Just lost Jerry. Warning to beware of the cold, even for indoor pigs...

[miowmix]

I woke up around 6am to hear Jerry my 5 year old boar whimpering (I was sleeping in same room), got him out and he felt so cold and thin.

Had noticed he spent most of yesterday in his snuggle sack and was eating less. The day before, he was normal.

Put him on my lap in cosy tube on top of a heatpad, gave a little metacam and a bit of mashed nuggs, he didn't really want it. Offered veg but he didn't take it.

After a bit of cuddling, put him back in his C&C, he got out of tube but couldn't really walk properly. So I picked him back up and cuddled him in his cosy tube with heatpad underneath. Every now and then he did a contortion and whimper like he was in pain, I tried to comfort him, then he did a few big breaths and then he was gone (just before 8am).

The central heating was not on last night (it's on a timer to go off during the night) and although it wasn't really cold (I was sleeping same room just under a fleece blanket), because he was old and thin I am sure it's what finished him off. I am so angry with myself and would like to warn others to really be careful of temperature, even if indoors and especially if your pigs are old and thin. If I had thought about why he spending more time in his tube and not eating as much yesterday, and put a heatpad under his tube then, maybe he would still be here.

 

[PigglePuggle]

I am sorry for the loss of your piggy, I doubt that the cold was the only factor involved here, probably he had other health problems especially if he was thin and less active, so please dont blame yourself.

But you make a good point about being careful of the cold, especially at night- indoor temperatures can drop colder than people might imagine, its a good idea to have some heating on and plenty fleecy beds and heat pads in the winter even for indoor piggies if the house gets cold.

 

[miowmix]

Thanks @PigglePuggle yes, he was old and I think had underlying issues, but it makes me so sad that he might have been cold and uncomfortable in his final hours. We hear about the cold causing a lot of deaths in elderly humans as well and I think it was the same. If only I had just bunged a heatpad in there : (

 

[alpacasqueak]

So sorry you lost him, try not to blame yourself. As @PigglePuggle said, there were probably underlying issues with the little guy. Hope you’re ok x Sleep tight little Jerry xx

 

[Flutterby]

I'm so sorry for your loss xx

 

[Bill & Ted]

I’m so sorry you have lost your little one x
Sleep tight over rainbow bridge Jerry x

 

[Jamston]

Sorry for your loss xx Don’t blame yourself he has had a very happy life with you!

 

[GPTV]

Sorry to hear about the loss of Jerry
Please be kind to yourself though, as the others have said he may have had underlying issues that he had managed to hide from you, being prey animals they're good at disguising illness from us.
Five years old is an average to good age for a Guinea so you've obviously been doing the right things all this time

If it helps I've found with a few of my girls in the hours leading up to their final journey, they often lose body heat, especially the ears & feet get very cold, I don't know if perhaps its to do with the body shutting down & the causing circulation problems?
Although guineas don't like the cold, damp&draughts so need to be prevented where possible - but a lot of people do have outdoor guineas on here that do ok with heat pads etc.

Basically what I'm trying to say is... I don't think it's your fault & no matter what you did, it probably wouldn't have saved him. Please don't feel guilty about the 'what if's' & 'maybe's' that's all part of the grieving process & your love for him.

Big hug for you at this difficult time & RIP Jerry, popcorn free over rainbow Bridge little man. Xx

 

[David Piggie Lover]

Ive like your message as a thank you for reminding me and others that cold is a killer in piggies and course lot other animals.
Reading your message and to be honest with the info you given @miowmix I honestly don't think was the cold that sent Jerry to rainbow world.
Time will allow you to know this but now remember he died next to you .... he smelt his home he heard your voice as the bright light came. . . Head up and remember the wonderful piggie you love so much.
RIP Jerry . x

 

[Siikibam]

So sorry for your loss. Big hugs and look after yourself. As said already, it’s not because you didn’t hear the house. Nonetheless thank you for the reminder

 

[Wiebke]

I woke up around 6am to hear Jerry my 5 year old boar whimpering (I was sleeping in same room), got him out and he felt so cold and thin.

Had noticed he spent most of yesterday in his snuggle sack and was eating less. The day before, he was normal.

Put him on my lap in cosy tube on top of a heatpad, gave a little metacam and a bit of mashed nuggs, he didn't really want it. Offered veg but he didn't take it.

After a bit of cuddling, put him back in his C&C, he got out of tube but couldn't really walk properly. So I picked him back up and cuddled him in his cosy tube with heatpad underneath. Every now and then he did a contortion and whimper like he was in pain, I tried to comfort him, then he did a few big breaths and then he was gone (just before 8am).

The central heating was not on last night (it's on a timer to go off during the night) and although it wasn't really cold (I was sleeping same room just under a fleece blanket), because he was old and thin I am sure it's what finished him off. I am so angry with myself and would like to warn others to really be careful of temperature, even if indoors and especially if your pigs are old and thin. If I had thought about why he spending more time in his tube and not eating as much yesterday, and put a heatpad under his tube then, maybe he would still be here.

Hi!

HUGS

I am very sorry for your loss.

Please be aware that a cold body is a sign of the blood circulation no longer working and the body closing down. Especially the old and frail can go downhill very quickly and at any time. Healthy piggies that feel cold have icy feet but the body is still warm as the core heat is preserved for as long as possible. The cold has not killed your piggy as it was already dying.

Always see a vet asap as an emergency if a piggy is suddenly not eating, losing weight quickly and feeling cold to the touch.
The last chapter deals with guinea pigs in organ failure so you can learn to spot the signs; it may hopefully help you in the future to deal with comparable situations.
Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment

Soul-searching and feelings of guilt and failure are typical for the onset of the grieving process. Please don't get hung up on them and just take on board what you could do better in the future as part of your normal life-long learning process but do not blame yourself for what you haven't caused and could not have stopped. Once the body has started to close down, there is nothing a vet can do to stop the process apart from cutting it short and saving your piggy some somewhat uncomfortable hours.
Be sad, but don't feel bad. You have NOT killed your boy!

Take the time to read this guide here; it will hopefully help you understand and cope with what you are experiencing now and over the coming days and weeks: Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

Here is what you can do for any companions: Looking after guinea pigs with limited or no mobility

PS: Please get some microwaveable snugglesafe pads for your piggies for those cold nights and days. I certainly use them for all my older and frailer piggies in addition to a fleece over the cage or at least as a barrier from the cold air coming through the double-glazed windows as we don't have the heating on overnight, either.

 

[David Piggie Lover]

Hi!

HUGS

I am very sorry for your loss.

Please get some microwaveable snugglesafe pads for your piggies for those cold nights and days. I certainly use them for all my older and frailer piggies in addition to a fleece over the cage or at least as a barrier from the cold air coming through the window.

Please be aware that a cold body is a sign of the blood circulation no longer working and the body closing down. Especially the old and frail can go downhill very quickly and at any time. Healthy piggies that feel cold have icy feet but the body is still warm as the core heat is preserved for as long as possible. The cold has not killed your piggy as it was already dying.

Always see a vet asap as an emergency if a piggy is suddenly not eating, losing weight quickly and feeling cold to the touch.
The last chapter deals with guinea pigs in organ failure so you can learn to spot the signs; it may hopefully help you in the future to deal with comparable situations.
Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment

Soul-searching and feelings of guilt and failure are typical for the onset of the grieving process. Please don't get hung up on them and just take on board what you could do better in the future as part of your normal life-long learning process but do not blame yourself for what you haven't caused and could not have stopped. Once the body has started to close down, there is nothing a vet can do to stop the process apart from cutting it short and saving your piggy some somewhat uncomfortable hours.
Be sad, but don't feel bad. You have NOT killed your boy!

Take the time to read this guide here; it will hopefully help you understand and cope with what you are experiencing now and over the coming days and weeks: Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

Here is what you can do for any companions: Looking after guinea pigs with limited or no mobility

Great respected advise. xx

 

[sport_billy]

I woke up around 6am to hear Jerry my 5 year old boar whimpering (I was sleeping in same room), got him out and he felt so cold and thin.

Had noticed he spent most of yesterday in his snuggle sack and was eating less. The day before, he was normal.

Put him on my lap in cosy tube on top of a heatpad, gave a little metacam and a bit of mashed nuggs, he didn't really want it. Offered veg but he didn't take it.

After a bit of cuddling, put him back in his C&C, he got out of tube but couldn't really walk properly. So I picked him back up and cuddled him in his cosy tube with heatpad underneath. Every now and then he did a contortion and whimper like he was in pain, I tried to comfort him, then he did a few big breaths and then he was gone (just before 8am).

The central heating was not on last night (it's on a timer to go off during the night) and although it wasn't really cold (I was sleeping same room just under a fleece blanket), because he was old and thin I am sure it's what finished him off. I am so angry with myself and would like to warn others to really be careful of temperature, even if indoors and especially if your pigs are old and thin. If I had thought about why he spending more time in his tube and not eating as much yesterday, and put a heatpad under his tube then, maybe he would still be here.

Hye, i am really sorry. Please don't blame yourself I very much doubt temperature had anything at all to do with his passing, i really mean that. Piggies hide illness well and i think there would be an underlying issue here...

Massive hugs to you, so very sorry for you loss

 

[miowmix]

Thanks everyone for the comforting comments - this forum and members are uniquely caring and special, I'm so grateful. Here are two pics of Jerry from when he first came to live with me two years ago. I will give him a proper tribute in the rainbow bridge thread.
x