Looking For Some Comfort :(

hannahmxo

hannahmxo

New Born Pup
Joined
Feb 23, 2018
Messages
3
Reaction score
8
Points
55
Hello everyone, my name is Hannah and I'm 19, and I lost my beloved piggy Piper five days ago. :( I'm really really struggling with it so I looked up some guinea pig forums because I'm trying to see if there's anyone I can bond with who may understand what I'm going through.

Piper was 4 and he randomly stopped eating and appeared a little less active, so my mom and I took him to the vet. He was put on antibiotics and critical care food to get him to start eating again. The vet seemed positive; it really seemed like he was going to make it. She even told me that his tummy seemed really okay and he was letting her feel him so it didn't seem like he was in pain there. She just emphasized how important it was to get him eating again or else it may be too late and I fully understood so I made it a priority. Right when we got home, he took his antibiotic and he ate his critical care food. He drank a lot of water, too.

I work a part time job at night so I went to work that night while my mom observed him and held him for a while and immediately when I got home, I gave him more food and he seemed to take it really well, even better than the first time - he seemed like he actually really was happy to be eating again. He drank so much water too. I sat with him on my lap for a few minutes, speaking to him softly and just making sure he seemed okay, then gave him his second dose of his antibiotic. He again took it really well. However, when I placed him back in his cage, he suddenly seemed weak; like he could barely even sit up, and it broke my heart. Not even half an hour later, his breathing had stopped.

I feel so lost without him. I can't stop fixating on every little thing. I just hope I did everything right. My mom thinks it may have been a reaction to his antibiotic and that there's no way I would've known and I was only trying to do everything right. I can't stop fixating on the fact that he passed alone in his cage. I should've held him for a little while because part of me knew he probably wouldn't make it through much longer but I couldn't bear it. If he died in my arms, I feel like that would've destroyed me, but I know he probably needed my comfort then. But I didn't hear any crying so I'm hoping it was really quick and didn't hurt him.

I'm still going to work but my life just feels so dim. It's been the longest few days of my life. I don't really answer my phone and I don't really talk to anyone because I just feel so alone. I usually watch movies when I'm sad, but Piper and I always did that together. It just feels like it's going to be so long before I feel like myself again. If anyone has some comforting words it'd mean the world to me :(
 
I am really sorry for loss. Firstly don't blame yourself you did everything you could..

Piggies are complex little creatures who hide Illness well.

I've recently lost my eldest girl. I promise you in time the dark cloud will lift and you will start to see the sun shining again.

Your are grieving. Give yourself time. Be kind to yourself..sending you a big hug xxxxx
 
So sorry for your loss.
Sounds like you did everything possible for Piper, he was lucky to have such loving care.
Sadly these things happen.
Many of us on the forum know the grief that comes with losing a much loved piggy.
Take time to grieve, be patient and kind to yourself.
Welcome to this forum - you will find lots of friends and support here.
 
I'm so sorry for your loss of Piper- but believe me when I say you did everything you could and it sounds like you reacted really quickly so try not to blame yourself or question the what ifs. The downside of piggies is that they are prey animals and are accustomed to hiding their illnesses until the very end when they're usually very poorly. I understand exactly how you feel- 3 years ago (she'd have been 6 this January if she was still here) I lost me first guinea pig Vinnie The Guinea out of the blue and it still hurts.

She literally just turned 3 (her birthday was the 24th of Jan and I first noticed something on the 22nd). I gave her a nightly snack of some lettuce and for a split minute she seemed wobbly as if it was hard to walk- I went to get my mum to see which must've took what 5 seconds?- and by time I got back she was eating normally and walking normally. I kinda thought I'd imagined it! Looking back I kick myself that I didn' know something was wrong and book a vet visit then and there. I mean I did know she wasn't right doing that but it happened for a second and then she was fine just like she always had been.

I decided to observe her and the next two days she was fine and celebrated her 3rd birthday. But then the heartbreak came on the 25th when I woke to find her a shadow of her former self- head tilted, green frothy liquid from mouth as if she had eaten grass and was vomiting it up (which I know guinea pigs can't do) and no desire to walk very much or eat and no movement or usual squeal for attention from me. My heart broke seeing her like that and I have no idea how quickly she went from a healthy guinea pig to that but it killed me- especially as she lived in my room like my boys do now and I heard nothing to say she'd had a fit or anything.

Obviously we booked a vet visit and I contacted the breeder who we got her off to ask if he'd seen this before (he is experienced with guinea pigs) and could offer any guidance but he too was lost. While we waited for the vet, I tried to syringe feed her but nothing went down and she'd just refuse it. Occasionally she'd have brief spurts of gusto and seem normal but for the most part she was like a zombie. Throughout it all I kept telling myself that when we saw the vet theyd fix her and I think that only made it worse - I should have realised that if may not be possible. I could tell she had kinda given up (Vinnie was a sassy girl who though loved cuddles wasn't a cuddly pig -she'd come to you for a short squeeze but then occupy herself by sleeping on your lap) when I had her on my bed with me and she just walked up to my neck and cuddled close to me with her nose against my skin- I wish I could do that again.

On the 26th of Jan we got her to the vet and to this day I wish I had taken her to another vets but deep down I think she was too far gone. They couldn't diagnose what was wrong and offered to book us with another local vet but couldn't' guarantee when that would be or if they'd even know what was up- so we declined because she was in so much pain already (I could tell) and made the hardest decision on put her to sleep. *here come the tears* It's possible she had a stroke or it was phenomena but i always believed it was meningitis that took her so quick.

All I can say is- take your time to grieve and remember that Piper lives on in your heart and mind. You did everthing you could and acted in the correct way so quickly that you gave Piper the best chance possibly. No words will fully ease your pain and for that I'm also sorry because the loss of a beloved pet is gutting and it sucks. X
 
Welcome to the Forum, although sorry it is under such sad circumstances.

You sound like a devoted and caring owner and Piper obviously had a wonderful life with you.

You did everything right for him, but guinea pigs are complex animals who hide illness well, and maybe for whatever reason it was just his time.

Be kind to yourself.
Piper had a wonderful home and lived his life knowing he was loved.
His passing was gentle.
You did everything possible for you boy.

When you are ready it would be lovely to see a photo of him.
 
Not sure if someone has already said but why not post a tribute (& picture) on the Rainbow Pigs thread.
 
Thank you all for such sweet messages - it truly means so much to me. ♥️ I'll definitely post a picture of him in the rainbow pigs thread. I still cried a lot today and my heart still hurts so much but I will continue to be patient with myself. I am so sorry to hear some of you have experienced your own losses as well - I know now more than ever how much that hurts. :( People underestimate how loving guinea pigs are and how someone so small can become one of the hugest parts of your life.
 
They aren't just pigs they are furry little family members so don't beat yourself up for grieving. You did what you can do and every member here sends you hugs.
 
I am really sorry for your loss. Huge hugs x
 
Hi. I too am so sorry for your loss. Piper sounded lovely and he will always be in your heart as you’ll never forget him :luv:
You did everything you could for him, please don’t think you could have done anymore.
I still miss my amazing guinea pig Pedro (he died suddenly last May).
Just think that Pipers with Pedro now, happy popcorning over the rainbow bridge, with loads of other piggies & animals who’ve sadly left this world.
Huge hugs x
 
I am so sorry. You have no need to feel any guilt, you and the vet did everything you could. The sad thing about having pets is dealing with their deaths. It isn't something you get used to. I am nearly 70 now and have always had pets. One of my guinea pigs died a month ago. I'm still crying over her. It hurts just as much as when I lost my first one.
 
I’ve lost many piggies over the years and with each one I wonder what I missed, what I could or should have done differently and whether the outcome would have been different if I’d spotted something sooner. I call these the troublesome “what ifs”. Even when I know I’ve done my best the what ifs creep in and trouble my thoughts. I’m more used to this now. I know it’s a part of the grieving process. But it doesn’t make it easier.
I’ve no doubt you did all you could. You clearly loved & cared for him & got him Vet treatment when he needed it. Sadly sometimes we just can’t save them no matter how hard we try. Be kind to yourself.
 
My story is sad. I had two guineapigs, Cali (6 years) and Jilly (18 months). Cali, my baby girl, taught me what it really means to grieve. I saw a few signs of weakness and old age but she quickly overcame them and kept a pretty regular life. But 5/8/18 she didn't wake up. I was devastated.

I get it and I know. It is different than any other pain this world could provide. Cali leaving was still too recent for me to fully accept, but at this point, I already know one thing. The loss of a guinea pig, more than anything else in this life, deserve to be more than just a memory. Make them your future. Don't just say "I had a guinea pig growing up," say: I had an innocent best friend that made me better than I was and truly a gift to me from heaven. Guinea pigs teach us. They don't just live and die. Look deeper into your little one's eyes and ask them, "What about you will never die? What do you prove that the world can be? Kind? Loyal? Relaxed? Accepting? What are you supposed to teach me with your life?" I promise you will find their answer.

This is Cali. She stands for evolution and new light.
0330180700.webp0414181549a.webp1204170718a.webp
 
i remember when i lost my very first piggie when i was a kid, about 9/10 years old. i never got another piggie again until a few days ago.

i understand, and i'm sorry for your loss. all is well, and i'm so sure he's happy up in guinea pig heaven! stay strong.
 
I am so sorry for the loss of your little one. I found this wonderful forum as a new guinea pig owner and a very sick little guinea pig that went through up and downs with vet care until I lost her. I only recently got my daughter (close to your own age) our first ever guinea pig. I fell in love with our rescue and soon added my first. Our second one was the one that sadly came home with us ill. I was with her for a couple months caring for her after her first vet visit. She seemed well after a couple weeks of antibiotics and diuretic and I didn't have to syringe feed her after those 10 days. Suffice it to say, we continued with the vet and even got the vet ok but over the weekend, she turned very fast and within hours on Saturday night, she went in my hands. I am an old mom and seasoned vet of animals but I cried and cried along with my daughter for some days after. I had her a very short time but she was so sweet and she had such a personality that she crept into my heart. I still miss this little one. We have added however since then in our home and each of those babies have their own unique personality.

Take your time, the sadness and grief you feel is absolutely understandable. You have been a really amazing guinea parent and gave a lot of happiness to your Piper. Sending lots of hugs.
 
So sorry for your loss. I've only just found your story. I hope your heartache is a little better. I lost my piggy Fred on Wednesday, he was 6. I too am finding it difficult to cope. Piggies maybe small but they leave a huge hole in our lives. It helps to find people who understand. xx
 
I am so sorry. I had a guinea pig named Delta that was killed by a dog. The vet couldn’t even do anything, it was internal bleeding. It happened almost two months ago but I am still sad. Just know that it wasn’t your fault.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top