My Guinea pig passed and I can’t stop blaming myself

AppleandTwig

AppleandTwig

New Born Pup
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My Guinea pig passed away today, he really struggled but he stayed strong. It was post-op so I know the anesthetics could have partially been at fault but I can’t stop thinking I did it to the little guy.

I feel like what if I didn’t get the surgery? Would he still be alive? Would he be happy? Or what if I didn’t syringe feed him, he wasn’t eating and it had been 12 hours so I syringe fed him and he choked it up a few minutes before he passed. Or maybe there was something else that I didn’t notice.

I feel like if I noticed he was sick sooner he might still be here. Anyway, sorry for the rant I’m just really feeling frozen right now and I can’t stop thinking it was me.
 
I'm so sorry for your loss :(
Please try not to blame yourself, you did everything you could for him. Sometimes it is just a piggy's time. He must have been very loved and I'm sure he had an amazing life.
Sleep tight little one, enjoy the rainbow bridge 💕 🌈
 
I’m sorry for your loss.
Please don’t blame yourself - you did nothing wrong. Getting surgery when it is needed is the right thing to do.
If he wasn’t eating you did the right thing in syringe feeding but sadly once their body is already shutting down they can no longer swallow so spitting it back up is something which happens - you did not cause it
Sleep tight little piggy

Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children
 
HUGS

Feelings of intense guilt, failure and soul-searching are characteristic of the onset of the grieving process. You wouldn't have them if you were not a loving owner.

You can always only do your very best and make any decisions with your pets' welfare upmost in mind. If an operation was necessary, then you have made the right decision. What you don't have is control over the outcome. Your piggy might be still alive, yes, but they would not be healthy, and would have a shortened life span marred by constant and increasing pain/discomfort. There are sadly never any easy or 'safe' choices. :(

PS: A guinea pig that is already dying and no long able to swallow and/or process any food with fight it as much as they can. Your piggy's body was sadly in the process of closing down. You have not killed them.

Apart from our grieving guide link, which contains more detailed information about what you are currently experiencing and will hopefully help you make more sense of the often unexpected and strong feelings you will go through in the coming days and weeks (and which I recommend you to read, as you may find it very helpful; including for where to look for help), you may also find this guide here useful to make more sense about you traumatic experiences with the natural dying process and to be able to put them into persepctive: A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs (especially chapter 3)
 
I'm so sorry for your loss, you did everything you could to help. You said he was suffering for while, hes in better place now he can rest .
 
I’m so sorry for your loss :( Please don’t blame yourself, he needed the surgery and would probably have passed away anyway if he hadn’t have had it. You did everything you could and like you say, he had been suffering for a while. He’s now out of pain (((hugs))) x
 
I’m am so deeply sorry for your loss. Please know you did absolutely everything you could for your little piggie, and I’m sure he truly thanks you for that. Please try not to blame yourself, and make sure you take good care of yourself through this difficult time. We in the forum are always here if you need to vent, or just talk. Once again, I’m so so sorry for your loss. 💛
 
So sorry for your loss.
What you are feeling now is a perfectly normal reaction to loss.
I know it’s hard to believe at the moment but the rawness of the grief will ease.
One way to help the process is to create a memory book.
Each day write in one special memory of your boy and then you will have something to look back on.
Be gentle with yourself and allow yourself time to grieve.
Holding you in my heart ♥️
 
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