Stopped drinking- bereeaved guinea pig

Bigsize9fot

Bigsize9fot

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Oct 19, 2016
Messages
135
Reaction score
79
Points
245
Location
Lanarkshire
Hi,

On Tuesday one of my 5 year old female guineas had to be put to sleep. Her sister Mabel is quite subdued. Lots of lying about. She hasn't lost any weight and is eating her veg fine but is refusing her nuggets. She is eating hay but I'm not sure if its less than usual. However- I cannot get her to drink. She wont use the drinking bottle and even if I put it to her mouth she takes one lick of it then turns away. I have been syringing water into her mouth. How much should give. I gave her 3 x 1ml syringes this morning but I reckon she maybe only got 2-2.5ml. And is there anyway we can encourage her to drink?
 
Sorry for your loss. Piggies normally drink as much as they need. Remember there is water in (some of) the veg they eat.

She sounds like she’s pining for her friend. Have a read of this thread below.
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

Are you planning to get her a friend?
 
Ah ok- so should I just stop syringing the water then? She doesn't like it much. Its just Ive not seen her drink from it at all in 2 days.

Have read the guide and trying my best for her. We don't want to get another friend. I know that will probably be frowned upon as its the best thing for them but if we get a new one we will always be in the same position if one of them goes.
 
I wouldn’t syringe water, but you do need to weigh her regularly to ensure she is eating enough hay. You can’t tell hay consumption by eye. If she is eating her veg, then she will be getting some water.

The problem with not getting her a new friend is that she can get very lonely and it can affect their health. Is there a rescue centre nearby that you could speak to about fostering? They may have a single piggy who could be bonded with her to see out the rest of her life with. You won’t be taking on another pig permanently as when your piggy passes you then return the fostered piggy, but your piggy will get the companionship she will need.
 
So sorry for your loss. Be gentle with yourself as you grieve.
I can’t add to the advice given.

When the initial grief has passed maybe you could consider fostering?
That would give Mabel companionship but without the long term commitment for you.
 
Merab's Slave said:
So sorry for your loss. Be gentle with yourself as you grieve.
I can’t add to the advice given.

When the initial grief has passed maybe you could consider fostering?
That would give Mabel companionship but without the long term commitment for you.
Click to expand...
Thanks. Yoshi was my sons guinea pig-I know he misses her very much- we all do and its strange without her. My daughter is away on a school residential so I haven't even broken the news yet. She will be devastated. Mabel is her guinea pig. I have been thinking long and hard about it and while fostering sounds ideal, how would you then not become attached to the new one and give it back once Mabel passes? We would all want to keep it and are then back to the same dilemma.

I am wondering if it might be a better idea to give Mabel to someone who has a friend for her that keeps guineas long term? I know my daughter would be terribly upset about this but maybe not as much as if Mabel is unhappy or fades away. Its a very big decision to make. I will see how the next few days goes with Mabel. Its only been 2 days and I think that is the worst time for them.

I feel a bit more relaxed about the drinking. Thank you. I will continue to weigh her. When I weighed her last night she'd put on some weight so this is good. I have been giving her some extra veg to encourage her to eat.
 
Never make major decisions while in the initial stages of grief.
I agree with the possibility / probability of falling in love with a foster pig.

Take time before decid what to do for Mabel. I only threw in a possible suggestion.

You can always talk through options on the forum when you are ready and when you see how Mabel is doing.

Have a hug from me.
 
I worry about this too as I won’t be wanting to have a never ending cycle. Ours are both 5 and so the time will come probably sooner rather than later. I’ve been wondering what we will do. I have the same concern about foster pigs, me falling in love with them but also them bonding with me, that doesn’t sit right either.

It’s so tricky. Good luck xx
 
Bigsize9fot said:
Hi,

On Tuesday one of my 5 year old female guineas had to be put to sleep. Her sister Mabel is quite subdued. Lots of lying about. She hasn't lost any weight and is eating her veg fine but is refusing her nuggets. She is eating hay but I'm not sure if its less than usual. However- I cannot get her to drink. She wont use the drinking bottle and even if I put it to her mouth she takes one lick of it then turns away. I have been syringing water into her mouth. How much should give. I gave her 3 x 1ml syringes this morning but I reckon she maybe only got 2-2.5ml. And is there anyway we can encourage her to drink?
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome

I am very sorry for your loss. We have got a Rainbow Bridge section, which is there for all those members who would like to pay tribute to their piggies whenever it feels right for them in their individual grieving process.

Please take your time to grieve. You may find this guide here helpful for yourself: Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

As long as your girl is eating hay (which is normally over 80% of the daily food intake), she is fine and she is NOT pining acutely (that is stopping eating and drinking altogether and giving up on life). Please don't offer her water; she will drink on her own as the instinct to drink is stronger than the urge to eat (the strongest is the need to breathe). You may notice the difference more if Mabel was the stronger drinker.
Please keep on monitoring the weight once daily at the same time. You need to step in only if the weight has dropped over 50g with offering extra feed in a bowl or from a spoon to a guinea pig that is still eating.
If you have any concerns over a potential underlying health issue, then please see a vet promptly; the death of a companion can dent the immune system.
Weight - Monitoring and Management

It is normal for a piggy to be withdrawn; they grieve just as deeply as we humans, but they can't grieve for as long. She is going to pick up her life again in a few days, just without the sparkle.
That is the point when you can start looking for a friend for her. If you have access to one of our recommended rescues, then please consider dating her at the rescue to allow her to choose who she wants to be with for a happy relationship. Many rescues, especially private ones, are waking up to the fact that older piggies still have the same need for companionship and are accommodating in working out a solution with you if you don't want to continue with guinea pigs.
You can find more information and links to recommended rescues in several countries in this link here: Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top