Hi everyone,
I would appreciate all answers I get. This past weekend, I bought a new piggie, who was no older than a few months. Unfortunately, when I took him to my vet, I was told he had pneumonia. Only 24 hours later, after giving him his first doses of medicine, he died during the night. I did not have him sharing anything with Snickers, my other guinea pig, and I changed Snicks bedding and washed my hands rigorously after handling Noodle, his medicine, or his cage stuff, so Snicks is safe from developing pneumonia as well. Even though I only had Noodle for a day and a half, I was looking forward to having a second guinea pig, and also Snicks having a buddy. I am looking to buy another guinea pig soon, but I am doing a little more thinking and homework before I do.
Snickers is four and a half years old, has bladder stones, and a large lump on his belly. My vet knows of both, and Snicks has been healthy for over a year since he first became very sick (about April 2010). I know that Guinea Pigs are naturally very social animals, but that males can be aggressive due to territorial drives. I would prefer a male over a female, because I do not want baby piggies. So, my question is, would getting a new piggie be wise at Snicks' age, or would two be a crowd?
I would appreciate all answers I get. This past weekend, I bought a new piggie, who was no older than a few months. Unfortunately, when I took him to my vet, I was told he had pneumonia. Only 24 hours later, after giving him his first doses of medicine, he died during the night. I did not have him sharing anything with Snickers, my other guinea pig, and I changed Snicks bedding and washed my hands rigorously after handling Noodle, his medicine, or his cage stuff, so Snicks is safe from developing pneumonia as well. Even though I only had Noodle for a day and a half, I was looking forward to having a second guinea pig, and also Snicks having a buddy. I am looking to buy another guinea pig soon, but I am doing a little more thinking and homework before I do.
Snickers is four and a half years old, has bladder stones, and a large lump on his belly. My vet knows of both, and Snicks has been healthy for over a year since he first became very sick (about April 2010). I know that Guinea Pigs are naturally very social animals, but that males can be aggressive due to territorial drives. I would prefer a male over a female, because I do not want baby piggies. So, my question is, would getting a new piggie be wise at Snicks' age, or would two be a crowd?