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Sadly both my guinea pigs died the same day.

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Upsy

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Very sadly both out guinea pigs died last week. I am really upset as it was while we were on holiday, so don't know exactly why this happened. I left them with a friend who has a rabbit, I usually leave them at my local stables and over the past 3 years have never had a problem. Anyway left them with someone else this time and they both died.

They told me that they had stopped eating and drinking at the beginning of the 2nd week of our holiday (but they never called me so I couldn;t suggest anything). They told me the more outgoing of the two kept making a crying noise and going into their little house to lie with the more reserved of the two (who happened to die first). One died in the morning and the 2nd one died that afternoon.

I wish I would have known before it was too late, however I know they had reached a good age of 4 and 4and a half. But they showed no signs of illness before I left and were both seemingly v. happy healthy guinea pigs.

I worry that maybe they didn't attach the water bottle properly so they couldn't drink, but am I just torturing myself and there is no more to it then their age.
 
I am so sorry that you have been through this. This must be tearing you up inside. I have no idea what to suggest - only that you must feel awful and I expect your friend does too who had them. I hope it was just a tragic co-incidence but your friend really ought to have called you when they knew something was wrong. I am thinking of you at this hard time.
 
BIG HUG

What an awful thing to happen to you!

Two piggies going off food (and not being seen by a vet) and dying at the same time is certainly not just a coincidence. Something must have gone wrong. Holidays are a very stressful time and can trigger illness/death, but not with two piggies dying from the same thing at the same time.

I am sure that you will never ask that friend to look after a pet of yours again!
 
sorry didnt mean to press thanks then, I'm so so sorry for you loss hun must be very very hard and I suppose there are many questions going around your head.

This happened to me but I left my boy with my mum he was very old and I had an idea he would die while I was on holiday. He was my mums favourite and she knew something was up and he came to the bars cause he wanted a cuddle, my mum held him for 3 hours nursing him and every time she cried he pushed her chin up with his head as if to say chin up I know its my time he died in her arms.

Totally different to your story but I know how it feels that you didnt get chance to say goodbye, I really do wonder what happened for them both to get poorly and die on the same day.

I'm so sorry, rip little piggies and big hugs to you hun
 
Have to agree with Wiebke - sorry but that is just not acceptable in my book. How savvy was she with piggies ? I class myself as an experienced owner now but would still be extra cautious and vigilant with someone elses.
I'd be very angry as well as distraught pow-pow
 
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piggieboys said:
sorry didnt mean to press thanks then, I'm so so sorry for you loss hun must be very very hard and I suppose there are many questions going around your head.

This happened to me but I left my boy with my mum he was very old and I had an idea he would die while I was on holiday. He was my mums favourite and she knew something was up and he came to the bars cause he wanted a cuddle, my mum held him for 3 hours nursing him and every time she cried he pushed her chin up with his head as if to say chin up I know its my time he died in her arms.

Totally different to your story but I know how it feels that you didnt get chance to say goodbye, I really do wonder what happened for them both to get poorly and die on the same day.

I'm so sorry, rip little piggies and big hugs to you hun
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Sorry, didn't mean to press 'thanks'. This is so heartbreaking to read 8...
 
I am sorry - I didn't mean to suggest that it was just a coincidence if that's how it sounded. The chance of that are remote at best. You're friend ought to have done more. I just wanted to offer my condolences and didn't want to make you feel worse. (((hugs))))
 
Wiebke said:
BIG HUG

What an awful thing to happen to you!

Two piggies going off food (and not being seen by a vet) and dying at the same time is certainly not just a coincidence. Something must have gone wrong. Holidays are a very stressful time and can trigger illness/death, but not with two piggies dying from the same thing at the same time.

I am sure that you will never ask that friend to look after a pet of yours again!
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If they weren't used to us going away, I would maybe have put it down to stress. But we leave them about twice a year at the stables and never had a problem. The only reason I had to leave them somewhere else this time was because the owner of the stables was away for a week and it clashed with the first week of my holiday. She said her dad may forget the guineas were there and she worried for them not getting water. I decided it was best to leave them elsewhere, but its one of those decisions you wish you could change.
 
Guinea pig slave said:
Have to agree with Wiebke - sorry but that is just not acceptable in my book. How savvy was she with piggies ? I class myself as an experienced owner now but would still be extra cautious and vigilant with someone elses.
I'd be very angry as well as distraught pow-pow
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I just can't believe they didn't call me and ask what to do. I could of suggested several things over the phone and ask for them to take them to the vet. I hate that the more vocal one was crying, why did this not worry them? He always let me know when he wanted something, by coming up the bars and standing on his back legs making noises.

Miss them and keep going to check on them, but they are not there.
 
How terrible for you - so sorry - when and if you get more piggies most rescues offer a holiday boarding service (or they seem to in Wiltshire)- its usually about £1.50 to £2 a day or £3 for two if sharing a hutch, this is only something I found out recently by accident,but might be of help in the future.


Hug to you

x
 
Did they keep them outdoors or inside ?
Sounds as though they did not really put much effort into looking out for them either way. Know I sound harsh but they had no excuse not to call you or ring a vet for advice.
We've given hols up since having the piggies as I couldn't leave them for one night, they're coming away with us next week, all 12 of them rolleyes
 
It's true, I left my pigs with a lady from this forum and they were safe, sound and a little bit fatter when I got them back and she updated me loads. It's not hard to do, I'd ask them WHY they didn't think about a vet or ring you tbh... for me, my pigs are my kids and it would be losing my kids! Now that would have a police investigation wouldn't it lol.

I took my sick pig on holiday with me JUST incase...

I lost two very close to each other back before summer, it just feels like the pain will never end. I'm so sorry hunni, the post makes it sounds like you had 3?
 
Beautifulmess said:
It's true, I left my pigs with a lady from this forum and they were safe, sound and a little bit fatter when I got them back and she updated me loads. It's not hard to do, I'd ask them WHY they didn't think about a vet or ring you tbh... for me, my pigs are my kids and it would be losing my kids! Now that would have a police investigation wouldn't it lol.

I took my sick pig on holiday with me JUST incase...

I lost two very close to each other back before summer, it just feels like the pain will never end. I'm so sorry hunni, the post makes it sounds like you had 3?
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No just 2, must just be me rambling!
 
Really sorry this has happened to you and your piggies. Absolutely awful for you. *hugs*
 
Beautifulmess said:
It's true, I left my pigs with a lady from this forum and they were safe, sound and a little bit fatter when I got them back and she updated me loads. It's not hard to do, I'd ask them WHY they didn't think about a vet or ring you tbh... for me, my pigs are my kids and it would be losing my kids! Now that would have a police investigation wouldn't it lol.

I took my sick pig on holiday with me JUST incase...

I lost two very close to each other back before summer, it just feels like the pain will never end. I'm so sorry hunni, the post makes it sounds like you had 3?
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Mine too :)
 
I am so shocked and horrified by this. I cannot believe your friend took such little care. To think of your poor piggy making noises and your friend did not take them to a vet. That is appalling. I would never speak to them again. I am so sorry for your loss. You must be heartbroken.
 
Oh no how terribly sad for you all, whee are so sorry to hear about your little piggies 8...8...8...
RIP little boys, forever united together, popcorn thru the lush green meadows and enjoy nibbling on the sweet dandelions and clover, you'll be so very very sadly missed by your family but NEVER ever forgotten xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) and lots of loves from Glynis, Velvet and Onyx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Two little stars now twinkling in the sky .............. :(


I'm so so sorry for you :0
I hope that in time you'll be able to smile and look at pigtures of them and remember their quaint little ways XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
 
I'm very saddened to hear that you've lost your piggies.

As others have said the fact that they have both died at the same time points to a common cause.

Rabbits can carry diseases that are fatal to pigs, pasturella and bordatella, so a possible cause there.

Also there are a number of foods that are toxic and an unknowing person might have fed them a toxic plant/feed.

If they use warfarin based rat bait at the property or close by contaminted hay or food/water bowls could be a source too, also mice and rats pass many diseases through their faeces and urine - salmonella is very high on the long list.

Pinpointing the cause is not easy as you can see. As for not contacting you or a vet for advice, I find that difficult to understand.

Suzy x
 
So sorry for your very sad news. (((((hugs)))))
 
Suzygpr said:
I'm very saddened to hear that you've lost your piggies.

As others have said the fact that they have both died at the same time points to a common cause.

Rabbits can carry diseases that are fatal to pigs, pasturella and bordatella, so a possible cause there.

Also there are a number of foods that are toxic and an unknowing person might have fed them a toxic plant/feed.

If they use warfarin based rat bait at the property or close by contaminted hay or food/water bowls could be a source too, also mice and rats pass many diseases through their faeces and urine - salmonella is very high on the long list.

Pinpointing the cause is not easy as you can see. As for not contacting you or a vet for advice, I find that difficult to understand.

Suzy x
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Its just not possible for me to ever know what happened, I think thats one of the hardest things. I can't understand what happened so I just have what ifs going around my head all day. I just wish they would of called me and find it so hard to understand why they didn't. I have looked after their rabbit when they have been away, and he went back happy and healthy.

I must admit it crossed my mind as to whether they fed it something as a treat which was infact poisonous, or that the overtightened their water bottle and they couldn't access their water. Its very sad to think I let them down to badly and just wish I could have been there, as I'm sure they would still be with me now.
 
oh my goodness this is dreadful. So sorry to hear that this has happened, you must be absoloutely devastated. :(

Losing 1 is bad enough but 2 together is just un thinkable.

If it were me, I would let the waters settle a little bit then when the time is right I would go and speak to your friend about it. They might remember somehting once all the shock has passed, and you need time to grieve. Your head will be all over the place now, and you wont be able to take anything in.

When Rodney died, I waited 2 weeks then went to see the vet that operated on him so I could ask him what went wrong. It helped a lot for me to understand, because up until that point I had all sorts of "what ifs" and questions going on in my head, pretty much like you probably are now. Nothing will make sense at this point.

Either way, it was irresponsible of your friend not to contact you about them when they noticed something was wrong.

So so sorry :(
 
Sorry for your loss hun, i cant imagine how you feel.

I havent had a chance to read the complete thread and all of the posts so i;m sorry if this has already been asked by somone.

Were they fed anything poinsoness? Did they have constant hay and dry food, water etc, were they unattened atall where young children were present and could have fed them something for example? Have you asked your friend any of this? xx
 
I am so sorry, you poor thing.
Your head must be going in circles with what if's?
I's just so sad, big hugs.
x
 
Toffeewoffee said:
Sorry for your loss hun, i cant imagine how you feel.

I havent had a chance to read the complete thread and all of the posts so i;m sorry if this has already been asked by somone.

Were they fed anything poinsoness? Did they have constant hay and dry food, water etc, were they unattened atall where young children were present and could have fed them something for example? Have you asked your friend any of this? xx
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These are all answers I just don't have, and keep asking myself. They told me that had stopped eating a drink a week before they died. I don't understand why they didn't call me, did they check the water was not blocked for some reason, had they been fed a treat which was infact posinous.
 
I am so sad to read this. I cant imagine what your going through. I am so sorry for your loss, I cant believe your friend just ignored that they were clearly unwell and needed vet treatment. I really feel for you it must be so hard to deal with. (((HUGS))) x
 
I must admit its torture. I feel so sad to know my little guinea pig was crying out, and I wasn't there. I hate that they must have felt abandoned and not known why no one was helping them. I'm so full guilt that I wasn't there for them.
 
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