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My lovely piggie died of pneumonia

D

Daisydoo

New Born Pup
Joined
Feb 6, 2021
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Location
Liverpool
Hello,
I’m not sure if I’m posting in the right place, I just wish I had found you a week ago and my guinea pig might she be here.
I’ve had a pair of sows for about 8 months, these are my first guinea pigs. One was breathing fast towards the end of last week and I waited until the Monday to take her to the vet, she was diagnosed with pneumonia and the vet gave her 2 injections and then saw her the next day for another injection, she had improved the next day and this whole time she was still eating and drinking and we were hopeful she would recover. She was prescribed 5 days worth of antibiotics but sadly she passed away 2 days later. I am absolutely devastated, as are my children, I totally blame myself for not taking her to the vet straight away. I’ve been reading everything online to see if there was a chance she would have survived and I think I took her too late!
However, since I’ve just got one guinea pig I have realised that the one was has died used to drink and wee a lot so I’m not sure if there was more going on.
She really was the sweetest little thing with a lovely nature and I feel like I didn’t help her at all! What are the chances of a guinea pig surviving pneumonia? Reading on here a lot seem survive.
I’m only glad she went suddenly and peacefully in my arms.
 
I'm so sorry for your loss. :( Unfortunately, respiratory infections can go either way and pigs can hide symptoms... I've had one pig kick a URI with no lasting effects and one who died within hours of first showing symptoms. It really can be that quick. ((HUGS)) to you and your kids, and again, so sorry for your loss.
 
Thank you so much for replying, I’m new here and hadn’t refreshed my page so never saw them!
The thing is, I even took my girls to the vet the week before and they told me how healthy and strong they both looked.
I took them because my other piggie was humping pop non stop to the point that I had to separate them for a night! The other piggie is lovely but to be honest she wasn’t really nice to pop, she pushed her about, took food off her and lay across the doorway and in front of the water (pop drank a lot!). I didn’t realise the lying in doorways was a sign of dominance until reading here.
We’ve been giving her lots of attention and the children had asked for another piggie the same as pop but I’m not sure how she would take to anyone else. I think she is missing her as the hay mat has gone untouched as did the corn on the cob but she is eating lots of hay and pea treats and is wheeking again!
When we got them I thought they were from the same litter but pop was tiny, like the size of a hamster and she soon came down with a fungal infection, sadly I think she was always a bit more fragile.
Thanks to the lovely ideas on here I’m going to go and get a plant pot for her today with my daughter. It’s difficult as my children are from ages 5 to 12 so have different understanding but this is their first experience of grief and I was not prepared for how upset they have been. I am devastated and I can’t get past the ‘what if’ 😥
 
So very sorry for your loss xx

Personally, I have got another Piggie companion very soon after losing one. I am always so worried about the lone piggie grieving.

I have bonded several girls and never had any problems with acceptance.
 
I’m so sorry you lost Pop, you didn’t do anything wrong at all, pneumonia can go either way and piggies hide illness so well it can be quite difficult to spot until they have become quite poorly x
When you feel ready I would have a ring around good rescues to see if they can offer bonding for your lone piggie, it all depends on personality and don’t discount a neuter boar, they often make a perfect pairing x
 
Thank you so much for all taking the time to reply, it really means a lot 💕
We’ve been and bought a lovely big pink plant pot and some plants and have set Pop up in her final resting place, it’s a lovely idea I would never have thought of and it’s been good for the children.
They are set on getting one the exact same as pop, she was your classic golden and white, I personally think one totally different would be good.
That’s a good idea about rescues, I had a look online but none here seem to have any piggies but I’ll give them a call tomorrow and see if we can find a match x
 
Daisydoo said:
Thank you so much for all taking the time to reply, it really means a lot 💕
We’ve been and bought a lovely big pink plant pot and some plants and have set Pop up in her final resting place, it’s a lovely idea I would never have thought of and it’s been good for the children.
They are set on getting one the exact same as pop, she was your classic golden and white, I personally think one totally different would be good.
That’s a good idea about rescues, I had a look online but none here seem to have any piggies but I’ll give them a call tomorrow and see if we can find a match x
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I think it’s best to not set their heart on an exact one. They’re not likely to find one which can only extend their heartache.

Due to lockdown they may not be doing dating but there’s no harm in getting on the waiting lists. Do consider rescues near and far. Keep an eye on your girl.
 
Thank you Siikibam, I’ve found a couple of guinea pig rescue centres that I’ll phone tomorrow. It doesn’t look like they are speed dating at the moment. However, I’m wondering if we should wait a little while as pneumonia can be contagious can’t it, the vet told me to keep a close eye on the other guinea pig aswell. I was also thinking of buying a new cage to rule out any risk, the one I’ve got isn’t the best to honest. I think I’ll call the vet and see if they can check Coco over as she has been sneezing tonight, I think she’s breathing a bit faster aswell, but it’s harder to tell as she is all one colour. I would rather be safe than sorry!
 
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