Adopting Prince

Prince is my first Guinea pig, adopted from Squeaky pigs guinea pig rescue, in Castleford (Yorkshire, UK... now Closed unfortunately) in December 2003. He was the ‘Pig of the Month' & had been at the rescue for sometime (7 months!). He was an ex-breeding who had come to the rescue because he didn't get along with other pigs and his previous owner didn't have the time or space for him any more. I had planned to adopt an established pair of boars but when my friend Sharon posted on the squeaky pigs forum that poor Prince had been looking sad all that went out of the window, as I felt i could offer his a nice home & make him happy!

Perhaps if I had of adopted an established pair there would be no Barmy for Boars website! As Prince inspired me to TRY pair him up with piggy company & was my first guinea pig love! I'm really glad I decided that this pig of the month would not stay in the rescue any longer but come to live with me... he truly changed my life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Because Prince was an ex-breeding pig it was unlikely he would get on with other pigs so I planned to keep him alone. But Guinea pigs are very social animals & are much happier when able to see & hear another pig. I knew Prince's life would be much enhanced by keeping another pig (albeit in a separate cage) next to him, for him to chat to. I decided to adopt another adult boar from Squeaky Pigs!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The piggy in question was a buff boar called Spam, who previously lived with a rabbit. Read more about him here.

Spam, (shown below with Prince) was kept in a bar cage next to Prince where they could live side by side & interact through the bars.

We saw an immediate change in Prince. He was more vocal, active & animated. He would even join in the wheeking for food! Both pigs were very interested in each other & always checking out the other pig through the bars!

They seemed to be getting on so well that we decided to introduce them to each other out of the cage on our knee during cuddle time.

Below: The picture of the first time Prince & Spam ever sat together on my knee! It was a heartwarming moment that went off without a hitch & a sign of things to come.

Becoming friends

Over time I gradually followed the process described in the options section for introducing adult boars. This really paid off as Prince & Spam now live happily together.

For tips on HOW to introduce adult boars successfully, as we have click here.

Initially the pair were tolerant room mates. They did not bother each other but they did not cuddle with each other either, preferring to opt to sit at opposite ends of their quarters. Gradually this all changed and the two would snuggle together in their hiding houses and follow one another about.

They turned out to be a better friend that we expected & the pair were introduced and lived happily in the same cage for the rest of Prince's life! They had around 2 years together.

A Sad Goodbye

When Prince became ill, with a mystery illness that meant he went off his food Spam was right beside him to keep him warm and make him feel better. He even accompanied him on his emergency visit to the vet. Prince was listless and hunched up.. looking in a very bad way.

However, the vet misdiagnosed Prince's problem and gave him drugs that perked him up, but the effect was short lived. Despite Spam's efforts and my own... syringe feeding, and rehydration fluids Prince was getting worse. And had lost condition, and weight dramatically. His problem became apparent when a swelling under his chin became noticeable. This swelling was an abscess.

He needed to see an expert so he was taken 150/200 miles to Derby to see a rodentologist.

She confirmed he had an abscess and so decided to keep Prince, and Spam (for company) to Lance and Drain the abscess, as was required.. as well as syringe feed and water him. But sadly Prince had stopped urinating, indicating a kidney problem and he died in the Rodentologists arms at around 1.30am on the 22nd of October. We are, of course devastated by this sad news... but so so grateful for the lesson of love for piggy's that Prince, our very first piggy taught us.

Spam has, so far, taken the loss of his friend well. Being his usual cheery self, but he is be monitored closely and given lots of extra (if that's possible... he gets allot anyway) attention. Please remember Prince when your piggy is ill. Seek Guinea pig expert, not cat and dog vet, help immediately. If you do not know of a specialist in your area find one now... before you desperately need them as this could mean the difference between life and death for your piggy.

Goodnight Precious Prince... we will never forget you, our first piggy-love.