Just went to give the guineas a bit of veg and tuck them in for the night and found one of them dead 
We got them this time last year, two boys, now about 15 months old. They were not litter mates but accepted each other straight away on intro and have been happy together since. Surviving GP is currently having cuddles with DP but looking a bit subdued.
Where do we go from here? No idea why he died, he seemed well before but I know they hide these things well. I don't want to have him on his own for long but how soon should we get another? What should we look out for? Another male obviously but what sort of age to ensure the best chance of them bonding ok? Should we wait a while in case it was an illness that this one might carry?
Sorry for so many questions but these are our first GPs and I want to get it right and with the least stress for the surviving one. Not looking forward to telling th DSs tomorrow
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Just found one of my GP boys has died. What to do now?
lemontwist · 05/04/2014 21:30
Oh, very and what a shock to find.
Guinea-pigs do hide things well, you are right. I've had GPs go to bed 100% and come downstairs in the morning to find them dead.
Or (as in the case of my little Abby boar last year) subtle signs.
We had GP1 alone for 6 days , GP2 died on the Sunday, I phoned a Rescue and arranged to see a piglet. They were getting a surrender of (IIRC) 24 males on the Thursday.
GP1 slept in my DD room in his big cage but went out to the Pighouse by day.
Cleaning and steaming the Pighouse to remove every trace of my GP was hard (both symbolically and physically).
We introduced the boys in a brand new paddling pool (they'd had a 'bond' at the Rescue but we put them in two boxes to drive home. GP1 wheeked the whole way, but I couldn't give my DD the responsibilty of a squabble to deal with while I drove)
Your pig will need a few days to re-adjust. Then you can make sure he's fit and well.
If you want a boar, you can either ask a rescue to bond (they might have an amiable adult boy) or get a piglet (we got a 6 week boy, who is now a huuuge ten month boar)
Our GP1 GP1 was always very boary and coped well with a new boy.
If I have to match my young boy up at anytime (close your ears GP1) I'd neuter GP3 rather than give him a piglet (he'd bonk it 
)
Your remaining GP knows his cagemate is dead, which at least is closure for him. Our boys were being cuddled when GP2 died and we put them both in the Pighouse that night, we didn't want GP1 to think he'd find his brother alive in there if he looked hard enough. It didn't seem right to sneak his body away (but we did the next morning, he was a bit niffy)
I did a couple of threads about getting our newbie last year,
(A warm but hushed welcome - about July/Aug if you need any ideas)
Good Luck and another furry To The Bridge
Thanks both. Yes it was a bit of a shock especially with him being so young. Think I'll ring round some rescues to see what they've got and take it from there. Plenty of GP cuddles until then though
Oh sleepingbunnies that's awful! Can't imagine going out and finding that!
Told DS this morning and he had a very brief cry then said "Oh well, we'd better buy a new one" the mind of a three year old. Better that than being distraught though.
Remaining GP seemed a bit subdued this morning but was soon munching away on a few treats. Its so quiet though as he's not chattering at all, like they did between the two of them.
Will ring round a couple of recues tomorrow to see if they have anything waiting for a new home.
A lone GP doesn't tend to chatter as much
Our GP1 was always the type to shriek when he was picked up. After GP2 died he change this to a flutey whistle.
(Mind you, it might be because GP3 never bloody shuts up is quite a chatty fella 
)
DD and I were in floods of tears after GP2 died. so if it's sad for an adult then you can imagine for a 3 yo it's a huge deal .
Sorry for your sad news
When Naughty Girl lost Fatimus last September she stopped talking. She is a pig that makes happy pop, pops sounds normally but went silent.
We took Naughty 'dating' to a rescue centre just over a week later. She was clearly overjoyed to see Millie Pig and stuck to her side. I think she thought she would never see a guinea pig again. We also took home Coco as an extra friend. All 3 have bonded well since.
RIP GP1 lemontwist boar
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