My guinea pig just died suddenly

lauryn1289

lauryn1289

Junior Guinea Pig
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I’m in complete shock. I had posted here a few days/weeks ago about one of my boys Eggs. About 2 and a half and had some issues with his feet, hadn’t even developed to bumblefoot just yet but his meds were making him feel terrible. Stopped eating normally and got really closed off. He made a complete turnaround the last few days, weight back up without being syringe fed, constantly eating his hay, acting totally normal. His feet scabs had even gone, just a bit of inflammation leftover. He was acting so normal and just like himself. Found him dead in his house about a half hour ago. Fresh and perfect looking poops everywhere, I just don’t understand what happened. His tummy was perfectly squishy so it wasn’t bloat, perfect bowel movements so no stasis. I had no reason to suspect anything was even wrong. I can’t understand what I missed. This is so unexpected. Only on Tuesday when my cat had a vet appointment did the vet ask about how he was doing and was so happy to hear he was doing so much better. If only I had peeped into his cage a few minutes before maybe I could have seen something or stopped it

I loved Eggs so, so much. He was the sweetest, most gentlest, friendliest and goofiest little piggy. I adored him. In 2023 I drove 3-ish hours to take him off someone who was keeping him in a cold shed on his own and didn’t want him at all. His life was far too short but I hope I gave him a decent life for whatever length he got to live it
 

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Guinea pig lover2 said:
I'm so very sorry for your loss. Sending the gentlest of hugs to you.
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Thank you ❤️ It’s so out of the blue and I can’t think of a single reason or explanation for how he died apart from maybe some genetic disease that hadn’t even been symptomatic or a stroke or something. Absolutely devastated. Horrific to even have to think about another pig so soon but my boy Ollie is going to need a new buddy and I found another piggy who needs a rescue in the same city Eggs was rescued from. What are the odds :(
 
I'm so sorry you lost the very handsome Eggs . At least he knew love and caring in the time he lived with you. RIP Eggs
 
Quite a shock, and so sad. Eggs was lovely. Snuggle softly over the bridge little one 🌈 Wishing you and Ollie comfort ❤️
 
I am so sorry to read this it must have been a huge shock. Sometimes we just don't know what happens but it's so difficult to accept isn't it. Popcorn happily over The Rainbow Bridge Eggs 🌈
 
Thank you everyone. Started crying the second I woke up, I can’t believe he’s not here anymore. And I feel so devastated for his friend Ollie who’s had to watch 3 other pigs die now since 2023, it’s so unfair for him. I never imagined he’d be losing another pig.

When my very first piggy Rico died in Nov 2021 I took in Ollie and his brother Bobby for my ageing boy Kip (all separated because little did I know about 3 boys at the time). Bobby died in Jan 2023 after an unfortunately way too long/messed up battle with a bladder stone/surgery, then 2 weeks later Kip took ill and died at nearing 7 years old. Just after Bobby had died we picked up Eggs because I was conscious of Kip’s age and frailty. They couldn’t live together without a barrier because of Ollie’s aggression but he’s been so subdued since last night. I’m not sure if it was the right call but I let him see Eggs’ body just so he understood what happened and that Eggs didn’t just disappear. I wish I could explain to him that I’m trying to rescue another friend for him, and that I’m not going to let him be alone. Usually he interacts a lot with my cat but he’s not even really doing that today
 
I'm so sorry for your loss. You did a great job taking care of him. Snuggle Ollie and be kind to yourself. Eggs footprint will always and forever be in your heart ♥️
 
lauryn1289 said:
I’m in complete shock. I had posted here a few days/weeks ago about one of my boys Eggs. About 2 and a half and had some issues with his feet, hadn’t even developed to bumblefoot just yet but his meds were making him feel terrible. Stopped eating normally and got really closed off. He made a complete turnaround the last few days, weight back up without being syringe fed, constantly eating his hay, acting totally normal. His feet scabs had even gone, just a bit of inflammation leftover. He was acting so normal and just like himself. Found him dead in his house about a half hour ago. Fresh and perfect looking poops everywhere, I just don’t understand what happened. His tummy was perfectly squishy so it wasn’t bloat, perfect bowel movements so no stasis. I had no reason to suspect anything was even wrong. I can’t understand what I missed. This is so unexpected. Only on Tuesday when my cat had a vet appointment did the vet ask about how he was doing and was so happy to hear he was doing so much better. If only I had peeped into his cage a few minutes before maybe I could have seen something or stopped it

I loved Eggs so, so much. He was the sweetest, most gentlest, friendliest and goofiest little piggy. I adored him. In 2023 I drove 3-ish hours to take him off someone who was keeping him in a cold shed on his own and didn’t want him at all. His life was far too short but I hope I gave him a decent life for whatever length he got to live it
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BIG HUGS

Piggies can unfortunately die very suddenly and out of the blue from a stroke or a heart attack at any age, or their body can close down without warning if one of the major organs fails without warning, which takes usually a few hours but can happen overnight.

There is nothing you have missed or failed to do because there was nothing to miss and there is nothing you (or your vet) could have done to prevent it from happening.

Please take comfort that you have given Eggs all he could have wished from his life: plenty of happy todays filled with love, comfort and your good care. Guinea pigs don't have a concept for an average life span or life expectancy; they live very much in the moment - but it is the quality of their life that very much matters. Eggs was living in paradise on Earth with you.
When and what from our little ones die is entirely out of our control and nothing we can choose but you have aced in giving him what he couldn't even dream of before he experienced it: a good everyday life while lasted.

It is very normal that you are wracking your brain whether you have missed something or not after finding your piggy suddenly gone. We are wired as humans to reflect everything back onto ourselves - your strong feelings are however not an expression of failing but in fact an expression of how deeply you care.

Please try to be kind with yourself in the coming days. It is OK to not be OK for a little after such a shock but please come here for support if you find that you are stuck in one of the pernicious mind loops that can come with the grieving process. It is always harder when you have to deal with both the shock and the loss at the same time because you can digest only so much at any given time.

Human Bereavement: Grieving, Processing and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children
 
So sorry for your loss.
You gave Eggs the best life full of love and care.
Sadly guinea pigs can die without warning.
Take comfort from the fact that he was in his own home surrounded by love.
Be gentle with yourself as you grieve
 
Thanks again everyone for all the support. Doing a road-trip to the same city I rescued Eggs in tomorrow to pick up another little boy who needs a home is going to be an emotional rollercoaster, but Ollie’s needs come first and I can’t bear to see him without another piggy for company. I don’t know Ollie’s full life story, but I don’t think he’s ever been without a cagemate.

I don’t feel anywhere near ready to accept another piggy into my heart just yet, but I didn’t feel that way when I took Eggs in either when 2 of my other boys died and he won me over in no time regardless. Even though I know this isn’t about replacing, it’s about keeping Ollie happy and giving another little boy who needs it a comfortable home, it’s just still so hard to anticipate Eggs’ space being filled up again so soon. ❤️
 
I am so sorry to read of your sad loss, I cannot imagine the shock that greeted you but I hope you can take comfort from knowing he had the best life once he came into yours. He would have had known the love you had for him and he will be forever in your heart. Sending hugs to you and your bereaved piggy.
Rest peacefully Eggs x 🌈
 
lauryn1289 said:
Thanks again everyone for all the support. Doing a road-trip to the same city I rescued Eggs in tomorrow to pick up another little boy who needs a home is going to be an emotional rollercoaster, but Ollie’s needs come first and I can’t bear to see him without another piggy for company. I don’t know Ollie’s full life story, but I don’t think he’s ever been without a cagemate.

I don’t feel anywhere near ready to accept another piggy into my heart just yet, but I didn’t feel that way when I took Eggs in either when 2 of my other boys died and he won me over in no time regardless. Even though I know this isn’t about replacing, it’s about keeping Ollie happy and giving another little boy who needs it a comfortable home, it’s just still so hard to anticipate Eggs’ space being filled up again so soon. ❤️
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Good luck, safe journey. Looking forward to welcoming your new piggy. Ollie has such a good mum ❤️
 
So sorry for the sudden loss, what a shock. Clearly there was nothing you could have done differently and you cared and loved for him very much.

Eggs will always have a very special place in your heart and a unique bond, and no new pig will change that or diminish that love for Eggs in any way. I hope the new pig settles in well. I know that getting a new pig following a loss can feel far too soon for us humans, but I’m sure you’ll give the new one a wonderful home too and he’ll be very happy that you have done so.
Take care
 
Hi everyone, we got Miso (grey and white) to his new forever home. Feels terrible bringing a newbie in so soon and cleaning out Eggs’ cage for the final time brought so much crying that a panic attack nearly followed, but Ollie had been so subdued and quiet the past couple days when every other day you’d genuinely think he was an aggressive little dog and not a piggy, and regardless how I feel, Ollie needed this. I forgo-d the quarantine phase because I was worried that if after not even 48 hours Ollie seemed so upset, I figured it was worth the risk to bring Miso into the fold now. Ollie had been with piggies from what I understand his entire life, so being alone for any amount of time must have been so difficult for him to adjust to. He’s also not too into my company (which is fine lol) so I think this was the right choice. As awful as this situation with my piggies is, I’m so happy to see rambunctious and vicious Ollie back to what he does best. I already know he won’t accept bonding, so a split cage like with Eggs and his previous cagemates it will remain

Miso is settling in so fast and eating and drinking and exploring like nobody’s business. He’s a biter though! I miss Eggs so, so, so much and it’s so hard to accept he’s gone and I don’t feel ready to bond with Miso yet, but Ollie had to be the priority here

All my piggies have been named in 2s, Rico and Kip from Napoleon Dynamite. Ollie and Bobby from Bob’s Burgers. Eggs was the outlier with his silly food related name, so in homage to Eggs I thought what dishes have Eggs in them. My partner suggested noodles, so I thought Miso after miso ramen with eggs was a little tribute
 

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Congratulations on your new piggy Miso, he's very handsome. He is lucky to have an experienced owner to care for him. I hope he brings you much joy. Perhaps his biting will resolve once he settles in a bit more 💜
 
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