Sudden death & lone youngster.How long Quarantine?

[gingy pig]

Hi all, my 3 year old boar Woody died yesterday. i didn't see it coming .he was quiet on sat,but hes always been a bit of a loan boar,preferring his own company so for him to not rush around wasn't unusual or concerning,he was taking veg & hiding in his hay pile.I went out yesterday lunchtime and he was dead :-( .his nose looked wet so I'm assuming at resp illness? he didnt appear to show any signs the day before though? I am now left with a 4 month old scatty boar on his own in a 6ft outside hutch-he has loads of hay ,blankets & head pad and covered over. My girls are in the shed in a C& C ,ideally i would like to house him next to them so hes not alone but dont want to risk it yet in case Woody had something he could pass on? what would you advise for quarantine period? thanks.

 

[Sophie B]

I'm very sorry for your loss, I think most people do 2 weeks for quarantine, is it possible for him to get neutered to live with your girls.
Let's pretend there was a question mark there, I'm drinking hot chocolate so can't put one in as I can't put it down

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome!

I am very sorry for your loss. it is always very difficult to make sense of it when it has happened without warning, especially to a young guinea pig. Sadly only a post-mortem examination at the vets may be able to give you the answers you crave.

Sadly guinea pigs can go downhill extremely quickly out of the blue. A damp nose is not necessarily an indication of a respiratory infection/pneumonia; it can be just bodily fluid released just when a piggy is dying. Acute heart failure can happen at any age, from babies to pensioners (and the symptoms would fit, but so would other problems).

You are welcome to post a tribute in our Rainbow Bridge section if or whenever you would like to. It is there for those that would like to make use of it.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all, my 3 year old boar Woody died yesterday. i didn't see it coming .he was quiet on sat,but hes always been a bit of a loan boar,preferring his own company so for him to not rush around wasn't unusual or concerning,he was taking veg & hiding in his hay pile.I went out yesterday lunchtime and he was dead :-( .his nose looked wet so I'm assuming at resp illness? he didnt appear to show any signs the day before though? I am now left with a 4 month old scatty boar on his own in a 6ft outside hutch-he has loads of hay ,blankets & head pad and covered over. My girls are in the shed in a C& C ,ideally i would like to house him next to them so hes not alone but dont want to risk it yet in case Woody had something he could pass on? what would you advise for quarantine period? thanks.

I am very sorry for your loss. We recommend 2-3 weeks for a quarantine.

You may the tips in this guide here helpful in what you can do for your beereaved boy right now: Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

 

[gingy pig]

I'm very sorry for your loss, I think most people do 2 weeks for quarantine, is it possible for him to get neutered to live with your girls.
Let's pretend there was a question mark there, I'm drinking hot chocolate so can't put one in as I can't put it down

Thanks, i am considering getting him neutered,it would certainly make life easier & i think better than finding another boar to set him up with.

 

[piggieminder]

I am sorry to hear you of your loss, these little piggies leave such a big hole in our hearts.
I think in your shoes I would go the neutering route too, it saves the worry of him ever getting at your females by accident.

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks, i am considering getting him neutered,it would certainly make life easier & i think better than finding another boar to set him up with.

Wheek and Squeak near Southampton offer boar dating at their rescue, so you come home only with a new companion if acceptance has happened and the two boars get on. As long as your boy has an input in who he wants to live with it, it is an easier option than an operation, unless you have access to either a good piggy neutering general vet with lots of experience or an excellent exotics vet with lots of practice in small furries ops. It is certainly something to consider, especially as you have to factor in a full 6 weeks post-op wait until a boar is 100% to go with a sow, and then depends on her acceptance (again, dating is the best way forward to achieve character compatibility).
Recommended Guinea Pig Rescues

 

[Bill & Ted]

So sorry you lost little Woody. Wonder if you can set up a temporary cage inside for a couple of days so you can keep an eye on him and make sure he’s eating etc. He may like a bit of company.

 

[gingy pig]

So sorry you lost little Woody. Wonder if you can set up a temporary cage inside for a couple of days so you can keep an eye on him and make sure he’s eating etc. He may like a bit of company.

hmm, that.s a good idea,seems so sad him being alone in a big cage.will see if i can get a cheap cage for him. i have a few c&c grids but not enough to make it 100% cat and dog proof for inside.

 

[gingy pig]

Wheek and Squeak near Southampton offer boar dating at their rescue, so you come home only with a new companion if acceptance has happened and the two boars get on. As long as your boy has an input in who he wants to live with it, it is an easier option than an operation, unless you have access to either a good piggy neutering general vet with lots of experience or an excellent exotics vet with lots of practice in small furries ops. It is certainly something to consider, especially as you have to factor in a full 6 weeks post-op wait until a boar is 100% to go with a sow, and then depends on her acceptance (again, dating is the best way forward to achieve character compatibility).
Recommended Guinea Pig Rescues

Thanks Wiebke, I'm not sure if we have a decent exotic vet over here,the one we use are good-but not experts. Maybe neutering wont be in his best interest,could bear the thought of losing him or complications x

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks Wiebke, I'm not sure if we have a decent exotic vet over here,the one we use are good-but not experts. Maybe neutering wont be in his best interest,could bear the thought of losing him or complications x

Wheek and Squeak do residential bonding - your boy goes on a holiday at the rescue, gets introduced to up to three candidates and comes back with a stably bonded new boarmate if there is success. Boars of all ages can be bonded that way with the resulting bond as stable as a sow bond; you don't have to do any of the hard bonding work and the ressulting bond is as stable as a sow bond. It is the rolls royce version of rescue dating. Anna, who runs the rescue, is very experienced, so your boy will be safe and well looked after at all times.