Our cali has passed 🕊️

[lydvn]

Our baby Cali has sadly been put down today as she was found with stones that would require surgery. She also had an ear infection. Me and my girlfriend couldn’t afford this financially and mentally, and we know Cali fought until the very end but her body gave out. Now… I have some questions:

1. She has a cagemate named Mali, and Mali never really cared too much about Cali (However Cali was obsessed with Mali) but we are still worried about depression. My girlfriend and I do not want to get another piggy because we have decided we only want to remember our current ones + financial issues. I must mention, next to her cage is a cage with two very vocal boys. And we occasionally would put the one boy in her cage because he doesn’t do much other than eat with her. Is this good enough company? Is there anything I can do on my part to make this good for her?

2. We are drowning in vet bills because of the procedures they did in order to find the stones, and then the ear infection, and also her euthanasia. Any ideas on how to help this? Where can we go for bill help?

3. What are ways you coped after a piggy passed? This is our first one, and it hurts. Any advice, support, or comfort helps. Thank you

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m so sorry for your loss.

On point 1 - please never put him in her cage.
If he is not neutered then a pregnancy will take seconds to occur and you would not be able to stop it. Deliberately putting a unneutered boar with a sow is considered breeding.
Equally, that is not how piggies function. They work by a strict hierarchy and need to be properly bonded with their companion. They cannot be mixed back and forth with other piggies as that it seen as a full on bonding session.
Also, a non-bonded piggy should never be put directly into the territory of another piggy.
Putting a boar with a sow and then back with a their bonded partner boar runs the risk of destroying the bond and causing huge amounts of stress to all piggies involved.

She will need to remain in her cage as a single piggy with no physical contact with the other boys.
Provided the boys’ bond is not affected by having her beside them, then her cage can remain next to them so they can interact between the bars only.
Two bonded boys living next to females can cause the two boys to fight with each other. However if your boys are not affected by her presence then it’s fine to keep them side by side provided the boars cannot get out of their cages.

Death, Dying, Terminal Illness; Human Grieving and Bereaved Companions: Information and Support for Owners and Their Children

 

[h_and_piggies]

Sorry for your loss. I can’t help with any of your questions as there are more experienced members who will be able to help with the correct advice, but I just want to offer my support during this difficult time. Sleep tight Cali x

 

[Merab]

So sorry for your loss

 

[lydvn]

I’m so sorry for your loss.

On point 1 - please never put him in her cage.
If he is not neutered then a pregnancy will take seconds to occur and you would not be able to stop it. Deliberately putting a unneutered boar with a sow is considered breeding.
Equally, that is not how piggies function. They work by a strict hierarchy and need to be properly bonded with their companion. They cannot be mixed back and forth with other piggies as that it seen as a full on bonding session.
Also, a non-bonded piggy should never be put directly into the territory of another piggy.
Putting a boar with a sow and then back with a their bonded partner boar runs the risk of destroying the bond and causing huge amounts of stress to all piggies involved.

She will need to remain in her cage as a single piggy with no physical contact with the other boys.
Provided the boys’ bond is not affected by having her beside them, then her cage can remain next to them so they can interact between the bars only.
Two bonded boys living next to females can cause the two boys to fight with each other. However if your boys are not affected by her presence then it’s fine to keep them side by side provided the boars cannot get out of their cages.

Death, Dying, Terminal Illness; Human Grieving and Bereaved Companions: Information and Support for Owners and Their Children

Alright, I didn’t know this so thank you. I will keep her on her own

 

[lydvn]

Sorry for your loss. I can’t help with any of your questions as there are more experienced members who will be able to help with the correct advice, but I just want to offer my support during this difficult time. Sleep tight Cali x

thank you so much

 

[weepweeps]

I’m so sorry for your loss. Sending you both hugs. It does hurt when we lose a much loved piggy. Over time you will be able to remember Cali and all the happy memories you have.

Can you ask your vets if you can pay in instalments? Vet bills are the only reason I haven’t got a house full of piggies.

I’m sure Mali will be fine if she can hear the boys.

Take care

 

[Bill & Ted]

I’m so sorry you lost Cali, sending big hugs to you both
Sleep tight little one

 

[MichelleM]

I'm so sorry for the loss of your Cali. On the note of vet bills, your location says you're in North Carolina. I'm also in the USA and have a Care Credit card I use to pay medical bills, vets included. It's how we've been able to manage our piggies' health bills, and it also covers end of life and after care. I would strongly suggest looking into it, and if you apply for it, put your vet bills on it. My card maxes out at $1,000USD, so it's always been able to cover guinea pig health.