Major

[Hobbit]

Hi everyone, Major lost his hutchmate Captain on 28/12/09. Due to the weather and not wanting him to be lonely, I brought him to live indoors until Spring/I decide whether to rehome a young boar/get him neutered on 31/12/09. I just wanted to check that it is normal for him to still be abit jumpy and nervous. I have never kept a piggy indoors, as all mine live in a shed. He was very boisterous in the shed, and would always be at the front of his hutch waiting for a treat. Is it just abit soon for him to have completely settled, or should I worry? He has been more active in his cage today, and has been out for cuddles/exercise, but he just seems abit shell-shocked. He is eating and drinking well. Thanks and sorry for the long post x

 

[Hobbit]

Sorry if this should have been in the Care section!

 

[Lisajazz]

I think you're right - he could be lonely. He could just be adjusting to his new surroundings too though and the two have knocked his confidence.

I would stock up on all his favourite treats and start giving him the odd treat through the bars to draw him out and help him adjust.

Are you planning a cage mate for him?

 

[Wiebke]

Between losing his friend and being in a new territory with different sounds and scents, poor Major is seriously rattled right now! Give him time to settle again.

I hope that you can make up your mind about his future soon; although Major should come out of his own more once he feels more comfy with his new surroundings and life.

 

[Hobbit]

Thanks everyone. The problem with deciding about his future is that my vets don't neuter piggys at an owners request - I have to take him there to discuss the whole situation, and they could still refuse. I was very surprised when told this. If my vet agrees, this is the step I will take, as he can then have some girly piggys to live with. If he disagrees, then I have to decide whether to find a new vet or a baby boar.

 

[lovelygirl]

Please read up about neutering of guinea pigs before you make the decision and i would strongly recommend finding a vet who routinely neuters piggies and not one who will make a concession and do it as a one off every now and again! Find you local rescue and find out who they use as they are likely to be the most experienced vet around re neutering. Sorry you have lost your pet and major is on his own, when you make the decision to get him friends i am sure he will be over the moon to have company again. My two piggies are indoor piggies, live in c&c at home and cottonbud prefers this whereas when we are at my parents they are in a hutch and furby prefers this arrangement, i think it is she prefers a solid roof and thus feels safer from predators, even though she is sharing a room with cats at my parents... Just an idea if he is now in a cage with bars and not a solid roof...

hope any of that helps... Eleanor