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Specialist One Guinea Sadly Died Today, Will Her Sister Be Fine?

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Haribo

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Hello,

One of my Guinea Pigs (aged around 6) died very suddenly today. Patch (her name) started to get very weak this morning, and stopped eating. Her nose was very crusty too.

We rushed her to a vet and they gave antibiotics and a food package (to be administered with a syringe) - sadly it was too late and she died very quickly in my arms. Her sister was in the run at the time - but she noticed Patch wasn't feeling very well this morning (maybe she knew that her sister was dying? It was the last time she saw her)

Should i let the other guinea pig see her sister dead (the body, before i bury her?). At the moment the other guinea is eating and drinking normally.

I don't feel like i should get her another companion as she's old - she lives in the shed (specially built for the guineas, it has electric, lights and a radio).

I've currently got the other guinea on the antibiotics the vet gave, so she doesn't catch this cold Patch had. I've cleaned out the cage fully, but that might not be enough.

Could i have some advice please? Really not sure what to do, all this crying hasn't helped.
 
So sorry for the loss of your piggy, one of our specialists will be along shortly to answer your query.
 
Hi and welcome!

I am very sorry for your loss. URI (respiratory infections/pneumonia) can hit very quickly.

Please let the sister see Patch. Guinea pigs know when one of them dies.

You have to see how well your sister is dealing with her bereavement. Unless your remaining girl is acutely pining and needs company as a life saver, it would be good if you waited for at least two weeks anyway. Alternatively, she may enjoy company next door for constant round the clock stimulation, which is the biggest problem for a single bereaved piggy.
Here are more tips:
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/looking-after-a-bereaved-piggy.110463/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/importance-of-quarantine.108034/

You are most welcome to post a tribute to Patches in our Rainbow Bridge section if and whenever it feels right for you.

Please add your country, state or (for the UK) your county to your details, so we can help you better with advice and recommendations that are tailored to what is available/possible where you are. We have got members from all over the world.
 
So very sorry for your loss. Opinions vary on showing the deceased to the survivor but I always do it to help the survivor understand that their cage mate has gone. I had my old lady PTS this week and brought her home. We put he in the cage and her husboar washed her tenderly and said his goodbyes before we buried her. I understand your reluctance to get a new companion for the survivor given her age but please give her a soft toy to cuddle and lots of attention. My lad was definitely not ok on his own, so I have taken him dating and found him a companion of the same age as him so they can grow old together. I'm not sure where you are in the country but perhaps you could consider contacting a local rescue to see if they may have an older companion pig to see if you could find your survivor a new cage mate? Again, I'm so sorry for your loss and share your pain. It's heartbreaking.
 
Since she's eating ok at the moment - should I still show her the body? As I've heard it could make her depressed?
 
Update: I didn't show Shadow (the other guinea), Patch. It was a tough decision, but i believe since she saw her dying, she knows what has happened. I will comfort her during the coming week, it's going to be hard.

For the time being Shadow is eating and looking well, she's going to stay in the shed with electricity and the radio. We've got someone here every day for 2 weeks, so we're going to keep an eye on her.

Hopefully i can convince my family to move her indoors, but that might cause unneeded stress on Shadow (as she's never lived inside before, so it's a different environment).

Thanks for your help during this tough time guys, thank you.
 
I'm sorry for your loss. In a similar case, I did let the remaining guinea pig see the body of the one that had passed. Totally broke my heart to do it, but she clearly paid attention and I think it might have given her some understanding and closure. She nuzzled up and groomed/licked her friend's face, and once she was done and moved away, I took the body away. How guinea pigs react to the death of a companion varies. Some seem okay, some seem depressed, some seem scared. When we lost Frenzy, Linney (remaining pig) seemed okay, but subdued. She continued to eat and drink, but wasn't as active. When we got a new companion, she perked up considerably. We then had Linney and Sundae as a pair for about four years, until Linney passed away at age six. Sundae was really upset and seemed fearful... she wouldn't come out of the cage, would wheek for us to go over to her (not something she did before) and just generally was agitated. She also seemed much happier once we got a new friend for her. Just keep an eye on Shadow and see how she's doing. Are you considering getting another companion for her? We were on the fence about getting another pig for Sundae once Linney passed away, if only because the ages are so disparate that we will obviously be having to pair up the companion in another year or two at max. However, Sundae was obviously not doing well as a solo pig, so we figured it was in her best interest. We also had planned to have more guinea pigs anyhow in the future, so it's not like we were committing to something we had been hesitant to do. I know my mom was really concerned that Sundae would be overwhelmed by a young, bouncy friend, but that really hasn't been the case. The two get along well and when Hadley starts bouncing around and generally behaving like a hyperactive youngster, Sundae just ignores her. Hang in there, it's hard to lose a pet. ((HUGS)) to you.
 
Freela said:
I'm sorry for your loss. In a similar case, I did let the remaining guinea pig see the body of the one that had passed. Totally broke my heart to do it, but she clearly paid attention and I think it might have given her some understanding and closure. She nuzzled up and groomed/licked her friend's face, and once she was done and moved away, I took the body away. How guinea pigs react to the death of a companion varies. Some seem okay, some seem depressed, some seem scared. When we lost Frenzy, Linney (remaining pig) seemed okay, but subdued. She continued to eat and drink, but wasn't as active. When we got a new companion, she perked up considerably. We then had Linney and Sundae as a pair for about four years, until Linney passed away at age six. Sundae was really upset and seemed fearful... she wouldn't come out of the cage, would wheek for us to go over to her (not something she did before) and just generally was agitated. She also seemed much happier once we got a new friend for her. Just keep an eye on Shadow and see how she's doing. Are you considering getting another companion for her? We were on the fence about getting another pig for Sundae once Linney passed away, if only because the ages are so disparate that we will obviously be having to pair up the companion in another year or two at max. However, Sundae was obviously not doing well as a solo pig, so we figured it was in her best interest. We also had planned to have more guinea pigs anyhow in the future, so it's not like we were committing to something we had been hesitant to do. I know my mom was really concerned that Sundae would be overwhelmed by a young, bouncy friend, but that really hasn't been the case. The two get along well and when Hadley starts bouncing around and generally behaving like a hyperactive youngster, Sundae just ignores her. Hang in there, it's hard to lose a pet. ((HUGS)) to you.
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Thanks for sharing your story with me. It's such a shame losing a pet, it really is, and i only want the best for Shadow.

At the moment since there is someone at home for 2 weeks, we're going to see how she copes. She has a very strong personality - she didn't get much sleep last night (by herself for the first time) so she has slept all day on the grass. Since we think Patch had URI, we're going to get Shadow down to the vet tomorrow (she hates people, so skittish even after 6 years of handling etc).

Not planning on getting another companion at the moment - I'm making Shadow new toys and spending a lot of time with her. She has a two tier cage to herself, so it's going to be full of entertaining toys. Might ask any RSPCA centres if we can take her in once a week to meet other guineas and have 'play time'. :)
 
So sorry for your loss. It does sounds like a respiratory infection to me. I would get your other lady checked over just in case if it puts your mind at ease. I do personally let the remaining piggie see the deceased companion but not everyone likes to so it's a matter of opinion.

Thinking of you.

x
 
Abi_nurse said:
So sorry for your loss. It does sounds like a respiratory infection to me. I would get your other lady checked over just in case if it puts your mind at ease. I do personally let the remaining piggie see the deceased companion but not everyone likes to so it's a matter of opinion.

Thinking of you.

x
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Will do. Since it's a bank holiday today, calling up vets tomorrow. Hope she'll be fine - she's had so much fuss today that it's made her tired haha.

Thank you x
 
Caviequeen said:
My pig is getting antibiotics for a URI right now he's around 5 so it's really getting him cause he's older but I'm optimistic he will be fine cause he's a strong guy
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Wishing you all the best. URI sounds horrible. Do you know how guineas pick it up? Want to make sure Shadow doesn't get/catch it x
 
Haribo said:
Thanks for sharing your story with me. It's such a shame losing a pet, it really is, and i only want the best for Shadow.

At the moment since there is someone at home for 2 weeks, we're going to see how she copes. She has a very strong personality - she didn't get much sleep last night (by herself for the first time) so she has slept all day on the grass. Since we think Patch had URI, we're going to get Shadow down to the vet tomorrow (she hates people, so skittish even after 6 years of handling etc).

Not planning on getting another companion at the moment - I'm making Shadow new toys and spending a lot of time with her. She has a two tier cage to herself, so it's going to be full of entertaining toys. Might ask any RSPCA centres if we can take her in once a week to meet other guineas and have 'play time'. :)
Click to expand...

A vet check is probably a good idea, since URIs can be contagious, although often a healthy pig can fight off exposure without getting sick. It's sweet to try to get her playtime, but may be stressful for her. Guinea pigs don't really make casual friends, one with other pigs they begin to try to determine rank and dominance and things like that- they don't realize that it may only be for a short time!

I hope she does well on her own for you!
 
Freela said:
A vet check is probably a good idea, since URIs can be contagious, although often a healthy pig can fight off exposure without getting sick. It's sweet to try to get her playtime, but may be stressful for her. Guinea pigs don't really make casual friends, one with other pigs they begin to try to determine rank and dominance and things like that- they don't realize that it may only be for a short time!

I hope she does well on her own for you!
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It's looking like Patch had asthma, the vet was saying, which is why URI might of killed her. Such sad news.

Thanks for the heads up about playtime with our guineas. I have some friends who have guineas, so maybe a visit in her travel box is in order.

Thanks, will keep this thread updated :) x
 
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss.
Popcorn free Patch in the long green grass x

I see you have been given fantastic advice and the soft toy is a life saver, our little girl has found it soooo helpful she cuddles up to here's every night & does not like me touching it she loves it that much.
Look after yourself & i hope shadow will be ok x
 
Tinkoz said:
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss.
Popcorn free Patch in the long green grass x

I see you have been given fantastic advice and the soft toy is a life saver, our little girl has found it soooo helpful she cuddles up to here's every night & does not like me touching it she loves it that much.
Look after yourself & i hope shadow will be ok x
Click to expand...

What kind of soft toy would you recommend? :)

Thanks x
 
I am so sorry for your loss.

I lost rooney in December 2014. He passed away in his hutch with no illness symptoms aged 5.5 and Rio guarded him.

I moved Rio into the house straight away and 6 months later he is still with us. I put that down solely to being near us and being warm and given lots of attention. If you can move your guinea inside thst would be best.

I thought about getting Rio a friend but decided not to because of his age. I thought it might strsss him out. Being near us has helped him. He loves being stroked whereas he wasn't fussed before and is comfortable enough to lay down as we walk around.

You know your guinea best but I wojkd try to make sure you give them lots of attention and continue to feed as normal with lots of hay.
 
Any soft toy that is Guniea pig sized & does not have bits that can be eaten off like the eyes and noise. Basically anything that's suitable for a baby.
Hope your shadow is doing OK x
 
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