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Guinea pig never grew and suddenly passed

W

WeeklyWheekies

New Born Pup
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Des Moines, IA, United States
I'm wondering if anyone else has seen this, we had a 8 mo skinny pig boy who never seemed to grow. We got him as a baby, around 2 mo. He ate like crazy and was always so excited for food he had a little wiggle dance he did. Despite this he never grew much in size and his younger partner out grew him around 4 months of us having them. He seemed so energetic and happy and ate so well we assumed he was a runt or smaller pig.

Well this past month my husband and I caught Covid, and then the flu, and then stomach flu back to back to back. We basically were out of it with high fevers the whole month. So we didn't notice that despite Gravy eating he was getting skinny. I am absolutely certain he was eating as I watched him and hand fed him multiple times a day even while sick. My husband also confirms he would eat in front of him. Hay, pellet, veggies, and drank water fine. He ate as much as his partner. But he suddenly passed away a week ago right after we realized he had lost a bit of weight.

Do runts sometimes fail to thrive? Did we miss something or is it likely it was genetic? Admittedly he was a Petco pig. I saw him and fell in love and he was such a special boy. He liked getting pick up, and having his back tickled. He'd popcorn around your hand and wheek like crazy when you tickled him then run back under your hand to beg for more. I miss him so much too, I can't help but feel like it's my fault he's gone.
 
I’m so sorry you lost your little skinny boy, sending hugs. Your post shows just how much you cared and loved him very much:hug:Sadly no one can say what was wrong but it sounds like there was something not right by the fact he failed to thrive which could have been genetic, we just don’t know. The main thing to remember is that he had a good life, filled with love and happiness and that’s what counts

Sleep tight little Gravy 🌈
 
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I’m sorry Gravy has left for the rainbow bridge. It definitely sounds like he had something going on from the start. You gave him a wonderful life. It may have been short but it was filled with love. Take care. ❤️
 
Is the other pig a skinny pig as well, or is he furry? I believe skinny pigs need more food to produce enough heat, so even if he was eating the same amount as a furry pig, he may not have been managing to keep up.

Or perhaps it was just a mysterious genetic illness. I certainly can't see anything that you could have done better, you tried your best.
 
I'm so sorry for your loss! It's certainly possible he had something going on the whole time that caused him to be smaller than average. It's also possible that he was just a smaller pig and passed from something unrelated. Unfortunately sometimes a sudden death occurs and there is not much warning. Many ((HUGS)) to you, be kind to yourself while you grieve. He was clearly loved and had a wonderful life with you. Guinea pigs don't understand quantity of life, just quality of life. ((HUGS.))
 
So sorry to hear about little Gravy. Sometimes it’s just nature taking its course when you don’t expect it. I had a runt skinny pig too. Such a funny little fella. It sounds like you gave your Gravy lots of love. Big hugs and give yourself time to grieve and remember all those happy cheeky moments 💕
 
So sorry for your loss of Gravy.
Sadly there are sometimes underlying issues.
Hold on to the fact that you gave him a loving and caring home.
Guinea pigs don’t measure time as we do. All he would have known is happy todays and you gave him those.
Be gentle with yourself as you grieve.
 
Cheekypigs said:
Is the other pig a skinny pig as well, or is he furry? I believe skinny pigs need more food to produce enough heat, so even if he was eating the same amount as a furry pig, he may not have been managing to keep up.

Or perhaps it was just a mysterious genetic illness. I certainly can't see anything that you could have done better, you tried your best.
Click to expand...
My other boy Pork Chop is also a skinny, although he's grown a bit of fur since he was a baby. Gravy was first one in the hay pile and would stick his head in the pellet bowl and refuse to move when he heard the bag. He honestly might've been eating more than Pork Chop.

Thank you for the kind words everyone. I really can't forgive myself for not saving him. I've worked in vet clinics and rescues in the past and feel like with my experience I should've noticed his weight loss. It's a lot to think about.
 
You have to find a way to forgive yourself, and that includes accepting that maybe there *might* have been something you could have done if you had known about it. Yes, that's possible, and even if it were true, it's also true that you did your best, and that's good enough.
 
WeeklyWheekies said:
My other boy Pork Chop is also a skinny, although he's grown a bit of fur since he was a baby. Gravy was first one in the hay pile and would stick his head in the pellet bowl and refuse to move when he heard the bag. He honestly might've been eating more than Pork Chop.

Thank you for the kind words everyone. I really can't forgive myself for not saving him. I've worked in vet clinics and rescues in the past and feel like with my experience I should've noticed his weight loss. It's a lot to think about.
Click to expand...
Forgiving ourselves is never easy.
Try saying each day ‘ I forgive myself’. At some point you will realise that it’s true.
It will take time but recognise that this is part of grieving.
 
WeeklyWheekies said:
I'm wondering if anyone else has seen this, we had a 8 mo skinny pig boy who never seemed to grow. We got him as a baby, around 2 mo. He ate like crazy and was always so excited for food he had a little wiggle dance he did. Despite this he never grew much in size and his younger partner out grew him around 4 months of us having them. He seemed so energetic and happy and ate so well we assumed he was a runt or smaller pig.

Well this past month my husband and I caught Covid, and then the flu, and then stomach flu back to back to back. We basically were out of it with high fevers the whole month. So we didn't notice that despite Gravy eating he was getting skinny. I am absolutely certain he was eating as I watched him and hand fed him multiple times a day even while sick. My husband also confirms he would eat in front of him. Hay, pellet, veggies, and drank water fine. He ate as much as his partner. But he suddenly passed away a week ago right after we realized he had lost a bit of weight.

Do runts sometimes fail to thrive? Did we miss something or is it likely it was genetic? Admittedly he was a Petco pig. I saw him and fell in love and he was such a special boy. He liked getting pick up, and having his back tickled. He'd popcorn around your hand and wheek like crazy when you tickled him then run back under your hand to beg for more. I miss him so much too, I can't help but feel like it's my fault he's gone.
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome

HUGS

I am very sorry for your loss and your bad ride with illnesses. I've had enough with a bad ride with Covid/Long Covid
since this summer. I fully understand how tough it is to keep on top of your piggies when you are so desperately ill.

Anyway, I would rather expect a genetic problem with nutrition uptake/processing and not a lack of your care as the reason. Skinnies are sadly all too often seen as an easy cash crop and are often bred by backyard for sale breeders without necessarily due care. :(

It really doesn't sound like it was down to your lack of care; piggies can sadly go downhill very quickly. But intense soul-searching is an inevitable part of the onset of the grieving process that any loving and responsible owner goes through.
If you really struggle with your feelings of guilt or other unexpected aspects of the grieving process, then you may find our grieving guide for owners helpful: Human Bereavement: Grieving, Processing and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

We have also some very practical advice and tips for what you can do for any bereaved companions in the immediate aftermath and for the medium term: Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig
 
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