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Worried about new sow

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libertyharry

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Yesterday I picked up a new young sow from a guinea pig rehome/rescue. I have two other sows who she will be living with (hopefully!) but at the moment is in a cage on her own. She had a fairly lengthy car journey home, and is not surprisingly terrified of everything. I have obviously given her loads of hay, food, water, some cucumber and plenty of hiding places in the cage. I was hoping that she would have at least had a nibble at the cucumber (which I put at the entrance to the arch she is hiding in), but appears to have eaten and drunk nothing overnight.
Should I be worrying? Doesn't their digestive system go into shutdown if they don't eat, and won't she dehydrate?
Also, should I leave her in quarantine for a while (I know she has been treated for mites) or should I start introducing her to the others straight away? I am OK with how to do this but just not sure how long to leave it, as obviously she would be better in company.
Any advice greatly appreciated!
 
they say you should quarantine any new animals and with regards to the not eating when we have got new gps in the past sometimes they haven't eaten for a day or so - I think they just need to get used to their new surroundings, she's probably scared and wondering where the hell is she, but maybe give her time and hopefully she will perk up soon x
 
I wouldn't worry too much yet, she's most likely scared because of the journey and the new smells and sounds of her new home. I would just make sure that there is plenty of food and water and hay available. If you are using a water bottle, I would put a small bowl of water in as well to begin with.

Mine were petrified when I brought them home, and it was only a 2 min car journey. One didn't even move for a good 3 hours, and by that I mean frozen still, standing in a bunch of hay, not curled up in a hidey.

I'd also pop some parsley in.... All of mine go mad for parsely :(|)
 
Give her time to get her bearings and continue to replace any food/water that's going off. Put is as close to where she is hiding, so she can snatch it from the safety of her hide.

Talk to her gently as often as you can, but do not crowd her until she is coming out on her own. It can easily take a day at least for a piggy to pluck up the courage to come out for food.
 
It is worth putting her with the other pigs after a few days, there is nothing like the sight of other pigs eating to stimulate the appetite of a pig in a new environment.
 
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