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Health of Recently Bereaved Guinea Pig

pip&pebble

pip&pebble

New Born Pup
Joined
Sep 30, 2022
Messages
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Location
Stourbridge
Hi,

I had to have my lovely Pip put to sleep last Thursday and I have since suspected this may have been due to pneumonia.

I took his brother Pebble to the vets before I realised the connection with Pip's health. Fortunately the vet didn't spot anything wrong with Pebble but of course didn't specifically check for pneumonia. I am worried about him and have found I am being extremely hyper vigilant looking for signs. I am hoping I am doing the right thing in holding off taking him back to help him get used to his new life at the time being without Pip (unless of course I spot any signs).

In trying to get him to keep hydrated, I have fed him veggies to help but I think they may have developed slightly smelly and wet poops. I wasn't sure if this was linked to stress perhaps as well? To be on the safe side I thought I would keep him off veggies for 24 hours to help him and take him to the vets if it doesn't pass.

However, my worry is he's already had to adjust to a lot the past few days losing his brother and I don't want to add to his stress. If I cut his veggies, could this make him feel stressed? Is it better I just reduce them down rather than cut them out?
 
So sorry for your loss.
Your anxiety for Pebble is perfectly understandable.
You do need to reduce his veggies until his poops return to normal. An upset tummy is the last thing you need.
Guinea pigs will keep themselves hydrated with a normal vegetable diet and access to fresh water.
He will grieve in his own way and provided he’s eating he’ll be ok for a short while.
Be gentle with yourself as you grieve for Pip
 
pip&pebble said:
Hi,

I had to have my lovely Pip put to sleep last Thursday and I have since suspected this may have been due to pneumonia.

I took his brother Pebble to the vets before I realised the connection with Pip's health. Fortunately the vet didn't spot anything wrong with Pebble but of course didn't specifically check for pneumonia. I am worried about him and have found I am being extremely hyper vigilant looking for signs. I am hoping I am doing the right thing in holding off taking him back to help him get used to his new life at the time being without Pip (unless of course I spot any signs).

In trying to get him to keep hydrated, I have fed him veggies to help but I think they may have developed slightly smelly and wet poops. I wasn't sure if this was linked to stress perhaps as well? To be on the safe side I thought I would keep him off veggies for 24 hours to help him and take him to the vets if it doesn't pass.

However, my worry is he's already had to adjust to a lot the past few days losing his brother and I don't want to add to his stress. If I cut his veggies, could this make him feel stressed? Is it better I just reduce them down rather than cut them out?
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome

HUGS
I am very sorry that you have got the jitters so badly. It is not an uncommon response to a traumatic experience.

Please return to a normal diet and keep your boy as normal as possible. The problem is not him but your own mind.

You may find these two links here helpful in keeping things in proportion:

Wiebke

Thread 'Pet Owners Anxiety - Practical Tips For Sufferers and For Supporters'

1 What is Pet Owners Anxiety?
2 What can I practically do when I suffer from it?
3 What can I do when dealing with an anxiety sufferer?
4 Conclusion
5 Practical Resources


This article has been written for Guinea Pig Magazine issue 62 in May 2021 and is shared on this forum with the permission of the magazine. The copyright for this article remains with Guinea Pig Magazine.

We are all often in equal measure excited and scared at taking care of a new pet or pet species, and frightened when our beloved guinea pigs are...
  • Like
  • Informative

Wiebke

Thread 'Weight and Weight Loss Explained: BMI, Weighing, Poos and Feeding Support'

1 Weight and Weight Loss
- Why regular weight monitoring matters
- How weight changes over a lifetime
- How to weigh on your kitchen scales (with video)
- The weight loss rules
- How critical is the weight loss for my piggy?
- Possible causes for weight loss
2 Body Mass Index (BMI) or 'Heft'
- Why is understanding your piggy's weight so important?
- 'Average' weight vs. individual weight - the big trip up
- How to check for the BMI...
  • Like

Here is our grieving guide. If you struggle or feel like you are stuck in your PTSD mind loop please seek help from the free Blue Cross pet bereavement services (UK animal charity).
Pet bereavement and pet loss

Try to take care of yourself with the help of the very practical advice in the links but seek help sooner than later if that is not doing the trick.

All the best. We continue to be here for you.
 
Merab said:
So sorry for your loss.
Your anxiety for Pebble is perfectly understandable.
You do need to reduce his veggies until his poops return to normal. An upset tummy is the last thing you need.
Guinea pigs will keep themselves hydrated with a normal vegetable diet and access to fresh water.
He will grieve in his own way and provided he’s eating he’ll be ok for a short while.
Be gentle with yourself as you grieve for Pip
Click to expand...
Thank you - I will definitely cut out his veggies over the next day or two and see how he gets on
 
Wiebke said:
Hi and welcome

HUGS
I am very sorry that you have got the jitters so badly. It is not an uncommon response to a traumatic experience.

Please return to a normal diet and keep your boy as normal as possible. The problem is not him but your own mind.

You may find these two links here helpful in keeping things in proportion:

Wiebke

Thread 'Pet Owners Anxiety - Practical Tips For Sufferers and For Supporters'

1 What is Pet Owners Anxiety?
2 What can I practically do when I suffer from it?
3 What can I do when dealing with an anxiety sufferer?
4 Conclusion
5 Practical Resources


This article has been written for Guinea Pig Magazine issue 62 in May 2021 and is shared on this forum with the permission of the magazine. The copyright for this article remains with Guinea Pig Magazine.

We are all often in equal measure excited and scared at taking care of a new pet or pet species, and frightened when our beloved guinea pigs are...
  • Like
  • Informative

Wiebke

Thread 'Weight and Weight Loss Explained: BMI, Weighing, Poos and Feeding Support'

1 Weight and Weight Loss
- Why regular weight monitoring matters
- How weight changes over a lifetime
- How to weigh on your kitchen scales (with video)
- The weight loss rules
- How critical is the weight loss for my piggy?
- Possible causes for weight loss
2 Body Mass Index (BMI) or 'Heft'
- Why is understanding your piggy's weight so important?
- 'Average' weight vs. individual weight - the big trip up
- How to check for the BMI...
  • Like

Here is our grieving guide. If you struggle or feel like you are stuck in your PTSD mind loop please seek help from the free Blue Cross pet bereavement services (UK animal charity).
Pet bereavement and pet loss

Try to take care of yourself with the help of the very practical advice in the links but seek help sooner than later if that is not doing the trick.

All the best. We continue to be here for you.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much, this is incredibly helpful
 
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