Think Pip is dying

Jemima

Jemima

Junior Guinea Pig
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I just went to check on my piggies and give them their morning veg, and found my lovely Pip very lethargic in a nest of hay, almost on his side, with what seemed like a moist chin, which I have a feeling is from drooling.

When I picked him up, I could do so very easily. He was very limp. And making little chirping noises, like he did when he was bust exploring his newly cleaned out enclosure or something. But he isn't eating. I asked my children, who fed them last night, and they said he didn't come out for his veggies last night... And when I put him back in his hay nest, he was very wobbly on his legs.

My gut instinct says he is dying, and to let him be, to let him die in peace with his friend in his surroundings, in his home. He must be at least five now. They are rescue piggies.

There has been a windy storm here, but they are round the side of our house, against a wall, under an enclosed shelter, and no wind there - but to extract him from his nest to take him to the vet on such a cold, windy, stormy day just doesn't feel right.

Has anyone experienced this? Can you offer your kind advice? I have been quite distraught! I LOVE PIP! 💔
 
I am very sorry to hear your piggy, Pip is very unwell. Only a vet can advise you about what should or can be done. Having fluids administered might help him. I would take him to my vet for an emergency appointment. I hope things work out, it must be very difficult.
 
I’m so sorry to hear this.

If you are absolutely certain he is passing then the best thing is to keep him warm, comfortable, with familiar surroundings and with his friend.
You don’t need to go to a vet unless he is distressed and his passing is not an easy one. You do need to be certain he is passing though and that it isn’t something that needs treatment. I have to say I have found it to be quite a different set of circumstances and you can tell when the time has come.
Once the dying process has started, all a vet can do is euthanise - whether that is necessary really depends on how he is.
You will find that there comes a point that he is no longer aware of what is happening.

I have added the guide below which explains the signs they are dying and the process, and if a vet is needed.

I’m so sorry

Wiebke

Thread 'A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs'

1 Your mental health, sensitivities and work commitments
- Mental health and support resources
- Sensitivity aspects
- When work and other commitments clash
2 Life or death emergency – Can my piggy be saved?
- Contacting a vet clinic at all times and link to life and death emergencies list
- What to do if I cannot access vet care instantly?
- The need to save up for emergency vet access
3 Is my...
  • Like
 
Piggies&buns said:
I’m so sorry to hear this.

If you are absolutely certain he is passing then the best thing is to keep him warm, comfortable, with familiar surroundings and with his friend.
You don’t need to go to a vet unless he is distressed and his passing is not an easy one. You do need to be certain he is passing though and that it isn’t something that needs treatment. I have to say I have found it to be quite a different set of circumstances and you can tell when the time has come.
Once the dying process has started, all a vet can do is euthanise - whether that is necessary really depends on how he is.
You will find that there comes a point that he is no longer aware of what is happening.

I have added the guide below which explains the signs they are dying and the process, and if a vet is needed.

I’m so sorry

Wiebke

Thread 'A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs'

1 Your mental health, sensitivities and work commitments
- Mental health and support resources
- Sensitivity aspects
- When work and other commitments clash
2 Life or death emergency – Can my piggy be saved?
- Contacting a vet clinic at all times and link to life and death emergencies list
- What to do if I cannot access vet care instantly?
- The need to save up for emergency vet access
3 Is my...
  • Like
Click to expand...
Thank you. I read your guides before I posted, and I will read again and they will be very useful in the aftermath.
How can I be certain he is dying? I feel it in my heart that he is. He is making little clucky sounds constantly... And his breathing is laboured, I can see it in his sides, very slow, but pronounced, but he is still with it, enough to move a little when I am checking on him.
He won't eat or drink anything.
I would hate his last hours to be at the vet - getting him out in the cold and into a carrier.
I don't know. I don't want him to suffer unnecessarily.
I wondered whether to put a blanket in, but it won't smell familiar.
He is in a nest of hay at the moment.
My gut human instinct says to bother him minimally.
Have you any experience of a piggies dying and know how they are in their final hours if it isn't a sudden death?
Thank you for your support. 💚
 
Checking on him just now, I am 99.9% sure he is dying. Especially after re-reading your information.
I would say he will have passed away in the next few hours.
I will check on him periodically, and if he hasn't passed away in a few hours I may need to take him to be euthanised as I don't want him to suffer. :-(
 
I lost Dexter in March following a week of him being unwell. During the week he kept losing balance and I found him on his side but scrabbling, trying to get back up a few times. He was still eager to eat and between the periods of balance loss (about twice a day) he was still behaving and moving perfectly normally. Vet put him on antibiotics in case it was an infection and painkillers but the fact was there was nothing they could do, and she thought he was coming to the end.

On the day he died, I found him collapsed in the morning. I knew he was passing as he wasn’t trying to get back up like he had been and didn’t seem completely aware of what was going on, he wasn’t interested in eating. I went back and forth in my mind over whether to go to the vet but he was not distressed and was comfortable - it became obvious it was best he was left in peace. His cagemate was sat by him and it was the very first time I had ever seen him groom him.
Over the next few hours, he became completely unaware of what was happening, his breathing slowed and he started the ‘running’ movements with his legs. At that point he was no longer aware of what was going on and he passed a short while later.
 
Piggies&buns said:
I lost Dexter in March following a week of him being unwell. During the week he kept losing balance and I found him on his side but scrabbling, trying to get back up a few times. He was still eager to eat and between the periods of balance loss (about twice a day) he was still behaving and moving perfectly normally. Vet put him on antibiotics in case it was an infection and painkillers but the fact was there was nothing they could do, and she thought he was coming to the end.

On the day he died, I found him collapsed in the morning. I knew he was passing as he wasn’t trying to get back up like he had been and didn’t seem completely aware of what was going on, he wasn’t interested in eating. I went back and forth in my mind over whether to go to the vet but he was not distressed and was comfortable - it became obvious it was best he was left in peace. His cagemate was sat by him and it was the very first time I had ever seen him groom him.
Over the next few hours, he became completely unaware of what was happening, his breathing slowed and he started the ‘running’ movements with his legs. At that point he was no longer aware of what was going on and he passed a short while later.
Click to expand...
I'm sorry to hear of this. But thank you for sharing. It is comforting knowing that you 'knew' as well, that your piggie was dying. And that he needed to be left in peace.
At the moment, Pap, his buddy, is in the lower part of the hutch of his own accord. He happily ate Pip's carrot!
I will need to think about Pap after Pip has passed, how long to keep Pip's body in the hutch and that sort of thing.
I have shed a lot of tears and didn't expect to cry as much as I have.
Pip just wants to be left alone at the moment.
I will update... X
 
I’m so sorry Pip has had his call to the rainbow bridge. Unless he is in obvious pain you are doing the right thing. I hope it’s a quick and peaceful passing. Sending you and your children hugs. ❤️
 
weepweeps said:
I’m so sorry Pip has had his call to the rainbow bridge. Unless he is in obvious pain you are doing the right thing. I hope it’s a quick and peaceful passing. Sending you and your children hugs. ❤️
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Thank you. X
I am silently wishing him a peaceful death.
I can still hear his little noises so he's still hanging on in there...
Wishing him the least amount of suffering and a peaceful passing.
 
Jemima said:
I'm sorry to hear of this. But thank you for sharing. It is comforting knowing that you 'knew' as well, that your piggie was dying. And that he needed to be left in peace.
At the moment, Pap, his buddy, is in the lower part of the hutch of his own accord. He happily ate Pip's carrot!
I will need to think about Pap after Pip has passed, how long to keep Pip's body in the hutch and that sort of thing.
I have shed a lot of tears and didn't expect to cry as much as I have.
Pip just wants to be left alone at the moment.
I will update... X
Click to expand...

Pap will already know what is happening so you don’t need to leave him in there for too long after
 
I just went to check on him, and he turned around to look at me. I never give banana, but I tried a tiny bit on my finger and he ate it. Is this a good sign? Could he have been cold or scared by the loud wind and be in shock, or am I clutching at straws here?
 
No... he is on his way out, I know. I am now going to leave him tucked in his hay and report back in several hours. Thank you for support all.
 
Now I am worried he has a respiratory infection - having done the dreaded google, the constant sound he is making I wonder if that is breathing / rattling because he cannot breathe properly? Oh god, why is it we put ourselves through this and get pets, only to be heartbroken, and then feel like you haven't done the right thing. I have popped in a towel with him for warmth. It is Saturday and vets are not open / nor tomorrow.
 
Jemima said:
Now I am worried he has a respiratory infection - having done the dreaded google, the constant sound he is making I wonder if that is breathing / rattling because he cannot breathe properly? Oh god, why is it we put ourselves through this and get pets, only to be heartbroken, and then feel like you haven't done the right thing. I have popped in a towel with him for warmth. It is Saturday and vets are not open / nor tomorrow.
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If his body is sadly shutting down then his breathing is going to change

The emergency vets are open (there is 24/7 vet cover in the UK) - ring your normal surgery phone number and it’ll give details of who to contact out of hours
 
Piggies&buns said:
If his body is sadly shutting down then his breathing is going to change

The emergency vets are open (there is 24/7 vet cover in the UK) - ring your normal surgery phone number and it’ll give details of who to contact out of hours
Click to expand...
Yes, this is right. I feel he will be gone by the morning. If he isn't, I will seek an out of hours vet. Thank you. Why is it we always feel guilt about everything to do with our pets? I rescued the piggies from a herd who were not looked after, and they have been pampered. They have enjoyed fresh veggies morning and night, lovely hay, a Hughe double story six foot hutch and love and care. So I must remember that I am only trying to do what is best for him - always.
 
Jemima said:
Yes, this is right. I feel he will be gone by the morning. If he isn't, I will seek an out of hours vet. Thank you. Why is it we always feel guilt about everything to do with our pets? I rescued the piggies from a herd who were not looked after, and they have been pampered. They have enjoyed fresh veggies morning and night, lovely hay, a Hughe double story six foot hutch and love and care. So I must remember that I am only trying to do what is best for him - always.
Click to expand...

We always doubt ourselves but we really shouldn’t.
You absolutely are doing what is best for him
 
I think I wish I had taken him to the vet to be PTS, as he is still exactly the same. Still raspy breathing / clucking. Still in the same state. And I am a worried guilt ridden wreck!
 
I was in a similar situation with my 7 year old sow nearly 2 years ago. She and her husband lived in a hutch in an outbuilding. When I realised she was making her way to the bridge, I decided not to rush her to the vet, unless she seemed to be suffering. I did however bring them both indoors as its usually advised to keep passing piggies warm and peaceful. I sat up into the early hours with them both on my lap, but in the end had to go to bed, so I put them in a big box with fleece blankets and cosies and hay.
 
I didn't take Cam in either, it wouldn't have helped and depending on how much he was still aware of, i thought it might cause more stress and distress taking him in. I found myself doubting what I was doing the entire time but it was the kinder thing for him to be home.

But every situation is different, and you've done nothing wrong, certainly nothing I wouldn't have done. Circumstances change even by the hour. But if you're worried now you'd be spending the same amount four OOH vet care as you would tomorrow, it's not too late for today.

I'm sorry you're going through this.
 
I had a piggy pass at home recently. It was peaceful but took a little longer than I thought it would. If Pip is still here in the morning I would help him over the bridge. (pts). You have nothing to feel guilty about. ❤️
 
Thank you all os much for your kind words. I have found some advice from my community and learned of a vet open tomorrow morning! I have also spoken to the rescue we adopted our piggies and she has comforted me and said she did exactly the same as me recently with a piggies she lost.
We are in agreement that if he has not passed on by the morning, I will take him in to be PTS.
 
Thanks everyone. Unbelievably, his heart is still beating this morning. He is very close to death. But I will be phoning the vet at 9am and taking him to be PTS, as it can't go another day, having now survived the night. I feel sick!
 
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