Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Small pets

Mumsnet does not check the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you're worried about the health of your pet, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Off to the bridge Smoothpig

21 replies

FernieB · 02/03/2015 07:23

Sadly, after rallying yesterday morning, Smooth deteriorated rapidly during the afternoon and evening. He stopped eating, although he did have a go at my homemade critical care. I knew when I went to bed last night that he probably wouldn't make it and we all had cuddles with him.

I found him this morning. He had clearly been gone some time, so Scruffy knew. The saddest thing was Scruffy trying to find him after we'd removed him from the cage.

Scruffy has had lots of hugs this morning and had breakfast at the table with us. He didn't eat much though - poor boy.

Another one off to the bridge. Smooths probably already causing chaos with Oldboy and 70's boars. He was a good pig, the strong, silent type and the house just feels a bit empty without him.

OP posts:
Sleepingbunnies · 02/03/2015 11:30

RIP smoothpig :(

Hugs for you Flowers

Xx

dontstopmenow · 02/03/2015 12:34

Oh I am sorry. What sad news.

fortifiedwithtea · 02/03/2015 13:16

Smooth was a lovely guinea, so sorry to read his passing Sad

Original poster
FernieB · 02/03/2015 15:20

Thank you. He is missed already.

Scruffy has been to the vets for a health check and so far seems fine. Just hope he hasn't caught anything.

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 02/03/2015 17:58

Oh, so Sad . Bye Bye to Smoothpig, lovely red eyed boy

It sounds like he was just old Fernie and it was his time.
They don't hang about in this world do they once they've set their sights on The Bridge.

Chances are there would be nothing the vet could've done for him. I sometimes think they are better slipping away unless they are struggling.

They do that "picking up" thing don't they , to give you hope. Then slide away.

'Tis sad when the other pig looks around "I'm sure he was here"
Maybe even Current Bun will miss him (a bit)

Original poster
FernieB · 02/03/2015 18:26

Thanks 70. I have been wondering if I did the right thing by home nursing and not rushing him to the vet, but I think it would have been pointless and stressful for him. In the end he went peacefully in his cage with his friend.

Scruffy has been wandering round his cage looking for him. He has been eating though and even ventured so far to have a go at tomato (Smooths favourite) even though it's not green.

Current Bun hasn't noticed yet.

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 02/03/2015 21:36

YY, I think the vet would've been stressful for him ( and my GP2 and GP3 both died within 12 hours of vet treatment, there's no guarentees. )

Once they go from eating to not eating that's a good indication (we had to syringe Critical Care type food into the pigs, they didn't really enjoy it, and they were at the floppy stage where you winder if you're going to choke them)

Sometimes you just know when they're going to go and even though it wasn't what you wanted to find, at least you know he went in his own bed with his Scruffypig cage mate to comfort him.

Their little bodies seem so light don't they?

sanfairyanne · 03/03/2015 22:12
Thanks
dietcokeandwine · 04/03/2015 14:35

So sorry, Fernie.

Thinking of you and your family and Scruffypig Flowers

Original poster
FernieB · 04/03/2015 18:48

Thank you for your kind words and thoughts guinea folk.

Scruffy is a bit lost and sad atm. He's also been to the vets as he's a bit snuffly, sneezy and raspy when he breathes. He's had antibiotics, anti-inflammatories etc and will be back again for monitoring. So fingers crossed he's okay.

He's sat with me at the moment eating basil.

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 04/03/2015 22:52

Oh , poor Scruffy. He's probably pulled down with the bereavement but YY to getting him checked out. If it is a respiratory infection the antibiotics will help him.
Trouble is with piggies, they are complex and quite secretive little mammals.Their "Not Well Mum" signs are so subtle, the thing I noticed with GP2 and GP3 was the way they sat. (Tucked up and nodding like a little rocking horse) but not GP2, he went old but just 'went'. Sad

The Rainbow Bridge has claimed enough of our Super Furry Animals for a good long while.Sad.

Maybe some freshly cut grass would please the patient? (Cue 6am scissor session )

dietcokeandwine · 04/03/2015 23:54

Would second the fresh cut grass suggestion.

When our ginger pig was poorly with tooth problems (and pretty much stopped eating) it was fresh grass, cut and fed by hand, that kept him going.

Poor scruffy pig Sad Hope he rallies soon.

Original poster
FernieB · 05/03/2015 07:48

Am sharpening my scissors waiting for the frost to clear so I can snip some grass. He's looking reasonably lively this morning. Just tried to listen to his breathing but all I could hear was hay munching. Still a bit wheezy though. Hopefully that'll clear up soon.

OP posts:
fortifiedwithtea · 06/03/2015 18:19

How is Scruffy doing today?

Original poster
FernieB · 06/03/2015 18:36

He's okay today. Vet has said he's satisfied with him but wants him to finish his course of antibiotics.

He's just mopey and sad and just sits in a corner. I've had him with me a lot and he perks up a bit when he's being spoken to. I think we are leaning towards getting him a friend when he's finished his meds. I've made a few enquiries with rescues. But had no luck yet. He's not neutered so that makes it harder. Will probably end up getting a baby boar.

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 06/03/2015 20:45

He'd most likely love a baby boar piglet , adult boars are quite paternal (until the little one grows up and becomes the New Kid on the Block Grin then they bicker like brothers )

Cue eye-rolling from Current Bun "Oh blardy hell, she's got another one and it's young and skippy abouty "

Original poster
FernieB · 06/03/2015 22:20

I just worry about Scruffy terrorising a baby. Smooth was top pig but such a gentleman with it. Scruffy tried it on all the time and would rumble strut several times a day. He also gets a bit toothy sometimes. I'm a bit nervous about the prospect.

OP posts:
Original poster
FernieB · 07/03/2015 09:57

Had a response from a rescue - they may have a pig after the weekend. Am ridiculously excited. Please have fingers and paws crossed for Scruffy.

OP posts:
Original poster
FernieB · 07/03/2015 09:58

Also, any tips on boar matching. I will neutralise everything and do a thorough bathing (so they both unite in hating me).

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 07/03/2015 14:11

Ah, there's the 'De-SmoothPig' ing and changing things so it's not Scruffy's House , it's shared.

Enclosed area (like the retina searing yellow paddling pool we used, they were dazzled)

The piglet and Scruffy will choose, and most tiny boars are very 'needy' especially if they've been weaned, moved,put in with other boars, they want stability . A nice older boar will give this.

You might not be able to wash a very young pig but you could bathe Scruffy in piglet safe shampoo then flannel wipe the piglet with a soapy solution , that'll give them same scent and YY joint bath rage Wink (Some of the Gorgeous Guinea Shampoo are safe for mini-pigs )

GP1 having lost his lifelong cagemate was really pleased to get GP3 even though he was tired and emotional (and hot) and GP3 either sprinted to his side or squeaked shrilly if he couldn't see him.

Good Luck and Scruffy will choose well Smile

millimat · 07/03/2015 22:41

Sad sorry to hear that. How old was he?
Our GP bonded immediately with a piglet but he himself was only around 6 months old, but they haven't fought at all.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread