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My old guinea girl

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wind1

wind1

Teenage Guinea Pig
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Toffee my 6 1/2 year old guinea is dying. She has become more and more weak over the last few days. She is blind and deaf and very frail looking. She has continued to eat.I have just been out to give all my guineas their tea and she fell over in her rush to get to the food bowl. She struggled to get back up again so I put her into her box which is her bed and put the food right in front of her. She is now laying half on her side nibbling a carrot but has to keep stopping for a rest. It is heartbreaking to watch. My dilemma is do I leave her in her own environment with her 3 companions or take her out and make her cosy in a small area with one other for company. I'm inclined to think she is better off staying where she is as being blind she knows her way around and to take her out I'm sure would stress her. I'm sure she will only carry on for a few more hours, I have been surprised to find her still alive the last 2 mornings and I'm sure she can't go on much longer.
 
I would keep her where she is. It would probably make her more stressed if she was moved away from her cage mates. I'm sure we all know what it is like to look after elder piggies and you sound like you are doing a good job :)
 
So sorry to hear about Toffee. What a fantastic age for a guinea pig ... you have obviously cared for her very well. Have you consulted a vet?

As you say you could either bring her into the warmth near you or leave her where she is familar with her friends and environment. It is a difficult choice to make.

When Joey become very very poorly and I knew that he was going to pass away, I brought him inside. However, he did live alone. You do run the risk of her companions not accepting her back if you move her and she gets better.

Hope all goes well for Toffee. Thinking of you.
 
I have brought her in with me. She had fallen over again in the hutch and couldn't get up. She just gave up and laid on her side. She is wrapped up warmly on my lap and sleeping. Every so often she wakes up and has some grated carrot and apple which she seems to be enjoying. I will tuck her up in a box overnight.
 
wind1 said:
Toffee my 6 1/2 year old guinea is dying. She has become more and more weak over the last few days. She is blind and deaf and very frail looking. She has continued to eat.I have just been out to give all my guineas their tea and she fell over in her rush to get to the food bowl. She struggled to get back up again so I put her into her box which is her bed and put the food right in front of her. She is now laying half on her side nibbling a carrot but has to keep stopping for a rest. It is heartbreaking to watch. My dilemma is do I leave her in her own environment with her 3 companions or take her out and make her cosy in a small area with one other for company. I'm inclined to think she is better off staying where she is as being blind she knows her way around and to take her out I'm sure would stress her. I'm sure she will only carry on for a few more hours, I have been surprised to find her still alive the last 2 mornings and I'm sure she can't go on much longer.
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I'm sorry about little toffee :( I went thru the same thing with my little hamster chip
 
My old girl was like that earlier this year, very weak and staggering about . Have you tried syringe feeding her? If she's wanting to eat she may just need a bit of help. If you haven't got any critical care, try grinding up some guinea pig mix and mixing to a soft paste with water. Alternatively try some mashed banana and perhaps a veggie based baby food just to keep her system going. Can she manage some grass. Is she drinking? If not make sure she has some water.
My girl is nearly 7 now her weight went down to 740g earlier in the year - she now 900g give or take a bit. I have to keep a really close eye on her weight and she still needs the odd extra feed. Never found out what caused the original problem was - her teeth were fine.
If she's wanting to eat then she may not be ready to give up just yet, if she doesn't want to eat then don't force her, just keep her comfy as you are doing.
See how she goes and all the best.
 
I eventually did this with one of my ill guineas :( it was obvious that her companions were not taking heed of her frailty, and I was worried they would stress her, so took her out and she lived indoors before she passed on.
I'm sorry to hear about your situation, I hate it when they get ill like that :(
 
Oh love i'm so sorry, all our love and wheeeeeeks of encouragement for dear little Toffee xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>xx>>> and lots of ((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))) for you too sweetie xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>
Enjoy your time together xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx i'm glad she has you as her mummy xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 
Toffee died sometime in the night. I had put her box back in her hutch so at least she could smell her familiar environment and hutch mates. I checked on her at 11:30 last night and she was all tucked up cosy in her box munching slowly on hay but by 6 o'clock this morning she had died.
 
6 and a half is a fantastic age and you did all you could for her. x run free little sweetheart x
 
oh i am so sorry to hear about Toffee. she had a fantastically long life at 6 and half years and I'm sure she lived it until the full.

sleep well little one xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 
So sorry to hear about Toffee. She was at home with you and that would have been a comfort to her. You did everything you could for her and 6 1/2 years is a good age so all credit to you :)
 
So sorry to read about Toffee passing away. I know that you were really worried about her and what was best for her while she was so poorly.

You must be very proud to have owned her for that length of time ... you obviously cared for her really well.

Goodnight little Toffee xx
 
I'm so sorry. RIP Toffee,watch over your family for me,I know there's a little heard and a mommy missing you ever so much. My thoughts are with you. x
 
very sorry to hear this rip toffee x
 
I'm so sorry to hear about Toffee, as everyone has said, that is a fantastic age, she was a very lucky girl to be soo pampered and well looked after.
x
 
poor toffee......
what a great age too.. my sympathies go out to you..x>>
 
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