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Please Help, My Piggie Is Dying

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Hayden

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My albino guinea pig is dying and its too late here to take her to a vet. I found her at the bottom of their cage on her side, I pulled her out (which she never lets me do) and was shaking. She's been making movements almost like she's having seizers and was trying to run while lying on her side. now shes just laying there gasping and has been this way for 30-45 min. Anything I can do? Thank you so much
 
Also, she wont eat or drink. I saw her eat last night, and drink today. She has had wet stools and has urinated since I found her like this. I don't know how old she is, Boo is a rescue piggy and she was full grown when I got her about a year ago
 
Your vets should have an emergency contact number. I'm sorry she's so unwell but your little piggy needs a vet ASAP - I cannot advise on what may be wrong but she sounds like she is suffering and shouldn't go untreated or suffer any longer needlessly.

In the meantime keep her somewhere warm and comfortable, as stress free as possible.
 
You should have an emergency vet near you, We have a rescure locator at the top of the page. I'm sorry about this but she really does need to go to the vets ASAP! She sounds like she is suffering, she really does need treatment and is never too late to take them to a vet.

Stay close by and phone a vet now. An emergency vet will take in orders right away so you won't need to wait. I do hope everything goes well! Now what is important is that you stay with her and take her to the vet.

Good Luck! x
 
I agree emergency vet is needed to help her on her way. She could go on like this for a while so it would kindest to get her to the vet.

The leg movement is the classic "running to the bridge".
 
I also agree with Helen.

That is how my Eliza went when she passed but thankfully it only lasted a few minutes. It was heartbreaking to see and something I never want to see again.

Please have your pig seen as a matter or urgency if only to help her on her way.

I am so sorry :( x
 
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Hello Hayden,
So sorry to hear about your poor piggie. It sounds to me like she has had a stroke. Are her eyes moving left and right very fast? Classic sign of a stroke. If she has been like that for some time, it may be too late to save her and it would best to let the Vet help her on her way. If she has been like that for only a short time, she could be saved, but she might be semi-paralysed and incontinent. My Tamsy had a stroke in 2010. She ended up like that and she wasn't happy, I could tell. I had her PTS a month later.
 
Ruffy was suddenly disoriented that morning and was also running on her sides [emoji17]

I hope your lil piggy will pull through and sending healing vibes!
 
Thank you everyone for replying, she didn't make it. She passed on about 3 minutes after I posted. The closest emergency vet is an hour from my place and I didn't think she could make it in the car for so long. In the end I guess it was best to just hold her in a blanket and talk to her instead of stressing her with the car if she wasn't even going to make it.

I have another guinea pig, she is doing fine, but she's lonely now, so I'm debating whether or not to get another friend for her or maybe even think about getting her a new home with other piggies.

Thanks for your replies
 
HUGS

I am very sorry for your loss, but glad that your girl didn't have to suffer for much longer. It was obvious that she was in the last stages, which can come with fitting. Unfortunately, that can go on for quite some time if you are unlucky. Hence our advice. You are welcome to post a tribute for your girl in our Rainbow Bridge section whenever it feels right for you.

Here are tips for what you can do for your remaining girl: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/looking-after-a-bereaved-piggy.110463/

Could you please tell us roughly where you are located or add it to your details? In that case, we can give you more specific recommendations.
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/...untry-location-and-creating-an-avatar.107444/
 
Thank you Piggyfan. I'm actually in the US, but I found a rescue here last night... I just don't know if I can go through this with another piggy, I guess I need to think about what would be best for me and Raawr.
 
Wiebke, Thank you, I'm actually in the US, I found a rescue not far from my place, I just have to figure everything out. Thanks for the link
 
Hayden said:
Thank you Piggyfan. I'm actually in the US, but I found a rescue here last night... I just don't know if I can go through this with another piggy, I guess I need to think about what would be best for me and Raawr.
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It is still early for you and you are probably in shock. You need to give yourself time. I'm so sorry you lost your little girl.
 
So sorry for your loss. Its hard but at least she didnt have to suffer for long. Wishing her eternal bliss over at rainbow bridge with all of our gone but never forgotten babies
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Please don't make any snap decisions! You are a caring mommy. Give yourself time to get over the rough bit first before you reassess.

Sadly, in our current society, we are no longer confronted with death as much as our ancestors were, but it has also meant that we do no longer have the coping rituals and the more matter-of-fact way of dealing with the physicality of the dying process anymore. Often it is the death of a beloved pet that comes as a huge shock, as is it the first direct confrontation with dying - but we are very often not at all prepared for it or know how to deal with it. :(

Grieving is the other side of love; but it makes us emotionally more mature and helps us to later on understand what other people are going through and being able to support them. Sadly, there are no shortcuts to the grieving process. :(

Rescues can vary a lot. Please check whether the rescue you are thinking of using has a mandatory quarantine/medical care and a prgnancy watch for potentially pregnant sows. that will tell you a lot about how good they are and whether they are safe to use.

If it is a consolation to you; by the time she was fitting, your girl was already mostly out of it, so it was worse on you than on her. HUGS!
 
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I am so sorry. I went through the exact same thing a few years ago and just helplessly sat and held her as she died. RIP Hermione x

It absolutely broke my heart and I felt so helpless and I went through all the emotions (it was my fault, shoul dI have rushed to the vet although she never would have made it..etc etc). You don't ever get used to it but you learn to manage the emotions. When I am struggling, I picture a big heavy door and if I start thinking of what happened, I think of locking those sad thoughts behind the door, slamming it shut. It really works for me.

Sadly, more so with animals because they have such short lives in comparison to humans, death is as much a part of keeping our animals as looking after them. Its something all of us dread (all my animals get a late night hug 'just in case'!). However, you have to remember the huge amount of happiness and joy they also bring and how empty your world would be without them.

Also remember, you were there for her at the end and she knew she was loved. What more can anyone ask?

Hugs to you..have a good cry and hug your other girl as you need each other now. When you are ready, please rehome as you sound like a great asset to the piggy loving community and your little girl would want you to help another in need. x
 
I'm really sorry for your loss. I've had pets pass similarly at home, and it's very upsetting to have to see. And I know all too well after going through grief it can be hard to open up your heart to another animal. I remember when Frenzy was in the process of her final illness and dying I very much felt that I couldn't do this again. We did get another guinea pig (Sundae, the lighter one in my avatar picture) fairly quickly, mainly because it seemed to make the kids feel better (they took Frenzy's death really hard, it was really the first pet loss when they were old enough to understand) and because I didn't want Linney to have to be alone any longer than was necessary. At first, I admit that I didn't feel a lot for Sundae at first. I got her to fill a need. What I really wanted was Frenzy back. However, over time I warmed up to her (obviously, she is a wonderful little girl in her own right!) She's now four, and although she never replaced Frenzy, I love her just as much for who she is.

There is a poem I really love, from the perspective of a dog willing his belongings and his owner's love to another dog in need. It makes me tear up whenever I read it, but it helped me tremendously when it came to the loss of pets. I feel like the best tribute I can give the animals I love is to pay that love forward when their lives are over, and never forget them.
 
I am really sorry for your loss x
 
Hope you are doing ok. I lost my 5yr old piggy boy last week. He too was running on his side before he passed :( It was soo sad, I was stroking him and crying over him, asking for his pain to end. 10mins before the cab for vet, he passed away at home, with me and his pal by his side. I never expected to feel such sadness, it was such an emotional moment. I can't explain it to family and friends, but I know on here others will understand :(.
I am keeping a very close eye on his pay now, who is slightly poorly. I cant imagine getting another guinea, but I know I may have to consider it. Please let me know how your other piggy is getting on. x
 
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