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Death on vacation.

Little fluffballs

Little fluffballs

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi,
So about 2 years and a half ago, our 2 year old piggie Vanilla passed away.
He and his cage mate were staying at a refuge owned by a 17 year old rabbit enthusiast who had been caring for guinea pigs for very little time while we were on holiday.
They had been there for a few times before without incident.
The evening of the day he died she called us to tell us that she had been out all day and on her return at 6pm she found Vanilla on his side in shock. He died whilst in her car on the way to the vet.
She said she put then outside in the early morning but it was during a heatwave so very hot and gave them a celery stick complete with the strings.
She also had helpers who probably didn’t know how to hold guinea pigs.
She denied any responsibility saying it was one of those things. Her exact words: “I would rather he’d had died at yours than at mine”.
Needless to say we never went back to her.
Which of these things could of killed him?
 
I’m so sorry that you lost Vanilla, sending you hugs.
It’s always difficult when a piggie dies especially when you aren’t there and in someone else’s care. I’m afraid you can only guess at the reason why, most pet owners feel the same, wondering what had happened, what illness did they hide.
The lady who was looking after your piggie sounds very uncaring towards you quite frankly and you’ve done the right thing by not going back. So sorry!
 
Thanks for the answer! You’re right, we we can never be sure about what happened, sometimes the little sweeties just die...
 
Sorry for your loss. These things play on your mind and so hard not to know.

Just to say that I always cut celery but have noticed that quite a few members don't and their piggies are fine with that. I wonder if it was the heatwave?
 
Thanks for the answer! You’re right, we we can never be sure about what happened, sometimes the little sweeties just die...:no:
 
Sorry I just posted the reply twice 😅
Yes it probably was as it gets extremely hot in France in the summer 🥵🥵
 
You can never be sure but being put out in a run all day in a heatwave is kind of asking for heat stroke. I'm sorry that you experienced a loss in this way
 
Little fluffballs said:
Hi,
So about 2 years and a half ago, our 2 year old piggie Vanilla passed away.
He and his cage mate were staying at a refuge owned by a 17 year old rabbit enthusiast who had been caring for guinea pigs for very little time while we were on holiday.
They had been there for a few times before without incident.
The evening of the day he died she called us to tell us that she had been out all day and on her return at 6pm she found Vanilla on his side in shock. He died whilst in her car on the way to the vet.
She said she put then outside in the early morning but it was during a heatwave so very hot and gave them a celery stick complete with the strings.
She also had helpers who probably didn’t know how to hold guinea pigs.
She denied any responsibility saying it was one of those things. Her exact words: “I would rather he’d had died at yours than at mine”.
Needless to say we never went back to her.
Which of these things could of killed him?
Click to expand...

Hi!

I am very sorry for your loss! Losing a piggy while you are away is tough because it inevitably leaves with questions and strong feelings of guilt.

You are always left with questions after incidents like that. Of course, we can only speculate and not give you a sure-fire answer.
My guess is heat stroke or a stroke/heart attack caused with stress from the hot weather as a contributing factor; being out on the lawn with no or insufficient protection (like a plastic hut in in full sun) during a heatwave can be sadly fatal rather quickly!
No guinea pig has ever died from celery string (that recommendation is one of those unsubstantiated dietary myths) .

Here is more information on heat stroke and heat exhaustion, and measures you need to take to protect your guinea pigs; especially in the hotter summers we are experiencing: Hot Weather Management, Heat Strokes and Fly Strike
 
Thanks to you all for your replies!
It probably was the heat, thought we will never know.
Thank you for your opinions 🙂
 
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