My pig just died and I can’t figure out what happened. PLEASE HELP.

[Linwood]

I had a male (Boone) & female pig (Bella) in a very large cage which was plenty room for the two of them. Took very good care with daily hay, quality pellets, fresh water, and occasional fruits and veggies. Boone being around 8-9 months old and Bella around 5-6 months old. They were introduced around a month ago exactly when I purchased her. (I had Boone first for about 2 months). Today I woke up and noticed a very weird coughing noise coming from Bella and body contractions. I should have took to her to the vet right then but I can’t go back in time and do that now. Since today being my birthday.. I did a lot of stuff and came home very late to the coughs being much lower and it appeard that she was struggling to breath. I examined her further and noticed blood coming from here nose/mouth, and very little movement but she was still alive. At that point I figured the end was near and let her have time with Boone for awhile before she passed. No vet was available at this time only one 2 hours away which I knew she wouldn’t make. I just went in the room where the cage is and she was dead with Boone right next to her cuddling her. It broke my heart and I’d truly love anyone’s wild guess as to why she passed. It makes me really sad, she was very young and possibly pregnant.

 

[VickiA]

Firstly I am very sorry for your loss.

I don’t think anyone on this forum would be able to tell you why your guinea pig died, and anything we say would be pure speculation. Members will be sensitive to your loss and offer you condolences.

However, having said that, this is a strict anti intentional breeding forum and you have openly stated that you placed a male and female piggy together and you believe Bella would have been pregnant. That constitutes intentional breeding and you will get responses to that effect from our members. Please refer to our rules and conditions. Terms of Service And Forum Rules

Again I am sorry for your loss of Bella. Take time to grieve. Boone will be sad, too. He is a difficult age to bond with another boar so probably the best thing to do would be to have him neutered, wait 6 weeks and then find a sow wife for him so that there will be no further possible pregnancies.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi!

I am really sorry for your loss. What a sad shock for you on your birthday!

Coughing usually means that something is stuck in the airways and is obstructing them badly. Unfortunately, without seeing your guinea and without a post morten examination at the vets you will never know what has happened. All we can do is guess as much as you do.

Please take the time to grieve. Think of how you can set Bella a memorial and how you can turn the very harsh lesson you have experienced into something positive and constructive for the future.

Please consider having Boone neutered so he can live safely with a sow for the long term and doesn't have to be separated for good well before birth. Otherwise you'll end up with an uncontrolled flood of babies and endless back-to-back pregnancies.
An on-off relationship with sows is really messing around the poor boys; they do not deal well with broken relationships and separations as that is going totally against the way their society is wired. That is all about belonging and identifying as a member of a group.
Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths And Facts
Guinea Pig Facts - A Short Overview

Here is what you can do for Boone in the short term:
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

And in the medium/long term:
Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths And Facts
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
(Includes a discussion of safe single boar options in the last chapter with their various pros and cons.)

Please be aware that every fifth pregnancy ends with the death of babies and/or mother - and that is with the best of care! Just have a look through our pregnancy section which is strictly reserved for members' unplanned pregnancies; it is littered with death. Breeding forums are even worse.
The risk is just not worth it because if you are upset about failing Bella over something you haven't caused, the feelings of guilt over deaths caused by your wish to fulfill your own selfish desires for cute little babies are going to be much worse.

We are a strict non-breeding forum; you have ticked that you have read and accepted our explicit rules as part of the registering process.
Terms of Service And Forum Rules

 

[Flutterby]

I'm so sorry for your loss xx

 

[Bill & Ted]

So sorry you lost your little lady x

 

[Claire W]

I’m so sorry for your loss xx

 

[Jamston]

Sorry for your loss.

 

[Linwood]

Firstly I am very sorry for your loss.

I don’t think anyone on this forum would be able to tell you why your guinea pig died, and anything we say would be pure speculation. Members will be sensitive to your loss and offer you condolences.

However, having said that, this is a strict anti intentional breeding forum and you have openly stated that you placed a male and female piggy together and you believe Bella would have been pregnant. That constitutes intentional breeding and you will get responses to that effect from our members. Please refer to our rules and conditions. Terms of Service And Forum Rules

Again I am sorry for your loss of Bella. Take time to grieve. Boone will be sad, too. He is a difficult age to bond with another boar so probably the best thing to do would be to have him neutered, wait 6 weeks and then find a sow wife for him so that there will be no further possible pregnancies.

Me and my gf Just buried her by a tree in a peaceful spot in a shoebox. Rip bella

 

[Tiamolly123]

I am so sorry for your piggies loss, sometimes piggies die & you don't know why. You took very good care of them both, so don't feel guilty, you couldn't have done any more.
Sleep tight little Bella

 

[David Piggie Lover]

Oh this is very sad. Whatevery reason or Why may not be found.
Take time to help Boone to adjust and yourself.
Rip little Piggie.