guinea pig update

[tingel]

Okay, I've calmed down a bit after Saturday. That was really bad and it will still be bad, from time to time. It's strange not to be greeted / or begged by squeeky noises everytime I move in my home. My surviving guinea pig is more of a quiet sort. I was worried about him too because he refuses to eat his hay and drinks less than normaly. But his other behaviour is normal and he eats salad, cucumber and hard stuff like grains. Still I took him for a check-up today. The vet took his temperature, checked breathing and heartbeat, eyes, nose and teeth and couldn't find anything except that he's a bit thin. (only greens will do that to a guinea pig) So we got vitamin drops and powdered hay which I have to make a paste from. Luckily he seems to like that. In my imagination I already saw myself stuffing my finger down his throat to make him swallow the paste. Thank you!
So now I have to make a decision and it won't be easy. My late piggy didn't share his cage. That would have resulted in literally bloody murder. They were both male and very often male guinea pigs don't tolerate other males. But their cages were next to each other and they had contact. Now he's sitting all by himself and he's not used to it. And it's not fair to him anyway. I'm away several hours a day because of work and right now I don't want another guinea pig. I think the best choice would be to have him castrated and give him to friends of my parents who have several guinea pigs that live outdoors. The thought of giving away a pet, a part of the family, makes me feel bad, guilty. But it probably would be the best for him. At least I stil have some time to decide. First he needs to gain weight and start eating normally. Afterwards I can have him castrated. Then I can still decide whether I'm finding a new home for him or if I change my mind and get a female.
I'm really really glad I don't have to make the decision now.