I had one of my guinea-pigs die last year at 7 years old. My current one panda was going on really strong and really enjoying life until the last couple days, he was still happy and interested in everything but I could tell he was losing his balance and starting to fall over. This morning I woke up and he was kicking and trying to get up but couldn't, even when I tried to help and since then he's just been flat out on his side barely moving. I think he's still conscious because he will kick out when I go to touch him or move his blanket but he will also kick out at random times. He's still pooing quite a lot which is surprising but I just know that there's no way back from this. Also he's now started moving his head up and down repetitively for 10 seconds a time. Basically I know he's dying, he's almost 8 but I don't know how to handle it. I rang the vet and she said I could bring him in to be put to sleep at any time but she reccomends that I hold on for a couple of hours to see how he is and it has now been 2 hours since. I want him to die with me in his cage comfortably at home but I read that it can take days for them to die and this is one of the hardest things I've ever had to watch and i dont want him to suffer unecessarily. Do I keep holding on and let him die naturally or go to the vet?
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Dying guinea pig, don't know what to do?
Hi and welcome
BIG HUGS
I am so very sorry.
Please contact your vet again re. bringing Panda in. I don't think that it will be taking several days in your case since his heart is clearly packing in and he may have already suffered a neurological even or stroke.
With a piggy of that old age - a wonderful testament to your love and good care - it is my own ample long term experience that the end usually comes a lot more quickly because of the general frailty in the very old.
However, a natural death is much more physical and can be a traumatic to watch, especially when you have never experienced a death before.
If your vet is fine with it, then cutting short the inevitable process will be a kindness for both of you. But rest assured that it will be over one way or other by latest tomorrow morning, more likely much sooner. It is however not pretty to witness since you may have to brace for some fitting, kicking or falling over if the heart is one of the first organs to give way.
Whichever way you decide, since your desire to keep any suffering short and minimal for your beloved boy is clearly foremost in your thoughts, you won't go wrong. There is no right or wrong in this situation since Panda is not in real agony, just showing signs of the blood circulation breaking down and the heart folding. This is the reason why your vet has told you to wait. The nodding is however a clear sign of the heart starting to fail and breathing is becoming a bit more of an effort now.
Make sure that you keep Panda warm but not hot. For any dying piggy, the breaking down of the blood circulation means that they are feeling cold. The warmth will be a great comfort and will making the letting go easier; a number opf my piggies in the last stages of a natural death went within 5 minutes of me replacing a nearly cooled snugglesafe pad. A microwaveable pad heated for just 2-3 minutes (and reheated whenever needed) or a warm fleece blanket will be fine. Make sure that he can get away from the source of warmth whenever he starts feels too hot. With a piggy that can only lie on their side or keeps sliding down, make sure that his head is raised slightly above his body to help the breathing and to ease the pressure on the heart. He will feel a little more comfortable for it.
Here is our own forum guide to dying, including a natural death: A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs
My thoughts are with you and Panda.
Pantalaimon
Junior Guinea Pig
Sorry to hear you are going through this. The decision is entirely up to you though it sounds as if your guinea pig is suffering and the kindest thing is to end that at quickly and calmly as possible. There is a saying “a better a day to soon than an hour too late”. (Or something along those lines)
Claire W
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Aw I am very sorry that Panda is on his journey to the rainbow bridge 
Personally, I would make him comfortable but take him to the vet to help him if he’s still the same in another hour. I go by the saying it’s better a day too early rather than an hour too late. But there really is no right or wrong answer. You know Panda best and will know whether he is suffering or not but it can be traumatic watching them pass at home x
Personally, I would make him comfortable but take him to the vet to help him if he’s still the same in another hour. I go by the saying it’s better a day too early rather than an hour too late. But there really is no right or wrong answer. You know Panda best and will know whether he is suffering or not but it can be traumatic watching them pass at home x
Pantalaimon
Junior Guinea Pig
Apologies. I only saw this as my own post posted.
No need to apologise.
The poster is clearly trying to do the right thing but it is always in the discretion of a vet whether they think that pts/euthanasia is necessary or not - and this one is very much in the grey zone that can go either way. We also don't know just how hectic it is right now at the clinic...
My aim is to reassure the poster that whichever way it goes, it will be OK but also what to brace for when it comes down to a natural death. Thankfully, by the time you get to the 'running to the Bridge' stage, consciousness is mostly gone. However, having to watch it can be very upsetting, especially the first time.
Pantalaimon
Junior Guinea Pig
Thank you, I understand. I feel quite strongly about euthanising sooner rather than later due to an unpleasant experience with a past pet (non guinea pig), so I understand if my message could come across as quite direct and not so gentle.
PiggyPoo
Teenage Guinea Pig
Aww this is so difficult! Sending you hugs xx
Thank you so much for everyone's replies. I still haven't taken him to the vet yet as he completely stopped moving for a while (but still steadily breathing) and I thought it was time but now he has just started sort of gasping for air? It happens every 10 seconds or so. I know its so hard to tell but is he in any pain is he suffering whilst he's doing this? If there's even a chance I'll take him to the vets but he's been so peaceful and comfortable aside from this and I read that once they start gasping for air there's not a lot of time left and I don't want to be moving him around and getting in the car with him it'd probably take about 20 minutes to even get there. I've tried to work out if he's still conscious or not I'm leaning towards no I'm not seeing any response in his eye anymore but it's really hard to tell. I know its my decision but what would other people do in this situation
Hi
Make sure that Panda is warm (but not hot) and that his head is slightly above his chest. His heart is starting to seriously struggle to beat. Keep him on your lap if he starts moving around uncontrolled. Not all that long now. He's no longer aware of what is going on.
Eriathwen
Adult Guinea Pig
The gasping is called agonal breathing, it's their bodies last ditch attempt to get oxygen to the brain however being obligate nasal breathers unfortunately it is ineffective.
Rest assured at this point, he is completely unaware of what is going on and he will pass in a matter of minutes, less than half an hour usually in my experience.
I am so sorry you are going through this, the majority of mine pass naturally and I sit with as many as I can while it happens. It is unpleasant but you get a feel for what is normal during this process and it does sound like your little man is close, he likely wouldn't even survive the trip to the vet at this point, keep doing as you're doing unless you feel too distressed to continue and wish to opt for euthenasia.
Rest assured at this point, he is completely unaware of what is going on and he will pass in a matter of minutes, less than half an hour usually in my experience.
I am so sorry you are going through this, the majority of mine pass naturally and I sit with as many as I can while it happens. It is unpleasant but you get a feel for what is normal during this process and it does sound like your little man is close, he likely wouldn't even survive the trip to the vet at this point, keep doing as you're doing unless you feel too distressed to continue and wish to opt for euthenasia.
He passed away about 10 minutes after that post and I was talking to him when he took his last breath. Thank you to everyone that replied it seriously helped me through it and it is such a weight off that he wasn't aware when he got to the stage of struggling to breathe cos that was really not nice to watch. He was a really sweet little pig and I had him since I was 10 years old so he's been a big part of my life and I'll miss him a lot but I know he had a good life and I know I made the right choice. The worst part of owning pets is the day where you can only see them through pictures, rest in peace Panda. Here's him and his friend Fudge when they were very young
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Claire W
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I’m very sorry but he’s no longer suffering and has been reunited with his friend at the rainbow bridge. He was a wonderful age and that was down to your love and care (((hugs)))
Sleep tight Panda xx
but he’s no longer suffering and has been reunited with his friend at the rainbow bridge. He was a wonderful age and that was down to your love and care (((hugs)))Sleep tight Panda xx
Scooter Pie
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Sending hugs. Just read through the whole thread and I'm glad he's no longer suffering. Very recently one of my piggies went in a similar fashion. She was black with a white blaze too 
Betsy
Anniversary Herd
I'm so sorry that Panda has made his final journey to the Rainbow Bridge. His great age is testament to how much you loved him and how well you looked after him. He has taken all that love with him and is reunited with his friend.
HUGS
I am very sorry but also relieved that it was as quick as I'd hoped for, and that Panda could leave from his familiar surroundings with Fudge and you being with him.
The last quarter to an hour during multiple organ failure (i.e. a natural death) is usually not at all nice when the body breaks down but it is in some ways harder for us to watch because consciousness dims away.
Panda couldn't have found a more loving and caring home.
Please be kind with yourself and give yourself the time to digest the shock and the pain of the loss. The grieving process cannot be hurried on, but like a natural death it is not necessarily what you expect and can take you to some funny places. We all grieve differently, according to our personality and to the unique severed bond. And we have to grieve as much as we love - but how much poorer would our lives be without that special love!
Our very practical grieving guide may help you make sense and find free trained support if you struggle: Human Bereavement: Grieving, Processing and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children
You can find practical tips and information on what you can do for Fudge right now and in the coming days and weeks in this link here: Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig
PS: We do have a Rainbow Bridge section for those members who would like to post a tribute to their beloved ones whenever it feels right for them during or after the grieving process - but there is no obligation to. It is just an option that you may not be aware of.
Its is very sad that Panda has crossed the rainbow bridge but he had a wonderful long life with you and that is testament to your care and love.
Sending you a big hug. x
Sending you a big hug. x
Wheekallweek
Adult Guinea Pig
Oh how sad, I'm so sorry 
At least he is no longer suffering and is at peace now. He will have been comfortable at home.
RIP gorgeous Panda, over the Rainbow Bridge
At least he is no longer suffering and is at peace now. He will have been comfortable at home.
RIP gorgeous Panda, over the Rainbow Bridge
Piggymam
New Born Pup
So very sorry for your loss. Sending much love
Viennese Furbabies
Forum Buddy
I'm very sorry! Sleep tight Panda! 
Merab
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So sorry for your loss of gorgeous Panda.
Be gentle with yourself as you grieve
Be gentle with yourself as you grieve
How are you coping?
MartiDavi
Junior Guinea Pig
I am so sorry to hear Panda has left for the Rainbow Bridge, my deepest condolences. It's never easy to say goodbye to a treasured companion who brought so much joy and warmth to your life.
The fact that Panda passed away peacefully in your arms is a testament to the love and care you provided throughout its life. Your dedication to Panda's well-being shines through, and I'm sure Panda felt comforted by your presence in its final moments.
Grief can be overwhelming, but please remember to take care of yourself during this period. Lean on your friends and loved ones for support, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need someone to talk to or share memories with - the community in this forum really helps, they helped me a lot in the past and still do now.
Panda's memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. Wishing you healing and peace as you navigate through this loss.
The fact that Panda passed away peacefully in your arms is a testament to the love and care you provided throughout its life. Your dedication to Panda's well-being shines through, and I'm sure Panda felt comforted by your presence in its final moments.
Grief can be overwhelming, but please remember to take care of yourself during this period. Lean on your friends and loved ones for support, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need someone to talk to or share memories with - the community in this forum really helps, they helped me a lot in the past and still do now.
Panda's memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. Wishing you healing and peace as you navigate through this loss.