8 months old when we took them home.

Sadly, our little Freddy earned his wings yesterday after a horrid URI was caught too late. The vet warned us it was 50/50 but I was still hopeful until the end. His brother, Teddy, is in great health but we’ve been told to keep an eye on him the next week or so in case he has picked it up.

So my question is... what do we do about companionship? I can’t bear for Teddy to be alone for too long. He isn’t neutered but is an older piggie - so is this going to be an issue if we were to get another boar? What do you suggest? Help.

Hi and welcome

I am so sorry for your loss. Some respiratory illnesses can blow up out of nowhere and develop in the matter of hours; they are sadly progressing too fast for medication to kick in most cases. Please don't feel guilty; it is not your fault! Most of us long term owners have lost piggies of ours to it.
You are welcome to post a tribute to Freddy in our Rainbow Bridge section if you feel that it would help you at any point of the grieving process.

You may want to contact a rescue that offers boar dating for Teddy, so he can choose who he wants to get on with himself. character compatibility and mutual liking are key for any piggy bond at any age or in any gender combination and come a long way before age or gender.
Since he will need to observe a two weeks quarantine himself, you can use that time to contact any rescues within your reach. Rescues are just starting to reopen again, so there is unfortunately quite a backlog of adoption requests and there may be a waiting list but as long as Teddy keeps eating, he should hold for a while despite mourning the loss of his friend although in the longer term loss of stimulation and interaction with his own kind will become an issue. Allowing him to choose a new mate means that you are well ahead of the game. With one of our recommended rescues you can also neatly avoid all the usual pitfalls that can come with new piggies from other sources.
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig (includes good welfare standard rescue links for several countries)

This thread here deals with single guinea pigs in a range of situations, including bereavement; how to go about companionship with all the possible options dicussed in detail and how you notice when he is struggling on his own while you are waiting: Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities

Here is our grieving guide for piggy owners. Please be kind to yourself and give yourself the time and space to grieve and to deal with the inevitable soul searching that is typical for the onset of the process: Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

 

[Bill & Ted]

Aw, sleep tight little Freddie x
So sorry for you, sending hugs x

 

[Siikibam]

I’m sorry you lost your Freddy. I’m sure you did the best you could for him and he felt loved up to the end.

I also have 2 guinea pigs and one died...the other one seems fine and doesn’t really look like she misses her sister...

Some will move on quicker than others. But that doesn’t mean they don’t need the company.

 

[emmaldrk]

Thank you so much for all your kind words.

I went above and beyond as we love our animals very dearly. I knew it was Freddy’s time to go and held him in my until the very end. My children took the loss of Freddy incredibly hard as he was such a wonderful piggie. He would sit and snuggle for ages. I’ve had guinea pigs as a child but having a lone guinea pig is a first! I know it’s not fair on him.

While we quarantine Teddy for a couple of weeks, he is getting a balanced amount of love and attention and space. I can honestly say that I’m not sure we can part with him. I do want the best for him so this is why I’m asking about a new companion. Is there anyway to do this without having to rehome him?

 

[Piggies&buns]

Thank you so much for all your kind words.

I went above and beyond as we love our animals very dearly. I knew it was Freddy’s time to go and held him in my until the very end. My children took the loss of Freddy incredibly hard as he was such a wonderful piggie. He would sit and snuggle for ages. I’ve had guinea pigs as a child but having a lone guinea pig is a first! I know it’s not fair on him.

While we quarantine Teddy for a couple of weeks, he is getting a balanced amount of love and attention and space. I can honestly say that I’m not sure we can part with him. I do want the best for him so this is why I’m asking about a new companion. Is there anyway to do this without having to rehome him?

I am sorry for your loss.

You don’t need to rehome him, but he does need a new companion. A rescue centre can help you find the right companion for him, as advised above. Hopefully they will have a suitable friend for him and then they can live happily together with you