I posted in the health and illness section just now as I didnt see this one. I am absolutely desolate to lose two, one I knew had underlying conditions, but developed bloat and organ failure yesterday afternoon and was put down. I bought her back or twiglet to say goodbye and then this morning I find him floppy and died going to the vets. I had given him another friend that he knows, a sow he has floor time with a lot and all seemed well. I am so sad.
HUGE HUGS
I am ever so sorry. I sounds like poor Twiglet also had his own unknown underlying problems and the shock of losing his beloved wife was just too much for him.
However, please accept that it is a tragedy and that nothing you could have done less or more could have prevented it from happening. If a sudden death happens like this as a reaction to a loss or a heat spike etc., it means that Twiglet was - without any outward signs - already very delicately balanced and would have died out the blue at any time in the near future and you may have even looked at their joint passing in reverse order...
Please try to take comfort that neither of them has suffered much and that they are together at the Rainbow Bridge, just as they would have wanted.
As I have found for myself when I lost my own piggies in quick succession (several times within a matter of a couple of days - and yes, once within less than 24 hours just before Christmas 2022 - it is a little easier for you if you grieve for them not so much as individuals but as a united pair. They were together in life and they remain together in death. Focus on that close and loving bond instead of two separate piggies.
Try to take pride in getting them both to the point where their much faster metabolism has turned against them and their little bodies (which we often forget because of their huge personalities) have given out. You haven't failed either of them in any way. No owner could do more or better than you. You cannot fight biology itself.
It is OK for you to be not OK for a little while after a blow like this. Try to be as kind as you can with yourself but please seek help if you find yourself trapped in one of the pernicious mind loops that the grieving process can snare you in or if you find that you are developing PTSD symptoms.
We have the freedom to love our pets unreservedly, so their loss is not any less devastating; especially when it happens in such traumatising circumstances. There is thankfully more trained help and understanding out there.
What we can provide on here is the support of a community that specifically understands where you are coming from and what you are going through from shared experiences.
We have always given support to grieving members but have as part of a general overhaul a year ago decided to formalise this facet of our forum and give it its own dedicated space; especially as there is a growing need for support and for a safe and supportive space for all things to do with end of life or loss - even more so in countries that do not have anything in the way of pet bereavement or even the understanding that the pet species doesn't matter.
You may find our grieving guide helpful if you feel trapped, overwhelmed or badly depressed at some stage or other. It also contains practical tips for what you can do for yourself during the grieving process with its different stages and forms. I have included as wide a range as I could since it is such an individual area and we have all to find what works for us.
Human Bereavement: Grieving, Processing and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children
For UK members the Blue Cross offers free support on various platforms:
https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-loss-support
I would recommend that you bookmark this thread so you can pick it up easily again. Since we are not part of social media, we can let it run for as long as needed without you having to explain your specific situation each time.
I’m so sorry for your losses (((hugs))) x
