Need some advice please!

Livia Rabideau

Livia Rabideau

Adult Guinea Pig
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I have two sows. They are 3. I have been waiting for another sow to be healthy enough for adoption from a rescue. Her previous owner let her go for over a week with an untreated corneal ulcer before surrendering her to the rescue. They weren't sure if her eye was going to be saved. Luckily her eye has healed. She is now ready. My question. I am allowed to bring my girls to meet her. Is this going to be a decent guage for how well they will get along? This girl is 3. She has been a lone pig all of her life, so I don't know if she will go with my girls or not. My girls have successfully bonded two other times, so I think on my end my girls will accept her, but there are no guarantees. I am going to adopt her regardless. If she doesn't bond with my girls, she will have a Midwest cage for herself next to my girls for interaction. Should I even bother taking my girls to meet her? Sorry it's so long. I am very nervous about bonding, but I have read the guides.
 
If you are going to take her either way, it might just be easier to try bonding at home, that way you can give the new one some time to adjust first and your two will not be stressed from the car ride or the new surroundings at the rescue.
 
I agree. I just wanted to be sure. I am scared of the bonding part. I am going to put her in the Midwest next to my girls and see what happens. They sent a message saying she is ready! I am hoping to get her tomorrow!
 
They said I could bring my girls, but I am taking her either way. I plan to bond at home. She will be in a Midwest cage next to my girls so they can get to know each other first through the bars.
 
Aw, how exciting, I’d love some more but OH says “no, no no we are tied down enough with Bill and Ted”. Not to mention elderly mother and grandchildren!
 
Livia Rabideau said:
I am the only one who knows about her. Lol. My kids will be so excited! My husband, he may roll his eyes. Lol. He told me to get the girls a friend when we first got them because they had just lost one of their cage mates, so technically he told me to lol.
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When I got my two newest ones from that rescue, I didn’t tell anyone either. My husband just said “well what’s two more when we already have five”
 
HeatherRose said:
When I got my two newest ones from that rescue, I didn’t tell anyone either. My husband just said “well what’s two more when we already have five”
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Lol. My husband knows how much I love them and how happy they make me. He will be fine. He likes them too. 😊. We all have our addictions. Mine just happen to be guinea pigs 😂.
 
I have am trying to figure out how to set up the Midwest without having to tell my daughter. I want it to be a surprise. 🤔
 
Finished setting up what will hopefully only be her temporary cage. My daughter helped. I just told her it will be another area for the girls to explore during floor time. She has no clue 😆
 
Congratulations on your new addition to be.
I agree with what has been said about bonding at home.
That way you can give her time to settle into new surroundings before bonding - she can hear and smell the others, so after a few days they can be introduced.
It also means that if bonding doesn't work she can go back into her familiar cage and still have piggy companionship close by.
The bonding guides on the forum are so good - I had them permanently open while I was bonding my 2 pairs.

Looking forward to the news when she arrives
 
Merab's Slave said:
Congratulations on your new addition to be.
I agree with what has been said about bonding at home.
That way you can give her time to settle into new surroundings before bonding - she can hear and smell the others, so after a few days they can be introduced.
It also means that if bonding doesn't work she can go back into her familiar cage and still have piggy companionship close by.
The bonding guides on the forum are so good - I had them permanently open while I was bonding my 2 pairs.

Looking forward to the news when she arrives
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Thank you! I am so nervous! I really don't want her to have to live alone. I guess being next to other piggies instead of being alone is still better I hope. So nervous about bonding. I have read the guides and feel prepared, but this will be my first time. I think my girls will be fine. Just not sure about Reese. She has never been with others.
 
Livia Rabideau said:
Thank you! I am so nervous! I really don't want her to have to live alone. I guess being next to other piggies instead of being alone is still better I hope. So nervous about bonding. I have read the guides and feel prepared, but this will be my first time. I think my girls will be fine. Just not sure about Reese. She has never been with others.
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I had a thread for my bonding - it kept me sane and stopped the panicking. It’s called Bonding 2 Pairs.
You may find the comments other members made as helpful as I did.
 
She's here! I will get better pics later. Don't want to bother her too much. She went straight to eating. Unfortunately she has permanent scarring in her eye and very little vision with it. 😔.
 

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Is there anything I need to know about her eye? She has lost her vision from her injury. Just want to stay on top of things.
 
They are still at school! Hahaha. I pick up my daughter in an hour. She is so sweet. She already let's me pet her. I feel bad because she can't see much out of the one eye. I had a blind cat once, so I know animals can do well anyway.
 
Betsy said:
Did the rescue mention anything when you picked her up?
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She said the vet said the eye was permanently scarred but fine. Very little vision if any in that eye. She said she is jumpy when you get near that side like she startles. I have noticed that. I think she is adjusting to the vision loss. She is smaller than all of my piggies. I will weigh her later for a baseline. She is already looking longingly at the girls cage. I hope they can be friends. Gonna give her a week or two to settle in. She is eating and drinking great. I am going to have to get a heavier food dish. She flipped it over first thing. 😂
 

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Betsy said:
Did the rescue mention anything when you picked her up?
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She said her eye has been perfect for the last week and a half. Besides the scarring of course. She said if anything changes call her. She got the all clear from the vet.
 
Livia Rabideau said:
She said the vet said the eye was permanently scarred but fine. Very little vision if any in that eye. She said she is jumpy when you get near that side like she startles. I have noticed that. I think she is adjusting to the vision loss.
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You could try tapping the floor next to her when you go to pick her up so that she learns that something is going to happen.
 
I am amazed by her already! She is pushing things all around in her cage. She is not shy. She come right over. I start to pet her and she purrs and lays down. I always thought purring was bad, but I think hers is happy.
 
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