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Help. My guinea died suddenly

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abijay

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Hello. I really need some help. I went to the run yesterday morning and found one of my guineas dead in his box. He's only 6 months old. There is no sign of a fight or any outward symptoms, except for a slightly gammy ear which could have been because he was died a day or two before.

I must admit to not having had them out to play for a week or so, but when I last had him out he seemed well and happy. The other guinea pig seems fine.

All sorts of ideas are running through my head, not least; did the other guinea pig smother him? I know they do tend to sit one on top of the other with the dead one nearly always being underneath. ALso, is my other guinea pig going to be OK? Should I take him to a vet?

Any help you could give me would be gratefully recieved.
 
How long do you think it was before you knew he had died? I may have misunderstood but you said he had a gammy ear maybe because he had died a couple of days before?
 
I'm not entirely sure how long he had been dead, I hadnt seen him for a couple of days running in the run, so I opened up the box and found him yesterday morning. I dont get them out every day (they're outdoor piggies), so I can't be sure. I'd guess at 2 days.

I know, I feel like a terrible mummy
 
It is very hard to say, but perhaps he died of starvation (if you hadnt fed them for a couple of days) guineas are grazers and need to eat constantly, mainly hay, or he could have died from the cold :( if guineas are kept outside in a hutch at this time of the year, they can easily die of the cold. They need fresh hay every single day, dry food once a day and veg at least once a day. Sorry but it may have been that and its very sad :(
 
No no, I feed them every day. The food bowl was full. I just dont check inside their sleeping chamber every day. Believe me, when you see them you wouldnt think they were starved! (big boys!)

I had bought them in over the coldest nights this winter, but this week has been mild. Certainly much milder than they've been used to in the past...
 
Should say also you need to bring the other guinea inside now as he is alone and will need to be fed up and kept warm with company. Perhaps you can find a 2nd hand indoor cage?

We posted at the same time. The first sign a piggy is unwell is when they stop eating, it sounds like this may have happened and their bodes shut own after only a few hours. Could have been a heart attack though, it is impossible to say but the other one needs extra care now.
 
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Thank you for your thoughts. I guess little animals can just have sudden illnesses, I'm quite sure it wasnt starvation though.

I have guinea number 2 here with me now, helping me type! He will get lots of love.
 
I'm so sorry to hear you lost your pig - I hope you are ok...

I would agree with the other post about bringing your remaining piggy inside - give him lots of cuddles etc and make sure he is nice and cosy...
 
Thanks for the advice.

One other thing that I've just noticed. The surviving piggy (that I have on my lap at the moment) Ive had for 2 years, but he's making a new noise. It sounds like the noise that comes from clicking your nails together. It seems to be coming from the front of his mouth. ANy thoughts.
 
Really? It's just a one off sound. A click and then back to squeaking. Not like a chunter or a chatter
 
helenllama said:
He is teeth chattering.
Not a happy piggy.
Click to expand...

I don't think so. Can you listen to his belly and see if it comes from there? If your're really concerned, pop him to the vet for a once over and for peace of mind.
 
Really? It's not like a chunter/vibrating noise. It's a one off click, almost like he's eating a piece of carrot. The back to squeaking...
 
SOrry, didnt mean to reply twice, didnt see it come up the first time.

No, it comes from the front of his mouth
 
I think if he was mine, and having lost the other little piggie, I would take him to the vets for a check-up, for my own peace of mind. If the vet says he's fine, that's great.

I can tell you are worried about him, so if a vet visit will allay any fears, can you do that? Of course I'm sorry you lost your other little boy.
 
Thank you, I think I'll do that.

Thanks all for the benefit of your experience.
 
Hi i'm so sorry to hear about your other little one, so sad 8...8...

I'd be taking your piggie to the vets cause it could be so many reason's it could be toofies, it could be a URI? i so hope not, but if you take him they can check and then diagnose :)

I'll be sending heaps of healing wheeeeeks of love and comfort for your remaining piggie xxxxxxxxxxxx'

Please let us know how he goes?

btw i'm from OZ (aka Australia) and very BIG welcome to here, so much to learn and so many lovely people xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 
so sorry for your loss. little animals are very hard to read and to know what is going on with them. with the loss of one piggie the other one might just be feeling sad hence the new noise. when mine are seperated they make different noise's. keep an eye on his weight and if he starts to lose weight or any other changes pop him to the vets, otherwise you sound as if you are doing the right things.
 
I'm sorry for your loss, and that you have joined us with such sad circumstances.

Such a sudden death may be down to a heart condition, or simply a hidden illness. A vet check for your remaining piggie is worthwhile and may help put your mind at rest.
 
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