Sudden Death

[cutiepoo-x]

Hi all,

Sadly a friend of mine lost his piggie this afternoon after having had an examination by the vets the previous day (absolutely incompetent vet in my opinion, I have had a bad experience with the very same vet missing a serious dental disease in one of my chins. Did of course recommend another vet but it is difficult to get an appointment beyond 6pm as this is when he finishes work).

We were unsure of Flump's age as he was a rescue, but up until the last week he was active, normal. He suddenly stopped eating and drinking so he began syringing both fluids and Critical Care. The vet did a temp check, listened to piggie's heart, prodded about the tummy and a look in the mouth with the orthoscope. Found nothing untoward but gave him a motility drug and pain relief in case there was an issue with stasis. I was immediately concerned as gut sounds obviously should have been detectable via stethoscope.

I was then quite surprised that the vet did not suggest overnight stay - surely an animal that is refusing to drink for itself requires emergency care and further examination? Needless to say, apparently the pig refused to swallow any of the Critical Care last night and this morning, spat it all back up and died around an hour ago.

Last year the same pig was in for a cough. It did not last long, but I assumed a full investigation of potential heart problem would be conducted. However, they assured that Flump was fine. Could this have had anything to do with such a sudden passing?

 

[helen105281]

It could well do, heart issues are not easy to spot if the vet is not used to diagnosing them unfortunately. We will never know for certain though. Sleep tight little Flump.

 

[guineapig-al]

Hi, so sorry about "Flump" it's an upsetting thing that you invest time and money to give the piggy the best care possible, and the vet is not piggy savvy. At this point, only a post mortem would tell you why "Flump" passed, but it's not a really good idea. Why not find a special place where you can bury "Flump"

 

[cutiepoo-x]

Hi guys,

Thank you for your replies. Yes, I considered necropsy for a moment but ultimately don't think it's worth it, whatever it was doesn't seem contagious as other piggie is fine so far. Don't want to mutilate the poor thing if it won't have any real benefit.

Flump has been buried at the bottom of the garden, next to some pretty bushes. At least he is no longer suffering.

 

[Abi_nurse]

Sorry to hear this. Without a post mortem there is no way to know for sure the cause of it, it is done with dignity and the piggie would not be mutilated. I can't comment on the vet as i have no idea if they found anything or they were not being thorough. Gut stasis, 9 times out of 10 will have an underlying cause, most commonly dental disease but sometimes lots of other things. Ideally the piggie should have stayed in or at least had some further investigations maybe.

Sorry for your loss.

x

 

[Piggly]

How sad, I'm sorry you lost Flump Piggies do go downhill very fast, it can be hard to know sometimes what exactly is wrong.