Advice?

[Bex]

Hey Guinea Pig lovers.

I am a new user in need of some advice.
Sadly my beautiful pig Winnifred passed away on Thurs It happened really quickly and I am still in shock.

The vet said it was a chest infection that passed to the brain. I feel terrible that maybe I missed something that could have saved her. Problem is she was quite a chesty little thing so I didn't think too much of her noises
I feel like I let her down. The vet also suggested it was caused by stress. I can't understand how she would have been stressed as my piggies are so loved and pampered.

Now I'm left with two very sad girls One in particular, Fifi who was her sister just seems so lost. She just sits in the corner of the hutch all quiet. She is normally such a bubbly little girl. Luckily the other piggie Pearl has started sitting with her but I was hoping for some advice on how to make sure my piggies don't feel too lonely or depressed.

Thanks for listening to me babble x x

 

[piggy person]

mabe get a new friend for her.

 

[daleksarah]

maybe they need time to grieve, if just one pig was left it would be good to get another but you have 2 so they should be company to each other and hopefully help each other

 

[nutmeg]

Hi Bex, Really sorry to hear about Winifred. What the vet has told you seems rather random, but others more expert in illnesses could maybe offer more information for you. Fifi, will be missing her sister, I would suggest, once you are happy that she is healthy (no chestiness etc.) that you look on our rehoming section and find a new little friend for her so she won't be lonely. xxxxx

 

[Laura-CCC4]

I am so sorry for your recent loss, Bex. Was Winifred snuffly in her nose a lot, or did she seem more chesty? It is possible she simply had mild allergies (think "hayfever" ) if she had long-term problems without any further effect, but it is possible for guineas to suffer heart problems which can be indicated by frequent respiratory infections.

Something that should perk your remaining girls up is food, and possibly toys. Stock up on some different, special veggies and herbs - parsley and dill usually spark some interest in most pigs. Also have a good look on www.pamperedpiggies.co.uk for some tasty hays, natural treats and some natural toys that would probably brighten your girls up.

What you're aiming to do is not just comfort the remaining pigs, but give them something extra special to investigate- just sparking their interest and enjoyment in the good things in life. Lots of cuddles will help too.

Hugs to you as well, it is hard to lose a beloved guinea. xx

 

[Bex]

Thank you all for your kind advice. Luckily my boyfriend Ross manages an organic farm shop so my piggies are spoilt with scraps from the shop. Ross is under strict orders to collect up some of thier favourite bits this week.

I also bought a new igloo house and I think Fifi did a very small popcorn so hopefully she is feeling a bit better. I'm still not sure about the vets opinion but just think that perhaps Winnie was just a bit weaker and more susceptible due to her chesty nature?

I am considering rehoming a piggie of similar age but going to give the other two a bit of time first. There is a guinea pig rescue close to me in Devon so might give them a call.

Thanks again I will keep you posted on the girlies progress. x

 

[The Potteries Guinea Pig Rescue]

Sorry to hear your news i know how you feel.I am sure some treats and cuddles will do the trick.They need to grieve just like we do so just give them time.
Hope it all settles
Helenxx>>>xx>>>

 

[skrikopanik]

I'm so sorry you lost little Winnifred! And I don't think it was very nice of the vet to insinuate that you could have caused it! I'm pretty new to piggies but from what I've read it seems that it's not uncommon for piggies to get really sick really quickly. They hide it until it's too late to do something about it. You sound like a great piggy-mum (especially finding such a useful boyfriend!) and I'm sure you had nothing to do with it.

I think the girls are grieving and animals are allowed to be sad too... If they go around moping for too long maybe you could check if there is a neutered rescue boy for them to befriend? Guinea pig girls seem pretty obsessed with boys so that would probably give them something else to think about.

lots of comforting wheeks from us!

 

[Bex]

Aww thank you. I think maybe I'm so paranoid about the other two because of what the vet said but deep down I know I'm a good mamapig. The two remaining girls are strong and full of energy so I'm sure with some extra treats and all your kind advice they will be fine.

Thank you so much for your support, I was just so shocked, upset and confused that I really needed some understanding ears x x

 

[Wiebke]

I am very sorry about your loss of Winnifred. Remarks like that of your vets hurt so much in a situation like that! It could have well been an underlying issue like heart trouble that has brought things on. I'm sure that it is not due to any lack of care on your part!

Have you thought of perhaps introducing a neutered boar to your girls? That way, age and any existing girl hierarchy are no issue, as a boar operates outside of them. It mimics the way guinea pig sows live in the wild and would certainly liven up things and is also a good way of making an otherwise lonely boar happy.
I wouldn't want to be without one anymore! My Dizzy was 3 1/2 years old when she chose 1 year old Llewelyn as her new mate and they had a very loving relationship.

We also have a Rainbow Bridge Pet section we can post pics and tributes of our lost ones.