New Friend for Merlin.

Chloe.123

Chloe.123

Junior Guinea Pig
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Gloucestershire, UK
Hi after some advice about introducing a new boar to my existing one.

So a bit of background... I posted a thread last week about Bilbo, he wasnt eating a lot and didnt seem well at all and just became very ill during the week, so unfortunately we had to make the heartbreaking decision to have him put to sleep yesterday. This leaves his brother Merlin, he has never lived on his own and I'm worried he may start to get depressed being alone.

How long should I leave it before introducing a new friend? Should he be left to grieve or could a friend help him with this?

I know this may seem soon to even be thinking about it but I want to do what is best for Merlin to keep him happy.

Thanks
 
Chloe.123 said:
Hi after some advice about introducing a new boar to my existing one.

So a bit of background... I posted a thread last week about Bilbo, he wasnt eating a lot and didnt seem well at all and just became very ill during the week, so unfortunately we had to make the heartbreaking decision to have him put to sleep yesterday. This leaves his brother Merlin, he has never lived on his own and I'm worried he may start to get depressed being alone.

How long should I leave it before introducing a new friend? Should he be left to grieve or could a friend help him with this?

I know this may seem soon to even be thinking about it but I want to do what is best for Merlin to keep him happy.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Hi!

I am very sorry for your loss!

Unless a piggy is not eating/drinking/giving up on life (acute pining immediately in the wake of the loss) and your vet hasn't found any underlying illness that has come to the fore, then you have about 1-4 weeks as the ideal period for researching and setting up rescue dates for Merlin to allow him to choose his next friend. Guinea pigs don't grieve less deeply but they do not grieve as long as we humans.
How quickly depends on how well merlin is coping with being on his own.

Please take the time to read the guides below. You will hopefully find them very helpful. The piggy is dealing with the above advice and wider aspects in more detail and also contains lists of recommended rescues. Please note that the RSPCA and the Blue Cross will not pair up un-neutered boars.
Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig
Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment

A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths, Facts and Post-op Care
 
Thank you for taking the time to reply. He seems to be ok this morning, he came down for his breakfast and was sat in his usual spot waiting for me to give him his veg and didn't hesitate eating ,It was hard not seeing Bilbo there with him :(

I will have a good look through the above links today. Merlin is just over 2 and a half, is that to old for him to be neutered?
 
Chloe.123 said:
Thank you for taking the time to reply. He seems to be ok this morning, he came down for his breakfast and was sat in his usual spot waiting for me to give him his veg and didn't hesitate eating ,It was hard not seeing Bilbo there with him :(

I will have a good look through the above links today. Merlin is just over 2 and a half, is that to old for him to be neutered?
Click to expand...
So sorry for your loss!

My Squeaks was 2 and a half when he was neutered, and he came through fine. He was on his own after his cagemate died, for most of 5 months. I tried boar-dating at first, but couldn't find a suitably submissive friend, so by the time I'd done that, decided to neuter, had the op and waited the six weeks, all that time had passed.
Hope it doesn't take so long for you to find Merlin a new friend x
 
So sorry that you lost Bilbo.
It's lovely to see you thinking about Merlin's well being while you are still grieving.

He isn't too old to be neutered so that is a good option for him. He can then live with a sow or sows.
That's what I did with my boy Titus when his brother died. He was neutered and then lived with 2 sows - a mother & daughter.

Boar dating would be the best option if that is possibility for you.

Hope you can find the right companion for him soon.
Don't forget to look after yourself in your own grief
 
Thank you all for your messages. It still seems weird at the moment, luckily I'm back at work so it's a bit of a distraction and Merlin still seems to be coping well. I'm going to speak to our vet to discuss having him neutered, I know I've seen somewhere that not all vets do it so I should probably check first! And I'll be looking into rescue boars too.

Thank you all again.
Chloe & Merlin x
 
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