My guinea pig Callie was the first guinea pig I got. We didn't know at first that they were such social animals that they needed a companion. We got Phantom after that. The day before yesterday she was found in her cage, dead. Callie was brought to me as I am not currently home so I could monitor her and she has not been eating or drinking anything. My parents are wary of getting her another companion right now as Phantom may have passed due to an illness we were unaware of. I am extremely worried about her and need some advice. Should I get another pig or take another course of action?
Hi and welcome!
I am ever so sorry for your loss. It is of course difficult to say what may have caused the death especially as you do not mention whether the death has been preceeded by a short illness/Phantom being a bit off or by sudden death right out of the blue. In the second case, a contagious disease is highly unlikely and a stroke, heart attack or or acute heart failure (which can all happen right out of the blue at any age) are more likely.
You are welcome to post a tribute to Phantom in our Rainbow Bridge section if you wish to.
If it is hot and sunny where you are, a heat stroke may also need to be considered; it can have led to GI stasis in Callie.
Hot Weather Management, Heat Strokes and Fly Strike
Bloat, GI Stasis (No Gut Movement) And Not Eating
Please start syringe feeding with mushed up pellets and offer water asap to keep Callie alive. Hopefully, that will help to trigger her appetite again. Have her vet checked tomorrow.
Please read these links here. They explain and show you how you go about it step by step including making the best with what you have got at home or easily available in an emergency.
Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
With an acutely pining guinea pig (i.e. one that stops eating and drinking after the loss of a companion), the need for companionship can be greater than the importance of a two week quarantine. It is a weighing up of risks and needs.
With an eating bereaved companion, 1-4 weeks is the best period to look for a good rescue or do your research to ideally find a companion that your bereaved piggy can ideally have a say in whether they like each other and are character compatible.
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig (including a chapter on acute pining and links to recommended good standard rescues in several countries)
Here are tips and information for yourself on how to deal with your own grieving process:
Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children
All the best!
