Another unexpected death

D

danuutka

Junior Guinea Pig
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Leeds, United Kingdom
Hello. I am Tilly’s owner who posted yesterday about her unexpected decline and death.

Unfortunately, I have just returned from the vets after having to put another piggy, Florrie to sleep. Whilst Florrie has been unwell for a long time (we did all investigations possible, but ultimately under the guidance of very experience exotics vets, decided that the best course of action was to let her live out her natural life - this lasted over a year), this was very unexpected.

Again, I feel like I need to speak to you as I feel you all will understand how I feel, because you understand that it’s not “just a guinea pig”.

2 hours prior, Florrie had been okay. Then I went to check on them and noticed that her back legs were completely paralysed - she was dragging herself towards the front of the cage bars, wheeking for me as always. I took her out of the cage immediately to assess the situation, and within another 5-10 minutes, she had lost function of her front paws. We were already on our way to a local vet to have her PTS as we didn’t want her to suffer.

I held her in my arms, as she was having small seizures/twitching. She kept “running” her legs but her eyes were fixed, but she was still breathing and had a heartbeat. It’s quite possibly one of the most traumatic things I’ve experienced as a piggy owner.

We went to a generic vet hospital, not the vets we were used to so we had to advocate very strongly for Florrie’s cage mate to be able to see her body. Thankfully they finally gave in, so Poppy was able to see the body. We will give her the night alone and then try to bond her with our other herd, as it’s late.

I’m just in a bit of shock and disbelief. 2 piggies needing to be PTS very unexpectedly within 24 hours. Completely separate cages, so definitely not due to the same thing. I’m just in shock.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.
 
I’m so sorry for your losses! Being so close together makes it even harder to deal with. For small animals they certainly take up a lot of room in our hearts. Be kind to yourself as you grieve.
 
Oh no how awful for you. I’m so very sorry. Sending hugs to you.

Florrie and Tilly friends forever over the bridge.
 
I'm so sorry you've lost two pigs unexpectedly in such a short time. I can't even imagine how heartbreaking that must be. ((HUGS)) to you. Please be kind to yourself while you grieve.
 
I am so sorry you have lost little Florrie too, sending big hugs at this awful traumatic time. Take heart that she had a good life, filled with love and companionship

Your girls will be popcorning over the bridge together now 🌈
 
I'm so sorry this has happened.
Popcorn high with Tilly over the rainbow bridge sweet Florrie ❤️🌈
 
danuutka said:
Hello. I am Tilly’s owner who posted yesterday about her unexpected decline and death.

Unfortunately, I have just returned from the vets after having to put another piggy, Florrie to sleep. Whilst Florrie has been unwell for a long time (we did all investigations possible, but ultimately under the guidance of very experience exotics vets, decided that the best course of action was to let her live out her natural life - this lasted over a year), this was very unexpected.

Again, I feel like I need to speak to you as I feel you all will understand how I feel, because you understand that it’s not “just a guinea pig”.

2 hours prior, Florrie had been okay. Then I went to check on them and noticed that her back legs were completely paralysed - she was dragging herself towards the front of the cage bars, wheeking for me as always. I took her out of the cage immediately to assess the situation, and within another 5-10 minutes, she had lost function of her front paws. We were already on our way to a local vet to have her PTS as we didn’t want her to suffer.

I held her in my arms, as she was having small seizures/twitching. She kept “running” her legs but her eyes were fixed, but she was still breathing and had a heartbeat. It’s quite possibly one of the most traumatic things I’ve experienced as a piggy owner.

We went to a generic vet hospital, not the vets we were used to so we had to advocate very strongly for Florrie’s cage mate to be able to see her body. Thankfully they finally gave in, so Poppy was able to see the body. We will give her the night alone and then try to bond her with our other herd, as it’s late.

I’m just in a bit of shock and disbelief. 2 piggies needing to be PTS very unexpectedly within 24 hours. Completely separate cages, so definitely not due to the same thing. I’m just in shock.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Click to expand...
So sorry for your losses, it must be really awful for you. 😥 😢

They will be free from pain now 🌈💔
 
Oh how awful for you - your heart must be breaking. Sending you hugs and my deepest sympathy for you loss xx
 
Florrie and Tilly are together now, unfortunately it does still break your heart 💔 the shock must be overwhelming so look after yourself.
As for those who say 'only a guinea pig' they are not worth another thought no matter how unimportant they feel any animal is they should at least have the decency to be respectful 💐
 
I’m so very sorry you lost Florrie so soon after Tilly. Clearly much loved by you and now reunited. Sleep tight dear Florrie and Tilly 🌈❤️
 
danuutka said:
Hello. I am Tilly’s owner who posted yesterday about her unexpected decline and death.

Unfortunately, I have just returned from the vets after having to put another piggy, Florrie to sleep. Whilst Florrie has been unwell for a long time (we did all investigations possible, but ultimately under the guidance of very experience exotics vets, decided that the best course of action was to let her live out her natural life - this lasted over a year), this was very unexpected.

Again, I feel like I need to speak to you as I feel you all will understand how I feel, because you understand that it’s not “just a guinea pig”.

2 hours prior, Florrie had been okay. Then I went to check on them and noticed that her back legs were completely paralysed - she was dragging herself towards the front of the cage bars, wheeking for me as always. I took her out of the cage immediately to assess the situation, and within another 5-10 minutes, she had lost function of her front paws. We were already on our way to a local vet to have her PTS as we didn’t want her to suffer.

I held her in my arms, as she was having small seizures/twitching. She kept “running” her legs but her eyes were fixed, but she was still breathing and had a heartbeat. It’s quite possibly one of the most traumatic things I’ve experienced as a piggy owner.

We went to a generic vet hospital, not the vets we were used to so we had to advocate very strongly for Florrie’s cage mate to be able to see her body. Thankfully they finally gave in, so Poppy was able to see the body. We will give her the night alone and then try to bond her with our other herd, as it’s late.

I’m just in a bit of shock and disbelief. 2 piggies needing to be PTS very unexpectedly within 24 hours. Completely separate cages, so definitely not due to the same thing. I’m just in shock.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Click to expand...

BIG HUGS

I am so so sorry. What huge shock on top of another one you couldn't brace for.

Please try to take consolation in that as natural deaths go, this was very quick and that by the time the blood circulation broke down (the 'running to the bridge') consciousness is also pretty much gone and piggies are no longer aware of what is going on and where they are. It just depends on the order the organs break down; I know that from having sat piggies of mine that were unable to sit or lie comfortably but had no longer control over their movements or awareness of their surroundings.

But when you have never experienced it before, it can really hit you. Try to see it as the stage Florrie was climbing up the steep bit of the Rainbow Bridge. A natural death is very often much more physical than you expect and some stages can be very disconcerting and rather traumatic.

Try to picture Tilly and Florrie together at the Bridge and try to mourn them together. It makes it easier on you, as I have found when dealing with my own various losses just days apart (once just 24 hours). Give yourself space and time to not be OK for a little while.
It is not something you have done wrong and fairness doesn't come into it; it's just sheer coincidence and much more common than you would assume. But it is extremely painful and traumatic at the time. It is also going to take a while to sink in fully. You can process only so much at once so you are more likely to have bigger lumps coming up in the weeks and months to come where your soul has swallowed things without really chewing them through. You just can't hurry things on.

If you feel that talking at any time of the grieving process will help you, please contact the Blue Cross. It does make a difference. Pet bereavement and pet loss
 
So very sorry that you you have lost Florrie so soon after Tilly.
A double loss really is awful to deal with.
You are grieving for both piggies at the same time which is hard on your heart.
Be gentle with yourself as you grieve.
Holding you in my heart ❤️
 
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