What might have killed my piggy?

[PiggyPotter]

I am so worried about what may have caused the death of my beloved Lemmie.

He had been fine and playing with his hutchmate earlier in the day but when I went to feed them this evening he was very flat and lethargic in the hutch. I took him out for a cuddle and he seemed a bit wheezy and sort of gulping a bit (sharp intakes but more around his rear portion) but there was no discharge around his nose or mouth, his tummy was normal and he presented me with several perfectly formed poos.

When I put him back and fed them he wouldn't touch anything (even though I'd offered his favourites) - he just ran off and hid under the log arch where he seemed to be really flat again and continued with the wheezing and twitching/gulping. Every now and then he would open his mouth and it was like he was trying to cough something up but nothing came out.

I took him out and he was really floppy but he kept trying to run away on the couch even though he was rapidly becoming unable to support his own weight. After a couple of minutes cuddling on my lap, during which he kept on with that horrible coughing, he passed away. He was 4 yrs old and had been very healthy previously. In fact he had recently gained a little weight (not that he needed to - he was a big boy) but now I'm wondering if maybe that had something to do with what killed him.

I'm worried that it might be something that could hurt his hutch mate (who is 5yrs old, but seems to be in excellent health). Poor Squig has never been on his own before and he looks so lost in the hutch.

I'm sorry to make such a long post but I'm completely devastated by losing Lem and I desperately don't want to lose Squig as well.

 

[Claire W]

I am so sorry for your loss. I am afraid that I can not really offer any advise as I am not that clued up on guinea pig illnesses but this is an excellent forum with some really experienced members so I'm sure one of them will answer your post soon.

As for your existing boy, he will be feeling pretty lonely right now. Give him lots of attention and cuddles and let him grieve for his hutch mate. I know that it is probably a bit too soon to be thinking about this but you could always rescue him a friend.

Take comfort that you were with him when he passed on.

(((hugs))) to you x

 

[Wiebke]

I would guess that Lemmie died from a heart attack - it's such a shock and nothing you could have done to help or prevent!

BIG HUG

 

[Furries]

Aww. That's so sad for you! 8...

I can't help but wonder if he wasn't choking on something? That's a complete guess though.

 

[JayneG]

I'm so sorry about Lemmie. It sounds similar to what I experienced with my two year old Jack. He was lying in his cage breathing heavily and passed away a few moments later. It was most probably a heart attack (or possibly stroke). He didn't suffer too long at least and please don't worry about it happening to Squig. My Eric was left on his own and hated it. I got him another little pal after a few months who he got on really well with thankfully.

 

[Dolomite66]

Oh no! I'm devastated for you. 8...
One of my girlies was recently ill and the thought that I might lose her was awful. Luckily she's on the mend.

I'm so sorry for you. Please know I'm thinking of you and my girlies send piggy kisses and hugs x x>>

 

[alcesterpigs]

Typical behaviour following heart failure. No-one could have done anything to save him.

 

[Laura-CCC4]

I agree, the sudden onset of those symptoms tends to suggest heart failure. I am so sorry you lost Lemmie, such a shock for you. Big hugs.

 

[The Potteries Guinea Pig Rescue]

So sorry to hear about your loss sending best wishes xx

 

[sunnypig]

my guinea pig, Hash did sortof the same thing almost when she died. Except she wouldn't move or run or do anything. then she started having this wierd seizure thing until she just went limp. :\
I'm so sorry to hear about your lemmie! ): <3

 

[PiggiePal]

sunnypig this thread is from 2 years ago!

 

[sharonS]

I would guess that Lemmie died from a heart attack - it's such a shock and nothing you could have done to help or prevent!

BIG HUG

Sounds to me as though this is the case. The fact that your guinea was struggling to hold himself up and also being floppy when picked up too. I have lost two this way, one of which was a white guinea, his pink ears turned a blue colour too suggesting poor circulation by lack of blood being pumped around by his heart. Sorry for your loss.
OOPS yes I have just noticed this is two years old, never mind, good to be clued up on symptoms.

 

[sunnypig]

well still, it's sad the piggy died.

 

[Freela]

I'm so sorry for your loss! It does sound to me like something with his heart... putting on weight might have been a sign of fluid retention which can signal a heart problem. It really doesn't sound like anything contagious. ((HUGS)) and so sorry for your loss!