Sad News

[Nicola_]

I woke up this morning to a very sad message from my friend saying her guinea pig passed away last night

I feel so sad for her, he was only 2 years old and it was very sudden. They're taking his brother to the vet this morning to have him checked over as well. I'm hoping the vet will mention to them about finding him a new friend but I'm not 100% sure how cavy savy the vet will be. She goes to the same surgery as I do and the one I took them to has 3 of her own but it might not be her they see (she also might still not be completely cavy savy I guess) Anyway, I'm hoping I'll be able to help steer my friend in the direction of boar dating but it might be difficult as there aren't really any rescues nearby to us so she may decide to just get a pet shop pig (although she is a strict veggie on principal so hoping if I highlight the recent PAH scandal she'll think twice). I'm just worried she'll be offended if I bring up the subject too soon so any advice on how to broach the subject would be greatly appreciated!

 

[MerryPip]

What sad news!

The timing of getting a new friend is very much dependant on the piggy who is left. Some pigs cope very well with grieving and you can take some time to find them a new friend, others respond very badly and will retreat into themselves, refusing food or attention and in those cases, getting a new buddy soon is really important. In my experience, your piggy is usually ready for a new friend before you are... They grieve deeply but not for as long as we do. That can make it hard as we often feel guilty about going out and getting a new piggy so soon after the previous one's death but you have to bear in mind that it is not that you are 'replacing' the piggy you have lost, more that you are giving another piggy the chance of a good and loving home. It can mean it takes us hoomans a little time to bond with a new arrival so soon after a bereavement but the piggies usually benefit from company much quicker.

I know there are not many rescues near Glasgow either but it's worth travelling a bit to find the right companion. Try our rescue locator for some ideas and maybe some other fellow scots can give more help on that one!

Just be gentle and understanding but remind your friends lovingly that the piggies welfare is most important even though it's a tough time. Good luck!

 

[Wiebke]

I am very sorry about your friend's loss, especially so shortly before Christmas! For the sake of all our Scottish member, we wish we had more recommendable rescues, especially in the Central Belt!

Your friend could contact Becklen (as far as I know, they have also now got a fosterer in Carlisle); they are competent and experienced. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Becklen-Guinea-Pig-Rescue/399821413388569
I don't know whether Jo at Hutches does offer boar dating or bonding; she's in Perthshire: http://www.hutches-boarding-rescue.org.uk/

If boar dating is not an option, your friend has got two other possibilities: try to get her boy a young companion (preferably one he can meet to make sure that they get on before bringing him home) or to have him neutered by a competent vet and then living with a sow or two after a full 6 weeks wait (I have the surprise "present" of a suppoesdly safe over 5 weeks post op boar living here with me).
The second alternative comes with a certain op risk (minimised by researching for a good operating vet), but it has the advantage that cross gender couples, once initial acceptance has happened, are the most stable bondings of them all and fall-outs are virtually unknown. At 2 years old, your friend's boar is not too old.

 

[Nicola_]

Thank you both. I think I just need to be as tactful as possible in broaching the subject as I don't to appear too interfering, especially as I'm a lot newer to piggies! She is aware of how much I've researched them and that I'm on the forum so hopefully if she wants my advice she'll ask for it. She's also very good at researching for the piggies when she needs to so I'm sure she'll make the best decision possible.

 

[Wiebke]

Your friend is very welcome to join the forum if she wants support and local tips from our other members in your area.

 

[Nicola_]

I'm sure she'll if she feels the need to. I don't doubt a lot of the research she's done in the past has been from here. Not sure how much of the threads are for members only?

I think at the moment it's just too soon to think about a new friend just yet but maybe in a few days once the shock has calmed down a bit and Christmas is over. I'll see how they're all managing when I get to see her next. Still feeling very sad for them.

 

[Wiebke]

The threads are public, but of course we are happy about anybody who wants to join!