Oap Piggy

[Ktangela]

Hi all,

My Scruff is coming up to 10 years old. He outlived his brother (4yrs), whom he was rescued with. He has now also outlived the two rescued lady friends I successfully paired him with. We lost Saff in October and Meg 3 weeks ago both were only 5years old.

He has an old injury to his shoulder that despite the best efforts of the RVC at Camden, never really healed. He's been weak on one side ever since. Now that he's older he doesn't move around much at all and he's really boney (but his weight is a consistent 750g or so). We have frequent baths to help with the hygiene problems an old, mid length coat man gets up to.

He is still chatty (in a quiet way) and eating and stuff, but I feel awful for him being on his own when he's so used to having the girls. But then because he is a bit frail I worry about another piggy being too boisterous for him.

He also sleeps a lot and quite heavily, so I'm taking my heart in my hands every time I go near his house (which is as flat as possible). He used to be a free ranger, so not much fazes him. He's the tamest little man in the world and I love it when he licks my finger.

Other than the lameness and old age, the Vet says he's fine, but with everything he seems a bit... Meh.

So really, I'm scared for both of us.

Any advice?

 

[Chief Guinea Pig]

That is horrible for you, my heart goes out to you, I'm so sorry for your losses,

I have no advice but want to say I hope things improve for you both. x

 

[Pebble]

No real advice - just hugs and shared experience.
In a similar situation with blind 7yr-old Ginger....very unsteady on his feet, has had head tilt most of his life and now carrying around a tennis-ball-size tumour between his front legs. But he is active, loves being stroked and is eating and drinking well despite losing weight all the time (he is down from 1.2kg to 850g).
He's paired with his wife&guide-pig Perdita but has also been joined recently by Dotty and Beanie (the two mite girls) who have taken it upon themselves to "groom" him rather enthusiastically. Despite his frailness, he still copes well with their attentions (and sow dominance scuffles) even though he looks a bit moth-eaten now with some bald patches of fur!
I took him to the vet last week and it was agreed to let him carry on for as long as he was enjoying life.

Can you find an elderly sow to bond him with as he may appreciate a guide/groomer piggie companion? (Is he neutered - if not you will need a spayed sow which are rare s hens teeth!)

Best advice I can give is to take every day as it comes..give himn lots of interaction with yourself on his terms..and better his last day is a good day than a bad one.

HTH
x

 

[Flutterby]

Wow! What an amazing age for him!

 

[Julie M]

He's Brilliant age. And sounds very loved.

 

[gogoguineas]

Aw bless him, what an age and he sounds like he is still doing well. An elderly sow would be ideal but the most important thing is just taking things day by day and keeping him happy. As long as he is content, you're doing good, best wishes to you both xx

 

[Ktangela]

Thanks everybody!

He's being really spoiled at the moment. And everyone is right, 10 is a pretty epic age for an old boy with an injury.

I guess we will take each day as it comes and I'll keep an ear out for a nice older lady sow. The only problem with that is the way the little guys creep into your heart and then leave you.

I heard the oldest pig got to 14. I suppose you'd have to prove age for the record, but I've had Scruff 9.5 years and we rescued him and his brother as young pigs from a 'bored children' situation.

Any ideas who has the oldest pig on here?

 

[Ktangela]

Thank you Pebble. Ginger and Scruff sound of a kind. Scruff let those girls do all sorts to his hair and he always had a new 'do' every morning. He's always been really laid back and submissive, so even though he is neutered, he wouldn't have done anything about his interest even if he could keep his balance!

 

[Freela]

He's at a great age and has had a great, long life- good for him and good for you! I understand that it's hard to see the decline in health as they age. We went through that recently with Linney, who passed at 6 years. There was about six months of gradual aging/weakening prior to her passing that was hard to watch, but it was age-related and there was really nothing we could treat for her. It sounds like he's doing great for his age, and all you can really do is give him love, time, and attention and be thankful that he's having such a good, long run!