Guinea Pig Sudden Death

[MaddieHow]

Hi everyone,
I just found this forum and signed up to ask this question. My Guinea Pig died yesterday 12/25/17. It was really sudden and I came here to see if anyone could tell me if it was my fault or not. He was only three months old and I only had him for a week. I found him under his hideout just sitting, and he didn’t run from me like he usually would. At first he was lethargic, but would move slightly, he wasn’t really eating or drinking. Over the course of a few hours hour he refused to move, eat, drink, and his back legs were sticking out from under him like he couldn’t use them. It was Christmas, so our vet wasn’t open but I Planned to take him the following morning when they opened. I made a “smoothie” of sorts I was going to try to give him, but when I went in to get him, he was gone.
I only knew him for a short time but I really loved him. And info is appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Hensa]

So sorry for your loss - you obviously cared for him very much. Your Guinea pig may have already been unwell when you got him- being prey animals they hide their illnesses, or he may have become unwell suddenly - it is not possible to tell, but you were trying to see to his needs and get him to a vet as soon as possible so try not to blame yourself (which is the natural thing to do when you lose a much loved pet)

 

[VickiA]

Hello and welcome. It sounds as though your piggy was already poorly when you got him. Piggies are good at hiding symptoms.
Sorry for your loss. You are welcome to post a tribute to your piggy in the Rainbow Bridge section of the forum.

 

[Flutterby]

Hello and welcome. I am so sorry for your loss x

 

[Tiamolly123]

It sounds as he was unwell all ready, it wasn't your fault, these things happen. You fell in love for him, piggies can captivate your heart so quickly.
Please don't come in for 1 question if you stay on here, we can help you with your second.
There is a thread called Rainbow Bridge where you can say what you feel, pop along
& feel free to ask us anything.
Sleep tight little one, play over the rainbow bridge.

 

[Merab]

So sorry for your loss. It doesn’t matter if we’ve had a piggy for days, weeks or years we still feel the loss. At least he had you to love him at the end

 

[Freela]

I'm sorry for your loss. It sounds as though your piggie was probably already ill when he came home with you. A lot of pigs, from pet stores especially, may not get the best start in life and may already be harboring illnesses when they come home. Unfortunately it's hard to say exactly what the issue was, as lethargy, refusing food, laying stretched out, etc. are fairly nonspecific symptoms of severe illness and don't necessarily point to a specific cause. However, I really don't think it was your fault or anything that you did, as he was likely unhealthy when you brought him home and guinea pig illnesses can get severe really quickly, so please don't feel it was in any way your fault. ((HUGS.))

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome

Please don't feel guilty; it is not your fault. Guinea pigs can go downhill very quickly, and at that young age, they are also still very vulnerable. I've just lost one of my own over the holidays.

Has your little piggy a companion that needs looking after? If you decide to get more guinea pigs, please consider adopting from a good rescue with a mandatory quarantine/vet treatment and please rehome a bonded couple; guinea pigs are prey animals living in groups. Being on their own is an additional stress and deprives them of what they need most - the solace of a piggy friend.

 

[Shelby._.]

My guinea pig passed away yesterday and I was in a similar situation. My guinea pig was almost 3 years old and was portraying the same symptoms as yours. I called the vet and was told to bring him in the morning. Unfortunately he didn’t make it and passed away in my arms. I can understand what you are going through and I know it makes it harder when you had to see them suffer. But like everyone else has been saying do not blame your self. Guinea pigs are very good at hiding symptoms. Mine was fine the day before and went downhill very quickly. He could’ve had an upper respiratory infection and pneumonia. I’m very sorry for your loss.

 

[Merab]

So sorry for your loss @Shelby._.

 

[Shelby._.]

Hi and welcome

Please don't feel guilty; it is not your fault. Guinea pigs can go downhill very quickly, and at that young age, they are also still very vulnerable. I've just lost one of my own over the holidays.

Has your little piggy a companion that needs looking after? If you decide to get more guinea pigs, please consider adopting from a good rescue with a mandatory quarantine/vet treatment and please rehome a bonded couple; guinea pigs are prey animals living in groups. Being on their own is an additional stress and deprives them of what they need most - the solace of a piggy friend.

Thank you so much for the comment! I will definitely be looking for an adoptable piggy for Gus. As of right now he is behaving normal. It’s difficult because the closet rescue is 3 + hours away. I don’t want to resort to a pet store but if it comes to that I may unfortunately have to go that route. Again thanks for your help.

 

[Shelby._.]

My guinea pig passed away yesterday and I was in a similar situation. My guinea pig was almost 3 years old and was portraying the same symptoms as yours. I called the vet and was told to bring him in the morning. Unfortunately he didn’t make it and passed away in my arms. I can understand what you are going through and I know it makes it harder when you had to see them suffer. But like everyone else has been saying do not blame your self. Guinea pigs are very good at hiding symptoms. Mine was fine the day before and went downhill very quickly. He could’ve had an upper respiratory infection and pneumonia. I’m very sorry for your loss.

Lol sorry I thought this comment was on my thread but it was still very helpful lol

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you so much for the comment! I will definitely be looking for an adoptable piggy for Gus. As of right now he is behaving normal. It’s difficult because the closet rescue is 3 + hours away. I don’t want to resort to a pet store but if it comes to that I may unfortunately have to go that route. Again thanks for your help.

You can look for closer rescues or shelters to you, but may have to take into account that they are not necessarily piggy savvy and do not necessarily provide quarantine or medical treatment, so that is something you may have to take into consideration; it is the same with free-ads piggies or pet shop adoptions.

Please also take into consideration that not all piggies will necessarily click with each other; not even a baby boar. Have a plan B at the ready in the form of a live-alongside option with two adjoining cages that provide stimulation and interaction through the bars, but allow each piggy their own territory. It is usually enough to stave off depression.

 

[Julia Rafferty]

Hi everyone,
I just found this forum and signed up to ask this question. My Guinea Pig died yesterday 12/25/17. It was really sudden and I came here to see if anyone could tell me if it was my fault or not. He was only three months old and I only had him for a week. I found him under his hideout just sitting, and he didn’t run from me like he usually would. At first he was lethargic, but would move slightly, he wasn’t really eating or drinking. Over the course of a few hours hour he refused to move, eat, drink, and his back legs were sticking out from under him like he couldn’t use them. It was Christmas, so our vet wasn’t open but I Planned to take him the following morning when they opened. I made a “smoothie” of sorts I was going to try to give him, but when I went in to get him, he was gone.
I only knew him for a short time but I really loved him. And info is appreciated. Thank you.

The same thing happened to my pig. He passed away 12:30 Christmas morning in my arms after I got home from Connecticut. He had a URI but because he was so young it was more deadly than usual. I found him the same way on Christmas Eve at 11:11 cause he was my good luck charm. There is no way it was your fault. I had the same thoughts but then I realized something. I was just given a really sick pig and I gave him a last good week. There is not much you can do when you know they are going.

 

[Nathanmg]

Hi everyone,
I just found this forum and signed up to ask this question. My Guinea Pig died yesterday 12/25/17. It was really sudden and I came here to see if anyone could tell me if it was my fault or not. He was only three months old and I only had him for a week. I found him under his hideout just sitting, and he didn’t run from me like he usually would. At first he was lethargic, but would move slightly, he wasn’t really eating or drinking. Over the course of a few hours hour he refused to move, eat, drink, and his back legs were sticking out from under him like he couldn’t use them. It was Christmas, so our vet wasn’t open but I Planned to take him the following morning when they opened. I made a “smoothie” of sorts I was going to try to give him, but when I went in to get him, he was gone.
I only knew him for a short time but I really loved him. And info is appreciated. Thank you.

Hi. My guinea pig was 10 months old and died the exact same way just a month before yours died. The legs laying out sounds like hind leg paralysis. It could be from a parasitic ticks. These can paralyze a guinea pig from it's legs then to the point of it not eating or drinking.