Sudden Loss

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aliciao_xo

Post   » Tue Nov 07, 2017 8:55 am


New here. New to guinea pigs in general.

I have read a fair amount of forums by now, but only a few seem to mention what I have just experienced.

Belle, one of my two beautiful girls, passed away last night was seems to very suddenly. We have been doing everything we assumed was right. Clean their cage daily, fresh water and food, fresh veggies, play time and explore time and cuddle time.

I came home yesterday, early after picking up my boyfriend from the airport and began to clean the cage. We noticed Belle could barely keep her eyes open, would let me handle her far better than before, balance was off... and she was cold... her feet, her ears...

I took her to an emergency vet as all the exotic mammal vets in the area had closed. The emergency vet was referenced from one of those vets. They told me that it was wait 5 hours or take her home to wait and see the specialist vet in the morning. Said her heart beat was strong and so were her lungs.

So I headed home feeling a bit better that I would see a specialist in the morning... I cuddled with her to make her comfortable and wrapped her in a blanket and out her in her hide house. A few hours goes by and I shoot awake. Belle had crawled in with her sister and was gone.

I know this sounds like something everyone has read and written and gone through, but she was not 2 years old, not 1 year old... she was somewhere around 6 months... I have only had her for 2 months...

What did I do wrong? Did she suffer? Did I do enough? How does her 'sister' cope? Everywhwre says to get another but I don't know how to do that without feeling sad or scared.

We are heading to the specialist vet as soon as they open to have her cremated because we don't have a yard...

Thanks everyone, I'm just looking for some insight.

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Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Tue Nov 07, 2017 9:02 am


I am so sorry you lost her.

Consider having a necropsy done so you know what happened (and if any precautions should be taken for your remaining guinea pig). I imagine you have read www.guinealynx.info/emergency.html ?

Read also www.guinealynx.info/alone.html

JX4

Post   » Tue Nov 07, 2017 1:35 pm


I'm so sorry you lost your piggy. Since they are prey animals, they are wired to not appear sick until they are on death's door. That's why it is important to take them to a good piggy vet as soon as you notice something is off. But sometimes they don't show their sickness until there are no such vets open. It sounds like you did everything you could. I had seven piggies and one didn't show any signs of illness until Friday night. She was gone within hours, and there was nothing I could do.

Lynx is right, a necropsy could help you know what happened and if there are any precautions you could take with your other one.

Phantomhorse

Post   » Tue Nov 07, 2017 3:03 pm


Coping wise... as cruel and terrible as it sounds to replace her, some people get a second one to be able to have company for the first. If you don't want to get another one you could try a large guinea pig stuffed animal, but if she talks to it, it won't talk back. Usually when this happens they will act lethargic for no more than a week. When this happens you must hand feed if she isn't eating.

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Catie Cavy
Supporter 2011-2020

Post   » Tue Nov 07, 2017 8:16 pm


I'm so sorry you lost your sweet Belle. It sounds like you are a wonderful guinea pig parent. It may not have made any difference in this case, but the only thing I can think of going forward is to weigh your guinea pigs weekly. As JX4 said, they are prey animals and do not show symptoms until they are very sick. Usually weight loss will be the first sign that a guinea pig is ill.

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daisymay
Supporter 2016-2021

Post   » Wed Nov 08, 2017 11:27 am


I am so sorry for your lost of Belle and so you too. RIP little too precious for this world. Run free and eat all the green grass in paradise! Now in perfect health. Watch over your human slave and Sister. Sending big hugs. You did all you could and more! Remember the good and happy times.

aliciao_xo

Post   » Fri Nov 10, 2017 10:58 am


Thank you everyone for your advice and well wishes.

Our other guinea pig Tink, (yes they were adorably named Tink and Belle) is doing seemingly really well (knock on wood). Weight is good, eating habits good and energy levels are as high as ever. I will be bringing her to our vet next week to be sure.

Thanks again everyone

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