Guinea pig died suddenly

[GinnyRose&Pearl]

Hello. I’m new to having guinea pigs. I got my Ginny Rose 12/20/20. I want to say that I rescued her because she was living in a very small dog cage and ate nothing but carrots. We brought her home bought a huge cage and everything that she needed. She was doing great. Running around and playing. She was very sweet. We ended up getting her a friend because we heard they’re supposed to be in pairs. We got Pearl 2 weeks ago.

Suddenly on 2/17 she died. I’m thinking sometime in the middle of the night. When we woke up my kids found her she was completely stiff and cold. We are absolutely heartbroken and we can’t help but blame ourselves. I was wondering if anyone had thoughts on why this could of happened suddenly when she was acting just fine the day before. We fed her pellets, hay, celery and lettuce. She always had a bowl of pellets. Could we of over fed her? Sorry for the long post. I know you guys can’t tell me exactly why but just looking for some kind of answer.

 

[Siikibam]

I’m sorry for your loss. I’m afraid we can’t give you an answer. Your only way would be to have a post mortem. But please be reassured that it wasn’t the pellets that caused her death. I hope her friend is okay.

I know it’s not relevant but they shouldn’t have pellets available all the time. If they’re below 4 months of age then you can give two tablespoons of (adult) pellets. Once they reach four months, this is dropped to one tablespoon a day.

Have a read of the guides below. Sleep tight Ginny Rose

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

 

[Wiebke]

Hello. I’m new to having guinea pigs. I got my Ginny Rose 12/20/20. I want to say that I rescued her because she was living in a very small dog cage and ate nothing but carrots. We brought her home bought a huge cage and everything that she needed. She was doing great. Running around and playing. She was very sweet. We ended up getting her a friend because we heard they’re supposed to be in pairs. We got Pearl 2 weeks ago.

Suddenly on 2/17 she died. I’m thinking sometime in the middle of the night. When we woke up my kids found her she was completely stiff and cold. We are absolutely heartbroken and we can’t help but blame ourselves. I was wondering if anyone had thoughts on why this could of happened suddenly when she was acting just fine the day before. We fed her pellets, hay, celery and lettuce. She always had a bowl of pellets. Could we of over fed her? Sorry for the long post. I know you guys can’t tell me exactly why but just looking for some kind of answer.

Hi

I am very sorry for your upset. Soul searching and feelings of guilt are very typical for the onset of the grieving process. Any loving and responsible owner will have them but they tend to be stronger if the death has happened very suddenly and totally out of the blue. And are certainly a very loving owner.

Strokes, heart attacks and sudden acute heart failure can happen at any age and in seemingly healthy piggies that are often living with a genetic time bomb in their bodies. I have lost several of my own that way, the last a year ago; Betsan still had a mouthful of hay sticking out of her mouth when I found her collapsed from a sudden devastating overnight heart attack. The shock is so much greater because you cannot brace for it and are left with lots of questions. But rest assured that it is nothing that you have done wrong and there is nothing you could have done to prevent it.

Try to take consolation that death has come rather quickly and easily to your beloved girl and that she can have hardly suffered. When the chips are down, wouldn't we rather shoulder the burden of pain ourselves for our beloved ones?

Please take the time to read the green links in this thread. You will hopefully find them very helpful in making sense of your experiences and strong feelings.

 

[David Piggie Lover]

Sorry to hear about your piggie. .
Cause could be many things and 99% of them we can do nothing about.

 

[Freela]

I'm so sorry for your loss. As the others have said, you will likely never know exactly what happened. Guinea pigs can pass suddenly from stroke, heart attack, heart failure, etc. Please rest assured that there's nothing you did wrong. ((HUGS)) to you and your kids.

 

[Bradshaw Piggies]

So so sorry for your loss

 

[Claire W]

So sorry for your loss Sadly guinea pigs can suddenly die from heart attacks or strokes at any age but it’s impossible for us to say but please rest assured that her death had nothing to do with you x

 

[Merab]

So sorry for your loss.
You rescued Ginny Rose from a poor situation and gave her a home full of love and care.
Remember that you filled her last weeks with lots of happy ‘today’s’ .
She will leave a hole in your heart so be gentle with yourself as you grieve.
The bereavement guides on the forum have some good material for helping children with grief and we are here to support you.

 

[Flutterby]

I'm so sorry for your loss xx

 

[Abirose]

I am so sorry for your loss x