Are these signs of dying?

[lilyandluna]

Hi all,

I’ve had my guinea pig Lily for over 5 years. (Her friend Luna passed away last April and she had three failed bonds due to aggression so she lives alone)

About a week ago her behavior changed. Every time I enter the room she’s in she squeaks so loud until I pick her up or just sit and pet her. She has never done this before. She never really squeaks.

She’s still eating the same, drinking, and seems okay.

I also noticed that she’s slowed down now. She just walks less, sleeps more, and dosent play or do zoomies. She just sits all day and occasionally goes and sits in her hay.

These changes have happened in the last week.

Is this just her aging/or getting ready to pass?

I have a vet appointment in two weeks to get her nails trimmed but should I bring her sooner?
The vet is a stressful drive and I don’t want to bring her stress more then needed especially because we are going so soon.

I’ve been holding her in all my extra time and made her cage smaller and made it so she can see everything.

I am aware that she is past the average life expectancy, and this could be normal I'm just nervous.

 

[lilyandluna]

Also I thought I should add, she stops squeaking when I hold her.

 

[Piggies&buns]

If she is eating, maintaining weight etc, then she may be fine but only a vet can check for any health issues.
It may be just due to her ageing, or it may be because she is alone

 

[Siikibam]

Would you be able to have a piggy living alongside her? Hopefully it’s nothing and she just feels lonely.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all,

I’ve had my guinea pig Lily for over 5 years. (Her friend Luna passed away last April and she had three failed bonds due to aggression so she lives alone)

About a week ago her behavior changed. Every time I enter the room she’s in she squeaks so loud until I pick her up or just sit and pet her. She has never done this before. She never really squeaks.

She’s still eating the same, drinking, and seems okay.

I also noticed that she’s slowed down now. She just walks less, sleeps more, and dosent play or do zoomies. She just sits all day and occasionally goes and sits in her hay.

These changes have happened in the last week.

Is this just her aging/or getting ready to pass?

I have a vet appointment in two weeks to get her nails trimmed but should I bring her sooner?
The vet is a stressful drive and I don’t want to bring her stress more then needed especially because we are going so soon.

I’ve been holding her in all my extra time and made her cage smaller and made it so she can see everything.

I am aware that she is past the average life expectancy, and this could be normal I'm just nervous.

Hi!

These issues sound more like normal ageing and feeling lonely.
If in any doubt about her health/slowing down, then please switch from the life-long weekly weigh-in to weight daily at the same time on your kitchen scales and see a vet for a check-up if you have concerns about a potential medical angle.
Weight - Monitoring and Management
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pigs Safely

Please take the time to read the pretty comprehensive helpful and practical information in these guides links here. They tell you all about the ageing process and the typical issues connected with it, facing the end and what you can do. I am also linking to our singles thread where the last chapter deals with issues stemming from your piggy transferring their companionship needs/loneliness fully onto you. This should help you to better assess what is going on. It can be a mix of both, of course.
Caring for Older Piggies and Facing the End - A helpful and supportive information collection
Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities

 

[lilyandluna]

Would you be able to have a piggy living alongside her? Hopefully it’s nothing and she just feels lonely.

She had failed bondings after her friend passed and the vet advised it would not be safe or smart to continue to try and bond.
We decided not to keep a friend next to her because it wouldn’t be fair to the other pig and she faced some issues with it.

She’s been alone for about a year with no issues but I do do daily bonding and attention with her

 

[Siikibam]

I’m afraid bonding with her and giving her attention is not enough. You can’t speak her language nor understand all the nuances of her behaviour. It’s often said that living alongside a piggy is better than no company at all. I would beg you to seriously consider it. She may not be acting out of the norm because she just has to get on with it. Wanting to be picked up constantly could also be a sign of loneliness.