Separation Anxiety

Status
Not open for further replies.
Hank288

Hank288

Adult Guinea Pig
Joined
Feb 8, 2015
Messages
1,638
Reaction score
1,643
Points
780
Location
Atherton, UK
Last week I rescued a female and male pair of guineas who were in the same cage. Due to space while they were in quarantine period I had to keep them together in a separate shed away from my other girls. After a week they have shown no signs of illness so I have moved them into the pig shed where there is now more space.

Basically I have now separated the boy (Rupert) and girl (Ruby) into separate cages next to each other. They are really not happy about being separated and will not stop squeaking for each other, the boy has been bar biting and jumping on top of his house to get to her.

Will this get easier for them? Also will being around 6 other girls upset him? Is it best that the separated pair can see each other still or that I cover the sides of the cages so they cannot?
Thanks
 
Anyone any ideas, it is killing me that they are like this. I feel so cruel splitting them up.
 
Unfortunately the female is probably already pregnant. I would get the little lad neutered asap so that they can be reunited after she has delivered her babies. It takes 6 weeks for the boar to become sterile post operation. The pregnancy watch is 10 weeks from when they were last together. There is lots of information about caring for pregnant piggies in the pregnancy section.
 
I know she is probably already pregnant, that is why I took them from the situation they were in to help them. I was probably going to have to rehome them as I already have 5 girls and not really time for any more.
Can you get them neutered before they are 6 months old? I think he is only 3 months old ish.
Is it better for them to see each other or should I cover the sides of the cages?
 
Hank288 said:
I know she is probably already pregnant, that is why I took them from the situation they were in to help them. I was probably going to have to rehome them as I already have 5 girls and not really time for any more.
Can you get them neutered before they are 6 months old? I think he is only 3 months old ish.
Is it better for them to see each other or should I cover the sides of the cages?
Click to expand...
Well done for taking them in. No he needs to be around 4 to 6 months old depending on his weight and development. A vet will advise you. Make sure you use a vet who is experienced in the procedure.
As regards having them next to each other, it all depends on how manic and stressed he seems to be. If he is unduly stressed then probably move him away from the girls for the time being. Could you have him indoors so that he gets attention from you more until he is neutered?
 
I see you are in Manchester? I foster for Barnsley animal rescue charity. We could take the possibly pregnant female for you and the young boar
 
I can't bring them in unfortunately the OH has severe allergies to them and he can't breathe well when in contact with their hair.
I will keep my eye on him, if he is overly stressed I will move him back to the other shed. I will have a think about if I want to get him neutered or if rehoming is best for him. I will do what is best for him in the end.
I am happy to keep the female as I have 5 already so I am going to try to bond her with some of my existing pigs.
thank you for the offer, I will keep you posted.
 
Just to let you know, I have found him a wonderful home with a lovely lady who had guinea pigs in the past and missed having them. She was besotted with him from when she first picked him up. She is going to get him a friend as she knows they need company. I am so happy he found a loving home. Thanks again for the offer of fostering though :nod:
 
Hank288 said:
Last week I rescued a female and male pair of guineas who were in the same cage. Due to space while they were in quarantine period I had to keep them together in a separate shed away from my other girls. After a week they have shown no signs of illness so I have moved them into the pig shed where there is now more space.

Basically I have now separated the boy (Rupert) and girl (Ruby) into separate cages next to each other. They are really not happy about being separated and will not stop squeaking for each other, the boy has been bar biting and jumping on top of his house to get to her.

Will this get easier for them? Also will being around 6 other girls upset him? Is it best that the separated pair can see each other still or that I cover the sides of the cages so they cannot?
Thanks
Click to expand...

It is going to get easier after a day or two when they realise they can't get through the bars Make sure that Rupert cannot climb out - boars can be surprisingly athletic and determined.

A single boar can live next to other sows without problems; it is just boars only pairs which should be kept out of line of sight and reach of pheromones of sows.

Please open a support thread for Ruby in our pregnancy section as she is most likely pregnant. We have got guides at the top. It would help if you gave us the background, age and time you have had her again, so we can establish the window in which babies could be due.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top