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Guinea Pig Passed - looking for advice

K

KateF

New Born Pup
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Location
County Durham
My boy passed on Wednesday early hours of the morning (4am). We had tried to syringe feed him again at 1am but noticed he was unresponsive once I took him out and he started lolling onto his side so we rushed him to the emergency vets and they helped him pass so he wouldn’t struggle.

Monday 14th he was weighed and was up in weight - he was unwell in January with a head tilt and he had lost a little weight and had finally just about recovered the weight he’d lost. (He picked up great once he had meds for the ear infection)

By Thursday 17th at 5am, he suddenly stopped moving around and from then on was hunched in the corner looking like he was in pain so I started syringe feeding him as he wouldn’t eat at all.

He went to the vets Friday and got gut stim, pin meds and antibiotics, over the next few days I never saw much of an improvement so I took him to my exotic vet. They said whilst he was still 1000g+ in weight they should anaesthetic him and check his back teeth/throat and xray him. He never made it to this appointment as he passed away the night before.

I’m wondering, was he potentially really unwell if he’s passed away within 5 days of seeing him become unwell? It didn’t seem like he was weeing or pooing as much anymore, his wee was also an odd shade of orange but the exotic vet said they would test with a sample.

Could it have been something from his illness in January? I’m just trying to understand what and how it happened so quickly - he was with us for nearly 5 years, his birthday was in June.

Until Thursday last week he was eating very well twice a day and snacks too with unlimited hay and water.

Are there signs of kidney issues or other organ issues that I can be aware of for future? I’m very unsure of what has actually caused him to pass and I know it could be a few things but does anyone have any knowledge that they could share that might at all shed some light on this?
 
KateF said:
My boy passed on Wednesday early hours of the morning (4am). We had tried to syringe feed him again at 1am but noticed he was unresponsive once I took him out and he started lolling onto his side so we rushed him to the emergency vets and they helped him pass so he wouldn’t struggle.

Monday 14th he was weighed and was up in weight - he was unwell in January with a head tilt and he had lost a little weight and had finally just about recovered the weight he’d lost. (He picked up great once he had meds for the ear infection)

By Thursday 17th at 5am, he suddenly stopped moving around and from then on was hunched in the corner looking like he was in pain so I started syringe feeding him as he wouldn’t eat at all.

He went to the vets Friday and got gut stim, pin meds and antibiotics, over the next few days I never saw much of an improvement so I took him to my exotic vet. They said whilst he was still 1000g+ in weight they should anaesthetic him and check his back teeth/throat and xray him. He never made it to this appointment as he passed away the night before.

I’m wondering, was he potentially really unwell if he’s passed away within 5 days of seeing him become unwell? It didn’t seem like he was weeing or pooing as much anymore, his wee was also an odd shade of orange but the exotic vet said they would test with a sample.

Could it have been something from his illness in January? I’m just trying to understand what and how it happened so quickly - he was with us for nearly 5 years, his birthday was in June.

Until Thursday last week he was eating very well twice a day and snacks too with unlimited hay and water.

Are there signs of kidney issues or other organ issues that I can be aware of for future? I’m very unsure of what has actually caused him to pass and I know it could be a few things but does anyone have any knowledge that they could share that might at all shed some light on this?
Click to expand...

Hi

BIG HUGS

I am ever so sorry that you have lost an obviously much loved and well cared for friend.

It is perfectly normal that all of us owners who love and care are experiencing strong feelings of failure, guilt or intense soul-searching upon a loss since as humans we are wired to reflect everything back on ourselves. These feelings are not an expression of us having done something wrong but an expression of how deeply we care and love; if we didn't, we simply wouldn't experience them.

Guinea pigs have a much faster metabolism than we humans, and that can sometimes turn against them and they can go downhill/their body can close down with truly frightening speed seemingly out of the blue. They are also prey animals and wired to suppress any signs of illness to an amazing degree. When they no longer can, any problem is often already well advanced. Signs of illness can be therefore very vague. There is quite often not the time to wait for diagnostics, not that treatment of internal metabolic organs is generally very successful; it is still a very new area in which guinea pigs and rodent tick quite differently from cats and dogs.

Please try to take consolation in that your beloved boy has been able to live a full life and that the end has come comparatively quickly and easy on him, as these things go. Would we not rather bear the pain and sorrow for those we love instead of sitting helplessly by and seeing them fade slowly despite our best efforts when the chips are down?

You haven't failed your boy in any way; you have as an owner done all the right things. It was just not to be. Seeing how quickly and suddenly he passed away, any GA or major treatment may have likely not been survivable for him because something serious underlying was clearly going on.
Please try to take consolation in that he (and you) were spared a lot of stress on top of the heartbreak. What exactly he died from you will never sadly know unless you opt for an expensive post-mortem examination that may or may not give you the answers you crave right now. Even with the best of care, we never have control when, what from and under which circumstances the loved ones in our life will pass away; we are only ever having them on a loan from above that can be cancelled without warning at any time.

But you have given your boy exactly what guinea pigs want from their life: many happy todays filled with your love and good care.

Please be kind with yourself in the coming days. If you struggle to function or move out of the guilt loop within that time, please seek trained help at one of the free Blue Cross (UK animal charity) pet loss platforms.
Pet Loss Support

In addition to the hopefully helpful links above, here is our sensitive but practical guide for what you can do for any piggy companions in the immediate aftermath as well as for the long term and how you can find the best compromise between your human grieving woes and a remaining piggy's need for companionship within a much more reasonable time frame than most other places demand. You may also find further links in the guide consoling and uplifting.
Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig

We are here for moral support and practical questions for as long as you need.
 
I am so sorry for your loss we are always left with questions and guilt about missing something but you did all you could look after yourself as you grieve.
What is his name?🌈
 
KateF said:
Thank you for the replies and the links to other forum posts. Our piggies name is Mallow
Click to expand...

We have got a Rainbow Bridge section, which is there for anybody who would like to post a tribute to a much loved pet at any time it feels right for them.

There is no obligation to do so since it is too painful and/or triggering for some members to go there while others appreciate to have the option to leave a long term reminder of a beloved one's life. For some of us, it can be a help in their grieving process to talk of their loss and their feelings; especially if they haven't another place or sympathetic people to do it with.

You are welcome to post about Mallow there if you would like to once it is not too painful for you.

Rainbow Bridge Pets
 
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