Old age

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piggyfan

I am so worried. I have three guinea pigs. Amelia Jane and Peronel are twins and both over four now. Peronel is just as fast and full of beans as ever but I have noticed a change in Amelia Jane. She is very tired and spends most of her time in the cabin. She is eating well but is more reluctant to come out of the cage and play in the hall. They are my first piggies and I love them with all my heart. My life revolves around them. I am so scared she is coming to an end. I do not know how I will cope. I just cannot lose her. She is so sweet and kind. She is affectionate and gentle and Peronel will steal her food as she does not eat as fast while Sophie will nip her if they are both in the cabin to have it to herself. Of course I always intervene but she is so sweet she would never retaliate. How do you cope when they go to rainbow bridge? I also suffer from mental illness and know I will end up a state. :0
 
Please don't jump to the conclusion that she is on her way to the bridge. Many older pigs sleep more as they age quite naturally, it doesn't mean they are past it just yet.

One avenue I would explore is that she may be in discomfort and so not happy to move about as much as she used to. Piggies can and do get arthritis, a decent vet will be able to see from xray if there are signs of it in her joints. Painrelief can make a remarkable difference, usually metacam as it is also an anti-inflamatory. This is just one idea so please don't take it as a diagnosis, just an idea. Your vet is the person to see.

HTH

Suzy x
 
Awwwww..... Don't say that.. Just remember that Guinea Pigs can live until they are 8. Keep thinking positive and have faith in them.... And guineas are lazy! they lovvvve to sleep! Hehehe.
Guineagurl and Gang
 
As Suzygpr has said, older piggies do sleep a little more, just like we do as we get older. My Dad is forever stealing a kip in the afternoons now LOL!

One of our older piggies spends a lot more time in her 'centerparcs villa' asleep than she did when younger. As Suzy has suggested maybe a trip to the vets if you are overly concerned. Try not to dwell on her age, piggies can live until around 8 years old, so she hopefully will have many more years ahead of her.
 
Older piggies sleep more than youngsters bursting with energy! It is always scary contemplating the loss of a pet, but please don't let it spoil your time with them; just treasure and cherish the time you have got, day by day!
I have just lost an appearently healthy two year old to sudden heart failure last week... On the other side, one the piggies I grew up with lived to nearly ten years old!

You may find this link helpful:
http://www.jpgpr.com/jpgpr400.html
 
Thank you so much everybody. I really appreciate your support. I guess it is normal for her to sleep more as she is older. She is my first piggy so I did not know that. She does not seem in any discomfort at all but I think I will take her to the vets and see what they say. Thank you once again.
 
My piggie is now 7 and sleeps a lot of the time. I keep worrying about him as one minute he doesn't look good at all then next minute he looks ok, when he's woken up a bit more so I wouldn't start worrying if their only four, they could have another few years ahead of them! I'll be devestated when he goes as he's such a character and probably my last pig as my boyfriends highly allergic but on the plus side he's had a long life and lived life to the full so I think you have to look at it that way too. Lot's of guineas hardly go out of their cages.
 
Wow seven is very old. It shows what a fantastic job you are doing of caring for him. How sad you will not be able to have any more piggies after him. You could always ditch the boyfriend......;)
 
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