Looking For Answers

[Zesty]

Hello,


Looking at your forum I can see that there is a wealth of experience amongst members in the health and well being of guinea pigs. I am trying to find out what happened to my little piggy who sadly passed away on Tuesday. Sheldon was just over 4 years old and a week ago I took him to the vets as he lost his ability to squeak, he also looked a bit thinner as well and his breathing seemed faster than normal. In himself he acted as usual running around eating everything in sight but I wanted him checked over.

The vet weighed him and he was 0.9kg and felt his body checking for lumps etc but he couldn’t find anything of note. The vet thought that he had a respiratory problem so gave him an injection and gave me some medication to give to him twice a day for the next week. The medicine was administered with his normal food and he was taking it ok.

There appeared to be no notable changes in him; he still had the same symptoms until I went to see him on Monday when I got in from work late in the evening. He tried to come over and see me as he normally would but was unable to move his back legs he was dragging himself across to see me. His breathing was even heavier and his eyes appeared half shut and glazed over. I knew something was seriously wrong with him, it was too late to call the vet and I was going to take him in, in the morning. I gave him some carrot and greens and he ate them fine. As the night went on he looked worse and was laying around, normally he was so active. In the end he just curled himself up next to his bowl and went sleep and sadly he didn’t wake up!!It happened just happened so quickly!

From what I have described can any of you help me to understand what happened to him? It has been a really tough week and it feels like I lost a very close friend I’m in bits!

Thanks

Z

 

[Wiebke]

I am very sorry for your loss! What an upsetting time for you!

From the heavy breathing, there may have been heart failure mixed into it, especially if Sheldon was heaving when breathing; it can look like a respiratory problem at first. Guinea pigs can go downhill very quickly, and I doubt that there was anything you could have done to save him. Mystery weight loss with no obvious symptoms is one of the things you really hate to come up against as a loving owner because it means that you and your vet can't really know what you are up against.
Back leg paralysis can have several causes, like a sudden drop in calcium to neurological problems in the brain or spine, schiatica or tiny blood clots in strategic places. It is often near impossible for the vet to know what he is the cause. It tends to affect older piggies, but if they are otherwise healthy, over time it most often rights itself again. Yours may have been connected with the breakdown of the body - but that is just a guess.

Was Sheldon your only piggy? We have a Rainbow Bridge section where you are most welcome to post a tribute to your boy and share your feelings with some understanding people. We all know that the size of a pet has nothing to do wth how much you love it and how badly you grieve.

 

[Zesty]

Thank you for the information Wiebke and your kind words. It has been very tough. He was my only piggy as his mate died a few years ago.

 

[Wiebke]

You are most welcome to post a tribute to Sheldon in our Rainbow Bridge section and share your loss with some understanding people.

I hope that you will find the courage again to start another piggy journey in due time!

 

[Deleted member 114675]

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. RIP Sheldon

 

[piggyfan]

I am so sorry for your loss.

 

[sport_billy]

Really sorry for the loss of your Piggy

RIP Sheldon
x x

 

[doglovinpiggylover]

oh how heartbreaking i am so sorry, rip sheldon x

 

[Stewybus]

I'm really sorry you have lost your little one. It's so devastating to lose a precious friend like this & my thoughts are with you. R.I.P. Sheldon

 

[Freela]

I'm really sorry for your loss. Small animals often hide illness as long as possible and then go downhill quickly. I don't have any suggestions other than what Wiebke already suggested, but I know how hard it is to lose the little guys. ((HUGS)) to you.