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3 Guinea Pigs Died Suddenly

SunflowerRainbow

SunflowerRainbow

New Born Pup
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Hello everyone!

My 3 piggies died suddenly before I could even get them to a veterinarian. I am devastated over their loss and blaming myself although I am sure I did everything I could. We kept their bedding dry, fed them food with stabilized vitamin C, gave them treats with Vitamin C, fed them veggies, gave them hay, gave them plenty of water, they had plenty of exercise, had toys, had rolls to hide in, fleece beds, etc. It started with one pig who showed no symptoms and randomly passed almost immediately then a second pig started with sneezing/runny nose and difficulty breathing. I supplemented this pig with extra 50mg Vitamin C daily (pill that I syringe fed) and made Critical Care out of pellets, probiotics and orange juice (sugar free/no additives). While I waited for a vet appointment in my rural area the second pig seemed to be doing better, had energy and was eating/drinking on own as well as being supplemented by me. Then the third pig showed symptoms and passed almost immediately. The second pig died today when I had a vet appointment.

I’m so upset and I don’t understand why this happened.
 
SunflowerRainbow said:
Hello everyone!

My 3 piggies died suddenly before I could even get them to a veterinarian. I am devastated over their loss and blaming myself although I am sure I did everything I could. We kept their bedding dry, fed them food with stabilized vitamin C, gave them treats with Vitamin C, fed them veggies, gave them hay, gave them plenty of water, they had plenty of exercise, had toys, had rolls to hide in, fleece beds, etc. It started with one pig who showed no symptoms and randomly passed almost immediately then a second pig started with sneezing/runny nose and difficulty breathing. I supplemented this pig with extra 50mg Vitamin C daily (pill that I syringe fed) and made Critical Care out of pellets, probiotics and orange juice (sugar free/no additives). While I waited for a vet appointment in my rural area the second pig seemed to be doing better, had energy and was eating/drinking on own as well as being supplemented by me. Then the third pig showed symptoms and passed almost immediately. The second pig died today when I had a vet appointment.

I’m so upset and I don’t understand why this happened.
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome

BIG HUGS

I am very sorry; it is all our nightmare - even more so when you cannot be seen promptly as a life and death emergency.

Unfortunately, only a post mortem examination at the vet's is likely to give you answers. There are some rare but nasty and highly infectious bugs around that can get into group and that can kill very quickly. Extra vitamin C won't be a prevention against those.

PS: Are your piggies indoors or outdoors (checking monoxide levels in indoors areas)? Do you have other pets or are your piggies in potential contact with wild animals (important for potential transmission angles)?

Do you have more piggies? If yes, please move them elsewhere and deep clean the area and all their stuff, ideally with a vet grade disinfectant like F10. There is unfortunately a likelihood that they may also be likely already infected. Please use extra good hygiene before and after handling, feeding or cleaning any of your pets and keep their feed and struff well separated to prevent any potential further transmission. :(

Emergency Information and Care
Death, Dying, Terminal Illness, Grieving and Bereaved Companions: Information and Support for Owners and Their Children
 
Wiebke said:
Hi and welcome

BIG HUGS

I am very sorry; it is all our nightmare - even more so when you cannot be seen promptly as a life and death emergency.

Unfortunately, only a post mortem examination at the vet's is likely to give you answers. There are some rare but nasty and highly infectious bugs around that can get into group and that can kill very quickly. Extra vitamin C won't be a prevention against those.

PS: Are your piggies indoors or outdoors (checking monoxide levels in indoors areas)? Do you have other pets or are your piggies in potential contact with wild animals (important for potential transmission angles)?

Do you have more piggies? If yes, please move them elsewhere and deep clean the area and all their stuff, ideally with a vet grade disinfectant like F10. There is unfortunately a likelihood that they may also be likely already infected. Please use extra good hygiene before and after handling, feeding or cleaning any of your pets and keep their feed and struff well separated to prevent any potential further transmission. :(

Emergency Information and Care
Death, Dying, Terminal Illness, Grieving and Bereaved Companions: Information and Support for Owners and Their Children
Click to expand...

My piggies were indoors only, all adopted from PetSmart, the oldest was around 2 years and the youngest was around 1 year. They were not exposed to any wild animals nor the outdoors. We did have a wild rat problem in our house, but that has been taken care of. Is it possible to come from the rats?
 
Wiebke said:
Hi and welcome

BIG HUGS

I am very sorry; it is all our nightmare - even more so when you cannot be seen promptly as a life and death emergency.

Unfortunately, only a post mortem examination at the vet's is likely to give you answers. There are some rare but nasty and highly infectious bugs around that can get into group and that can kill very quickly. Extra vitamin C won't be a prevention against those.

PS: Are your piggies indoors or outdoors (checking monoxide levels in indoors areas)? Do you have other pets or are your piggies in potential contact with wild animals (important for potential transmission angles)?

Do you have more piggies? If yes, please move them elsewhere and deep clean the area and all their stuff, ideally with a vet grade disinfectant like F10. There is unfortunately a likelihood that they may also be likely already infected. Please use extra good hygiene before and after handling, feeding or cleaning any of your pets and keep their feed and struff well separated to prevent any potential further transmission. :(

Emergency Information and Care
Death, Dying, Terminal Illness, Grieving and Bereaved Companions: Information and Support for Owners and Their Children
Click to expand...

we have rabbits housed separate/no contact so unlikely and dogs (all dogs have shots and are healthy). So I don’t think it came from one of our pets.
 
So very sorry for your loss.
Be gentle with yourself as you grieve.
Sadly these things happen so please don’t beat yourself up.
 
SunflowerRainbow said:
My piggies were indoors only, all adopted from PetSmart, the oldest was around 2 years and the youngest was around 1 year. They were not exposed to any wild animals nor the outdoors. We did have a wild rat problem in our house, but that has been taken care of. Is it possible to come from the rats?
Click to expand...

Thank you for answering.

A post mortem is likely still the only way of finding out which bug you are exactly dealing with; especially if you have more piggies still alive in order to try and save their lives.
If all your piggies have died, I would strongly recommend to getting rid of all their stuff.

My thoughts are with you.
 
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