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Death Of Baby Guinea Pig

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Shaznlee

Shaznlee

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Hi everyone. I'm new to this and would appreciate any advice. Got daisy n matilda at six weeks old. Had them for five weeks. Came home one day n matilda couldn't breathe. Then she seemed ok. I put her on the lawn n saw her back legs go. Picked her up n she couldn't breathe again n had bubbles comin out of her nose. She stopped breathing about five Mins later. I've Googled it and the symptoms sound like pneumonia. But it wasn't cold. Any advice would be appreciated. Thankyou.
 
Shaznlee said:
Hi everyone. I'm new to this and would appreciate any advice. Got daisy n matilda at six weeks old. Had them for five weeks. Came home one day n matilda couldn't breathe. Then she seemed ok. I put her on the lawn n saw her back legs go. Picked her up n she couldn't breathe again n had bubbles comin out of her nose. She stopped breathing about five Mins later. I've Googled it and the symptoms sound like pneumonia. But it wasn't cold. Any advice would be appreciated. Thankyou.
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Hi and welcome

I am ever so sory for your loss!

Where are you located and what has the weather temperatures been lately? Where did you get your piggies from?

It is likely that she has been exposed to the bacteria in her previous place, so it would need only another trigger factor if it was pneumonia and not something else. Did you see a vet after the first episode, so lungs and heart could be checked? How long ago was that? Were your guinea pigs properly protected from the sun/heat on the lawn? Pneumonia is not necessarily caused by cold, but also by drafts, sudden major temperature changes or an otherwise lowered immune system, provided the bacteria is present in the system. Could they have eaten a dangerous weed on your lawn?
Sadly you will never know unless you have a post mortem done.

Please always see a vet promptly if there is anything unusual. Guinea pigs can go downhill very quickly, youngsters whose immune system is not fully developed, with truly frightening speed.

Here you can find tips for hot weather and what to do for bereaved guinea pig.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/hot-weather-management-and-heat-strokes.105317/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/looking-after-a-bereaved-piggy.110463/
 
:D Hello and :wel: to the forum! Very sorry to hear of the sad plight of your baby piggie. Unfortunately it does not have to be cold to get pneumonia. Bubbles from the nose indicates liquid in the lungs but I don't think that would have affected her legs. It sounds like something much more serious was going on. Have you had Daisy checked by a Vet ?
 
Hi. I'm in Blackpool. I bought them from the welcome pet shop. My hubby built a lovely hutch n tried on pre loved for weeks but everyone was too far away..Then when I got them there were loads on
Tried the nearest sanctuary but they wanted them indoors all winter. Can't do that. They'll be fine in the winter. Got a warm alley inbetween the two houses. No I didn't take daisy to the vet. I waited two weeks but I felt sorry for her so bought two more little girls from farmer parrs. They've bin together now for three weeks..and all doing well. It was really hot in Blackpool that day. But they have two big water bowls and a bottle. And were in the shade. I really hope it wasn't my fault. She just died in my hands. If anyone thinks it's something I did please advise. As I'm not going through that again. I do have a Springer spaniel who constantly stairs at them but can't get anywhere near them. They have grass every day and veg and their food. As for the other two from farmer parrs. That's a different forum. There not the friendliest. Not like daisy who just wants cuddles. Lol.
 
Sorry forgot to say I didn't go to the vet as it all happened within half an hour of getting home.
 
Shaznlee said:
Hi. I'm in Blackpool. I bought them from the welcome pet shop. My hubby built a lovely hutch n tried on pre loved for weeks but everyone was too far away..Then when I got them there were loads on
Tried the nearest sanctuary but they wanted them indoors all winter. Can't do that. They'll be fine in the winter. Got a warm alley inbetween the two houses. No I didn't take daisy to the vet. I waited two weeks but I felt sorry for her so bought two more little girls from farmer parrs. They've bin together now for three weeks..and all doing well. It was really hot in Blackpool that day. But they have two big water bowls and a bottle. And were in the shade. I really hope it wasn't my fault. She just died in my hands. If anyone thinks it's something I did please advise. As I'm not going through that again. I do have a Springer spaniel who constantly stairs at them but can't get anywhere near them. They have grass every day and veg and their food. As for the other two from farmer parrs. That's a different forum. There not the friendliest. Not like daisy who just wants cuddles. Lol.
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I am sure that the heat was a factor; so many piggies have died on that day and in the following days if they had an underlying problem, especially if it was to do with the heart or breathing (which is one of the things that a very hot piggy struggles with). Younger guinea pigs can't yet regulate their body temperature quite as well as adults; they are at a higher risk during weather extremes, especially with such an extraordinary event. Please carefully read through our hot weather guide although I sincerely hope that we won't get a day like that anytime soon!

We have got a piggy savvy vet locator on the top bar which you may find helpful.
Sadly, a good rescue in Southport has just closed down a few weeks ago so we are back to being without a decent rescue we can recommend in the Liverpool/Manchester area yet again. :(
 
Shaznlee said:
Sorry forgot to say I didn't go to the vet as it all happened within half an hour of getting home.
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I am very sorry; it was not quite clear from your initial post whether it all happened on the same day or not.
 
Well Thankyou for year advice. It's nice to have someone to ask. All three are getting on well. NOT. But they seem to be calming down. Three completely personalities. One who loves cuddles. One who tolerates for a while n one who thinks you've got no chance. Lol.
 
Shaznlee said:
Well Thankyou for year advice. It's nice to have someone to ask. All three are getting on well. NOT. But they seem to be calming down. Three completely personalities. One who loves cuddles. One who tolerates for a while n one who thinks you've got no chance. Lol.
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You can find guides for sow and dominance behaviours at the top of our behaviour section. We also have got several guides with tips on how to settle skittish new guinea pigs at the top of our Newbies section. I hope that you will find the information useful.
 
Hi and :wel:!
I'm so sorry for your loss.
RIP Matilda
I can't help but will leave it to the experts ...
 
Hi. My friend at work has two teenage daughters called daisy and Maisey. Lol. I keep telling her their guinea pig names not children's names. Luckily she has a sense of humour.
 
The one that doesn't like cuddles is called poppy too. Lol. They keep me entertained when my hubby doing my head in. And my spaniels. I've just come on this site. It's been very interesting. Especially the behavour bit.
 
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