New Friend For Bereaved Girl

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stripeybeanie

stripeybeanie

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hiya I've been reading the stickies & older threads about how to obtain & introduce a new friend for my bereaved girl and I'm a bit confused. Would be grateful for advice on the following please:
- how soon after the bereavement should I get a new one? It's only been 3 days but Bea seems lonely
- I have contacted a rescue recommended here & they have a group of girls which they will separate so I can have 1 to join Bea, but when I suggested 'dating' they didn't think it was essential. I do like the idea of it but I'm nervous to take Bea in the car atm as the last journey was when Leeloo went downhill & she's very nervous right now.
- must I keep them in separate cages to start with or can they go in together straight away? Have seen a few things about quarantine but other things I've read doesn't mention it. I understand the existing cage needs to be thoroughly cleaned to remove scents.
- since we lost Leeloo I've let Bea have a fleecy tunnel in her cage for comfort that they both used but usually only at floor time. Once we get a new piggy should I wash the tunnel to remove Leeloo's scent or leave it?
Sorry for all the silly questions just want to make sure I do the right thing! Many thanks in advance
 
Hi again, we are due to go see some potential new piggies this afternoon so if anyone has time I would really be grateful for advice as I don't want to bring a new piggy back and do the wrong thing. Thanks again :-)
 
Well we've gone and done it. Out of 5 girls at the rescue there was a pretty little one who stood out. Her and Bea had a successful introduction with lots of 'train' following (mutual) & bottom sniffing and mutual celery eating. They're now in the cage napping after sharing some hay. Bea's a bit territorial about one of the hidey places but she's very friendly too & is currently lying right next to the little one (as yet unnamed). Littley is a bit skittish with us & Bea but I'm hoping she'll grow more confident once she's settled. Don't want to speak too soon but thinking this is a positive start..?
Here they are:
image.webp
 
New girl (now named Dotty) is on the right. Bea is the 'camera shy' pig! Lol!
First night done & we had a few chases but nothing serious. They're both eating carrot tops now.
(Ps, I know the sugary stick in the background is basically piggy junk food but it was a gift from auntie & they don't like it anyway!)
 
congrats on your new piggy.My older piggies have always accepted smaller younger piggies .Pleased its working out
 
Thanks guys, they are lovely!
Day 4 today and I think so far so good. Still some settling in being done of course. Dotty seems to be wary of Bea & whines whenever she comes close. But then 10 mins later they'll be sleeping next to eachother. Bea still chases her several times a day but any sounds are usually conversational bob-bob-bobs with the occasional submissive squeak thrown in. No fighting or war dancing. They're a funny pair because they want to be friends one minute and unsure the next. Yesterday Dotty ran away from Bea, did a full lap of the cage and then hid behind Bea!
 
It sounds very good; I am ever so glad for you!

It sounds like they are coming very much towards the end of the dominance phase and that they are settling down very well together. It sounds very promising for them becoming great friends in due time. :)
 
Hi, I'm glad your girls are getting on well :).

Just to answer your original question about quarantine; a good rescue should only be rehoming quarantined & well piggies so piggies froma good rescue should be ok to be introduced straight away.

If you are in any doubt about where a guinea has come from then we would highly recommend a three week quarantine in a separate room from any existing guineas. There are some quarantine recommendations here http://www.guinealynx.info/quarantine.html to prevent contamination. We would always be looking out for signs of ill-health such as nose or eye discharge, rattly breathing, weight loss, lack of appetite, skin problems, bare patches on their hair and so on & would recommend seeing a vet to get anything like this sorted out before attempting an introduction to prevent the spread of illness or parasites.

Hope this is useful to you :)
 
Yes we got her from Tracey. I was so impressed with her, she and her husband do such good work. they had even taken in a baby moorhen whose mother had been killed by a dog in nearby park, as well as loads of piggies, especially lots of gorgeous paired boars (so anyone who's looking I would highly recommend homing some!)
 
Ooh quick update on the bonding btw: they both ran and popcorned together on the floor last night for first time! Yippee!
And this evening Dotty ate parsley from my hub's hand whilst cuddling with him! And then when we put her back she called loudly for Bea, who promptly lifted her head & wanted to also be put back. When I did they both popcorned! So happy! <3
 
I'm really happy that you seem to have them bonded successfully. I've just gone through about 12 days of bonding 3 groups into 2 but that too is now successful. One group of 5 living together for 9 days & the other group of 5 living together for 4 days. The second group took a lot longer but they're all happy now.
 
It can be one of the most stressful things with guinea pigs but when it works you feel really good about it.
 
Oh yes! We've felt like new parents, constantly listening out for trouble. It's only been just over a week since we lost Leeloo but it's definitely heartening to see this much progress :luv:
 
hmm might have spoken too soon. Beatrix has been teeth chattering and rumble-stomping at Dotty (and generally) since Saturday. I'm not sure whether she's just grumpy or if they've fallen out. Dotty doesn't retaliate and there's been no fighting. they have had ok periods as well and still play in the evenings.There's no question of dominance, Dotty knows her place but I wonder if as she settles in she's becoming a bit more confident and it's making Bea reassert herself. what do people think? should i call a time-out and separate them or leave them to it?
 
stripeybeanie said:
hmm might have spoken too soon. Beatrix has been teeth chattering and rumble-stomping at Dotty (and generally) since Saturday. I'm not sure whether she's just grumpy or if they've fallen out. Dotty doesn't retaliate and there's been no fighting. they have had ok periods as well and still play in the evenings.There's no question of dominance, Dotty knows her place but I wonder if as she settles in she's becoming a bit more confident and it's making Bea reassert herself. what do people think? should i call a time-out and separate them or leave them to it?
Click to expand...

I would think that Bea is in season and that has set her off again. Don't worry; they are firmly bonded and won't fall out! The dominance phase can last a few weeks, but it will get less and less and it only determines the shape of the relationship, but not how much they will eventually come to like and love each other! ;)
 
Thanks Wiebke, I did wonder about that but as it was so close to when they've first met it made me worry. I think she used to do it with Leeloo as well but she didn't get away with it as much with her!
 
She is obviously in total control! Any signs of dominance tend to be much stronger at first, but things are going to calm down, believe me!

In any case, you can stop fretting and just let them get on with it. Bea and Dotty are going to create their very own relationship, which will be quite different from the old one. They have their own journey to make. ;)
 
yes you're right, thanks! I'm being a 'helicopter mum'! just need to let them do their thing. i guess I still feel some (completely illogical) guilt over losing Leeloo so I'm being over protective this time.
 
It is very natural under circumstances; you have just lost a beloved pet and are still shaken up and very emotional. letting Bea have a new friend before you are emotionally ready is a very loving, but not quite easy thing to do for you!

HUGS
 
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