Guinea has died, advice needed for her partner

[swizzlestix]

One of our 4 yr old Guineas wasn't right yesterday evening, fur was puffed up, not eating or drinking and seemed a bit uncoordinated and kept slowly going in to his side. Sadly he has died this morning. The kids are understandably very upset.
His poor cage mate was sitting next to him and thankfully is still eating and drinking and looks healthy.
As the remaining pig Jesse who is a boar still seems like he may have a few years in him and they are such social creatures we're wondering if we should introduce a baby boar.
If so, when and how?
Also wondering how long we should keep the one that's died in with Jesse, I'd read they shouldn't be removed straight away.
Would appreciate any advice please.

Aww am very sorry to hear about your poor gp I don't t really have any advice but I know when we had a pair and one sadly died the other one was quite distressed. Because of this we arranged for her to go to our local family farm where they had about twenty all living together. As soon as we let her out in the barn she ran up to them and join in with them happily. They are sociable animals and don't like being on their own

I removed the ones that died at once (had 2 go in a heatwave). I got another piggie a day or two later and introduced them and there were no problems at all. My friend had a similar situation and got another piggie and again, no dramas on introduction. When her second piggie died unexpectedly, she kept the remaining one alone and he was fine, but he was coming towards the end of his life. So I would say go for a replacement. Some piggies grieve a lot for a lost mate and bond really quickly with a new companion.

Ah they do often just 'go' like that, one day fine , then looking a bit starey coated and tucked up , then often within a few hours, they're gone.
Leave him a few hours, the cagemate will have had the night/early am so he'll know.
When GP1 died it was a heatwave , IIRC we left him overnight (they have a Pigshed) then whisked him out the next day before he developed too much aroma.
If you bury him, make sure his grave is secure (I use Lock'n'Lock boxes full of their favourite leaves) I've had a guinea-pig dug up twice , he was in a sealed strong toilettry bag so thankfully the foxes didn't shred him, they just dumped him. Much more upsetting for your DC to find their beloved pet shredded (happened to my NDN rabbit) .

Keep the cage as it is just now with his smells (tidy up any obvious pooh/wee patches ) then phone round a few Rescues.
A lot of them won't rehome now unless it is a match for a lone pig , and many of them have young boars and piglets.
We got a 6 week piggie for our GP1 years ago. GP1 was alone for 6 days until we got the piglet.

You'll need to do the whole Neutral Territory bonding (paddling pool is good)
Cean the whole cage before you put them in - getting rid of all traces of the pig that died but you need to for your new pig to start afresh.

If you have a steamer that's great , pure water can't harm. Then use white vinegar to wipe down.

Cuddles for your piggie, keep him near .

Neutral cage means you aren't putting new pig into Jesse's territory, it's their house.

Thanks so much, you were all so helpful when we first got them 4 years ago and amazing yet again now! Thank you!
Right will follow your advice 70, will enquire if any local babies available at the moment. We have a pop up run that we use occasionally inside that we could use as a ponding pad!
Will keep you posted.
Thanks also for the burial tips, sorry to hear your traumatic tale 70.

There is a local breeder who has some babies ready to leave.
We've arranged to go up Tomo morning. They've said if Jesse doesn't bond we can take the baby back but keep your fingers and paws crossed...

Sorry 70 another question.
How do you introduce them? And for how long?
Put them in the neutral place at same time?
Thank you

Thy should put baby piggie+Jesse in a neutral area ( the Rescue we got GP3 from used a big plastic box) let them pootle about and sniff.

We used a paddling pool lined with some newspaper and a big pile of food (grass if you can, hay , veg) to entertain and occupy them.

Our piglet had gone to Rescue from a Breeder (who didn't like guineas) he was with a littermate at the time. He was a bit dazed and confused so delighted to find a staid and unflappable adult. GP1 was so pleased to have a new cagemate he ran to him every time he wheeked (this wore off by Day 4 )

After an hour or so they were just chilling out happily.
They spent the first night in DD room then went out to the Pighouse the next day (this was Summer time)

I've bonded GP1+GP3 , then GP3 with GP4/GP5 (sows) GP4/GP5 with GP6 (boar) but failed to bond GP7/GP8 with my others. Sometimes it just doesn't gel. !

Good Luck tomorrow your breeder will gauge the temprement of their pigs and you can tell them what Jesse is like, take it from there.

Thank you you are a star! Brilliant tips 70. We will follow your guidance tomorrow and report back