Sudden Death

[Jackie Andrews]

In the last two months I have lost three healthy, young females in bizarre circumstances. The first sign all was not well was a slowing down, then lying comfortably as if dozing, then death. It all happened within 24-72 hours. I thought at first they'd been poisoned by something they found in the garden, but then the other piggies would probably have died, too (I have 26, all free-range). The other possibility was a sudden heart attack, but I doubt three piggies would go the same way when not related, and I've had no instances of horrible frights. My vet is as baffled as I am. Any ideas? I am anxious for my other piggies.

 

[Lady Kelly]

Really sorry for your losses. Have you had any post mortems carried out on those that passed away or have you have your others piggies checked over? We have had a member lose a vast number in a short period of time recently and the vet suspects viral pneumonia though that isn't certain. The remaining piggies were put on antibiotics as a precaution and so far are ok

 

[sport_billy]

Hello, first off sorry for your losses. How old were they? I agree with Kelly above advice.

Post mortem would be the only thing that may be able to give you a clue as to what has happened. There are too many variables otherwise to even guess I'm afraid. With 26 piggies a loss of three over a spat of days if they were old could just be a co-incidence because of the number of piggies. If it was 3 out of a herd of four I would certainly be more concerned, that isn't to say that their isn't something at play here.... How long ago did this happen and has any other pig showed signs of illness since?

 

[gizzy]

So very sad about your losses, As sport billy said the only way you have of finding out more about what they died from is a post morten!
But one thing that you can safely cheq is urine blockage by calcium deposits this is not an uncoman cause of sudden death in guinea pigs! !sometime they get lodged in the vulva and can be safely removed by your vet

Sows, feel around the vulva (vagina ) for calcium stones,
Better to start with the youngest sows as they are far less lightly to have this type of problem. Also this will give you chance to feel what a healthy pig feels like !
If you feel any ergularety then ask for your vets opinion!

Boars, roll back the forskin and inspection of the peinos will often show calcium deposits around the willy, ! A Lightly calcium coverd willy is not unusual, but as the calcium builds up it can put pressure on the willy restricting
Wee flow,
Light pressure applied with your thumb and finger will often be enough to
Break the calcium, but as always! If in dought get a vet to have a look !

Boars also ocasionaly suffer from sperm rods , these can be identified relatively
Easily, they look like a small white worm in the wee hole of a boars willy!

Your vet may be your best bet to get them out, though they often come out
with a gentle pull,

NB if you find any of the above problems then you must get it sorted imedeatly as
a urine blockage can kill a pig in a very short period of time

 

[gizzy]

I forgot to mention Boar plugs! These are found in the same place as sperm
Rods, only they are very much bigger, they have the appearance of a translucant jelly bean

Boar plugs are what a boar projuses during mating! The pugs use is to stop any other boars from impregnating the sow after he has finished!
Boar plugs desolve in a few hours

 

[Wiebke]

In the last two months I have lost three healthy, young females in bizarre circumstances. The first sign all was not well was a slowing down, then lying comfortably as if dozing, then death. It all happened within 24-72 hours. I thought at first they'd been poisoned by something they found in the garden, but then the other piggies would probably have died, too (I have 26, all free-range). The other possibility was a sudden heart attack, but I doubt three piggies would go the same way when not related, and I've had no instances of horrible frights. My vet is as baffled as I am. Any ideas? I am anxious for my other piggies.

I am very sorry! Losing a number of piggies in mystery circumstances when you have still more is all out nightmare scenario.

It could be a virus or something transmittable. Only a post-mortem by your vet may give you an answer.
Are your guinea pigs outdoors piggies or indoors piggies? Have you considered a gas leak in the case of indoors piggies? Their respiratory system is much smaller and finer than ours.

 

[sport_billy]

@Jackie Andrews please reply on the posts by writing in the reply box and clicking post reply. You are reporting each post at the moment

 

[Jackie Andrews]

In the last two months I have lost three healthy, young females in bizarre circumstances. The first sign all was not well was a slowing down, then lying comfortably as if dozing, then death. It all happened within 24-72 hours. I thought at first they'd been poisoned by something they found in the garden, but then the other piggies would probably have died, too (I have 26, all free-range). The other possibility was a sudden heart attack, but I doubt three piggies would go the same way when not related, and I've had no instances of horrible frights. My vet is as baffled as I am. Any ideas? I am anxious for my other piggies.

@Jackie Andrews please reply on the posts by writing in the reply box and clicking post reply. You are reporting each post at the moment

View attachment 73409

Apologies - I'm not very good at this yet.

 

[Jackie Andrews]

Hello, first off sorry for your losses. How old were they? I agree with Kelly above advice.

Post mortem would be the only thing that may be able to give you a clue as to what has happened. There are too many variables otherwise to even guess I'm afraid. With 26 piggies a loss of three over a spat of days if they were old could just be a co-incidence because of the number of piggies. If it was 3 out of a herd of four I would certainly be more concerned, that isn't to say that their isn't something at play here.... How long ago did this happen and has any other pig showed signs of illness since?

Sorry - I sent my reply to the wrong place (duh). I asked about a post mortem but the cost, with the lab fees, would be a bit beyond my resources. All three deaths were in the last four or five weeks - the last two within ten days of each other. So far none of the others is showing any signs of fading.

 

[Jackie Andrews]

I forgot to mention Boar plugs! These are found in the same place as sperm
Rods, only they are very much bigger, they have the appearance of a translucant jelly bean

Boar plugs are what a boar projuses during mating! The pugs use is to stop any other boars from impregnating the sow after he has finished!
Boar plugs desolve in a few hours

Thanks for your suggestions and kind condolence. I only have one boar and he's fine. I will mention the urine blockage to my vet and will check the others.

I am very sorry! Losing a number of piggies in mystery circumstances when you have still more is all out nightmare scenario.

It could be a virus or something transmittable. Only a post-mortem by your vet may give you an answer.
Are your guinea pigs outdoors piggies or indoors piggies? Have you considered a gas leak in the case of indoors piggies? Their respiratory system is much smaller and finer than ours.

They are outdoor piggies and enjoy foraging in an extensive garden, which is why I thought perhaps they'd eaten something which poisoned them. But since they've all been free-ranging for over a year now, it seems unlikely.

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks for your suggestions and kind condolence. I only have one boar and he's fine. I will mention the urine blockage to my vet and will check the others.

They are outdoor piggies and enjoy foraging in an extensive garden, which is why I thought perhaps they'd eaten something which poisoned them. But since they've all been free-ranging for over a year now, it seems unlikely.

Could one of your neighbours have sprayed something on a windy day?

 

[Flutterby]

I am so sorry about your losses, I know exactly how you feel. Definitely discuss this with your vet and get some tests done.

 

[HectorCornelius]

In the last two months I have lost three healthy, young females in bizarre circumstances. The first sign all was not well was a slowing down, then lying comfortably as if dozing, then death. It all happened within 24-72 hours. I thought at first they'd been poisoned by something they found in the garden, but then the other piggies would probably have died, too (I have 26, all free-range). The other possibility was a sudden heart attack, but I doubt three piggies would go the same way when not related, and I've had no instances of horrible frights. My vet is as baffled as I am. Any ideas? I am anxious for my other piggies.

Yes I agree - pneumonia very possible - one of my pigs did this - slowed up and just lay down - a trip to the vet and some antibiotics got him through and I believe sometimes oxygen can help too ! Worth seeking early help if pigs just seem a bit slowed up or not themselves.
Maria

 

[sport_billy]

Apologies - I'm not very good at this yet.

No need to apologise, i just want to make sure we can all see your replies to try and help support you at this sad time

 

[Jackie Andrews]

Yes I agree - pneumonia very possible - one of my pigs did this - slowed up and just lay down - a trip to the vet and some antibiotics got him through and I believe sometimes oxygen can help too ! Worth seeking early help if pigs just seem a bit slowed up or not themselves.
Maria

Thank you! I'm afraid I didn't have time to go to the vet - they went so swiftly - but I shall certainly keep more alert now!

 

[Jackie Andrews]

I am so sorry about your losses, I know exactly how you feel. Definitely discuss this with your vet and get some tests done.

Thank you so much.

 

[Jackie Andrews]

Could one of your neighbours have sprayed something on a windy day?

No. I have a six-foot fence around the garden and lots of trees. Besides, I would imagine the other animals would have suffered if that were the case (I have rabbits and bantams as well). Thank you for your help, though. There is much kindness on this site.