Do guinea pigs have conditions that run in the family?

[HeatherRose]

Since Belle passed away so suddenly last night, I have been wondering about her sister, Rapunzel. I’m assuming Belle had a heart attack or some other sudden thing happen to her. I know it is all just guessing since I didn’t get an autopsy or anything. I was just wondering if it was a heart defect or something that could be hereditary.

 

[Bill & Ted]

That’s exactly what went through my head too after Bill passed so suddenly. Ted and Bill where birth siblings. I don’t think that would be a case. I think it’s just one of those things that happen and we can only enjoy and love our piggies. I was so shocked that I had missed an illness or not noticed something but now I‘m so glad he went suddenly and like your Belle was eating veggies and happy before he left us.

 

[PigglePuggle]

Please dont worry too much, yes like in people some animals can inherit a higher risk of particular medical conditions, but there are so many other factors that affect health that you can control, its a waste of your emotional energy to focus on what you can't!
All your piggies are clearly very well loved and fed and cared for, its natural after a serious illness or a bereavement to see future catastrophe affecting your other piggies, you've had a very traumatic time lately.
If you are worried pop along to the vet and share your concerns and get all your piggies a thorough health check to set your mind at rest, but sadly sudden heart attacks or strokes can just happen sometimes to any person or any pet- even with no obvious genetic or lifestyle risk factors...
Sending many hugs x

 

[PigglePuggle]

That’s exactly what went through my head too after Bill passed so suddenly. Ted and Bill where birth siblings. I don’t think that would be a case. I think it’s just one of those things that happen and we can only enjoy and love our piggies. I was so shocked that I had missed an illness or not noticed something but now I‘m so glad he went suddenly and like your Belle was eating veggies and happy before he left us.

Sending you and Ted hugs too @Bill & Ted x

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

It doesn't just have to be a heart attack that causes the sudden death in a guinea pig. Our piggy, Freddie, was incredibly lucky, as I had taken him in for a pre-op check, to get him neutered, when during the examination, Simon found a large lump, deep inside of him. When he opened him up to investigate, it was an internal abscess, attached to his bowel. The abscess was very thin walled and would've burst at any point, which would've resulted in the sudden death of Freddie. As it was, the abscess was drained (couldn't be removed in it's entirety, as attached to bowel) and a strong antibiotic given. Freddie is now fine, but as Simon said, he would've been one of those who was just suddenly found dead, with no prior warning!

 

[Wiebke]

Since Belle passed away so suddenly last night, I have been wondering about her sister, Rapunzel. I’m assuming Belle had a heart attack or some other sudden thing happen to her. I know it is all just guessing since I didn’t get an autopsy or anything. I was just wondering if it was a heart defect or something that could be hereditary.

Hi!

I am very sorry for your loss!

Yes, like with human families there are genetic conditions or propensities that can be passed on. it is always an anxious time if you have other family members in your pets, especially of the same generation.
Sometimes it can also happen that in a limited pool of breeding pets (includes commercial shop breeders as well as for-sale breeders or in cases of uncontrolled multiplying from mis-sexed piggies) that piggies in generations down the line end up with inheriting the same defective gene from both parents in an inbreeding situation.
However, all we can do is guess about what has caused a sudden death without a post-mortem (heart attack is only one of the possible causes).

Please keep any concerns at the back of your mind and do not stare at what may likely not happen.
It is much more important that you do what you CAN do to make the life of your surviving piggy as good and happy as you can while it is with you. Guinea pigs don't have a concept for an average life span; they measure their life in happy days.

Here is information for what you can do for Rapunzel:
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

 

[HeatherRose]

Please dont worry too much, yes like in people some animals can inherit a higher risk of particular medical conditions, but there are so many other factors that affect health that you can control, its a waste of your emotional energy to focus on what you can't!
All your piggies are clearly very well loved and fed and cared for, its natural after a serious illness or a bereavement to see future catastrophe affecting your other piggies, you've had a very traumatic time lately.
If you are worried pop along to the vet and share your concerns and get all your piggies a thorough health check to set your mind at rest, but sadly sudden heart attacks or strokes can just happen sometimes to any person or any pet- even with no obvious genetic or lifestyle risk factors...
Sending many hugs x

It is hard not to worry now, I check on them more often and if I hear any unusual noise I rush in there. If one is under some fleece I worry I’m going to lift it up and find them dead. I’m sure my worries will lessen as time goes on. Last night when I gave them their veggies, I automatically cut 3 slices of pepper for Belle’s group. I guess Rapunzel and Kristoff shared the 3rd slice in honor of Belle.

 

[HeatherRose]

Hi!

I am very sorry for your loss!

Yes, like with human families there are genetic conditions or propensities that can be passed on. it is always an anxious time if you have other family members in your pets, especially of the same generation.
Sometimes it can also happen that in a limited pool of breeding pets (includes commercial shop breeders as well as for-sale breeders or in cases of uncontrolled multiplying from mis-sexed piggies) that piggies in generations down the line end up with inheriting the same defective gene from both parents in an inbreeding situation.
However, all we can do is guess about what has caused a sudden death without a post-mortem (heart attack is only one of the possible causes).

Please keep any concerns at the back of your mind and do not stare at what may likely not happen.
It is much more important that you do what you CAN do to make the life of your surviving piggy as good and happy as you can while it is with you. Guinea pigs don't have a concept for an average life span; they measure their life in happy days.

Here is information for what you can do for Rapunzel:
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

Thank you. Yesterday I cleaned out their cages and gave Rapunzel a bum bath. I gave them each extra cuddles and love. It made me feel better to be with the rest of them, knowing Belle would want me to be there for them. Rapunzel still has Kristoff in her cage so I’m glad she’s not alone. They are both a little less active, but they are eating and drinking and doing ok.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you. Yesterday I cleaned out their cages and gave Rapunzel a bum bath. I gave them each extra cuddles and love. It made me feel better to be with the rest of them, knowing Belle would want me to be there for them. Rapunzel still has Kristoff in her cage so I’m glad she’s not alone. They are both a little less active, but they are eating and drinking and doing ok.

That is normal in the wake of a loss. You may also notice some dominance behaviour at some point as they establish a new group hierarchy unless Belle was the bottom piggy.

 

[HeatherRose]

That is normal in the wake of a loss. You may also notice some dominance behaviour at some point as they establish a new group hierarchy unless Belle was the bottom piggy.

Belle was the bottom one, Rapunzel is the leader and Kristoff just does whatever his wife says like a good husband lol

 

[anyar.dris]

My first 2 piggies were sisters. One had heart condition, kidney and bladder stones, and the other had dental problems and enlarged ovaries (when she was a few month old, and needed to be spayed). I think they had these problems because of genetics. Although like humans, we never really know what started some illnesses and can be because of genetics.

 

[HeatherRose]

My first 2 piggies were sisters. One had heart condition, kidney and bladder stones, and the other had dental problems and enlarged ovaries (when she was a few month old, and needed to be spayed). I think they had these problems because of genetics. Although like humans, we never really know what started some illnesses and can be because of genetics.

Wow that’s a lot of health problems for two piggies! I have been very fortunate until now to not have any major health issues in my herd of 8 (now 7), they are all still fairly young though

 

[Betsy]

Christian had a HUGE abcess removed nearly 2 years ago and his brother Dennis and sister Meg haven't had this. Mum Velvet (RIP) had bladder stones and bladder sludge but her children don't seem to have the same problem. All 4 piggies get a very thorough check every week and the slightest thing amiss I am at the vets with them.

 

[HeatherRose]

Christian had a HUGE abcess removed nearly 2 years ago and his brother Dennis and sister Meg haven't had this. Mum Velvet (RIP) had bladder stones and bladder sludge but her children don't seem to have the same problem. All 4 piggies get a very thorough check every week and the slightest thing amiss I am at the vets with them.

I’m the same way, I’m glad I have a good vet. When the dog got to Elsa, the emergency vet said she didn’t feel anything bad but could do an X-ray if I wanted, I said do it! And it turned out to be a fun learning experience for my daughters and gave me peace of mind that Elsa was ok, worth the $115 to me.

 

[anyar.dris]

Wow that’s a lot of health problems for two piggies! I have been very fortunate until now to not have any major health issues in my herd of 8 (now 7), they are all still fairly young though

Yeah it was..they both lived till they are around 5 years only.

 

[Merab]

It is hard not to worry now, I check on them more often and if I hear any unusual noise I rush in there. If one is under some fleece I worry I’m going to lift it up and find them dead. I’m sure my worries will lessen as time goes on. Last night when I gave them their veggies, I automatically cut 3 slices of pepper for Belle’s group. I guess Rapunzel and Kristoff shared the 3rd slice in honor of Belle.

That is perfectly normal grieving behaviour.
You will relax with time but allow yourself that time for the shock to ease up.
I doubt that Rapunzel & Kristoff will complain about extra food !