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Small pets

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Original poster

RIP Percy Pig

12 replies

Whichoneisit · 29/03/2015 08:10

Our darling little piggy passed away during the night. He was he usual noisy, excited self yesterday so I don't understand how it's happened so quickly.

Am now filled with guilt that he was yet to be moved outside because it's still been so cold and damp.

I feel so sad for GP2. They've always been together. Both were around four years old.

Any tips for GP2. I'm reluctant to introduce another piggy- he's always been the dominant one and I don't think it's fair to keep repeating the cycle of one replacing one to lose the next.

He's been buried about a foot under the ground. I'm so worried he'll be dug up.

Haven't told the DC yet

OP posts:

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 29/03/2015 10:09

Ohhh little piggie RIP.

4 is a pretty good age for a piggie (I know there are pigs that reach 7-8 and beyond but 4-5 is a good innings)

They can just "go" like that. Even when they're illyou need to be sharp to pick up the signs. They are prey animals in the wild and even through years of domestication they keep that instinct. Show you're weak and something will have you for lunch (or in the case of boars, the younger ones will push you out to get the group of sows)
So yes, they can do the "Well -to-Dead" thing.

Your piggie that is remaining. Was he with your boar when he died? They can come to terms with it when they see the body and 'know'

I've had a pig dug up (twice, same pig bloody foxes) we've now got a row of three piggie graves. We put a huge flowerpot on the top and something at the side to stop them digging under the side (foxes can amaze you with their determination). Filled plantpots, old cermamic floor tiles. I put the small run over the top of GP3 until the soil compressed down (just temporary)

The lone pig - is he indoors?
You can keep an eye on him, see how he fares. It is difficult with pigs that age, and I know how difficult it is to decide should you match them or keep them alone.
Your options with an older male are a tiny piglet boar, a boar-match the same age (not always feasible, ) a side-by-side boar or sow. (Whic means two seperate everything)

There are piggies on Small Pets that have successfully matched lone pigs, when you're ready , read Fernies posts about Scruffy. He's 4 and in the same situation as your pig.

Off to The Rainbow Bridge piggie, there is a herd of pigs waiting to greet you.

FernieB · 29/03/2015 10:55

Sorry to hear about Percy pig. They can go very rapidly after seeming perfectly healthy.

Four is a tricky age for matching. I have just been through this after our Smoothpig died. Scruffy was on his own for 3 weeks before we successfully matched him with a baby boar. Scruffy was not the dominant pig though and he was definitely pining and needed company. Totally understand about not wanting to get in the cycle of pigs - I went through similar thinking. In the end. It was Scruffy's change in behaviour that decided it. He was clearly unhappy alone. The new boy has settled in well and looking to the future, we have decided to get him neutered as soon as he is old/heavy enough, so that he could be matched with elderly sows should he end up alone.

We took Smoothpigs body to the vet for them to cremate as I was concerned about something digging him up if we buried him.

Original poster

Whichoneisit · 29/03/2015 17:03

Thank you both so much.

We dug him back up today and and made the grave a foot deeper. I wanted to put something heavy on him but the kids were worried. They instead want to plant something to remember where he is.

Our remaining piggy is in his piggy house in the garage but he's soon to be moved back into the summer house- feel very sad that Percy didn't get to enjoy being back outside more. He was chattering lots today when we cleaned him out- he's never done this before How do they show they're unhappy? I've only ever had very happy boys.

The pigs lived together so I think the remaining one understands what's happened. They were only separated once when the living guinea had an op on his eye.

I think we'll have to monitor and decide what to do next. My gut tells me that he won't tolerate a new friend. He's very bossy and temperamental

I'm hoping double the cuddles and plenty of treats will help. We can of course move him inside and they enjoyed that after the op but the dog won't leave him alone....

OP posts:

clippityclop · 29/03/2015 20:37

Just to pass on my condolences, such a sad time especially for your children. No wisdom to offer regarding what to do next as I'm new to piggy keeping but there are so many experienced, kind others here to help.

Original poster

Whichoneisit · 29/03/2015 21:17

Thanks clippity.

DS (5) particularly sad this eve because DD's piggy is still alive... 'I don't have any pets of my own. She has a hamster and it was still my piggy that died'

OP posts:

Original poster

Whichoneisit · 30/03/2015 14:10

He is so, so sad.

He doesn't even want to come out for cuddles. He's stayed hiding in the area where we found our dead piggy.

Heading to the ely shop to get some extra special treats. He's so old and vulnerable :(

OP posts:

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 30/03/2015 20:02

Poor lad, it's still very early days for him.

Lots of treats , parsley, grass,dandelions.

When we had a bereaved boar (first GP1 when his brother died then GP3 when GP1 died) they slept in DD room at night but out in the Pighouse by day for familiarity.
They do go through grief

(Gp2 and GP3 were ill just before they died. GP1 was looking 'middleaged' but though I wasn't surprised that he died, it was out of the blue. He wasn't unwell at all. He was nearly 4)

FernieB · 30/03/2015 20:04

The first few days after Smoothpig died, Scruffy did just sit in one place. He is an inside pig though so we kept getting him out for cuddles etc. He also stopped talking - he is normally a very chatty boy and just whitters away to himself constantly, but without his friend he was silent. When he was on a knee he would manage the odd wheek and be a bit livelier, but he was quite depressed really.

Since getting him his nephew, he is chatting again and seems much happier. Gingerpig is very young and energetic and Scruffy is having to run round a lot more to keep up, but he loves him and grooms him a lot which is very sweet.

If a baby pig is not an option, given your boys personality, I would bring your boy into the house and make sure he has lots of interaction. Just being somewhere he can see and hear the family will help.

sanfairyanne · 30/03/2015 20:13

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 30/03/2015 20:16

Original poster

Whichoneisit · 30/03/2015 21:55

The garden is looking so sparse at the moment- and it's far too windy for him to be out. Spent a small fortune on dried dandelion (don't tell the tortoise) and other treats today. Am hoping he'll be interested tomorrow.

Am more than happy to have him inside. Do you think he'll be more depressed with the dog? They've never harassed each other but piggy is getting older and less tolerant.. Don't want to upset him more.

OP posts:

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 30/03/2015 22:02

You could put a blanket over his indoor cage if the dog is nearby to give him a sense of hidey space.
He'll get all the background noise of the house so he can interact.

If it's too cold to put him out (it is here apart from the very odd hour).........................................you need to get out with the Grass Scissors

We've all been there at 6am cutting fresh grass for tardy hogs. Makes them happy bless them.

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