Sudden Death :(

[cvieira43075]

Hello Guinea pig lovers,

I'm so heartbroken... On Saturday I adopted 2 female guinea pigs from a local woman that could no longer care for them. I have a HUGE enclosure for them that was ready prior to me picking up the guinea pigs. One was about 6 to 7 months old and the other a little over a year old. They both seemed to be very healthy and running around in the box I had them in, however I noticed the younger one was squeaking a lot and didn't seem like a normal playful squeak. I figured she might have been nervous from being taken out of her familiar environment to a box and now driving in a car. She squeaked a few times and I tried my best to calm her down, but it only seemed to scar her more. I had about a 35 min drive home with them, when I got home I immediately put them in their new enclosure and left them alone to get used to their new home. I made sure they had plenty of hay, food pellets (I got from the previous owner), fresh water and I gave them some carrots. They were hiding in their igloo, but I figured once I left that they would come out and explore. I still heard the younger piggie still squeaking every now and then. She looked perfectly fine and normal, so I just figured maybe the other female might have nudged her and she didn't want to be bothered. When I got up Sunday morning to check on them, I noticed the older female hiding under a ramp and no longer in the igloo. I noticed the younger female in the igloo, but something seemed off. When I lifted the igloo I noticed she was dead :'(. I have no clue why? Does anyone know why this could have happened? Now my older female is still hiding and not eating much, I mean she's eating but not as much as I've seen my past piggies eating. I've taken her out and I've held her and she seems very healthy, nice fur, clear open eyes, no running nose and breathing normal, but now I'm worried she might also die. I've been putting the food close to her under the ramp but I am in fear something is going to happen to her. I'm having her checked out at the vet just in case, but it's a mystery to me what happened to the younger one.

I've disinfected the cage immediately as well as the water bottle and food bowls just in case it was a bacterial infection, but maybe she had a heart attack from being so nervous?

 

[Wiebke]

Hello Guinea pig lovers,

I'm so heartbroken... On Saturday I adopted 2 female guinea pigs from a local woman that could no longer care for them. I have a HUGE enclosure for them that was ready prior to me picking up the guinea pigs. One was about 6 to 7 months old and the other a little over a year old. They both seemed to be very healthy and running around in the box I had them in, however I noticed the younger one was squeaking a lot and didn't seem like a normal playful squeak. I figured she might have been nervous from being taken out of her familiar environment to a box and now driving in a car. She squeaked a few times and I tried my best to calm her down, but it only seemed to scar her more. I had about a 35 min drive home with them, when I got home I immediately put them in their new enclosure and left them alone to get used to their new home. I made sure they had plenty of hay, food pellets (I got from the previous owner), fresh water and I gave them some carrots. They were hiding in their igloo, but I figured once I left that they would come out and explore. I still heard the younger piggie still squeaking every now and then. She looked perfectly fine and normal, so I just figured maybe the other female might have nudged her and she didn't want to be bothered. When I got up Sunday morning to check on them, I noticed the older female hiding under a ramp and no longer in the igloo. I noticed the younger female in the igloo, but something seemed off. When I lifted the igloo I noticed she was dead :'(. I have no clue why? Does anyone know why this could have happened? Now my older female is still hiding and not eating much, I mean she's eating but not as much as I've seen my past piggies eating. I've taken her out and I've held her and she seems very healthy, nice fur, clear open eyes, no running nose and breathing normal, but now I'm worried she might also die. I've been putting the food close to her under the ramp but I am in fear something is going to happen to her. I'm having her checked out at the vet just in case, but it's a mystery to me what happened to the younger one.

I've disinfected the cage immediately as well as the water bottle and food bowls just in case it was a bacterial infection, but maybe she had a heart attack from being so nervous?

Hi! I am very sorry for your heart-breaking and upsetting experience. Your younger girl was already in major pain when you got her and would have needed to see a vet promptly - it is not your fault, but neglect from her previous home. Please do not feel guilty because you couldn't have known. Sadly far too many people are VERY economical with the truth in their desire to get rid of unwanted pets.

Please do have any new pets vet checked upon their arrival unless they come from a rescue with mandatory quarantine, pregnancy watch and medical care that will only rehome healthy piggy. Unfortunately, only a post mortem examination at the vet's will give you the answers you crave. It is not quite cheap.

Your old female is currently grieving and of course shocked by the trauma of the loss and the move. Please take the time to read these guides here; our new owners' collection contains lots of tips on how you can make friends with her.
They also contain links to good standard rescues where you are in safe hands to find a new friend of her liking (can be another sow or a neutered boar of any age, provided they like each other when they meet). The rescues we have recommended offer dating at the rescue under expert supervision, so you come home only with a new mate if acceptance has happened. Good rescues are by far the safest place to get guinea pigs from, so it is worth the travel and extra effort if you can get to one.
Unless your new girl is not eating at all, I would use the next two weeks to do your research re. new mate while your new girl is going through her quarantine, so she will be in any case safe to meet other piggies - not that I think that her new mate passed from a bacterial infection. UTIs (urinary tract infections are not fatal in themselves) nor do heart attacks cause these symptoms. But it can be well that the move made anything underlying/ongoing worse and did tip her over the edge. Again, it was not your fault, so please do not feel guilty.
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

New Owners' Online Starter " Booklet" For Really Helpful Advice

 

[Flutterby]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Sudden deaths are extremely hard to deal with and sometimes you never find an answer. *hugs*

 

[cvieira43075]

I can't help but feel guilty and now seeing Hazel looking so sad and not really eating is worrying me. I did notice that she did eventually eat the veggies I gave her and some pellets over night but still makes me nervous. I'll definitely keep a close eye on her and will definitely read "looking after a bereaved guinea pig". I did hold her for about 30 mins yesterday consoling her and petting her, she seemed really calm. She does run around normal when I put her down in her cage, but she just hides How long should I wait before trying to get her a cage mate? I was tempted to try to get another piggie today, but maybe that's not a good idea, I feel like I need to give her time to grieve...

 

[Wiebke]

I can't help but feel guilty and now seeing Hazel looking so sad and not really eating is worrying me. I did notice that she did eventually eat the veggies I gave her and some pellets over night but still makes me nervous. I'll definitely keep a close eye on her and will definitely read "looking after a bereaved guinea pig". I did hold her for about 30 mins yesterday consoling her and petting her, she seemed really calm. She does run around normal when I put her down in her cage, but she just hides How long should I wait before trying to get her a cage mate? I was tempted to try to get another piggie today, but maybe that's not a good idea, I feel like I need to give her time to grieve...

If you can, please wait 2 weeks (quarantining time), especially if you can take Hazel to a good rescue for dating, so she can choose her new friend (either a sow or a neutered boar). Hazel will hopefully come out of deep mourning in a few days. Guinea pigs don't grieve as long as us humans (there is the pressure to survive), but they do not grieve less deeply. But you can use this time to do your research and to set up a meeting during this time.

It is not because I think that Hazel's friend has died from an infection or from shock/heart attack; what you are reporting agues for another cause, but if you can afford to be cautious, then please do so. I am pretty sure that Hazel will turn out healthy. In any case, she has found a very loving and committed home and she will be very happy in the long term. There is also a piggy whispering guide included in our New Owner's guide collection, which you may find useful for telling her that you love her in piggy language.

You are welcome to post a tribute to Hazel's mate in our Rainbow Bridge section if or whenever it feels right for you in order to remember her.

We may be able to help you with more specific recommendations if you please added your country, state/province or UK county to your details. We have got members and enquiries from all over the world. Please click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. This makes it appear with every post you make and allow us to tailor any advice straight away. Thank you!

 

[cvieira43075]

I will definitely wait and give Hazel her time to grieve... I did feel a little better when I saw some of her veggies gone and her food bowl knocked over with some of the pellets gone (almost all of what I gave her) not sure if she is drinking water, but I gave her some red peppers, carrots and some lettuce (red lettuce) which I think will give her some water intake. The guest bedroom in my townhouse is pretty much the "piggie" room. I have two midwest guinea pig cages that are connected and the whole room is piggie proofed so they have a huge space for floor time, which I always supervise. I'll definitely will go to some local shelters for "dating" with her to get her a new friend when the time is right. I will get her checked out by the vet if I don't see any improvement, but she looks very healthy, very clean, her eyes are fine as well as her nose. She is running around when I put her in her enclosure which I believe are all good signs. I will update my profile to include my location, I live in USA in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.

 

[Wiebke]

I will definitely wait and give Hazel her time to grieve... I did feel a little better when I saw some of her veggies gone and her food bowl knocked over with some of the pellets gone (almost all of what I gave her) not sure if she is drinking water, but I gave her some red peppers, carrots and some lettuce (red lettuce) which I think will give her some water intake. The guest bedroom in my townhouse is pretty much the "piggie" room. I have two midwest guinea pig cages that are connected and the whole room is piggie proofed so they have a huge space for floor time, which I always supervise. I'll definitely will go to some local shelters for "dating" with her to get her a new friend when the time is right. I will get her checked out by the vet if I don't see any improvement, but she looks very healthy, very clean, her eyes are fine as well as her nose. She is running around when I put her in her enclosure which I believe are all good signs. I will update my profile to include my location, I live in USA in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.

Please be aware that unlimited hay should make 80% of the daily food intake for general good health, dental health and logevity; do not over do the veg and pellets.
The best rescue in your state (sadly there are no recommended good standard guinea pig rescues) is this place in the Boston area. A New Hampshire friend has scoured the whole area and has found this to be the best and safest place to adopt her own guinea pigs from: MSPCA at Nevins Farm - MSPCA-Angell

 

[Tiamolly123]

It might be wise to get her a friend now, & keep them apart for 2 weeks quarantine period. Keep the cages about 2ft apart then they can see each other & chatter away. Then they get to know each other before they are put in the same cage. Although piggies grieve, this is only a short time compared to us. Once she is in with another, she will pick up quickly. Hence why you should get a suitable friend. It is better sooner than later. You really need to have a vet check up soon though.
I'm sorry for your loss like Wiebke says, people make wonderful liars to get rid of there pets, unfortunately it was you that had to pay the price.

I forgot to say carrots are full of sugar, so maybe only a quarter a week. We have a food list in the forums might help you with what to feed them. Just ask if you have any problems.

Hi & Welcome to our friendly forum.

 

[Wiebke]

Our diet guide is also included in the new owners guide collection.

 

[cvieira43075]

I don't give them carrots too often, it's only as a treat I tend to give more of other veggies high in vitamin C. I only put in the cage maybe two small pieces of carrot and a lot more of the peppers, red lettuce, and some parsley.

The previous owner of these two lovely piggies told me she just no longer had the time for them and wanted to rehome them, she charged me $20 to take them from her. They looked very healthy but totally different story taking them home, the younger squeaked so much. I'm quite familiar with piggie sounds and it just didn't sound right... then for it to continue after putting her in her new home... I am having Hazel checked by the vet just to make sure she's OK...

 

[cvieira43075]

Please be aware that unlimited hay should make 80% of the daily food intake for general good health, dental health and logevity; do not over do the veg and pellets.
The best rescue in your state (sadly there are no recommended good standard guinea pig rescues) is this place in the Boston area. A New Hampshire friend has scoured the whole area and has found this to be the best and safest place to adopt her own guinea pigs from: MSPCA at Nevins Farm - MSPCA-Angell

I'm well aware of the MSPCA which does seem to be the best, I'll reach out to them once Hazel is out of quarantine. I also have 2 hay bins filled at all times for my piggies, I fill them in the morning and when I get home from work and then check them before I go to bed. I think I buy the largest bag they sell of hay, I definitely know how important it is for them to have. Thanks again!

 

[Wiebke]

I'm well aware of the MSPCA which does seem to be the best, I'll reach out to them once Hazel is out of quarantine. I also have 2 hay bins filled at all times for my piggies, I fill them in the morning and when I get home from work and then check them before I go to bed. I think I buy the largest bag they sell of hay, I definitely know how important it is for them to have. Thanks again!

You can contact them while Hazel is still in quarantine so she can find a suitable companion as quickly but equally as safely as possible. It will be good for you to do positive things for her while you grieve.
We have got detailed bonding guides, but you are welcome to ask any questions you may have.

Feelings of guilt and failure are very normal for the onset of the grieving process, but they are always a lot stronger when you have lost a guinea pig suddenly and are left with lots of unanswerable questions.
These feelings are a reflection of what caring and responsible kind of person you are; they do not reflect by the necessity the truth. We all do our bit of soul searching at times like these.

And sorry about all the questions - it is our duty to make sure that any guinea pigs are properly cared for, especially when we deal with new owners we do not know yet.

 

[piggieminder]

I am so sorry for your loss. I lost a much loved piggy this week too. As Wiebke has said making arrangements for the remaining piggy definitely helps with the grieving process. I don't know what the position is with rescue piggys where you are. I have found it's going to be a long process to find a friend at rescue here. If you are anything like us the rescues have long waiting lists for bonding so it's as well to start the ball rolling as soon as you feel able. I hope Hazel perks up quickly, we're on day 5 and my boar is starting to take an interest in life again, popping his head out of his hay to see whose about when he hears us moving around.

 

[Tiamolly123]

Let us know how Hazel gets on, do you do laptime? I give mine 2 pieces of coriander , they'll chop your hand off to get some, they love it.
Otherwise I give it in the cage, you gotta be quick though or the others will nick it. Lol
I do hope Hazel is OK. xx

 

[cvieira43075]

I brought Hazel to the vet to be checked, Vet said she's seems to be fine but is definitely grieving. I brought her home, made sure her food and water as well as plenty of hay was hear her hideout. She of course ran into her hide out like she's been doing... well sad to say this morning when I went to give her some veggies she was no longer with us, she had passed what looked to be in her sleep. I just don't understand she was cleared of being healthy with no issues aside from her grieving and then I find her gone this morning. :'(

 

[cvieira43075]

Let us know how Hazel gets on, do you do laptime? I give mine 2 pieces of coriander , they'll chop your hand off to get some, they love it.
Otherwise I give it in the cage, you gotta be quick though or the others will nick it. Lol
I do hope Hazel is OK. xx

She unfortunately passed this morning :'( I was giving her lap time to comfort her since she lost her cage mate. The vet said she seemed to be OK, I brought her home she was still eating just a little and hiding but seemed pretty strong and healthy... then I found her ice cold this morning in a sleeping position, I'm so heartbroken.

 

[helen105281]

Oh god I am so so sorry. There has to be something the original owner did not tell you.

 

[cvieira43075]

Oh god I am so so sorry. There has to be something the original owner did not tell you.

That's what I'm thinking... and I gave her money for them too. I've never understood why people do that, ask for a rehoming fee, these girls didn't come with food or a cage that they lived in the whole time she had them. I mean I had all the supplies and a huge enclosure, but giving $ to ensure they have a good home never made sense to me. I was hoping to have them for years, to spoil them, love them and care for them and they didn't even last a week. I brought these girls home on Saturday and by Tuesday (today) both are gone I'm so upset because now I feel guilty wondering was it something I did?

 

[Wiebke]

She unfortunately passed this morning :'( I was giving her lap time to comfort her since she lost her cage mate. The vet said she seemed to be OK, I brought her home she was still eating just a little and hiding but seemed pretty strong and healthy... then I found her ice cold this morning in a sleeping position, I'm so heartbroken.

I am ever so sorry - sadly I cannot help what has caused it, but it is not normal. There must have something underlying gone on that did not show up. Please try not to blame youself; you have done everything right and everything that is expected from a good owner.

 

[SunshinePiggy]

I am so sorry for your loss in America on Selling SItes Guinea Pigs are usually free and according to the pictures they are mistreated anyway please do not blame yourself

 

[cvieira43075]

I am ever so sorry - sadly I cannot help what has caused it, but it is not normal. There must have something underlying gone on that did not show up. Please try not to blame youself; you have done everything right and everything that is expected from a good owner.

Thank you that means a lot... I'm going to disinfect the cage and see if MSPCA have any that need a loving home. I'm just so puzzled because the vet even said she looked fine but was in grieving from losing Peppa. I'm not a first time owner I rescued one before from a bad situation in a pet shop and had him almost 9 years. He was my buddy, he'd follow me around the house, he was litter box trained, I used to love seeing him popcorn every time he saw me because he knew that meant he had the run of the house until I went to bed. I was hoping to have these girls for a while since they were young... but at least they are no longer in any pain.

 

[cvieira43075]

I am so sorry for your loss in America on Selling SItes Guinea Pigs are usually free and according to the pictures they are mistreated anyway please do not blame yourself

Thank you for your kind words, they're in a better place now and no longer in any pain. I just wish it turned out better for them because every little piggie deserves to live a healthy happy life.

 

[Tiamolly123]

I'm am so so sorry, it breaks your heart when they leave you.
Sleep tight Hazel,
Go play with new friends over the rainbow bridge your sister is there.
By the way don't blame yourself or feel guilty, I think the combination of being ill treated, & losing her partner was to much for her.
If there is anything we can do even it's to chat. It does help.
Hugs.

 

[cvieira43075]

I'm am so so sorry, it breaks your heart when they leave you.
Sleep tight Hazel,
Go play with new friends over the rainbow bridge your sister is there.
By the way don't blame yourself or feel guilty, I think the combination of being ill treated, & losing her partner was to much for her.
If there is anything we can do even it's to chat. It does help.
Hugs.

Thank you so much, you have all been so kind which definitely helps take away some of the guilt I've been feeling.

 

[sport_billy]

Oh gosh, I am so very sorry. What an awful experience, you are in no way to blame in this at all. You could have done nothing to prevent what has happened I am afraid. Huge hugs

 

[cvieira43075]

I reached out to a local shelter (had a good rating) and they just got in 2 5 month old males named Frank and Jamie. They are being quarantined for a couple of weeks before they can be adopted. I reached out to the manager of the shelter and asked about them and if I could possibly see them this weekend, she said I could but again wouldn't be able to adopt them until they are cleared. I saw them on the site and I just fell in love, they are so beautiful... just wanted to share that I maybe giving these piggies a new forever loving home. I've already threw out my bowls and water bottles and hay bins, replaced them with new ones. I've disinfected the cage, washed the liner in hot water a couple of times, sprayed it down with animal friendly disinfectant spray that was recommended to me to use. I bought all new fleece to lay down on the cage and it's ready to go. I figured this would be perfect because it will give me time to ensure they have a very safe environment to live in. I'm hoping I can take these little guys home to love and spoil!