piggie left alone

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karenben

karenben

Junior Guinea Pig
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In May I got two young females and was thrilled when they got along so well. Kitty had a cough shortly after getting her and was put on antibiotics by the vet which seemed to work. She doubled in weight along with her friend Daisy but unfortunately three weeks ago she became poorly again with the coughing symptom and after several trips to the vet she passed away on weds. I am left with the dilemma now as to whether to keep daisy alone or try to find her a new friend, I am quite worried about the bonding process. Any advise gratefully accepted.
 
If Daisy is young I would look for a friend for her as piggies thrive on companionship of their own kind. You choice is another sow or a neutered boar, either way have a look for reputable rescues in your area. They will be able to bond them for you and save you the heartache :) Sorry you lost Kitty :(
 
Hi! I am very sorry for loss; URI (respiratory infection) can sadly kill. :(
You are very welcome to post a tribute in our Rainbow Pets section if you wish to share your sorrow with us.

Please find Daisy another friend; she will need the company! The safest way is by dating her at a good rescue, so she can make her own choice as to who she wants to get on with, but you will only come home with a new piggy if there as been success. I have gone this route several times (with both sowfriends and neutered "husboars" ) and have each signle time got a most loving relationship out of it. By using a good rescue, you will rehome only healthy (quarantined and health check passed), properly sexed and guaranteed not pregnant piggies.

If you are in the South, I can most warmly recommend either Milhaven GP Rescue just up the M62 in Keithley or The Potteries Guinea Pig Rescue in Stoke-on-Trent; both guinea pig rescues are on the Piggy Bank list of recommended (and vetted) high standard rescues. Both rescues offer piggy dating. I have rehomed from both rescues myself and can vouch for them.
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=209994852075231951564.0004b8fd9391b4257d8eb&msa=0
If you are in the North, you may try to contact Becklen Guinea Pig Rescue. From what I have heard, they are starting up again and are expanding. I have rehomed several piggies from them some years ago when they were more active. I think that they have now got foster homes further South. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Becklen-Guinea-Pig-Rescue/399821413388569?ref=ts&fref=ts
There is also a new rescue in Richmond, which seems to be oeprating to a decent standard; one of the forum members is fostering for it: http://bunnyburrows.btck.co.uk/
 
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I live in the Lancashire area and cant seem to find a rescue centre. There a couple of male neutered piggies 4 month old on a nearby RSPCA site, would they have the same facility to help with the bonding do you think.
 
karenben said:
I live in the Lancashire area and cant seem to find a rescue centre. There a couple of male neutered piggies 4 month old on a nearby RSPCA site, would they have the same facility to help with the bonding do you think.
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RSPCA branches are independently run and vary very much in quality and compentence where piggies are concerned. You will have to contact your local branch and enquire. Sadly, there is currently no rescue directly in Lancashire. Becklen Rescue may have a foster there, or near the border, so it would be worth contacting them. Where in the county are you? It is not the smallest.

The rescues I have listed are your closest that I know are competent.
 
Wiebke said:
RSPCA branches are independently run and vary very much in quality and compentence where piggies are concerned. You will have to contact your local branch and enquire. Sadly, there is currently no rescue directly in Lancashire. Becklen Rescue may have a foster there, or near the border, so it would be worth contacting them. Where in the county are you? It is not the smallest.

The rescues I have listed are your closest that I know are competent.
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I am based near Wigan and the Manchester and Salford branch of RSPCA have a couple of piggies on their website.
 
I'd ring them and ask - pre-neutered male sounds like a possibility and you never know they may offer some bonding facility. If not then you can think of something else?
 
Tameside guinea pig rescue have e-mailed to say they have females so making further enquiries. Daisy is eating well but I think she is definitely missing kitty.
 
degu_rock said:
If Daisy is young I would look for a friend for her as piggies thrive on companionship of their own kind. You choice is another sow or a neutered boar, either way have a look for reputable rescues in your area. They will be able to bond them for you and save you the heartache :) Sorry you lost Kitty :(
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This may seem a silly question but if I get a neutered boar, is he gonna be pestering her constantly, would this lead to fights? I have had a single boar in the past butnever a male and female together. As she was previously with another sow would it be better to get another sow? Advice much appreciated.
 
A neutered boar and a sow usually have the best chance of bonding but the only real way to find out is to take Daisy along with you to the rescue and she can decide who she likes :)
I have a boar approx. 5+ years young who lost his wifepig in April, living with two 6 month old lasses (they were 6 weeks old when they came to us) and he doesn't give a hoot...he's boss ;)
 
Yay, waiting on a home visit from rspca. Hoping to get a neutered Abyssinian tri coloured boar and he is gorgeous, 4to 5 month old. Rescued from a breeder as was being kept in poor conditions.
 
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