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Piggy Died Suddenly :(

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Squeakums

Squeakums

New Born Pup
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A few days ago I found my Winnie curled up asleep, never to wake up again. I was so upset and confused at why he had gone - he was only 4, he hadn't been ill or acting any different, he had seemed perfectly normal and happy just hours before. At the time, the only explanation was that it had been a heart attack or stroke.
I know this is quite a common way for a piggy to go and I can accept it, but I feel like I should make sure it wasn't because of something I could have spotted or avoided, for the sake of his friend Leonard and any future pigs I may have in my care.
Does anyone know of any other reasons an apparently healthy piggy might suddenly die?
 
I am so sorry for your sudden loss of Winnie, it does come as an awful shock. Piggies that don't display any symptoms and suddenly pass are often down to things as you say like Heart Attack so please don't beat yourself up on this. There was nothing you could have done, it was unfortunately just his time.

Please feel free to leave a memorial for your little boy in our Rainbow bridge section, once again I am so sorry x
 
I'm so sorry for your loss. It's particularly hard when it's unexpected :( *hugs*
 
Sometimes, unfortunately, there isn't a reason you can always spot. It can be very sudden and we can't blame ourselves! They are too good at hiding any illness they may have!

The same thing happened too my Squeak, he was perfectly happy and healthy but when I checked a couple of hours later, seriously ill. But an emergency vet trip wasn't enough and he was put to rest.

You just have too remember that it isn't your fault! It's just a shame our silly little piggies can't always tell us when they aren't feeling good :(

I'm sorry you lost him, he will be well looked after over the bridge xx
 
I am very sorry for your sudden loss. Heart attacks and strokes right out of the blue can happen at all ages, leaving the gutted owners desperate to make sense and feeling like they have failed their beloved piggies in some ways. Sadly, it just happens and it is nobody's fault - whether you are a very observant mummy, an experienced owner or a newbie to guinea pigs!

If it is any consolation to you, I have lost two seemingly healthy young piggies to acute heart failure within hours of them showing the first symptom and despite rushing them to the vets as an emergency within half an hour of noticing. There is simply nothing you can do! :(

Your desperate need to get an answer is part of the onset of your grieving process. Feelings of guilt or incompetence are normal for this stage. All they show us is that you are indeed a very loving and caring mummy - and that Squeak couldn't have had a better home! ;)
 
Thank you everyone you're very kind. Poor Squeak, I'm sorry :(
I'm just worried that Winnie might have tried to show he wasn't well and I just didn't notice, especially as I didn't see them much during the days before.
But you're right, I suppose even if I had noticed I probably couldn't have helped him, and I'll try to stop dwelling on it.

I'm so grateful there is a friendly community like this, especially at this time.
 
I am so sorry. You must be really upset and confused right now and as Wiebke said, trying to understand is part of the grieving process. There is nothing you could have done.

From what you say, he must have died in his sleep. My little hamster was the same and very peaceful when I found her, all curled up. I was so upset much like you, I just could not believe it. In fact I also got angry that she just left me like that! Emotions are strange when you are grieving.

The only thing which helped was knowing she died so peacefully and clearly did not struggle at all. What more could we ask? My husband who adored her just kept saying how whilst it was sad, that was'nt it the best way for her to go? Its those that get left behind that feel the pain.

Hugs to you x
 
I'm so sorry, it must have been a horrible shock.
 
I'm really sorry for your loss. It does sound as though it was very sudden and possibly heart attack/stroke or something else that presents very acutely without earlier symptoms. I have had a couple of small animals pass on this way, fine one evening and passed in their sleep by the next morning for no apparently reason. The only consolation is that it seemed to be very peaceful... just a matter of slipping away without even waking up. I really don't think there is anything you could have done differently or any signs that you missed, and it is certainly not your fault. ((HUGS)) to you!
 
I am so sorry for your loss of your piggy *hugs*. I totally understand the feelings you get when a guinea pig in your life passes away, a month ago today my little squeaker passed away due to many complications, she had bladder stone surgery but unfortunately due to the stress of that she got gut stasis and passed away within days. And just a few days ago one of my sows babies passed away just out of the blue, suspected heart attack..he was nicely bouncing around and eating and suddenly he collapsed and just died there and then- it is devastating. Hope you're okay and feel much better soon, its normal to mourn for a pig, 1 month on and I still have a little cry when I see my piggies bedding on the side :( run free little one xx
 
The same happened to my guinea pig Darwin around 3 weeks ago, it is utterly heartbreaking. I'd say the main thing that helped me get over it was to think that guinea pigs don't show when they are ill so we rarely are able to notice when something is up until its too late, but I even now have to just keep telling myself that he isn't in pain no more.. It's hard and I still miss Darwin unbelievable amounts, I'll always love him. Darwins death was sudden also suspected heart problems also as he had bumble foot.. i hope your ok, he can popcorn on rainbow bridge now, Rip Winnie, look after Darwin for me x
 
I'm so sorry! :( There are many things that could have happened that you couldn't have prevented. Don't blame this on yourself. Hugs to you and your remaining piggy(s)!
 
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