Feeling guilty over my guinea pigs death

[Nansen]

Hi
Tuesday our little guinea pig Nansen died. She was 5 years old. She had not eaten very much for a day and we had fed her food and water with a syringe.

I am feeling very guilty as I should have taken her to the vet in the morning. But I apparently did not think it was that bad or that she could recover. She has had a few times before where she didn't eat so much.
She died in the afternoon while I was calling the vet. I don't know if they could have done anything, but if I had taken her earlier she might still have been alive.

I feel so guilty. And I miss her.

 

[Swissgreys]

I am so sorry for your loss.
Remember to be kind to yourself.
You clearly loved Nansen and she had a long and lovely life with you.
When you feel up to it please share some photos of her.

 

[Siikibam]

I’m sorry for your loss. Knowing how they behave in that they hide their illness for a long time and can go downhill rapidly, whatever it is may have already been brewing. So please know you did the best you could. You stepped in to syringe feed to try and keep her going. Sometime they can’t be helped and that is a very bitter pill to swallow.

She passed away knowing that you loved her and she felt cared for. So be happy you gave her that. When you feel up to it please do post a thread about her in the rainbow bridge section. In the meantime have a read of the link I’ve posted below. Did she have a companion? If so I’ve also linked to a thread on guinea pig bereavement.

Human Bereavement - Grieving, coping tips and support links for guinea pig owners and their children
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities

 

[Sweet Potato]

5 is a good age and one day is not very long to get her to a vet. Chance is even if you had called in the morning she may not have got an appointment until it was too late anyway. remember the good times she wouldn't want to cause you pain.

 

[PoppyFloss]

You obviously love her very much, and it is sometimes difficult to tell if a guinea pig is sick, so don’t blame yourself.
She lived to 5, which is a good, normal age for guinea pigs, and you cared for her very well. Don’t feel guilty.

 

[Bill & Ted]

So sorry you’ve lost Nansen, be kind to yourself, you gave her lots of love and care over the five years you had her, sending you hugs
Sleep tight little Nansen x

 

[Marlee and Fluffy]

So sorry for your loss, Rest In Peace Nansen x

 

[Claire W]

Please be kind to yourself as you grieve.

You obviously cared very much for Nansen. It was just her time sadly xx

 

[Nansen]

Thank you all so very much. You kind words and thoughts help a lot.
I've already looked at the links and I'll be sure to post some pictures in the rainbow bridge.
I'm sure it'll take some time to work through the guilt, but as you say she wouldn't want me to cause pain. It might just have been her time, as hard as that is to accept.
Sleep tight little pig

 

[Claire W]

Thank you all so very much. You kind words and thoughts help a lot.
I've already looked at the links and I'll be sure to post some pictures in the rainbow bridge.
I'm sure it'll take some time to work through the guilt, but as you say she wouldn't want me to cause pain. It might just have been her time, as hard as that is to accept.
Sleep tight little pig ❤

She was gorgeous

 

[Roselina]

I’m so sorry you lost Nansen - she was a beautiful girl. Be kind to yourself and know you did everything you could and she clearly was very much loved. She’ll be at rainbow bridge meeting lots of new guinea pig friends x x

 

[Freela]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Please don't blame yourself. Guinea pigs hide illnesses so well and can go downhill so quickly. I've lost pigs who just seemed a little off even when I did get them to the vet. ((HUGS)) again, and I'm so sorry about Nansen. She looks like a lovely pig and clearly was loved.