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Ralph's latest trip to see the vet

LucyB1234

LucyB1234

Junior Guinea Pig
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Location
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Hi Everyone,

I'm relatively new to piggy ownership and took Ralph on earlier in June. He is 1.5 year old lone boar. I rehomed him from a lady overrun with small furries. He'd previously lived with his brother, promptly fell out during puberty and she had him with an elderly rabbit until the rabbit passed. He has always been really really quiet. So much so I took him to our local exotic vet within a week of homing him as I was worried he might be seriously unwell. The vet found nothing wrong with him physically but agreed his listlessness was unsettling. Ralph doesn't make any noises except the occasional purr of annoyance. He's very cuddly and will sit watching TV with us munching happily on veggies. He moves normally but mostly stays in his hides or haytray during the day. I took him back to see the vet today as he's due to go boar dating on Saturday and I wanted the absolute all clear on his health (and a fresh nail trim) before taking him. The vet said again he appears healthy but his quiet behaviour is still very unusual. She believes he is quite possibly mentally handicapped. She thinks he will be okay for boar dating but I need to make the rescue aware of his needs. I have no experience of guinea pigs with special needs but am willing to do whatever it takes to keep Ralph happy. Any advice on how to approach the bonding? Will he be accepted by another boar?

Additionally she would like him to gain more weight, is there a high calorie diet I can put him on to help this? He's currently on unlimited hay, Excell pellets (blackcurrant and oregano flavoured) occasional readigrass, daily veg's, and dried forage from piggies parcels.

Sorry for the essay! Thanks in advance
 
I do not agree that your boy is handicapped. Guineapigs are very social animals and ideally need a friend. I suspect your boy is just lonely so I’m glad you are taking him boar dating.

I once had a lonely guinea pig and she thrived once she had a friend

A good balanced diet of fresh vegetables, unlimited hay and a small amount of pellets will soon get weight on him.
 
Porridge oats are good for fattening up piggies. I think once he finds a companion he will be a different little piggie, let’s us all know how you get on with the bonding x Good luck hope he comes home with a new friend!
 
Yes when we brought Blodwen pig home from a bad situation we also thought she was mentally handicapped, she had ringworm so was alone in quarantine for 3 weeks and literally didnt do anything much... once she joined the others she was a totally different piggy, a real sassy little madam! I think she's partially sighted but she's very cheeky with her friends, there's so many behaviours you dont see with lone piggies.
Good luck with the boar dating, you might find that having a friend who wants to steal his food boosts his appetite! Grated sweet potato and porridge oats are good weight gain foods if the vet thinks he needs them :)
 
Hi Lucy, it’s Amanda from Piggie Parcels :)
Hoping you find Ralph a friend, I’m sure he’ll be fine.
Plantain is good for appetite too if you have any. X
 
Guineautopia said:
Hi Lucy, it’s Amanda from Piggie Parcels :)
Hoping you find Ralph a friend, I’m sure he’ll be fine.
Plantain is good for appetite too if you have any. X
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Hi Amanda, Ralph's been loving tucking into your parcels this week! It's such a relief to find something he clearly really enjoys eating. I imagine his new friend will be just as excited by them too! Plaintain is a great suggestion, thank you! 😀
 
LucyB1234 said:
Hi Amanda, Ralph's been loving tucking into your parcels this week! It's such a relief to find something he clearly really enjoys eating. I imagine his new friend will be just as excited by them too! Plaintain is a great suggestion, thank you! 😀
Click to expand...
Wonderful, keep us updated on the bonding xx
 
I wanted to say I think you are doing a wonderful job trying to give your boy the absolute best life possible.
I hope he finds a friend, and I am sure that will be the key to seeing his real personality emerge.

Imagine you were in a social situation, but were the only English speaker in the room.
Everyone else seemed friendly and kind, but none of them spoke your language - they offered you food and drinks, but you couldn't actually converse or really engage with them.
Suddenly another English speaker walks into the room, comes over to you, and starts chatting with you about your life.
You have lots in common and can finally communicate with someone.
Ralph is just waiting for someone who speaks his own language to come and join him :nod:
 
Swissgreys said:
I wanted to say I think you are doing a wonderful job trying to give your boy the absolute best life possible.
I hope he finds a friend, and I am sure that will be the key to seeing his real personality emerge.

Imagine you were in a social situation, but were the only English speaker in the room.
Everyone else seemed friendly and kind, but none of them spoke your language - they offered you food and drinks, but you couldn't actually converse or really engage with them.
Suddenly another English speaker walks into the room, comes over to you, and starts chatting with you about your life.
You have lots in common and can finally communicate with someone.
Ralph is just waiting for someone who speaks his own language to come and join him :nod:
Click to expand...

So beautifully put @Swissgreys.
@LucyB1234 I think you are describing a lonely (possibly slightly depressed) guinea pig rather than a handicapped one. I think once he finds piggy company he will come out of his shell. It’s wonderful to see piggies blossom as piggies again once they find company. You are doing a fabulous job with him.
 
I wouldn't be surprised if he changes dramatically once he is with another pig. He has spent his whole life to this point either on his own or with another animal that doesn't speak the same 'language' as him... it's no wonder he is withdrawn and depressed. He's lucky to have found you! Please let us know how things go!
 
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