Death is a difficult situation for anyone if it is a death of a loved pet or human being. I have been very unlucky with death over the last few years, on the 3rd September it will be 3 yrs since my Daddy died of cancer and the piggies where dying not long after his death and 4 months down the line they were diagnosed with Gastroenteritis, in total I lost 30 pigs. I was absolutly gutted, sometimes I would go into the shed and find a could dead or dieing, they would normally pass with a few minutes of finding them.
I would bever let a piggy hang on for over 45 minutes I think it is unfair to them but I have never had to PTS when dying they normally pass pretty quickly, I find it easier to put them into a carry case or box and put them in a dark quiet area, check on them every 10 minutes of less. I have sadly had 2 pigs PTS one with a large tumor growning on her throat and it appeared so suddly it was unfair to leave her because she could have suffercated if it grew any larger and the other was suspected OD, I was gutted both times but I knew it was for the best.
Personally I have never experienced the cycling of the hind legs but I have experience fitting and this is heart breaking to watch. I have been with most of my piggies when they have died, its the most terrible thing to witness, I normally give them kisses and tell them to pass over (I am crying writing this :'( ). I think the worst thing about a piggy death is when they gasp for breath before they die, its a natural reaction for the body, when they oxygen is escaping from the body but its terrible to see.
i hope noone has to go through the pain I went through losing all my piggies and I wish they could live as long as we do, free from pain and disease but they all have to pass over to Rainbow Bridge.
Emma x