He was called Anthony. We rescued him 2 years ago. I am so upset, I wish we had done more. He stopped using his back legs a few days ago. We took him to the vets and he was on antibiotics (for an infected cyst the vet thought was causing the issue) and metacam. He seemed to be doing better and then this morning he had gone.
My question is he leaves behind Jellybean (age 5). How do I make sure he is ok through this process? I know we need to think about getting him a friend but we are keen not to get into the endless cycle of Guinea Pigs.
Another problem is we are in West Wales and there are not many rescues near us. The one on the locator nearest does not do bonding/ pig dates. We could potentially go to one 3 hours away. But is this too far?
And finally, Jellybean (surviving piggie) is a neutered male. Are we best off trying to find him a sow to befriend?
Hi
BIG HUGS
I am very sorry about your sudden loss. Back leg paralysis can have a surprising range of very different causes, by far not all of which are obvious. It is likely that something else underlying has been going on.
In view of avoiding the never-ending matching game, I would recommend to either look for two young sows who can then grow old together. Sub-adult sows are wired to accept any boar (you have their biological urges fully behind them) or if you want to finish ownership sooner, look for an older single sow or boar, either as a live-in bonded companion or - if bonding is not working out as a next door companion through the bars. A bonded pair of older sows may also be an option; if necessary as next door company with interaction through the bars if bonding doesn't work out. Older sows past the ideal pup bearing age are often a lot less accepting of new company.
It depends on what is available in rescue at the time or if you come to the conclusion that Jellybean would be better off with a couple of young pet shop girls as a surefire bonding option - but with another longer term commitment. You can never predict what is around at the time in terms of piggies.
It is well worth taking the time to think things through before you rush out for new company. As long as Jellybean is eating and drinking you have up to a month's time although pet shops and rescues may be closed over Easter so you will have to plan that in. Ask around and see how you feel about your continuing piggy journey in your heart of hearts.
Admittedly, I have been at the extreme but I have travelled by train for 3 hours quite a few times, or in one case even 5 hours (all the way from the tip of Kent but with only one change in London) to pick up new adoptees from as far as Colwyn Bay, Llanidloes (defunct) and Glynneath in South Wales, not to mention from all over England and just across the border into Scotland. All my long distance travellers have settled in and have with only a few exceptions lived to a good age. Some of my adoptees have come from as far as the tip of Kent, Cornwall or even the Channel Islands (which was an emergency, done over several days with several people doing the different legs - the oldest piggy was 9 years old but lived for several months longer). Adopting a piggy from further afield and visiting more rescues/meeting rescue people in person has been an annual perk for me before I had to get serious about gradually working my numbers down and plan for myself how to best wrap up my own piggy journey in the not too far future.
You may find these links here helpful:
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Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig
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Travelling with guinea pigs
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Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
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Human Bereavement: Grieving, Processing and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children
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Looking After Guinea Pigs With Limited or No Mobility (In case you have unasnwered questions)
I hope that this will help you?
