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Sudden concern

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Mon59

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi,

I managed to get a vet appointment at 5.15 today.

Writing this with Henry on my lap so difficult.

Henry is u neutered and 3 years old. I got him from a good rescue 6 months ago. Very good eater and in great health. Poo and wee normal.

Suddenly this morning gasping and very limp. Sudden intakes of breath. Some crying. Not eating. Looks like each breath and effort . Sounds like he is struggling to breath. Maybe pain but can't tell.

Any more expert view of sudden calapse ? I know you can't diagnose remotely. Never seen this before in any other pig.

Big heaving breaths. Fine yesterday.

Any expert please ...
 
I hope he will be OK 😞🙏 It sounds really awful. Could he get seen sooner?
 
I’m so sorry to hear this.

Is it at all possible to try to get an earlier vet appointment? This sounds to be very urgent and 5pm is still a long time away when he sounds to be in critical condition.

Please try to syringe feed him (a recovery feed or mushed pellets if you don’t have recovery feed) if he is still able to swallow, sadly once their body is shutting down they won’t be able to swallow.

Otherwise all you can do is keep him warm and comfortable until a vet can see him.
I hope he will be ok

List Of Life And Death Out-of-hours Emergencies
Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
How to Improvise Feeding Support in an Emergency
 
Mon59 said:
Hi,

I managed to get a vet appointment at 5.15 today.

Writing this with Henry on my lap so difficult.

Henry is u neutered and 3 years old. I got him from a good rescue 6 months ago. Very good eater and in great health. Poo and wee normal.

Suddenly this morning gasping and very limp. Sudden intakes of breath. Some crying. Not eating. Looks like each breath and effort . Sounds like he is struggling to breath. Maybe pain but can't tell.

Any more expert view of sudden calapse ? I know you can't diagnose remotely. Never seen this before in any other pig.

Big heaving breaths. Fine yesterday.

Any expert please ...
Click to expand...

Hi

HUGE HUGS

I am fully aware that this is not what you want to hear but it sounds like Harry is dying from acute heart failure. Please brace that he may not make it until this afternoon.

What you describe reminds me of how my Pili Pala (Welsh for Butterfly) passed away.

Keep Henry warm (but not hot) and as comfy as you can; when the blood circulation breaks down, he will feel rather cold.
Also make sure that his upper body is a little higher than his lower body in order to easy the pressure on the struggling heart that little bit. This goes for any piggy with acute diaphragmic/heaving breathing and/or respiratory distress. Brace for involuntary/uncontrolled limb movement but take consolation that when it gets to that stage that he won't be really with it anymore.

Here is more practical advice and information: A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs

You are welcome to ask any questions you have along the way if you feel helpless and lost. Each passing is individual and different. I am very sorry that you are dealing with one of the more physical and distressing ones.

Focus on Henry, send him soothing, green thoughts and be strong for him. Try not to burden him with your fears and desperation while he is making his journey to the Bridge.

My thoughts are with you.
 
Good idea. I will try. Thanks

All my other pigs that eventually pts or had external signs had infections so we're treated.

Never seen this sudden deterioration but I suppose it happens all the time. No wheezing. I'm wondering heart !
What else would an expert do ?

Given him Metacalm.
 
Much appreciated everyone I don't mind a vet end but this is awful..
 
Poor piggy and poor you 😔 the vet would give him oxygen and might try to restart his heart if it stops and give him medication to help his heart, but if it is heart failure there may not be that much that can be done sadly. Humans would go onto a heart and lung machine which would breath for them, but I don't think that would be possible for an animal as small as a guinea pig. If he survives they might be able to give him meds long term.
 
Oh no. Poor Henry. Sending you both love and hugs. ❤️
 
Poor Hen was pts.

Many thanks for the replies. Especially insisting on an earlier appointment.

I was put off having Boars before but he was the most affectionate little pig. Although he was HUGE !

The Vet thought pneumonia or heart failure. One thing I missed was his poor tongue was grey which might help others decide on emergency treatment.

Kindest wishes to all .
 

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He went downhill very quickly.

Yesterday running around for his veg.

Thanks again to the Forum.
 
Very sorry to hear Henry has passed. Rest easy over the bridge Little Henry 🌈❤️
 
Oh bless him, and you too, what a sad situation to find yourself in and so traumatic that it happened so suddenly. You did everything you could. Really sorry for your loss, he looks like a gorgeous boy, and it sounds like you gave him a wonderful life.
 
Very sorry , you had to say goodbye to your Piggy..RIP Handsome Henry
 
Mon59 said:
He went downhill very quickly.

Yesterday running around for his veg.

Thanks again to the Forum.
Click to expand...

BIG HUGS

Sometimes, piggies can go downhill very fast, right out of the blue. Good that you could be seen sooner for pts. We can sadly never choose when, what from and under what circumstances the end comes; we can only aim to make as many of our pets' days happy ones - which is how they measure a good life by. If we do that, we cannot fail our beloved ones.

Please try to take consolation in that you haven't failed Henry in any way.

Give yourself time and space to not be OK and to absorb the horrible shock on top of the loss. That is a lot for you to work through all at once and certainly not the start to the year you were expecting. It's never easy to adjust to the gap a special personality leaves in your life; even more so one you have had a closer bond with. :(

Human Bereavement: Grieving, Processing and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig

Henry was a real stunner on top of a lovely pigson. ❤️

PS: Bluish/greyish tones around lips/nose and tongue (if visible) argue for acute heart failure in the more advanced stages but it is just another symptom pointing in the same way and it is not always present. It's usually more noticeable in light-skinned piggies.
 
Oh I'm so sorry for your loss 😥
Popcorn happily over The Rainbow Bridge sweet boy 🌈
 
So sorry that you lost Big Hen
You gave him so much love and the best care.
Be gentle with yourself as you grieve
 
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