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Guinea pig dying cause

Brooke03

Brooke03

New Born Pup
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I woke up this morning to one of my guinea pigs limp in their cage not responding to anything. I took her out and could tell she was dying with her limp body and no response to anything. She has sudden gasps for air and blinks but that's about it. Days prior to this she was losing weight but was eating with a large appetite still. She is urinating but I'm not sure if she has been pooping or not. She did have a upper respitory infection when I got her but that's was taken care of 3 years ago. This may sound morbid but I don't taking her to a vet would cure this. I will take her if she keeps doing this to end her suffering but I just want to know what caused this to prevent it from happing to the other piggies.
 
Oh gosh sorry for your predicament. With piggies being prey animals they hide symptoms well and we generally recommend visiting a vet when you notice sudden weight loss of more than 50g or gradual but persistent weight loss over a few weeks. That said there are sudden illnesses such as strokes and heart failure which can come out of nowhere with seemingly healthy piggies.

I really do feel that seeing a vet as an emergency is the right thing right now. Not to just consider whether it's something treatable but also to ensure she doesn't suffer.
 
I am sorry your Guinea pig is going through this but only a vet would be able to answer your question. It could be something your vet is able to treat but the longer you leave it the more your girl is suffering.
 
Brooke03 said:
I woke up this morning to one of my guinea pigs limp in their cage not responding to anything. I took her out and could tell she was dying with her limp body and no response to anything. She has sudden gasps for air and blinks but that's about it. Days prior to this she was losing weight but was eating with a large appetite still. She is urinating but I'm not sure if she has been pooping or not. She did have a upper respitory infection when I got her but that's was taken care of 3 years ago. This may sound morbid but I don't taking her to a vet would cure this. I will take her if she keeps doing this to end her suffering but I just want to know what caused this to prevent it from happing to the other piggies.
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Hi!
I am so very sorry! Unfortunately only post mortem examination at vet's may give you the answer that you crave but it doesn't sound like something highly infective if that is your concern, more like something in her body has suddenly gone wrong - and that can unfortunately happen at any age out of the blue.
There is so much that can cause sudden mystery weight loss without any other outword symptoms; my least favourite symptom! :(
Please always see a vet as soon as you notice a sudden weight loss over 50g, as an emergency if surpasses 100g.

Here are our tips (in the last chapter) on what you can do for a dying piggy as your sounds like she in the last stages of multiple organ failure. If you can get to a vet for pts/euthanasia, please consider doing so.
Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment (see last chapter)
 
Thanks Everyone for the comments and recommendations, she did pass about two hours ago in a warm towel. I think she had a stroke from how unresponsive she was. She was a very sensitive piggy towards illness and stress. I think I gave her a great life as she was very sick when I got her. This is my first piggy death so it’s pretty heart breaking atm. Rest in piece Winnie ❤️.
 

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Brooke03 said:
Thanks Everyone for the comments and recommendations, she did pass about two hours ago in a warm towel. I think she had a stroke from how unresponsive she was. She was a very sensitive piggy towards illness and stress. I think I gave her a great life as she was very sick when I got her. This is my first piggy death so it’s pretty heart breaking atm. Rest in piece Winnie ❤.
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HUGS

I am very sorry! So often death comes without warning and can really throw us big way!

You are welcome to post a tribute to Winnie in our Rainbow Bridge section at any stage of your grieving process; the Rainbow Bridge is simply there for all of us who feel that it would help them and whenever it feels right for them.

My first suspicion would also have been stroke, but all we can do is guess. In view of the preceding weight loss, it may have been tiggered by an underlying problem rather than happening on its own out of the blue. It is perfectly normal to try and make sense of what is happening. :(

The first death is always hard because it is generally so much more physical than we expect with our vague concept of peacefully drifting away in one's sleep - which in fact rare. It is usually not pretty, especially not in the later stages when the body is starting to break down. Piggies are thankfully mostly out of it by then. :(

Please take the time to read these two guides here. You will hopefully find them very helpful now as well as in the coming days and weeks:
Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children
Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig
 
So sorry for your loss.
Sadly guinea pigs do hide illness too well and we lose them before we can help them.
Be gentle with yourself as you grieve
 
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