My Guinea Pig Died And I Want To Know If If Died Painfully

[Aryel]

My guinea pig is Ginger. I only had her for about 3 years until she died...It breaks my heart because my goal was to have her live a long 8 years maxed out life. Unfortunately, she got sick with respiratory problems and it didn't eat or drink and it breathed extremely fast. I knew something was wrong so I took it to the vet right away. The vet gave me Critical Care, an injection of medicine and vitamin C and some antibiotics to feed her manually. So, for 3 days I did exactly what the vet told me too. Then, on the fourth day, at 12:12PM 6/27/17, Ginger died. I took her out of the cage to feed her the medicine and just as the tip of the syringe touched her mouth she suddenly coughed and it sounded like she was throwing up but she died. Her legs and arms became limp and she dragged her body across the table and tried to run. She looked weak. After more running around limply, she turned over on her side and her breathing was still heavy. She layed down on the table and I pet her in tears until her last breath and then her body curled up. My mom put her hand on Ginger's body and she said she felt no heartbeat. By that time I was bawling and I kept on petting her dead body. I couldn't stop crying for the next hour. After her death I went to eat lunch, held my tears until I came home, and then when I came home I continued crying for an hour straight. I decided that it was time to stop crying but I swear if I think about Ginger just for a second in my mind, I can easily tear up. What bothered me more than her deat was the way she died. Is it normal the way she died? It was my first time experiencing a death right before my eyes. I had hopes that she would get better. I noticed her illness early and I took her to the vet. I made sure she was fed and she took her meds, but she ended up dying. So when I knew that she was in the dying process, I said "This is it. This is it. Shes gonna die. Shes honna die. I dont want her to die". What also bothered me was that I could so absolutely nothing. I said "the vet the vet" but I knew it was too late. After her death, guilt and regret bottled up inside of me. "I should've let her die in my arms, not on the table. What if she died uncomfortabley. I should've spent more time with her. I should've taken better care of her. I should have, I should have" Then I started to miss everything that I thought was annoying about her. Yes, she peef and pooped all over the place. She was a foodie and all she did was eat eat eat. She would always go explorjng when I took her out and never stayed still for cuddling. She was alwayyss hungry and cried for food. It wasn't untils he was sick that I started caring for her. It was my fault. I neglected her for a while. It goes on and off. I tell myself that I would take her and Brownie (my other piggy) outside the cage for playtime and food time everyday. I do that for 2 weeks and them I decide it is too much work. Then I neglect them for even longer and don't take them out and only go to feed them. I didn't even bother to clean the cage often. I wouldn't say I was an entirely bad owner, just not the best and not the most responible. I still loved my piggys. But school came and I just didn't have much time for them. So I vowed that during my summer vacation I would spend much more time with those 2 little piggys. Now there is only 1. For some reason, after Ginger died, I didn't realy enjoy being with just Brownie anymore. I missed Gingers personality. She wouldn't get scared when I walked past the cage and would literally just sit there on her fat butt and eat and just stare out the cage and us like "What are you looking at". I missed her lively self always running around. (I'm tearing up a bit again). Brownie is still super scared tho and just runs away when you walk by her cage. Ginger is my very first piggy and I think I kinda favor her. Still, I learned my lesson and am taking better care of Brownie. Sorry if this is suuuper long but I needed to let out my feelings.

 

[unkinz]

I'm so sorry for your loss, Ginger sounds like a sweet little piggy. I have lost four piggies in past, and have two at the moment so I understand how totally devastating it can be. Taking her to the vet was the right choice, and you did your best to save her.

It is so hurts so much to watch our sweet piggies dying, but I am comforted by knowing I was there, when in a sense they needed me most. You where there for your little Ginger, and I'm sure she took much comfort in having you nearby.

I lost my Missy last February, much the same as you lost Ginger. Missy was being treated for an ear infection, by our vet, which is not deadly, but suddenly she just lost the will to eat or wasn't able to. I force feed her, but one day when I had taken her out, and she was laying in her cuddle cup next to me, she started having something like convulsions, and slowly died. I still cry sometimes when I think of her, and miss her terribly.

For me too the first thought after death is always guilt. Could I have prevented this? Was I good enough? I think this is natural, but try to focus on all the good times you had with Ginger. We learn from our mistakes, and you can use that to take care of your Brownie. I've found that after losing my first two piggies, and the hurt of that made it a little hard to love piggies again. I love my other piggies dearly, but not really with the same crazy love with the first ones. More a quieter one, not so much love at first sight. Brownie may miss her friend too, and would probably enjoy some cuddles with you if she's the cuddly kind of piggy. It might help to spend some time with her, or if it hurts to look at the cage without Ginger inside, maybe your Mom or a friend could take care of her awhile for you.

It will take a long time, but eventually the hurt will dull a bit. I still love and miss all my passed piggies, but it's not so painful anymore as the first shock is. I printed out pictures of them, and plan of making a shelf next to my current piggies cage as a bit of memorial. You could frame you favourite photo of her, (or a few even!), and put them around to remind yourself of all the good memories you have of her.

Anytime you want to talk I'd be happy to! Hopefully the hurt gets a bit better soon, I'll be praying for you! Big hugs to you and Brownie!

 

[Jerrie Rimas]

I took Barnee to the vet today for surgical removal of a lump on the belly which had been bleeding. Also, had a pussy cyst removed to from his back end. Now, he doesn't want to eat or drink water. I am force feeding him. When I move him he is in pain. I tried to open his mouth and syringe feed him, but he just lets it run out of the mouth. I don't know what else to do. I don't want him to die. How long should it be that they eat after surgery. What do I do if he refuses to open his mouth. He is on pain meds. I do have an antibiotic to. Can someone tell me what to do? The vet said he ate a strand of hay after surgery. Do I force feed him every two hrs.? Please advice! I did read the forum about Guinea Pig and Anethesia. But, the lump was bleeding so all I knew was to have it removed. HELP!

Jerrie Rimas

 

[Lady Kelly]

I took Barnee to the vet today for surgical removal of a lump on the belly which had been bleeding. Also, had a pussy cyst removed to from his back end. Now, he doesn't want to eat or drink water. I am force feeding him. When I move him he is in pain. I tried to open his mouth and syringe feed him, but he just lets it run out of the mouth. I don't know what else to do. I don't want him to die. How long should it be that they eat after surgery. What do I do if he refuses to open his mouth. He is on pain meds. I do have an antibiotic to. Can someone tell me what to do? The vet said he ate a strand of hay after surgery. Do I force feed him every two hrs.? Please advice! I did read the forum about Guinea Pig and Anethesia. But, the lump was bleeding so all I knew was to have it removed. HELP!

Jerrie Rimas

Hi Jerrie, sorry to hear of the problems. I would recommend starting a new thread with this information so the health and illness experts on the forum can perhaps give you some more guidance.

 

[Lady Kelly]

@Aryel so sorry for the loss of Ginger, it's always so much more distressing when a piggy dies of illness in this manner. I had a piggy that I lost earlier this year through pneumonia and other complications, despite multiple vets visits and a host of meds she passed away in much the same manner (she went wobbly, I tried to carry on she shuddered and fell on her side and died quite quickly gasping for breath). I was on the phone to the emergency vet at the time looking to get her pts as she took her last breath. All you can know is that you spotted the illness quickly and you acted immediately. Piggies are very delicate creatures and the vet was telling me that the lungs are around the size of a 6th of my palm (if that). I was warned that even if we got over the infection it could leave permanent problems from lung scarring. It's very sad but at least when it was time to go she went quickly.

Please don't blame yourself and don't isolate Brownie as a result, its not Brownies fault and she needs you now as much as you will need her. It's normal to be very upset, someone you love has passed away and in a distressful manner, you need to give yourself time to grieve but it does get easier in time

 

[Wiebke]

My guinea pig is Ginger. I only had her for about 3 years until she died...It breaks my heart because my goal was to have her live a long 8 years maxed out life. Unfortunately, she got sick with respiratory problems and it didn't eat or drink and it breathed extremely fast. I knew something was wrong so I took it to the vet right away. The vet gave me Critical Care, an injection of medicine and vitamin C and some antibiotics to feed her manually. So, for 3 days I did exactly what the vet told me too. Then, on the fourth day, at 12:12PM 6/27/17, Ginger died. I took her out of the cage to feed her the medicine and just as the tip of the syringe touched her mouth she suddenly coughed and it sounded like she was throwing up but she died. Her legs and arms became limp and she dragged her body across the table and tried to run. She looked weak. After more running around limply, she turned over on her side and her breathing was still heavy. She layed down on the table and I pet her in tears until her last breath and then her body curled up. My mom put her hand on Ginger's body and she said she felt no heartbeat. By that time I was bawling and I kept on petting her dead body. I couldn't stop crying for the next hour. After her death I went to eat lunch, held my tears until I came home, and then when I came home I continued crying for an hour straight. I decided that it was time to stop crying but I swear if I think about Ginger just for a second in my mind, I can easily tear up. What bothered me more than her deat was the way she died. Is it normal the way she died? It was my first time experiencing a death right before my eyes. I had hopes that she would get better. I noticed her illness early and I took her to the vet. I made sure she was fed and she took her meds, but she ended up dying. So when I knew that she was in the dying process, I said "This is it. This is it. Shes gonna die. Shes honna die. I dont want her to die". What also bothered me was that I could so absolutely nothing. I said "the vet the vet" but I knew it was too late. After her death, guilt and regret bottled up inside of me. "I should've let her die in my arms, not on the table. What if she died uncomfortabley. I should've spent more time with her. I should've taken better care of her. I should have, I should have" Then I started to miss everything that I thought was annoying about her. Yes, she peef and pooped all over the place. She was a foodie and all she did was eat eat eat. She would always go explorjng when I took her out and never stayed still for cuddling. She was alwayyss hungry and cried for food. It wasn't untils he was sick that I started caring for her. It was my fault. I neglected her for a while. It goes on and off. I tell myself that I would take her and Brownie (my other piggy) outside the cage for playtime and food time everyday. I do that for 2 weeks and them I decide it is too much work. Then I neglect them for even longer and don't take them out and only go to feed them. I didn't even bother to clean the cage often. I wouldn't say I was an entirely bad owner, just not the best and not the most responible. I still loved my piggys. But school came and I just didn't have much time for them. So I vowed that during my summer vacation I would spend much more time with those 2 little piggys. Now there is only 1. For some reason, after Ginger died, I didn't realy enjoy being with just Brownie anymore. I missed Gingers personality. She wouldn't get scared when I walked past the cage and would literally just sit there on her fat butt and eat and just stare out the cage and us like "What are you looking at". I missed her lively self always running around. (I'm tearing up a bit again). Brownie is still super scared tho and just runs away when you walk by her cage. Ginger is my very first piggy and I think I kinda favor her. Still, I learned my lesson and am taking better care of Brownie. Sorry if this is suuuper long but I needed to let out my feelings.

Hi and welcome!

Respiratory infections can kill, and can kill very quickly even when you have your piggy seen promptly by a vet and syringe feed (just make sure that you do not give more in one go than a piggy can swallow).
These infections usually cause loss of appetite because the need to breathe comes before the need to drink and only thirdly the need to eat; if a piggy struggles to breathe, it no longer has the strength to eat and drink. They can also rather quickly develop into pneumonia. It sounds like the strain to breathe has become too much for Ginger's heart.

We all would love our pets to live a long life, but that is sadly out of our control; as is what they die from. All we can aim for is to give our piggies as happy and good life as they have to live and to take to them to the vets as soon as needed, so if there is a chance to save them, we give them that chance. it is very normal that you have these feelings of guilt and failure at the onset of the grieving process. Every loving and responsible owner has them. They are not an expression of you having made mistakes, but of your love and care. In a way, they are very much an expression that you have NOT failed Ginger!

It is hard to feel anything for another piggy when you lose a beloved one. However, while guinea pigs do not grieve any less deeply than we humans, they grieve differently and need company sooner than we are prepared to. Please consider getting Brownie a friend (ideally from a good rescue if you can get to one). You do not need to want the newbie or feel obliged to love it before you are ready. This is for Brownie, not for you. You will come to love it in your own time, even if it is takes weeks before you are able to start that process. But you will find that seeing Brownie happy is going to lift your own heart and is freeing you up to concentrate on Ginger without having to worry about Brownie as well. If you need help with bonding and do your research first, that is fine. You should wait 2-3 weeks after a companion has died from a potentially infectious disease before you get a new one; it is called quarantine.
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

You are welcome to post a tribute to Ginger in our Rainbow Bridge section whenever it feels right for you. If you really struggle with the grieving, please consider ringing a free pet bereavement service in your country. The people at the other end are trained and will keep everything confidential, but forum members have found that it can really help to speak to somebody who understands what they are going through.

The other thing you could do is to start a diary about your feelings, but also to write down all your memories of Ginger, the large ones and the little ones, as they come to your mind. Over time, you will notice that your feelings change, but you will also see just how much of Ginger is still there in your heart and your memory, and as it is written down, it can never be taken away from you. It will also help you to see eventually the joy and the special times beyond the immediate pain of losing Ginger. You will always miss Ginger, but there hopefully comes a time when you can also treasure having had such a special piggy in your life in the first place.

Please do not blame yourself; you have done the right thing.

 

[Wheekallweek]

God bless little piggy, popcorn over the rainbow bridge. RIP
At least you were with her when she passed, comforting her x

 

[Flutterby]

I'm so sorry for your loss Sleep tight little one xx

 

[Freela]

I'm very sorry for your loss. Unfortunately, respiratory infections can kill quickly, even when they are spotted promptly and treated by the vet. Guinea pigs are prey animals and hide symptoms until illness has already set in. Unfortunately, in spite of our best efforts, sometimes it's just not enough. Please don't beat yourself up... we do our best and unfortunately we cannot guarantee our pets a certain life expectancy even with the best care and the best intentions. Having been present with two of my pigs when they passed on, I can say that your experience with your piggie sounds a lot like what I went through with mine as they were dying, and I think it's just the process of the body shutting down prior to death that you witnessed, not a sign that your guinea pig was in significant pain. We tend not to see death very often in our society and often don't know what it should look like or what to expect. Again, so sorry for your loss and take the time to grieve. Try not to beat yourself up for things that you feel you did wrong as an owner in the past. We learn and grow every day... take any guilt you feel and channel it into doing things differently in the future if you feel you've fallen short in the past, and consider that Ginger's gift to you and Brownie and any future guinea pigs. ((HUGS)) and again, so sorry for your loss.

 

[Qualcast&Flymo]

I'm sorry for your loss @Aryel


Please don't blame yourself at all, as Wiebke said, you did all you possibly could. But it is natural to feel the way you are at the moment, I should think most of us on here have felt the heartache, guilt, detachment from our other piggies etc in various combinations when we have lost our much-loved pets. It's not humanly possibly to feel love without at some time feeling pain when a bond of love is damaged or broken (else you would be a robot or psychopath), but time helps to ease the rawness.

Like you, the death of the first of our guinea pigs was the first time I had experienced death at first hand (though I was about 50 at the time) and it was very painful. I remember the shock, the panicky feeling of wanting to call the vet to try to prevent what was happening and the tears. When we lost our most recent piggie, we were on the way to the vets (originally booked for an x-ray/scan to see if he had kidney disease, but he was so poorly that I was feeling it would be kinder for him to be pts). I asked the vet if he would have been suffering, because like you I hated the thought that he might have been in pain or suffering. The vet said to me she thought he wouldn't have been suffering, more likely he would have felt disoriented, a bit out of it perhaps. I think when the organs start to shut down due to illness or lack of food, the part of the conscious mind that registers pain etc also switches off, and the apparent jumping or running you and I saw with our dying pigs is an automatic physiological reaction to what is happening inside, not a conscious reaction of pain or fear. So hopefully Ginger was not in pain either.

 

[alpacasqueak]

So sorry for your loss x

I had a similar situation to you and was getting my old boy Reggie out to give him his evening meds and a top up syringe feed. He didn't run to the front of the cage like usual and was very quiet, got him out of the cage and within a couple of mins he'd died in my arms.
Really shocking and still causes me tears 4years later.

Hope you and Brownie can have some cuddles and think fondly of your friend together x

 

[sport_billy]

I am so very sorry for your loss.

 

[Aryel]

I'm so sorry for your loss, Ginger sounds like a sweet little piggy. I have lost four piggies in past, and have two at the moment so I understand how totally devastating it can be. Taking her to the vet was the right choice, and you did your best to save her.

It is so hurts so much to watch our sweet piggies dying, but I am comforted by knowing I was there, when in a sense they needed me most. You where there for your little Ginger, and I'm sure she took much comfort in having you nearby.

I lost my Missy last February, much the same as you lost Ginger. Missy was being treated for an ear infection, by our vet, which is not deadly, but suddenly she just lost the will to eat or wasn't able to. I force feed her, but one day when I had taken her out, and she was laying in her cuddle cup next to me, she started having something like convulsions, and slowly died. I still cry sometimes when I think of her, and miss her terribly.

For me too the first thought after death is always guilt. Could I have prevented this? Was I good enough? I think this is natural, but try to focus on all the good times you had with Ginger. We learn from our mistakes, and you can use that to take care of your Brownie. I've found that after losing my first two piggies, and the hurt of that made it a little hard to love piggies again. I love my other piggies dearly, but not really with the same crazy love with the first ones. More a quieter one, not so much love at first sight. Brownie may miss her friend too, and would probably enjoy some cuddles with you if she's the cuddly kind of piggy. It might help to spend some time with her, or if it hurts to look at the cage without Ginger inside, maybe your Mom or a friend could take care of her awhile for you.

It will take a long time, but eventually the hurt will dull a bit. I still love and miss all my passed piggies, but it's not so painful anymore as the first shock is. I printed out pictures of them, and plan of making a shelf next to my current piggies cage as a bit of memorial. You could frame you favourite photo of her, (or a few even!), and put them around to remind yourself of all the good memories you have of her.

Anytime you want to talk I'd be happy to! Hopefully the hurt gets a bit better soon, I'll be praying for you! Big hugs to you and Brownie!

Thank you so much

I'm so sorry for your loss, Ginger sounds like a sweet little piggy. I have lost four piggies in past, and have two at the moment so I understand how totally devastating it can be. Taking her to the vet was the right choice, and you did your best to save her.

It is so hurts so much to watch our sweet piggies dying, but I am comforted by knowing I was there, when in a sense they needed me most. You where there for your little Ginger, and I'm sure she took much comfort in having you nearby.

I lost my Missy last February, much the same as you lost Ginger. Missy was being treated for an ear infection, by our vet, which is not deadly, but suddenly she just lost the will to eat or wasn't able to. I force feed her, but one day when I had taken her out, and she was laying in her cuddle cup next to me, she started having something like convulsions, and slowly died. I still cry sometimes when I think of her, and miss her terribly.

For me too the first thought after death is always guilt. Could I have prevented this? Was I good enough? I think this is natural, but try to focus on all the good times you had with Ginger. We learn from our mistakes, and you can use that to take care of your Brownie. I've found that after losing my first two piggies, and the hurt of that made it a little hard to love piggies again. I love my other piggies dearly, but not really with the same crazy love with the first ones. More a quieter one, not so much love at first sight. Brownie may miss her friend too, and would probably enjoy some cuddles with you if she's the cuddly kind of piggy. It might help to spend some time with her, or if it hurts to look at the cage without Ginger inside, maybe your Mom or a friend could take care of her awhile for you.

It will take a long time, but eventually the hurt will dull a bit. I still love and miss all my passed piggies, but it's not so painful anymore as the first shock is. I printed out pictures of them, and plan of making a shelf next to my current piggies cage as a bit of memorial. You could frame you favourite photo of her, (or a few even!), and put them around to remind yourself of all the good memories you have of her.

Anytime you want to talk I'd be happy to! Hopefully the hurt gets a bit better soon, I'll be praying for you! Big hugs to you and Brownie!

Thank you so much CraftyCavies. I can relate to your story and feel a lot better knowing what you've been through. I'm so sorry for what happened to Missy and hugs to her too

 

[Aryel]

I'm sorry for your loss @Aryel


Please don't blame yourself at all, as Wiebke said, you did all you possibly could. But it is natural to feel the way you are at the moment, I should think most of us on here have felt the heartache, guilt, detachment from our other piggies etc in various combinations when we have lost our much-loved pets. It's not humanly possibly to feel love without at some time feeling pain when a bond of love is damaged or broken (else you would be a robot or psychopath), but time helps to ease the rawness.

Like you, the death of the first of our guinea pigs was the first time I had experienced death at first hand (though I was about 50 at the time) and it was very painful. I remember the shock, the panicky feeling of wanting to call the vet to try to prevent what was happening and the tears. When we lost our most recent piggie, we were on the way to the vets (originally booked for an x-ray/scan to see if he had kidney disease, but he was so poorly that I was feeling it would be kinder for him to be pts). I asked the vet if he would have been suffering, because like you I hated the thought that he might have been in pain or suffering. The vet said to me she thought he wouldn't have been suffering, more likely he would have felt disoriented, a bit out of it perhaps. I think when the organs start to shut down due to illness or lack of food, the part of the conscious mind that registers pain etc also switches off, and the apparent jumping or running you and I saw with our dying pigs is an automatic physiological reaction to what is happening inside, not a conscious reaction of pain or fear. So hopefully Ginger was not in pain either.

Qualcast&Flymo thank you I feel relieved knowing that Ginger might not have died in pain

 

[LittleGems]

Ginger had a great life, its nit the last moments of life that matters but the days that live up to that moment. I also just lost a piggy at 3 years as well and i felt the exact same as you, everything you wrote i felt that. that her life was poor but i know it wasnt and ginger has a good life guinea pigs can die at any age xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[fanniephina]

She didn't feel pain. I had one of my first die in my arms the exact way you described after a long battle myself. Everyone here loves their guinea pigs-it's what makes up this forum that you are part of. You obviously are a very loving parent to your baby and did all you could. Every person here asks what we could have done differently. I am still learning all the time how to be better with these little ones and each is different.

Give yourself time to grieve the next day or so. Remember there is another little one that can feel the loss as well and may need some extra attention. It takes a long time to feel less sadness in a loss like this and I think moreso for the fact that support is limited as most others don't understand the impact they have on their parents. Try to share that with Brownie. I talked to the mates of my little one I lost and spent a bit more time with them. It really helped. Talk with family members and friends whom can help you with the loss. The guilt you feel is normal and nothing can take that away in your grief but maybe give yourself a break until you feel better.

RIP Ginger. She had a very happy life with you.

 

[DM260620]

I know I am 2 years late to write in this thread, but I just wanted to say I am very sorry for your loss, I recently lost one of my two guinea pigs, and I have a depressive disorder which makes me even more devastated, but my point is, I know exactly how you feel.