Poorly old lad - bit of advice please...

[Rosehip]

Hi all,

I haven't been on here for ages, sorry! I hope you and your fluffy peeps are all well

My old boy - Squirrel - is feeling his age now - he's 9 as is Shane his sister - and has recently started going off his feed.
I am able to tempt him with various treats and nibbly bits for a day or so, and then he goes off everything and I start again.

I found he was anally impacted the other day, so cleared that for him and booked him in with our vet (who is very cavy savvy) who gave him a good check over. He said that other than being a little underweight and being impacted, there isn't much wrong with the old lad....he's just old....

I am offering him Gerty Guinea which he has been on all his life, and moist Science Selective pencils, he is also having cucumber, carrot, kale, tomato and apple offered to him daily, although he isn't eating much of anything. He did have a grape this morning though bless him.

I asked my vet to check his teeth as I was worried his reluctance to eat was dental, but again, teeth ok just old.

So....any advice from you knowledgeable people? I'm against agressive syringe feeding, just so you know.... if it is Squirrels time, then I will have to accept that....

Thanks in advance xx

 

[doglovinpiggylover]

I'm so sorry i have no advice, but i wanted to say ninnnnne? what a great age. Good luck either way x

 

[Rosehip]

Just a little update.... Squirrel passed away at mid-day today.
He had sudden diarrhea, a small fit, and then passed on

I'm incredibly sad, but glad that it was quick, and that he didn't suffer. I'm a little concerned about Shane now, although she is (obviously) in a separate pen to him, they chatted to each other and would graze outside side by side, and even popcorn together and play.
She doesn't seem distressed, infact she seemed quite chuffed with the extra nibbles and the cuddly toy she got tonight!

Thanks all

xx

 

[doglovinpiggylover]

oh I'm so sorry, rip Squirrel, sleep well xx

 

[Rosehip]

Thank you hun. I was expecting it, but it's still heartbreaking
I now have to decide if I take in a young pair of piggies or an older sow to keep Shane company. Realistically Shane is 9 too, so isn't going to be around much longer, and I don't want another piggie to be in the same position as Shane is now in 6months time.....
It may sound crass thinking about another piggie so soon, but I don't want Shane to be lonely x

 

[doglovinpiggylover]

oh no, its probably a good thing, he will get lonely i bet x

 

[Leigh P]

RIP Squirrel... so sorry for your loss, but 9 years old is amazing!

I would see how Shane seems over the next few days. I understand that you don't want her to be lonely, but it sounds as though you have really cared for them and that she would have lots of attention from you. I have always had to "piggyback" my boar piggies as I don't want them to get lonely when one passes away, but am now in a circle of different ages, which I hoped I wouldn't get into.

You will know best in the long run. Good luck.

 

[klee]

Thank you hun. I was expecting it, but it's still heartbreaking
I now have to decide if I take in a young pair of piggies or an older sow to keep Shane company. Realistically Shane is 9 too, so isn't going to be around much longer, and I don't want another piggie to be in the same position as Shane is now in 6months time.....
It may sound crass thinking about another piggie so soon, but I don't want Shane to be lonely x

My Rosie is now nearly 7 we adopted Ruby(14m) last year, but we knew Rosie at 6 was a good age for a piggy so we adopted a week later Esme(2.5y) and Tia (10m) so that when Rosie goes Ruby wouldn't be on her own. I would give Shane a few days/weeks to see how she gets on and think about contacting some rescues for their advice. x