Is this normal?

[loulabelle123]

Hi, we lost my daughters piggie Monty about 3 weeks ago. Not sure what it was he was eating and pooping up until he went and hadn't lost weight. However, his brother who he'd been with since birth, Pogo seemed a lot quieter and about one week ago stopped eating. My daughter has them in her room during winter months to kerp them warm and had been cuddling him every day to give him company. Nothing seemed to make him want to eat. Even cucumber, his favourite was ignored. He'd nibbled hay that was it. Last night she had been cuddling him and he died in her arms. Is this something that happens with piggies? Do they die from grief? It seemed like that's what was wrong to me, he just seemed down and a little lost. I dont know if it was a shared illness but neither had symptoms of anything and until Monty died Pogo had been eating as usual. Both were going to the toilet fine. They were 4 and 2 months.

Thanks

 

[loulabelle123]

Hi, we lost my daughters piggie Monty about 3 weeks ago. Not sure what it was he was eating and pooping up until he went and hadn't lost weight. However, his brother who he'd been with since birth, Pogo seemed a lot quieter and about one week ago stopped eating. My daughter has them in her room during winter months to kerp them warm and had been cuddling him every day to give him company. Nothing seemed to make him want to eat. Even cucumber, his favourite was ignored. He'd nibbled hay that was it. Last night she had been cuddling him and he died in her arms. Is this something that happens with piggies? Do they die from grief? It seemed like that's what was wrong to me, he just seemed down and a little lost. I dont know if it was a shared illness but neither had symptoms of anything and until Monty died Pogo had been eating as usual. Both were going to the toilet fine. They were 4 and 2 months.

Thanks

Oh and after Monty died I called the vet who told me as social herd animals dying from, essentially, a broken heart wasn't unusual and to handle him and stroke him as much as possible. My daughter had him in the cat carry case at night next to her bed so he knew she was there and he was sleeping right at the front so he could see her. We were advised to give it time then get another companion but obviously he's gone now.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m so sorry for your losses. That is such a difficult thing to go through in quick succession.

We can only guess what happened but there is the possibility of an illness or a genetic issue in the first piggy and the second piggy caught the illness or went into acute pining (so yes essentially a broken heart - it’s deep grief) upon the passing of his friend.
Piggies can hide illnesses, they can also pass away from a sudden issue - even youngsters from heart attacks or bloat can be fatal within a couple of hours. There aren’t always symptoms presenting.

Acute pining is an emergency situation displaying as them stopping eating. If a piggy stops eating then they require immediate syringe feeding (with daily weight checks for monitoring) with recovery feed to keep the gut moving and help stop them going into stasis. A baby piggy needs a new companion immediately and particularly if they go into acute pining. Babies should never be alone so the vet saying to give it time would not have been the advice we would have given. But, that does not mean to say that anything would have prevented him passing. Sometimes you just cannot pull them out of acute pining no matter what anyone does.

The guide I will link in below explains more about how piggies grieve so it may help explain what might have been the situation

Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig

The guide below may also help you and your daughter

Human Bereavement: Grieving, Processing and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

Again, I’m sorry you have had to go through such an upsetting ordeal

 

[loulabelle123]

I’m so sorry for your losses. That is such a difficult thing to go through in quick succession.

We can only guess what happened but there is the possibility of an illness or a genetic issue in the first piggy and the second piggy caught the illness or went into acute pining (so yes essentially a broken heart - it’s deep grief) upon the passing of his friend.
Piggies can hide illnesses, they can also pass away from a sudden issue - even youngsters from heart attacks or bloat can be fatal within a couple of hours. There aren’t always symptoms presenting.

Acute pining is an emergency situation displaying as them stopping eating. If a piggy stops eating then they require immediate syringe feeding (with daily weight checks for monitoring) with recovery feed to keep the gut moving and help stop them going into stasis. A baby piggy needs a new companion immediately and particularly if they go into acute pining. Babies should never be alone so the vet saying to give it time would not have been the advice we would have given. But, that does not mean to say that anything would have prevented him passing. Sometimes you just cannot pull them out of acute pining no matter what anyone does.

The guide I will link in below explains more about how piggies grieve so it may help explain what might have been the situation

Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig

The guide below may also help you and your daughter

Human Bereavement: Grieving, Processing and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

Again, I’m sorry you have had to go through such an upsetting ordeal

Thank you for your advice. I didn't realise about the syringe feeding. He was nibbling a little hay but that was all, poor little thing.
My daughter is devastated. I'm glad someone understands as people look at you as if "its only guinea pigs"! But they are such loving wonderful little creatures. She treated them like most people would a puppy. Every day she would get them out of their hutch, they would hear her voice and squeak with excitement. If they were in their outdoor run and they heard her come home from school they would run around doing the excited piggy hops they like to do. They were the sweetest little guys, never bit, infact they would lick her to death. I would recommend anyone to have Guinea pigs if they want cuddles and love from a pet. But not if they want an easy independent pet. They need attention and you have to keep them in a large clean hutch because they poo so much.We have a big garden too so they were in their run during summer day time hours but inside during cold winter months. I think eventually she may get more but right now it's way too soon.

 

[Merab]

So very sorry for you losing both Monty and Pogo wishing such a short time.
Be gentle with yourself as you grieve

 

[eileen]

I'm so sorry for your loss.piggies and buns have given enhanced good advise.xx

 

[fluffysal]

I'm sorry for your loss. It's amazing how much space such small creatures can take up in your heart