Rip Little Patch

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crisharrigan

crisharrigan

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Hi,
I have 6 guinea pigs, they all live in the garden in pairs in their hutch (outdoors). Yesterday morning when I went to feed them (I check my piggies at least 2 daily), I noticed that Patch didn't come out of his hide place (he was such an inquisitive piggies, the cheekiest one in the group). So I decided to look and screamed in shock as he had passed away, in the most horrible way possible. A disgusting rat got into the hutch and killed him. My poor piglet. His hutch mate was looking so upset. Husband and I buried little Patch and I took Fluffy indoors. Can't bear to leave him outside by himself. he looks so sad, he is eating, but not as much and he is still drinking. I couldn't even leave him downstairs last night. I took him and his cage upstairs and had him beside my bed. He is now coming up to 4 years old. I haven't had good experience in introducing boars to a new mate, and I really don't want Fluffy to go through any more trauma. Does anyone here have experience I keeping just one Guinea Pig? I know the need companionship, but I was thinking I could take Fluffy to the outdoor cage during the day, so he can at least hear the other piggies, but I would bring him indoors during the night. I am not an irresponsible owner. I love all my piglets and husband checked and made sure no whole was left , so that horrible vermin cannot get in there anymore. I do need some advice as to what to do for the best.
Sorry for long post, but I am in the office and all I want to do is go back home and look after my poor piggies.

Cris xx
 
crisharrigan said:
Hi,
I have 6 guinea pigs, they all live in the garden in pairs in their hutch (outdoors). Yesterday morning when I went to feed them (I check my piggies at least 2 daily), I noticed that Patch didn't come out of his hide place (he was such an inquisitive piggies, the cheekiest one in the group). So I decided to look and screamed in shock as he had passed away, in the most horrible way possible. A disgusting rat got into the hutch and killed him. My poor piglet. His hutch mate was looking so upset. Husband and I buried little Patch and I took Fluffy indoors. Can't bear to leave him outside by himself. he looks so sad, he is eating, but not as much and he is still drinking. I couldn't even leave him downstairs last night. I took him and his cage upstairs and had him beside my bed. He is now coming up to 4 years old. I haven't had good experience in introducing boars to a new mate, and I really don't want Fluffy to go through any more trauma. Does anyone here have experience I keeping just one Guinea Pig? I know the need companionship, but I was thinking I could take Fluffy to the outdoor cage during the day, so he can at least hear the other piggies, but I would bring him indoors during the night. I am not an irresponsible owner. I love all my piglets and husband checked and made sure no whole was left , so that horrible vermin cannot get in there anymore. I do need some advice as to what to do for the best.
Sorry for long post, but I am in the office and all I want to do is go back home and look after my poor piggies.

Cris xx
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BIG HUGS

Oh no! I am so sorry for you and for your boys!

Poor, poor Patch! :(

It is great that you brought Fluffy indoors immediately. He is likely in shock. Please weigh him daily before his dinner to make sure that he is eating properly, otherwise you need to have him checked by a vet and get him a little baby companion asap if he is acutely pining. Step in with syringe feeding to keep his guts going if he is stopping to eat completely or losing more than 50g/2 oz in a day.

In the medium term, it would be better for Fluffy if you could take him to one of our recommended rescues within your reach to let him choose a new friend for himself for the constant stimulation and companionhip that he needs. I know that right now, you are not at all feeling like it after your horrible experience. That is a normal reaction. Unfortunately, the difference in cavy and human emotional needs is never as wide as in the immediate wake of a death. Don't make any decisions right now unless Fluffy goes into a decline. Give both of you time to get over the shock and do your necessary grieving, each at their own time scale.

Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
Guinea Pig Vet Locator
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
 
So sorry to hear about Patch, much love to you, your family and Fluffy, what a horrible shock.
 
I am so sorry to read you have lost you little piggy. Huge hugs to you at this very sad time x

Sleep well little one

RIP Patch
x x
 
:yikes: Good grief, what a nasty surprise! Poor little Patch. I hope Fluffy is coping all right without his friend. Are all the other four piggies okay?
We seem to be hearing about rat attacks a lot lately.:hmm::hmm:
 
Hi, thanks for your post,

All the other piggies are OK. We checked all 3 hutches thoroughly and they are much safer now.
Fluffy is in the house with my family, and bother daughters and husband are home pampering Fluffy, and keeping me posted via text messages.
Do check your hutches. I really thought they were safe and poor Patch paid the price.
Take care,
Cris x
 
Hi thanks for your reply,

I will give a bit of time for Fluffy to settle down, keeping him in the house with me.
Daughters and husband are looking after him whilst I'm at work and he is eating and drinking better today (but still very quiet)
Once I feel he is ready, I am going to email some Adoption Shelters and see if they can help me find a partner for Fluffy. I can give him lots of hugs, veggie salads, etc, but I know he will still need another friend to chat and popcorn away.
Many thanks for taking the time to respond to my post.
Cris x
 
So sorry to hear of your sad news. Night night little poppet, popcorn free at the bridge x
 
I am so sorry for your loss :( Rats/mice can get through tiny gaps. If you can, put the hutches on something higher or make the legs longer if they are low to the ground & fix mesh over the fronts with much smaller holes in. It's very difficult to stop them getting in. Hope your remaining boy will be ok.
 
Oh no. I'm so sorry to read this post. What a terrible shock for you. I'm so sorry that you lost Patch and have been left with a bereaved piggy. Popcorn free Patch xx
 
that's terrible, wild rats are a pain :( so sorry for your lose
 
That's terrible. Huge hugs to you. You're not alone with losing a piggy to rats, and it's an awful thing to go through :hug:
What a dreadful shock.
I'm glad that Fluffy is still eating and the attention from his human family must be a huge comfort for him.
I hope everything goes really well when you look for a friend for him. x x
 
That is so horrible. I am so sorry to hear this. RIP Patch. I am so sorry for your loss.
 
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