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Help, My Guinea Pig Died Unexpectedly.

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Alyssa

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I woke up ( they are in my bedroom ) to them screaming because they emptied there food bowl in the middle of the night ( they normally do this ) So I got up to feed them and found one of my dear little pigges laying awkwardly I reached in and she was cold and definitely dead. how did she die?When I feed them there dinner she was fine, running around like she always does. She didn't show signs of sickness only that she was going through a moult I didn't think it was bugs because I saw new hair growing in. It didn't feel like she lost any weight. I found something moldy in my room the day before could it of been the stench?
Please let me know if you have any idea's!
Alyssa
 
Thanks, I hope that the other one doesn't take it to hard.
 
Alyssa said:
Thanks, I hope that the other one doesn't take it to hard.
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If it's on it's own you'll need to get a friend ASAP, but you need to find out the cause of death first incase it is infectious to other piggies. How old where they? Could you take it to the vet as they can find out the cause of death.
 
I will try to find it a new friend as fast as I can, I will probably take the live one to the vet as soon as possible . But taking the one to be tested sounds pricy I will ask the vet though.
 
My local vet does post-mortems free of charge if your registered at the vets, check it out with your vet though x
 
I am sorry for your loss :(

Sadly guinea pigs often die due to heart or organ failure at any age without showing any signs beforehand. The only way for sure is to have a post mortem carried out but this can be very upsetting.

But if you are concerned, by all means take your remaining guinea pig to the vets just to make sure that your remaining piggy isn't poorly.

I very much doubt that the mould played a part x
 
So sorry for your loss the same thing happened to me just before Christmas no warning or anything a real shock . I really feel for you hope your other one is OK mine was thank goodness . Now on the hunt for a new friend which isn't easy as no local rescues and I refuse to go to a pet shop for obvious reasons
 
I'm really sorry, it sounds like heart failure to me too. Hope your remaining piggy is ok.
 
I'm so sorry to hear what has happened. and am so sorry about your loss. I don' know how I'd feel if this happened to me - I think I'd be beside myself. The only positive coming form this is that you've been able to share this and realise that your are not at fault. I hope your remaining guinea pig passes it's health check and you find it a new friend soon.


I agree with @luvleeju about trying to get a rescue guinea pig rather than buying one from a pet shop. A reputable rescue centre will help you get a compatible companion. There is a Rescue Centre finder on this website which will tell you the ones near you .
 
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luvleeju said:
So sorry for your loss the same thing happened to me just before Christmas no warning or anything a real shock . I really feel for you hope your other one is OK mine was thank goodness . Now on the hunt for a new friend which isn't easy as no local rescues and I refuse to go to a pet shop for obvious reasons
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I understand that it is difficult to find a local Rescue Centre - particularly if transport is a problem - but I agree with you wholeheartedly that it is better to get a rescue Guinea Pig rather than a shop bought one.

I live in Sheffield and went to Milhaven (Keighley) to get my neutered boar paired. I went on the train as this Rescue is only a short taxi ride from Keighley station. I now have a boar and 2 sows and they are a delightful trio. I highly recommend this rescue Centre. http://www.milhaven-rescue.com/

Another Rescue Centre near Sheffield which will help getting you a compatible companion is Barnsley Animal Rescue. http://barnsleyanimalrescue.org.uk/

Another Rescue Centre near Sheffield is near Dinnington ...
http://www.thornberryanimalsanctuary.org.uk/ . Unfortunately , this Centre does not offer a pairing (sometimes known as dating) service but they frequently have guinea pigs there that are in need of their forever loving home.

I hope this helps
 
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Really sorry for your loss.

RIP Little one
x x
 
I am very sorry for your loss. Sadly, heart attacks, acute heart failure or strokes are not quite rare even in younger piggies, and they happen without warning in seemingly healthy piggies. It is always a big shock for the loving owners!

Where are you located? We could give you recommendations for rescues within your reach if you added your country, state or general area to your details. Click on your name on the top bar, then go to personal details/location; that way we can always give you the appropriate advice and recommendations straight away; with members from all over the world, your option in these situations can vary a lot.
I don't have a car, either, but there are rescues I can get to by train.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/pages/guinea-pig-rescue-locator/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/looking-after-a-bereaved-piggy.110463/

You are most welcome to post a tribute to your poor little girl if and when you wish to.
 
T
PiggieOwner said:
I understand that it is difficult to find a local Rescue Centre - particularly if transport is a problem - but I agree with you wholeheartedly that it is better to get a rescue Guinea Pig rather than a shop bought one.

I live in Sheffield and went to Milhaven (Keighley) to get my neutered boar paired. I went on the train as this Rescue is only a short taxi ride from Keighley station. I now have a boar and 2 sows and they are a delightful trio. I highly recommend this rescue Centre. http://www.milhaven-rescue.com/

Another Rescue Centre near Sheffield which will help getting you a compatible companion is Barnsley Animal Rescue. http://barnsleyanimalrescue.org.uk/

Another Rescue Centre near Sheffield is near Dinnington ...
http://www.thornberryanimalsanctuary.org.uk/ . Unfortunately , this Centre does not offer a pairing (sometimes known as dating) service but they frequently have guinea pigs there that are in need of their forever loving home.

I hope this helps
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Thanks for the recommendations I have just Emailed Milhaven with Details so hopefully they may be able to help.
 
I live rite next to a animal shelter, but I show mine in 4-h so I think I might try and fine a breeder.
is it easier to get a friend that is younger are older?
 
You are of course free to get your piggy from where you like to.

I would just like to point out that the vast majority of people who sell piggies are in it for the sake of making money and not for the sake of animal welfare. The risks and responsibilities re. proper sexing, health, character compatibility and bonding are all on your side and - unlike with a rescue we can guarantee for - you will also have no place to fall back on if things don't go to plan. And yes, I have seen a fair bit on this forum over the course of five years, so that there is not much that will surprise me anymore!
 
Ok, I think that I know a good breeder but I know always to be careful. I know some one who just had a litter of piggies, but I'm not sure if it is better to get a younger one or one that is the same age
 
It depends on the age of your piggy. Ideally you want an age difference, especially if one or both boys are subadult. We have got bonding tips at the top of the behaviour section.
 
Mine is a Sow middle aged, I will look at the behavior section
 
I have two adult pigs that wouldn't accept adults (including each other) but accepted babies no problem.One of them even mothers babies.In my six group 4 are babies so may have to split the group if they fight when they get older.Hoping because they are in 5x4 soon to be 5x5 I might be OK.
 
So sorry to hear about your loss. The same thing happened to me just before last Christmas. It comes at such a shock, and I totally understand how awful you must be feeling right now.

Fingers crossed your other piggie is healthy! Wishing you all the best with everything.
 
My other little pig is doing all rite, she seams depressed though, making sure she gets extra food and love
 
I'm sorry for your loss. Sometimes small animals go extremely quickly- I never found out exactly why, but over the years I've had a couple small animals who were fine in the evening and died overnight. I would bet stroke or heart or something like that, with little or no symptoms beforehand.

I did go through the process of introducing my 1.5 year old sow to another, younger pig after her original companion pig died. We let them sniff each other through the bars in two separate cages first, then put them in a neutral hallway and let them get to know each other while we supervised. That went really well, but the original pig did NOT want the new pig in her cage and would chase her back out. We did a really, really thorough cleaning of the cage and rearranged what was inside, and after that the older pig seemed to accept it as neutral space and didn't mind her new friend coming to live there. We got a younger pig (about 3 months old) because the older sow is dominant and we thought a baby would be more likely to respect her authority! HTH a bit.
 
I'll make sure to rearrange her cage before letting them live together :-)
 
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