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We Are On Lock Down - Sudden Deaths

rome_italy said:
what to say? nothing... sorry, but in similar tragic events I have no words, because I would like to find a good explanation which of course will never come. I talked with the lady of the rescue in Bologna, where I adopted my piggies, she lost ONE piggie this way and asked for a post mortem (it was a pneumonia virus, but not the common adenovirus...); she was astonished of your story and had a talk with her vet... and now also the vet is astonished. They have an hypothesis: a virus becomes stronger when "jumps" from a body to another one and your piggies living together maybe made this virus extremely strong... It is like our flu in winter months; after some months such virus starts killing people...
We have a different school of thought, I see; here vets suggest a supplement of vit C for boosting immunitary system especially when the piggie has some issue or is living some stressful period. If this can help you, the vet of the rescue (an exotic vet) knowing this incredible tragic story suggests you a supplement of 50mg of vit C for each pig, until the risk will be over. And recommends a disinfection of the devices used for aerosol therapy because certain killer bacteria were found just in these devices.
About me, I can only send you a huge hug... I am not so good in finding good comfort words in such tragic situations.
Now think about the four piggies you have; but when it is time, think about a new family of piggies again... this series of deaths will save other poor piggies who will be allowed to come into your home for a great and lucky life. Don't make the mistake of crying on the memory of your dead piggies. There are too many piggies abandoned and this tragic event can be a blessing for them...
Hugs!
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Many thanks, I will discuss this with my vet.

David Pet Lover said:
I as yourself are new to the forum. I joined as I sadly lost my Pedro (see thread PASSED AWAY) and I wanted answers to questions that really I knew. why how etc. This forum and people like Ruth put me under their wings and helped me. For that I'm ever so grateful. And as you have put in your message this lady is a bloody rock. Well said. x Dave.
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Thank you Dave :hug:

Sad thing is I have 4 baby girls waiting to come home from before we lost the first lot. My hubby works for a prison and they have a farm for the inmates. They had accidental pig babies and I promised I would help by taking 4 girls. Thankfully they are happy to look after them until all this is clear, but my herd should have been 20 not 8 :(
 
Flutterby said:
Many thanks, I will discuss this with my vet.



Thank you Dave :hug:

Sad thing is I have 4 baby girls waiting to come home from before we lost the first lot. My hubby works for a prison and they have a farm for the inmates. They had accidental pig babies and I promised I would help by taking 4 girls. Thankfully they are happy to look after them until all this is clear, but my herd should have been 20 not 8 :(
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That's wounderful 4 piggies on they way. That has to be a massive motivation Ruth. Your grief and this horrible time you are going through can't overtake what you are capable of giving. Massive hugs :hug:
 
So sad to see the update to this thread. You are doing the best you can.

If the vet thinks it was something virulent in the lungs, pneumonia-ish, would it maybe be worth asking if you could nebulise your four with F10 solution for a few days to try to pre-emptively stop any infection in its tracks?
 
Katiedid said:
A similar thing happened to Sarnia Guinea pig rescue in Guernsey. They have deleted their FB page so I can't find what caused it but I thought it was the kennel cough virus. Almost identical to what you are experiencing. I'm so sorry, I'll keep searching.
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I remember this, too. The rescue has since closed down (for other reasons I believe) and that's why they vanished from FB.
 
VickiA said:
I remember this, too. The rescue has since closed down (for other reasons I believe) and that's why they vanished from FB.
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Leo is still around and keeps trying to remain the guinea pig community on fb.I think there have been some things happening behind the scenes.
 
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I am so sorry to read this ... very sad and unexpected. I can only try to imagine what it must be like for you.
We are all feeling your loss and it's difficult to know what to write.

Hugs to you x
 
Thank you everyone for your suggestions, I will discuss with my vet. I was a big fan of Sarnia Guinea Pig Rescue and remember this happening :(
 
So sorry to read that you have lost more guinea pigs. It is beyond comprehension how this can happen.
I do hope things improve from now for you. Keep strong, you are going through something none of us have any experience of, a bit like living through a nightmare.
 
So so sorry. I really don't know what else to say. But this isn't your fault at all. It's just a very sad situation. Sometimes these things just happen in life and we don't know why. So sorry. :soz:
 
Oh what a nightmare! I'm terribly sorry for such a tremendous loss. Hugs to you and your piggie family :hug:
RIP Little Ones
 
She said 4-6 weeks from them finishing their last antibiotics. I do need to speak to her again next week. I am hoping that we are on top of it now, but I will only trust it once we've been clear for a while.
 
So sorry for everything you're going through. You've been so strong I don't know how you're doing it. Thinking of you and your piggies x
 
Flutterby said:
It really has. I am hoping that we are clear and the rest of my pigs are safe. I really hope I can bring my 4 new girls home before Christmas.
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Hi Ruth, I don't mean to sound prying but has your vet ever got to the bottom of what caused this? Do you know whether it was airborne or whether it was passed by direct contact between the piggies? Is it possible that having survived this awful virus Paris, Digby Veronica and Trudie, could now be carriers of whatever virus it is so that they are fine in themselves but may potentially infect any new piggies?
Is it worth having a chat with the vet to see whether they recommend leaving a particular period of time before bringing any new piggies into the house?

I'm only asking because it was all so sudden and traumatic for you and it would be awful if you ever had to go through something like this again. You have been through so much and we all feel for you.
 
Vicki my vet is certain it was viral pneumonia. We haven't after on a period of rest yet but once the others have finished their antibiotics we are going to see what is appropriate. I, like you, certainly don't want anything passing into these new piggies so they will certainly only come home when we are sure (as best we can be) that they aren't going go come to any harm. Thankfully the pigs are safe and well looked after at my hubbys work so I don't have to worry about getting them home asap. I did promise I would take the girls but if the vet decides it is best to leave it for an extended period of time then I will have to let them go. I don't want to loose anymore pigs and just want what is best :(
 
You've been through enough, that's for sure, Ruth. I think you're wise to talk it over with the vet once the ABs are finished.
How are they all doing now? Spoiled rotten, I would wager.
 
They are good Vicki, but I'm still so scared that I'm going to loose another. At the moment I hate going to check on them in case I have lost another. I'm trying to stay positive for the 4 I have left.
 
ah it is so difficult,i would feel the same.especially if i lost all my 22 piggies.day at a time,but with each day the less likely the others will sucumb to this awful infection,but it would help if your vet could grow cultures to indicate what bacteria or virus you have been dealing with,such a nightmare.:hug:
 
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