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Worried about fleur-any advice much appreciated!

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rubynoodles

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I have two 1 year old piggies, sisters Fleur and Hebe.

They are currently living in an indoor cage in our conservatory (during the winter) I keep the radiator on low so it isnt too cold in there for them.

Yesterday, I noticed that although she seemed her normal self Fleur was quite puffed up looking but just put it down to the cold weather we are having at the mo.

However, this morning I went to give them both their breakfast and normally they are both jumping up at the cage almost falling over themselves to get their veggies. But only Hebe came up and I couldnt see Fleur. I found her in her little wooden hutch At first I really feared she was dead because there wasnt any movement from her so I gently blew onto her fur, she squeaked and came down for something to eat. But she hasnt eaten much and is still puffed up and is very slow moving and when she does she looks a bit 'drunk' kind of stumbling and then sitting up in a corner, not doing anything!

I am really worried about her and will ring the vets this morning.

Does anyone have any idea what it could be? I've not had guinea pigs before so have never experienced one being poorly.

My 4 & 7 year old are worried she won't make it:(
 
Poor little Fleur :(

It sounds like a trip to the vets is needed this morning. Are you registered with a cavy savvy vet? Always worth asking which of the vets in a practice are interested in/good with guineas if you haven't taken one there before and trying another vets if the answer doesn't satisfy you!

I don't really have any advice I'm afraid but didn't want to read and run.

Good luck at the vets xx
 
Sorry to read about Fleur, as CharlieH has said definitely a vets visit needed. Let us know how she gets on
 
Definitely a vet visit needed. The fluffed up fur, lack of interest in food are all typical signs of an unhappy piggy.

Is she pooing and weeing OK? Are there any funny looking poos in the cage, or any spots of wee that doesn't look normal? Have you tried handling her and does she seem in any discomfort? These are all questions that my vet usually starts with when I take in a poorly piggy...
 
I feel awful I really think she's dying she is lying down and every couple of seconds she is gasping but not making any sound.

I can't get to a vet until my husband comes home in about an hour but I think its going to be too late.

I'm beside myself what can I do for her? What could possibly be causing this she seemed fine yesterday?
 
Some sort of infection possibly, can you not call a vet out?
Have you got her out with you? Keep her warm, wrap her in something.

Guinea pigs are prey animals so they have a tendency to 'hide' their symptoms until they can no longer hide them, she may have a serious respiratory infection.
 
Definitely keep her warm. If you have a hot water bottle wrap it in a towel so that she doesn't scald (or chew it) and place it next to her (or on it if you are using a thick towel).

The breathing is concerning...
If you are able to call a vet out, then please do asap. If not, she needs to see one as soon as you are able to get her there. Please ring the vet too in the meantime - there may be one available that you can speak to over the phone that can give some advice until she can be seen.

I've got everything crossed for her...
 
Hope Fleur will be ok until you can get her seen by a vet. Keep her cosy but not too hot as guineas are prone to overheating.

Let us know how you get on x
 
shiny said:
Hope Fleur will be ok until you can get her seen by a vet. Keep her cosy but not too hot as guineas are prone to overheating.

Let us know how you get on x
Click to expand...

Yes, cosy but not too hot. If she is not moving around on her own then don't put her on the hot water bottle as she won't be able to move away if she does get too warm.
 
I am so sad to say that I have lost Fleur:(

I rang the vets and she passed away as they were giving me advice.

I am so upset. I know as you say guinea pigs hide their illness until its quite bad but she seemed fine yesterday and went down rapidly this morning.

The worst thing will be breaking the bad news to my 4 & 7 year old when they get home from school:(

Her sister Hebe looks very lost now.

Thank you all for your kind words and advice xx
 
I'm so sorry to hear this :( she did sound very ill.

Have you let Hebe see that Fleur has died? It might sound a bit odd but it sometimes helps them to see that their friend is no longer alive. Do you have a guinea-safe soft toy that you can put in with Hebe (not one with hard eyes), it sometimes helps them to have something guinea-shaped to snuggle up next to. You will need to give Hebe lots of attention & make sure she is eating ok. Weigh her daily for the next week or so to see if she is keeping her weight on, a sad piggie sometimes doesn't eat well & loses weight. Also keep a close eye to make sure she doesn't seem to be coming down with anything too.

I hope your children will be ok, it's devestating for them but one of those difficult things they have to learn about keeping animals :(. One of our guineas died overnight in the early hours of Christmas Eve & I had to break this news to my children Christmas Eve morning, it was a very sad time. It helped my children to draw pictures to say goodbye that we buried with our guinea.

I really am so sorry about Fleur & hope you are ok x
 
I'm so sorry to read this. My heart sank when you said about her breathing :(

Shiny has given very good advice. If you haven't already, it can help to put the piggy in the cage with their cagemate so that she can sense that she has passed away.

If it helps, please feel free to leave a tribute in our Rainbow Bridge section.

Rest in peace Fleur. Sweet dreams little one x
 
Thankyou Jerrybelly,Deb and Shiny.

I let Hebe stay with Fleur for sometime and she laid beside her (made me bawl!). I could'nt bring myself to remove her from cage so called my dad to come and help and when she had been removed Hebe laid down where Fleur had been:( I've cleaned out the cage just incase there was some kind of infection there?

Shiny I like the idea of a little toy in with hebe will do that. I'm sorry you lost one of yours at christmas that must have been horrid.

Jerrybelly I will put a little tribute in the Rainbow Bridge Section x
 
I'm so sorry you lost Fleur and so quickly too. I hope that Hebe will be ok. Thinking of you and your children. x
 
Just logged back on, so sorry to read about Fleur. They do hide illness so well. Really sorry for your loss. Hope you and your children will be ok.

x
 
Oh no - I'm so very sorry Fleur didn't make it :( It could have been a stroke or heart problem that took her so quickly.
It's so sad when it leaves a single piggy but lots of cuddles will help Hebe as piggies grieve for their companions - maybe consider another friend over the next week or so. Sorry if that sounds awful but it will be good for Hebe and Fleur would want her to be happy.
Run free sweet girl, play safe at The Bridge x>>
Hugs to you and your family and give Hebe a gentle cuddle from us x>>
 
Thanks everyone - the children are home now and are going to make a plaque for Fleur (we buried her in the garden).
 
I'm so sorry to hear about your sad loss. My thoughts are with you. xx
 
I am sorry to hear about your little fleur... what a lovely name.. This is exactly what happened to Coco xx
 
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