Behavior Guinea pig mourning??

[brupoppiggies]

Hi all, I posted in the other forum about it but Popeye passed away last night. The e-vet said he succumbed to old age (he was at least 7 yrs old) he was acting off, he wasn't skittish which is very not normal for him - the pig ran to hide anytime he heard a noise, he was absolutely his normal self on Monday though he seemed a lot more tired than usual that evening but was not acting terribly off at breakfast Tuesday when we left for school. So the hubs took him, where he passed away a short while later, vet said his heart just gave out due to his advanced age and that there was nothing we could have done to prevent it. We chose not to have a necropsy or have him cremated, we buried him in the yard under a tree.

My question is, what should I expect from the other boys (we still have 4)? They are not housed in the same cage due to fighting, but they are housed in a condo style cage (on atop the other) they have been very quiet today, no bells ringing, no wheeking, no purring... I know they know something is up because every time I walk into the room they start sniffing the air like they are trying to catch his scent. We will NOT be getting another pig, at least not right now the kids and I need to get used to not having popeye around. But I am forever worried about my other boys, how do I help them through this time? What signs should I look out for?

 

[MochaAndMoo]

Make sure the pigs are eating. I have heard a lot of stories of pigs passing away and their buddies stop eating. It will take a while before they realize Popeye isn't coming back.

 

[foggycreekcavy]

If they weren't housed together, it's doubtful they would mourn the loss of the other one. You will want to monitor them, though, in case Popeye passed away from something contagious. Your weekly weigh-in should tell you.

 

[YourSoJelly]

I agree with foggycreekcavy. They knew he was there, but they never bonded with him. He was really just another boar to contend with. I am very sorry for your loss. When we put my dog down a year ago, i always waited for her to walk through the hallway. I am accustomed to living with out her, but im not OK or confortable with it. I know she was sick but the pain gets better, but it never goes away. It will be like that for the boars.