Olivitree
Junior Guinea Pig
Hey there peeps, not sure if this is the right place, its sort of about separation behaviour, but also quarantine so a health thing as well I suppose .
I've had a rough time this month with guineas, losing my 5 year old companion for Tabby and my first attempt at finding her a new friend, one of the only suitable ones at a localish rescue turning into a distressing disaster as she had existing fatal problems that couldn't be sorted by the vet, in my area there seemed to be a lack of suitable guinea pigs to be a new companion for my 5 year old lady.
I found a lone youngster (10 weeks, last one of her litter) who got on well with Tabby, the person who I got her from said there were no health problems however she was not a well noted reputable rescue (nor a large breeder or pet shop, just a lady with a few guinea pigs) so I'm unsure on whether to quarantine or not. She has lived with related family members, I didn't get a good look at their living space but the lady looked to be taking good care of her animals and the only thing potentially wrong I can see/hear with her is she looks like she has some dry skin, no excessive itching that I've noticed yet and couldn't spot any lice (my guinea pig is on treatment anyway at the moment as a preventative measure from my first attempt at pairing her up). Couldn't hear anything wrong with her breathing but I'm no expert and she's so small it was hard to have a really good listen even with a stethoscope.
I know for the sake of my current guinea who is healthy, I should, but this is only a 10 week old and isn't looking happy about being on her own in a strange new place, I haven't seen her eat or move around much since I put her on her own. They weren't exactly cuddling up to each other when let them meet briefly just to check they had a chance of getting on but she was happily roaming about, munching food and chatting constantly to Tabby.
I'm taking her to the vet tomorrow just for a weigh in, check up and such to make sure she's all ok and nothing obvious turning up yet but obviously some things may take a week or two to turn up.
Genuinely concerned for the little pig as I know they get stressed out and depressed being on their own.
What do people think, will she manage being quarantined or would you recommend breaking it for this teeny tiny little piggy and her stress levels?
I've had a rough time this month with guineas, losing my 5 year old companion for Tabby and my first attempt at finding her a new friend, one of the only suitable ones at a localish rescue turning into a distressing disaster as she had existing fatal problems that couldn't be sorted by the vet, in my area there seemed to be a lack of suitable guinea pigs to be a new companion for my 5 year old lady.
I found a lone youngster (10 weeks, last one of her litter) who got on well with Tabby, the person who I got her from said there were no health problems however she was not a well noted reputable rescue (nor a large breeder or pet shop, just a lady with a few guinea pigs) so I'm unsure on whether to quarantine or not. She has lived with related family members, I didn't get a good look at their living space but the lady looked to be taking good care of her animals and the only thing potentially wrong I can see/hear with her is she looks like she has some dry skin, no excessive itching that I've noticed yet and couldn't spot any lice (my guinea pig is on treatment anyway at the moment as a preventative measure from my first attempt at pairing her up). Couldn't hear anything wrong with her breathing but I'm no expert and she's so small it was hard to have a really good listen even with a stethoscope.
I know for the sake of my current guinea who is healthy, I should, but this is only a 10 week old and isn't looking happy about being on her own in a strange new place, I haven't seen her eat or move around much since I put her on her own. They weren't exactly cuddling up to each other when let them meet briefly just to check they had a chance of getting on but she was happily roaming about, munching food and chatting constantly to Tabby.
I'm taking her to the vet tomorrow just for a weigh in, check up and such to make sure she's all ok and nothing obvious turning up yet but obviously some things may take a week or two to turn up.
Genuinely concerned for the little pig as I know they get stressed out and depressed being on their own.
What do people think, will she manage being quarantined or would you recommend breaking it for this teeny tiny little piggy and her stress levels?