• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

3 out of 4 of our piggies have died suddenly

G

GPboymom

New Born Pup
Joined
May 3, 2023
Messages
4
Reaction score
13
Points
140
Location
Uk
Hi,

2 weeks ago one of our 4 piggies died suddenly, no sign of illness or injury, had been fine the day before and was found dead in the morning.

We cleaned the hutch out and were debating getting his hutch mate a new friend.

On Sunday, his brother (both just turned 1) died in the same circumstances. Seemed perfectly healthy, eating fine, no diarrhoea or discharge, coughs or sneezes in the morning then I found him very weak in the morning when I wrapped him in a towel and he died within the hour.

Tonight when I came home from a late shift something made me go and check them and I found his hutch mate (almost 2yrs) dead too. The only concern I had with him was a slight squint in his right eye which I was going to address with a vet tomorrow now the bank holiday weekend is over.
He was also eating fine, no other signs of illness.

What on earth could’ve caused this to happen and how do I protect the remaining piggy? He has always been the strongest of the bunch and seems happy as Larry tonight but so did the others!

Thanks in advance
 
Oh how awful and shocking for you. I’m so sorry to hear this.

Where are they housed - you say hutch, i assume outside?
Have you checked all the usual things -
Are they warm enough?
If they are outside, is something getting to them?
Could they have eaten something they aren’t supposed to?
Out of the blue strokes and heart attacks can happen but you wouldn’t expect it to happen that many times in a close space of time.
The reality is, you may never know what actually happened but I would rule out cold/eaten something first.

In terms of protecting your piggy, again if outdoors, please see if you can bring him indoors - for warmth, but to also remove him from any potential threat outside and provide him with some closer interaction until you can decide about a new cage mate for him.
Please ensure you increase the routine weight checks and weigh him daily for a while so you can ensure he is definitely eating enough.
I would also get him vet checked asap.

I hope he is ok and that you are too
 
Piggies&buns said:
Oh how awful and shocking for you. I’m so sorry to hear this.

Where are they housed - you say hutch, i assume outside?
Have you checked all the usual things -
Are they warm enough?
If they are outside, is something getting to them?
Could they have eaten something they aren’t supposed to?
Out of the blue strokes and heart attacks can happen but you wouldn’t expect it to happen that many times in a close space of time.
The reality is, you may never know what actually happened but I would rule out cold/eaten something first.

In terms of protecting your piggy, again if outdoors, please see if you can bring him indoors - for warmth, but to also remove him from any potential threat outside and provide him with some closer interaction until you can decide about a new cage mate for him.
Please ensure you increase the routine weight checks and weigh him daily for a while so you can ensure he is definitely eating enough.
I would also get him vet checked asap.

I hope he is ok and that you are too
Click to expand...

Hi

BIG HUGS

I am very sorry for your losses. What a huge shock for you and you must be reeling. It is truly every loving piggy owners worst nightmare; especially as you feel so helpless, not knowing what is going on. :( :( :(

If you are dealing with multiple deaths in quick succession then you are either up against an environmental vector (poisoning through food or materials) or against one of the nastier transmittable bugs.

A vet examination or post-mortem examination may help but without any outward signs it is going to be rather difficult. You may want to consider bringing your survivor inside in case it is something from the environment.
 
How awful for you! 😩
I think it would be wise to get your remaining pig for a check up at the vets.
If it was me I would also bring him inside if that's possible so you can monitor him.
 
I’m so sorry for your losses. Sending you massive hugs. I hope your remaining piggy is ok 🤞🏻
 
I'm so sorry... that's a lot of loss in a short time. That must be awful! With so many losses suddenly in a short time, I wonder if it's either something environmental (poisoning from food or other source/heat or cold/air quality) or a sudden and nasty infection that is contagious. In order to try to eliminate any possible vector of poison or toxins, I would move you remaining pig, if possible- if outside, bring him in, if inside move to a different room, etc. I would get a new bag of food and hay and clean everything thoroughly. If they're outside, is it possible they were exposed to pesticide from a neighbour or something like that? If they're indoors, do you have a carbon monoxide detector or things that like in the house? Any new cleaning products or things that give off fumes?

Again, I'm so sorry, that's awful and I hope your fourth pig is okay. I would book a vet visit to check him for communicable issues too. Some respiratory ailments and things like that can strike in a hurry.
 
Hi everyone,
Thank you so much for all the replies.

Our remaining piggy has been happy and healthy since the loss of his brother and friends, the sun has been out more and he’s been enjoying lots more running about time now that the ground is drying up.

Until last night when I heard him wheezing. I went to work (i work nights) and when I came home this morning he was lying in the run part of his hutch in the rain 😢 he was brought in immediately and has spent the last few hours wrapped in a towel on a hot water bottle getting lots of cuddles.

He seems to have perked up a little so is now In a box where he’s taken a few nibbles of veg. He’s very unsteady on his feet and doesn’t appear to have any strength in his back legs but he’s trying.

I’m waiting for a call back from the vet but honestly I don’t think he’ll last that long 😢

It’s been an incredibly wet few months and after a lot of googling and hearing him wheeze I suspect pneumonia.

Thank you for all your replies. I feel like I’ve failed them 😢
 
Oh no poor little piggy! Honestly I hope he can make it to the vets, you've given him the best chance bringing him in and getting him dry and warm 🤞❤️
 
How awful your poor babies😢 fingers crossed for your remaining little one 💙
 
BIG HUGS

I am ever so sorry. My fingers are very, very firmly crossed. it is highly likely that he was already infected. There are unfortunately some real nasties around that can cause respiratory symptoms and that are fatal. They are thankfully rare but when they hit a group, they can cause real devastation to both the piggies and the owners.

It is however unlikely that any lab test our vet would have made after the first loss would have come back yet so please do not feel guilty.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top