Scared to Death

I brought a guinea pig to my girlfriend's house. It was a 2 hour drive, and pretty hot. Her house has central air. When I took him out of his carrying case I thought he was dead.

He's moving a bit now, but he doesn't eat much, and he hardly touches his water bottle. He's about 2-3 months old. He was very friendly and explorative when he was over here, but he was also constantly surrounded by other guinea pigs here, including his brother, who he's always been with since birth.

Is he lonely? He seems like he's scared to death. He doesn't come out from under a towel that he's burrowed himself into. I don't know if he even knows his water bottle's there.

What can I do? Should I bring him back and return him to his family? If I bring his brother to him might that help?

-Dan III

ooh. i hope he gets better sooon, it's getting hot!

I think he is missing his brother terribly.If it is at all possible try to get the two pigs together again!!in the meantime give him lots of love and affection.

First you need to rule out any illness. Is this a new pig to you? Recently separated from his brother? If so, you have to give you pig a couple days to settle in. If you're sure he is healthy leave him alone for a couple days. Keep giving him food, water and veggies but don't stick you hand in at him for a while. Once he's settled he'll come out of his shell.

Is he living by himself? If so, you may want to considered getting another same sex pig to keep him company. Guinea pigs are herd animals and should stay with one another.

First of all, he is a new pig to her, but not to me. He was born to one of my guinea pigs, so I know it's not mites or something like that (otherwise they'd ALL have them, and the rest of them are fine). He's living by himself now, and he never was before

I'm trying to get Christine (my girlfriend) to take his brother, too- they're the same age and gender, and they've always gotten along before.

Thanks, it seems like he is getting better now, from what she tells me. He's eating a lot more and drinking veggies and exploring his cage. I was just really worried for a while, but it seems like he's getting better.
-Dan III