Unexpected Death; What Do I Do? :(

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Malyssaasaurus

Malyssaasaurus

Junior Guinea Pig
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I lost my little Duela suddenly today. I have no idea what happened. She has been acting normal and happy and active. And then all of a sudden this morning when I woke up she looked a little off. She ate a little but then went back to her house. I asked my mom to check in on her periodically. At about 3 in the afternoon my mom called me at work to ask if she could make a vet appointment for Duela. When she returned to where the piggies are, Duela was gone. :( I ended up leaving work early because I was so upset. It was just so sudden! So symptoms or anything leading up to it.

My boar Rufio is acting as chipper as usual. No signs of any problems. He's still eating and drinking normal amounts and running around. He was slightly upset when we removed her but now he seems okay. He's snuggled up with me, talking to me.

It feels so hard to think about getting a new one so soon but Rufio needs a companion. I'm not enough. As much as we cuddle. I only had her 4-6 weeks and they didn't fully bond until about 3 weeks ago. So sad that this happened out of nowhere after such a short time. So far he doesn't seem to be having issues. We'll see tomorrow. How long should I wait to get him a friend? I read the grieving piggies sticky but felt that it didn't fully answer my question since it's a strange situation.

I'm at a loss and in shock and just don't know want to do but cuddle with my little boar.
 
I'm sorry for your loss, piggies are very adept at hiding illness until its too late to do anything. I've lost 3 over the years with very little warning. You can check our rescue locator to see where your nearest is for when you feel ready to get your piggy a new companion.
 
I am so sorry to hear about this. Please don't be too disheartened about what has happened - you gave Duela a happy life. RIP Duela.

If I were you, I would start to make plans to find Rufio a new companion. It can sometimes take a while to get a slot with a rescue . While you are waiting , you will have time to ensure that Rufio is in good health.
 
I am very sorry for your loss; guinea pigs can go downhill very quickly when a major organ or the body is packing in. but is always comes as a major shock. :(

We have got tips on how to best deal with bereaved piggies in this thread here. I am glad that Rufio is not too badly affected. https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/looking-after-a-bereaved-piggy.110463/

I have found this rescue here recommended for Washington state:
Foggy Creek Cavy Rescue
Auburn, WA
(253) 804-0709
[email protected]
Lisa
 
Oh how sad. I remember when you adopted her. I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you and Rufio are okay.
 
I am so sorry, huge hugs at this sad time x

RIP Duela
x x
 
3 boys can be very tricky and as a rule doesn't work. Is he neutered? If so a sow would probably be the best bet for an easy bonding or a lone male.
 
Boar trios don't work out more often than not. You may want to contact the rescues and ask whether they have single laid back boars that would make a suitable companion to a bereaved boar.

How old is your boy and have you got access to an experienced piggy operating/neutering vet? the success very much depends on the caliber of the vet, especially re. post op complications and it won't be cheap where you are. You also have to factor in a 6 weeks post-op wait (I have a surprise baby courtesy of a supposedly safe over 5 weeks post op boar, just to prove that point). But it may be worth a consideration if you cannot find a suitable male companion. Cross gender pairings are the most stable of bondings, whether it is just one or two already bonded sows, preferably by meet&greet at the rescue for initial acceptance or sub 2 years if that is not an option.
 
My boy is 3 years old. I do have access to an experienced vet that spay/neuter guinea pig. Unfortunately it costs about $300 to do it. I'd really like to try pairing him with a boar unless I can find another spayed sow.

I'm checking into Foggy Creek Cavy Rescue. It's a couple hours from me but if they have one that could potentially work it's worth the trip.
 
So sorry you lost your piggy Duela :( its always a very sad time, and more so when you aren't expecting it. I hope you are alright - hope also you can find a good companion for Rufio. A good rescue will help you do the bonding in the right way for the maximum chance of something working out. Best of luck x
 
There's a foster house close by that received 10 guinea pig about a year ago. Turns out 7 of them are ladies and were pregnant. So now this person has a TON of guinea pigs. My theory was that if Rufio could go out and meet them, they'd pick each other out? Or is that silly and unrealistic? They're young one. About as big as my hand. Is that too young/small for him?
 
My Rebel was only 3 weeks old when he moved in with Barty, they had 5 happy months together before Barty died. :(
 
So I've noticed that when I got Duela Rufio stopped talking and wheaking. Now that she's gone, he's doing it again. He talks up a storm. Any clue what's up with that?
 
I had to males together Charlie and Gizzie, Charlie unfortunately, died of a heart attack in Februrary, I thought that Gizzie would moron instead he started coming out of his shell and talking alot more, its weird I cannot explain it, l am very sorry for your loss and HUGE kisses and cuddles. x
 
So sorry for your loss, run happily over rainbow bridge, Duela xx
 
So sorry for your loss :(

Malyssaasaurus said:
There's a foster house close by that received 10 guinea pig about a year ago. Turns out 7 of them are ladies and were pregnant. So now this person has a TON of guinea pigs. My theory was that if Rufio could go out and meet them, they'd pick each other out? Or is that silly and unrealistic? They're young one. About as big as my hand. Is that too young/small for him?
Click to expand...

Generally a baby boar to an older boar works out as a solid pairing and the bonding process is usually quite smooth as the older boar acts like a Daddy figure to the little guy - so as you suggest letting Rufio go to meet them would be a very good idea. Generally they should be 6 weeks old before leaving their rescue and pairing up with a new friend.

When we lost Cash at the start of the year we bonded Tango with a baby boar from a rescue and they're getting on famously now. It really helped Wyatt settle in to have an older more experienced pig with him who could tell him how things worked and not to be scared at the change in environment etc.
 
The two are inseparable. Whenever I take Rufio out to cuddle Rocky (new little guy) will start calling for him. Rufio stops whatever he was doing and calls back. When they get floor time Rocky is right on Rufio's heels the whole time as they're running around. If Rocky isn't paying attention when Rufio walks away he runs to catch up to him. They are absolutely adorable together.
 
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