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Guinea Pig Died Suddenly

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LaurenCR

LaurenCR

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My 3 year old piggy Vorstag died earlier today and I was wondering if anyone has an idea as to why he died so suddenly.

I had taken him to the vet twice in the past 2 months because he would stop eating and drinking then the vet would give him a needle and he'd be alright again. He'd been fine for about a month and he was fine last night I'd let him out and he was running around and demanding I rub his neck like usual but I woke up this morning and I could hear him wheezing, his eyes were crusty and he seemed limp. I rang the vet a few times but couldn't get through but after about 2 hours he started to get worse quickly, he couldn't hold his head up then his back legs stopped working, he then just lay onto his side and stopped breathing within a couple of minutes.

I don't really understand where this all came from and why it was so sudden, I thought it must be to do with him being ill a few months back but he was fine last night or maybe just old age but he was only 3. If anyone's knows what might have caused his death I'd appreciate it, even to just give me some comfort and know he wasn't suffering.
 
I'm not sure but it sounds like he may have had a URI, hopefully someone with more experience will offer some insight.Sorry for your loss xx
 
I was thinking an upper respiratory infection, also. They can come on very fast, and show little signs to begin with, sometimes by time you notice something is wrong it's already too late. So sorry, your little pig would have known he was loved. X
 
Thanks guys, that's what I thought it might have been. The two times I took him to the vet before they just gave him an injection and said if he's ill again then they'd give him and x-ray, I had to syringe feed him for a few days last month then he was fine again. Just wish I'd seen it earlier but it all happened so quickly.
 
I'm so sorry. It could have been atypical Pneumonia which is known as walking Pneumonia as it strikes so quickly.
 
LaurenCR said:
My 3 year old piggy Vorstag died earlier today and I was wondering if anyone has an idea as to why he died so suddenly.

I had taken him to the vet twice in the past 2 months because he would stop eating and drinking then the vet would give him a needle and he'd be alright again. He'd been fine for about a month and he was fine last night I'd let him out and he was running around and demanding I rub his neck like usual but I woke up this morning and I could hear him wheezing, his eyes were crusty and he seemed limp. I rang the vet a few times but couldn't get through but after about 2 hours he started to get worse quickly, he couldn't hold his head up then his back legs stopped working, he then just lay onto his side and stopped breathing within a couple of minutes.

I don't really understand where this all came from and why it was so sudden, I thought it must be to do with him being ill a few months back but he was fine last night or maybe just old age but he was only 3. If anyone's knows what might have caused his death I'd appreciate it, even to just give me some comfort and know he wasn't suffering.
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Hi and welcome!

I sounds like Vorstag has died from a very fast developing URI (respiratory tract infection) or atypical pneumonia which caused his body to close down very quickly. Do you know what kind of ongoing issue he had that was causing his loss of appetite before? In the least, it would have weakened his immune system if it is not the direct cause of his death. But you will have to ask your vet for that; we can only guess.

All I can say is that you would have been unlikely to save him even if he had been seen asap as an emergency by the sound of it; the meds would not have been able to kick in in time. Sometimes, especially atypical pneumonia can strike within hours out of the blue and kill. :(

Please do not feel like you have failed your boy; you have done everything that a caring responsible owner can do. Especially with a sudden death, the normal feeling of guilt/failure that characterise the onset of the grieving process are much stronger as we don't have firm answers. Take your time to grieve, but keep in mind that it is more important that you have given your boy a happy life and that he has been loved than that he has a long life. The first we can do our best for, the second it is rather out of our control.

You are welcome to post a tribute in our Rainbow Bridge section if or whenever it feels right for you. We all grieve differently; it is there for it if you would like to talk about him at any point to people who understand.

If your poorly boy has a companion, you may find the information in this link here helpful: Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
 
Thank you for your reply and kind words it means a lot to me. The first time I had to take him to the vet they said it might have been to do with his teeth but they didn't check and instead just gave him an injection and some powdered food for me to feed him and told me to bring him back if if happens again. So a month later I took him back as he had lost his apatite again and the same as before they just gave him an injection and said if it happens again then they'll give him an x-ray. I was pretty angry that they didn't even give him a proper check over but he was fine again for another month and this time it just happened so quickly I wasn't prepared for it.

It was just sad to see him deteriorate so quickly and I stroked him as he took his last breath, I'm at least glad I was there with him. He's getting cremated and I should have him back in a few days.
 
LaurenCR said:
Thank you for your reply and kind words it means a lot to me. The first time I had to take him to the vet they said it might have been to do with his teeth but they didn't check and instead just gave him an injection and some powdered food for me to feed him and told me to bring him back if if happens again. So a month later I took him back as he had lost his apatite again and the same as before they just gave him an injection and said if it happens again then they'll give him an x-ray. I was pretty angry that they didn't even give him a proper check over but he was fine again for another month and this time it just happened so quickly I wasn't prepared for it.

It was just sad to see him deteriorate so quickly and I stroked him as he took his last breath, I'm at least glad I was there with him. He's getting cremated and I should have him back in a few days.
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Sadly, many vets have no experience with dental care for guinea pigs and won't touch them. Unfortunately, the longer you don;t treat dental issues, the worse the teeth overgrow (rodent teeth grow continuously) and that can then have knock-on effects on the digestion and health. :(
 
I'm so sorry you lost your piggy, but agree with what @Wiebke has said.
Please don't blame yourself. You loved and cared and sought vet help. Sometimes we just can't save our beloved piggies. Hugs X
 
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