My piggie lost his best friend today.

[Victoria06]

Hi there, I’m new to this forum and so I’d appreciate all help and advice given once I’ve written this post.

I’ve had my two guinea pigs, Percy and Mikey, for 6 years now. Today I unexpectedly lost Mikey and now I’m worried for Percy’s health.

Percy has always been the bigger brother, he was the boss of the two and took the ‘big brother’ phrase well on his shoulders.

Today when I lost Mikey, my mom found him gasping for air in the cage and Percy was stood with him. Mikey held on until I got home and as soon as I had him in my lap and stroking him, he took his final breath. I’m absolutely devastated because he was an absolute sweetheart of a piggie.

Anyway, once I had Mourned over Mikey and finally rested him in a tissue-filled box. I took Percy out of their cage and onto a bed that smelled like them both whilst I disinfected and washed the cage clean. I spent a couple hours with Percy afterwards, cuddling and watching tv, to ensure he was okay.

When putting him back in the cage, he rummaged through his hay and has eaten that as well as his greens and some nuggets but I’ve found that since then he hasn’t touched his water at all.

I’ve noticed he has gone quiet and I know that’s him grieving.. My mom did say he was drinking when she noticed Mikey wasn’t well too, but it’s been hours since he has had a drink from his water bottle.

I did give him celery, spinach, and mini sweetcorn sticks(?) that he has eaten and I’m wondering if he’s had his water supply from that maybe?

Since it’s 2am now, if he hasn’t had a drink by the time I wake up, is there anything I can do to try and ensure he has taken some water?

Thank you.

 

[Victoria06]

Hi there, I’m new to this forum and so I’d appreciate all help and advice given once I’ve written this post.

I’ve had my two guinea pigs, Percy and Mikey, for 6 years now. Today I unexpectedly lost Mikey and now I’m worried for Percy’s health.

Percy has always been the bigger brother, he was the boss of the two and took the ‘big brother’ phrase well on his shoulders.

Today when I lost Mikey, my mom found him gasping for air in the cage and Percy was stood with him. Mikey held on until I got home and as soon as I had him in my lap and stroking him, he took his final breath. I’m absolutely devastated because he was an absolute sweetheart of a piggie.

Anyway, once I had Mourned over Mikey and finally rested him in a tissue-filled box. I took Percy out of their cage and onto a bed that smelled like them both whilst I disinfected and washed the cage clean. I spent a couple hours with Percy afterwards, cuddling and watching tv, to ensure he was okay.

When putting him back in the cage, he rummaged through his hay and has eaten that as well as his greens and some nuggets but I’ve found that since then he hasn’t touched his water at all.

I’ve noticed he has gone quiet and I know that’s him grieving.. My mom did say he was drinking when she noticed Mikey wasn’t well too, but it’s been hours since he has had a drink from his water bottle.

I did give him celery, spinach, and mini sweetcorn sticks(?) that he has eaten and I’m wondering if he’s had his water supply from that maybe?

Since it’s 2am now, if he hasn’t had a drink by the time I wake up, is there anything I can do to try and ensure he has taken some water?

Thank you.

Okay so quick update, I’ve just switched his water bottle round the cage and he’s had a few licks from it and is now rummaging around the cage for food as well as tipping his food bowl up and slamming it down again at almost 3am in my bedroom So I’m not overly worried as this is his usual self, but I will still keep a close eye on him.

It’s just hard to remember that he’s such a quiet drinker, as well as he never drinks much whereas Mikey was so loud that you could hear him in another room, and that little piggie could drink for England lol.

Thank you again!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi there, I’m new to this forum and so I’d appreciate all help and advice given once I’ve written this post.

I’ve had my two guinea pigs, Percy and Mikey, for 6 years now. Today I unexpectedly lost Mikey and now I’m worried for Percy’s health.

Percy has always been the bigger brother, he was the boss of the two and took the ‘big brother’ phrase well on his shoulders.

Today when I lost Mikey, my mom found him gasping for air in the cage and Percy was stood with him. Mikey held on until I got home and as soon as I had him in my lap and stroking him, he took his final breath. I’m absolutely devastated because he was an absolute sweetheart of a piggie.

Anyway, once I had Mourned over Mikey and finally rested him in a tissue-filled box. I took Percy out of their cage and onto a bed that smelled like them both whilst I disinfected and washed the cage clean. I spent a couple hours with Percy afterwards, cuddling and watching tv, to ensure he was okay.

When putting him back in the cage, he rummaged through his hay and has eaten that as well as his greens and some nuggets but I’ve found that since then he hasn’t touched his water at all.

I’ve noticed he has gone quiet and I know that’s him grieving.. My mom did say he was drinking when she noticed Mikey wasn’t well too, but it’s been hours since he has had a drink from his water bottle.

I did give him celery, spinach, and mini sweetcorn sticks(?) that he has eaten and I’m wondering if he’s had his water supply from that maybe?

Since it’s 2am now, if he hasn’t had a drink by the time I wake up, is there anything I can do to try and ensure he has taken some water?

Thank you.

Hi and welcome

I am very sorry about your loss. You are welcome to post a tribute in our Rainbow Bridge if you would like to at some point.

Please do not get hung up about a piggy not drinking. If he has eaten some veg, he will not dehydrate as they are mainly water and you will also not have to worry about acute pining. Please be a aware that over 80% of what a piggy is eating in a day is and always should be hay, more hay and unlimited hay.

It would be great if you found your boy new company within 1-4 weeks' time, but as he is eating, do your research. The safest place is a good rescue that allows you to bring your bereaved boy for bonding so you come home only with a healthy/fully quarantined new companion if acceptance has happened and you do not have to worry whether the boys get on or not.

It is normal for a bereaved piggy to be somewhat subdued for about 4 days on average - some carry on as usual and others don't deal well with being on their own at all. Most are somewhere in between the extremes. See a vet if your boy is losing over 50g/2 oz and is showing signs of illness.

Please take the time to read these links here. You and your mother should find them very helpful:
Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig (also includes lists of recommended rescues in several countries)
Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

Weight - Monitoring and Management
Early Signs Of Illness

A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities

 

[Victoria06]

Thank you so much, my piggie has been his usual self this morning, eating and drinking!

 

[Flutterby]

I'm so sorry for your loss xx

 

[Bill & Ted]

i’m So sorry that you have lost your little fella, sending you hugs
Sleep tight Mikey x

 

[Abirose]

I am so sorry for your loss x
RIP Mikey x

 

[Merab]

So sorry for your loss of Mikey.
Glad Percy is perking up.
My Merab was quiet after she lost her cage mate but soon started eating and drinking.
She regained her bounce when I found 2 baby girls to share her life with.

 

[Victoria06]

So sorry for your loss of Mikey.
Glad Percy is perking up.
My Merab was quiet after she lost her cage mate but soon started eating and drinking.
She regained her bounce when I found 2 baby girls to share her life with.

I’d get him another friend but he’s 6yr old and I can’t put myself through the heartache again (when they’re both gone).

On a positive note, Percy squeaked for his veggies for the first time since Mikey left us which has made me feel happier.

 

[Victoria06]

I am so sorry for your loss x
RIP Mikey x

Thank you. The memory of coming home to finding him keeps replaying in my mind and it still hurts, but Percy is perking up again x.

 

[Victoria06]

i’m So sorry that you have lost your little fella, sending you hugs
Sleep tight Mikey x

Thank you so much.. it’s so quiet without him. He was the loudest of the pair x

 

[Victoria06]

Hi there, I’m new to this forum and so I’d appreciate all help and advice given once I’ve written this post.

I’ve had my two guinea pigs, Percy and Mikey, for 6 years now. Today I unexpectedly lost Mikey and now I’m worried for Percy’s health.

Percy has always been the bigger brother, he was the boss of the two and took the ‘big brother’ phrase well on his shoulders.

Today when I lost Mikey, my mom found him gasping for air in the cage and Percy was stood with him. Mikey held on until I got home and as soon as I had him in my lap and stroking him, he took his final breath. I’m absolutely devastated because he was an absolute sweetheart of a piggie.

Anyway, once I had Mourned over Mikey and finally rested him in a tissue-filled box. I took Percy out of their cage and onto a bed that smelled like them both whilst I disinfected and washed the cage clean. I spent a couple hours with Percy afterwards, cuddling and watching tv, to ensure he was okay.

When putting him back in the cage, he rummaged through his hay and has eaten that as well as his greens and some nuggets but I’ve found that since then he hasn’t touched his water at all.

I’ve noticed he has gone quiet and I know that’s him grieving.. My mom did say he was drinking when she noticed Mikey wasn’t well too, but it’s been hours since he has had a drink from his water bottle.

I did give him celery, spinach, and mini sweetcorn sticks(?) that he has eaten and I’m wondering if he’s had his water supply from that maybe?

Since it’s 2am now, if he hasn’t had a drink by the time I wake up, is there anything I can do to try and ensure he has taken some water?

Thank you.

Another little update which broke my heart. Mikey used to throw a ball around the cage until it was perfectly in line with their water bottle (even though he could reach just fine) anyway, yesterday as I was changing Percy’s hay, I found that he rolled the ball up to the water bottle just like Mikey did.. I think he misses his brother.

 

[Darcey15]

So sorry to read your post, it's incredibly sad when we lose our beloved piggies and although only with us for a few years bring lots of joy & I can see you loved him very much. I also lost one half of a pair at christmas, got him a friend, lost the other brother and was left with one young lonely piggie...if you want brightening up have a read through my threads....it has a very happy ending

 

[Leafy Lou]

Sorry for the loss of Mikey, it's so heartbreaking Victoria xx

Our wee Chara was only about 5-6 months and passed away last week, was expected but unexpected if you know what I mean, she had had a persistent URI, all the very best of vet care over a few months, we took her to the vet a week after we got her, appeared to be having a good quality of life with the right antibiotics and metacalm (started wheeking properly..very tame coming to us for cuddles and pets and demanding extra cucumber) Anyway we are left with a wee lonely soul, Roz, still mrs wheeky as I call her, but she needs a friend asap, so hoping to go through the Ayr rescue, once I have the new c&c set up. She is coping ok, but she needs a friend to give her confidence, she is less tame than Chara, but warming to us, and wheeking the house down when she has the run of the room, and the fridge being open..

It will take time to get over it yourself, as it is a hard loss..I was surprised how upset I was getting myself, I cried in work when my daughter was calling me, and my daughter is still in bits (she is 17, but they are/were her pets) and I am hoping you manage to find a companion for your piggy soon.

It's funny the little things you mentioned about the ball..Chara was the only one that could figure out the treat ball, so Roz I think batted it out the way after I shook it and rolled it, because meh she is wanting another pig to do it (She used to follow Chara while she was pushing the ball and hoover up the scraps left behind!) Humans are funniest though anthropomorphising too much.

Sorry I went on a bit of a ramble then..I hope you feel better with time and again manage to find another guinea pig that your Percy can live happily in retirement with..not that guinea pigs retire..too much nomming to be done All the best and lots of hugs to you x

 

[Victoria06]

Sorry for the loss of Mikey, it's so heartbreaking Victoria xx

Our wee Chara was only about 5-6 months and passed away last week, was expected but unexpected if you know what I mean, she had had a persistent URI, all the very best of vet care over a few months, we took her to the vet a week after we got her, appeared to be having a good quality of life with the right antibiotics and metacalm (started wheeking properly..very tame coming to us for cuddles and pets and demanding extra cucumber) Anyway we are left with a wee lonely soul, Roz, still mrs wheeky as I call her, but she needs a friend asap, so hoping to go through the Ayr rescue, once I have the new c&c set up. She is coping ok, but she needs a friend to give her confidence, she is less tame than Chara, but warming to us, and wheeking the house down when she has the run of the room, and the fridge being open..

It will take time to get over it yourself, as it is a hard loss..I was surprised how upset I was getting myself, I cried in work when my daughter was calling me, and my daughter is still in bits (she is 17, but they are/were her pets) and I am hoping you manage to find a companion for your piggy soon.

It's funny the little things you mentioned about the ball..Chara was the only one that could figure out the treat ball, so Roz I think batted it out the way after I shook it and rolled it, because meh she is wanting another pig to do it (She used to follow Chara while she was pushing the ball and hoover up the scraps left behind!) Humans are funniest though anthropomorphising too much.

Sorry I went on a bit of a ramble then..I hope you feel better with time and again manage to find another guinea pig that your Percy can live happily in retirement with..not that guinea pigs retire..too much nomming to be done All the best and lots of hugs to you x

I loved reading your little story, thank you for sharing. Unfortunately I’m not allowed another guinea pig to save myself the heartache again, mum said. (21 still living at home has its cons) but luckily Percy is back to his normal self.

After this week of being stuck in my thoughts, I’m sort of glad that Mikey left before Percy because I don’t think he would have been okay without Percy unlike the other way round, you know? But it’s still not the same as having them both here.