Need Help Please - Bereaved Piggy

[Cashew]

I've had my guinea pig Kumu for 9 years now, she'd had a companion before which passed away a few years ago. Last year we introduced her a new baby guinea called chiggy, which kumu treated like she was her mum. It kept Kumu happy and going. For a around months I started realizing Kumu to get overly skinny, and loosing fur. She became very small, but I knew she was strong and could make it a little longer. I knew it was just age related and she always seemed very happy. However yesterday morning was devastating. I found her laying in the bed area when i went to feed them. I've been finding it very difficult to copemore than usual because she was around for so long and just the fact she's now gone has broken me. I took 1 year old Chiggy inside last night so she wasn't lonely. She's acted very depressed since she realised Kumu is gone and she's no longer running around calling for her. How long shall I wait to introduce a new guinea pig to her and what can I do so she's not so sad?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome!
I am very sorry for your loss. Kumu lived to an exceptionally good old age, but that of course makes her loss even harder! It sounds like one of her organs has finally given way; once that happens, older guinea pigs can go very quickly. While that is a blessing for them, the shock makes it more difficult for a loving owner to cope on top if the normal loss.. You are welcome to post a tribute to her in our Rainbow Bridge section if and whenever it feels right for you.

Here are our tips on what you can do for Chiggy: https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/looking-after-a-bereaved-piggy.109674/
Where are you located? Could you please add your country, state or (for the UK) your county/city to your details, as we have got members from all over the world. To add your location, please click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. This will enable us to tailor any advice and recommendations to your possibilities straight away at all times.

Your current options depend largely on your local possibilities. Ideally, you find poor grieving Chiggy a new friend at a good rescue where you can date/meet&greet her, so she can make her own choice as to which sow or neutered boar of any age she clicks with for a happy new relationship. Mutual liking is more important than gender or age. However, this is not always possible. We have got a recommended good standard UK rescues locator on the top bar, but can provide links for good rescues in other countries where you can be assured to only rehome healthy and not pregnant piggies.

 

[Freela]

I'm so sorry for your loss! Nine is a fabulous age for a guinea pig, it sounds like you gave Kumu a long, full, happy life- not that this makes the loss any easier, unfortunately. Guinea pigs do grieve and some react more to losing a friend than others (I've been through this process twice now- one bereaved pig was subdued but otherwise okay, the other was extremely anxious and frantic, having lost the 'head pig' and clearly not being suited to being on her own.) We got a new friend in both cases relatively quickly, but did a 2 to 3 week quarantine procedure to make sure no germs were present to be passed.

 

[VickiA]

Sorry for your loss. Can echo the advice given by Wiebke and Freela above. Heartbreaking for you but also for Chiggy. Hope you can find another companion for Chiggy in time.