My guinea pig has passed away, and I need advice to help ease my heart

[ahnguyen]

I’m sorry if I posted in the wrong section, as I just joined and am not fully familiar with how things work here. However, I still wanted to post to seek help from everyone.

My piggy passed away a few days ago. Before that, I had taken him to the vet, where he was diagnosed with severe bloating and was advised to stay at the vet for treatment. After four days, the vet took another X-ray and found that there was no longer any gas in his abdomen, and his belly had become noticeably softer. The vet planned to discharge him the following day. However, on the fifth day, he suddenly showed mild signs of breathing difficulties, stood still in one spot, and his fur fluffed up, so he had to stay at the vet for further monitoring. By the sixth day, his breathing became so difficult with a runny nose that he needed oxygen support and warmth, but he gradually weakened and passed away despite the vet’s efforts to resuscitate him.

I don’t understand why he suddenly developed breathing issues when his X-ray showed his lungs were completely normal. The vet explained that it "might" have been because he had an existing illness that weakened his immune system and reduced his resistance, combined with the change in living environment, which caused stress and eventually made it easier for his condition to progress into an upper respiratory infection. However, I’m still doubtful and wonder if it might have been negligence on the vet’s part that led to this outcome.Their explanation didn’t seem very clear and felt vague, as if they themselves weren’t sure about the cause of the breathing difficulties. If anyone has knowledge or advice, please share it with me. I’m heartbroken and can’t understand why he left so suddenly.

I had him cremated and kept the ashes in an urn placed on a memorial table next to my bed. It feels like just yesterday he was happily running around, yet now he’s suddenly gone…

 

[weepweeps]

Welcome to the forum. I’m sorry it’s in these sad circumstances.

I think the reason your vet sounded vague was because they just can’t be sure what happened. Piggies are quite fragile little creatures that hide their illnesses so well. They could definitely have had an underlying issue that was made worse by the bloating and the stressful change in their circumstances. I’m so very sorry your piggy didn’t survive but you did everything you could have done.

Hopefully this guide will help you.

Thread 'Human Bereavement: Grieving, Processing and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children'

Jun 29, 2019

1 The grieving process
- Loss and the start of the grieving process
- Grieving with a terminally ill guinea pig
- Going through the grieving process
2 Ways of coping
- Expressing and processing your feelings
- Regaining your guinea pig
- Burial and marking the passing
- Dealing with special days
3 How do I tell my children?
- Finding local support lines and charities...

• Wiebke
• Replies: 4
• Forum: End of Life and Bereavement Support Corner

• 

Also if you wish you can post a tribute on the rainbow bridge section about your piggy.

 

[fluffysal]

I'm sorry you lost your special boy, you did all you could.
Popcorn high over the rainbow bridge little one

 

[Merab]

So sorry for your loss.
Your love for your piggy is very clear and you did everything possible for him.
Sadly piggies can deteriorate very fast.
Be gentle with yourself as you grieve.
Hugs

 

[ahnguyen]

Welcome to the forum. I’m sorry it’s in these sad circumstances.

I think the reason your vet sounded vague was because they just can’t be sure what happened. Piggies are quite fragile little creatures that hide their illnesses so well. They could definitely have had an underlying issue that was made worse by the bloating and the stressful change in their circumstances. I’m so very sorry your piggy didn’t survive but you did everything you could have done.

Hopefully this guide will help you.

Thread 'Human Bereavement: Grieving, Processing and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children'

Jun 29, 2019

1 The grieving process
- Loss and the start of the grieving process
- Grieving with a terminally ill guinea pig
- Going through the grieving process
2 Ways of coping
- Expressing and processing your feelings
- Regaining your guinea pig
- Burial and marking the passing
- Dealing with special days
3 How do I tell my children?
- Finding local support lines and charities...

• Wiebke
• Replies: 4
• Forum: End of Life and Bereavement Support Corner

• 

Also if you wish you can post a tribute on the rainbow bridge section about your piggy.

Thank you so much. Honestly, I think deep down I know that guinea pigs are very delicate and difficult to care for, but facing this sudden loss, I just can’t accept it yet and find myself questioning everything about my piggy’s death. I’m afraid that if it was due to the vet’s negligence and I was the one who brought her there, I will feel guilty for the rest of my life. Perhaps I’m just trying to find someone else to blame to ease this pain. And I truly appreciate you taking the time to give me advice.

 

[ahnguyen]

I'm sorry you lost your special boy, you did all you could.
Popcorn high over the rainbow bridge little one

Thank you so much
I hope that he will be happy in his own world

 

[ahnguyen]

So sorry for your loss.
Your love for your piggy is very clear and you did everything possible for him.
Sadly piggies can deteriorate very fast.
Be gentle with yourself as you grieve.
Hugs

sincerely thank you

 

[Merab]

Thank you so much. Honestly, I think deep down I know that guinea pigs are very delicate and difficult to care for, but facing this sudden loss, I just can’t accept it yet and find myself questioning everything about my piggy’s death. I’m afraid that if it was due to the vet’s negligence and I was the one who brought her there, I will feel guilty for the rest of my life. Perhaps I’m just trying to find someone else to blame to ease this pain. And I truly appreciate you taking the time to give me advice.

The way you are feeling is a normal part of grieving.
To ask what we could have done differently, or what if……
Your grief is still very raw and it will take time.
Be patient with yourself.

 

[ahnguyen]

The way you are feeling is a normal part of grieving.
To ask what we could have done differently, or what if……
Your grief is still very raw and it will take time.
Be patient with yourself.

Thank you for your kind words and understanding, It really means a lot to hear this, especially during such a difficult time. I’ll try to be patient with myself, even though it’s not easy right now. Your support truly helps

 

[weepweeps]

Thank you so much. Honestly, I think deep down I know that guinea pigs are very delicate and difficult to care for, but facing this sudden loss, I just can’t accept it yet and find myself questioning everything about my piggy’s death. I’m afraid that if it was due to the vet’s negligence and I was the one who brought her there, I will feel guilty for the rest of my life. Perhaps I’m just trying to find someone else to blame to ease this pain. And I truly appreciate you taking the time to give me advice.

What you are feeling is normal. Please don’t feel guilty. You noticed they were poorly and you took them to a vet. You did the right thing. Sometimes the call to the bridge is just too strong. Sending you massive hugs.

 

[munchmonster]

I am sorry for your loss and I completely understand how you feel. You have a pain in your heart right now, but you did everything you could. As time goes on you will have memories to treasure. Take care of yourself and try not to blame yourself. Sending hugs
Popcorn free over the rainbow bridge little one

 

[ahnguyen]

What you are feeling is normal. Please don’t feel guilty. You noticed they were poorly and you took them to a vet. You did the right thing. Sometimes the call to the bridge is just too strong. Sending you massive hugs.

thank you so much for your advice

 

[ahnguyen]

I am sorry for your loss and I completely understand how you feel. You have a pain in your heart right now, but you did everything you could. As time goes on you will have memories to treasure. Take care of yourself and try not to blame yourself. Sending hugs
Popcorn free over the rainbow bridge little one

Honestly, I’ve been feeling devastated and have been looking for emotional support by sharing my story about my piggy to get advice from other owners. Every word from you guys means so much to me. Whenever I feel sad, I can look back at the comforting words and advice from everyone to find the strength to get through this pain!

 

[Wiebke]

I’m sorry if I posted in the wrong section, as I just joined and am not fully familiar with how things work here. However, I still wanted to post to seek help from everyone.

My piggy passed away a few days ago. Before that, I had taken him to the vet, where he was diagnosed with severe bloating and was advised to stay at the vet for treatment. After four days, the vet took another X-ray and found that there was no longer any gas in his abdomen, and his belly had become noticeably softer. The vet planned to discharge him the following day. However, on the fifth day, he suddenly showed mild signs of breathing difficulties, stood still in one spot, and his fur fluffed up, so he had to stay at the vet for further monitoring. By the sixth day, his breathing became so difficult with a runny nose that he needed oxygen support and warmth, but he gradually weakened and passed away despite the vet’s efforts to resuscitate him.

I don’t understand why he suddenly developed breathing issues when his X-ray showed his lungs were completely normal. The vet explained that it "might" have been because he had an existing illness that weakened his immune system and reduced his resistance, combined with the change in living environment, which caused stress and eventually made it easier for his condition to progress into an upper respiratory infection. However, I’m still doubtful and wonder if it might have been negligence on the vet’s part that led to this outcome.Their explanation didn’t seem very clear and felt vague, as if they themselves weren’t sure about the cause of the breathing difficulties. If anyone has knowledge or advice, please share it with me. I’m heartbroken and can’t understand why he left so suddenly.

I had him cremated and kept the ashes in an urn placed on a memorial table next to my bed. It feels like just yesterday he was happily running around, yet now he’s suddenly gone…

Hi and welcome

BIG HUGS

I am very sorry for your loss. It is always hard to make sense of a sudden devastating illness that hits out of the blue.

There are more than just bacterial upper respiratory tract infections (which can also be fatal without evolving into pneumonia but there are also some rather nasty, often very fast evolving other germs around that can outrun any medication even if a piggy is seen very promptly (like for instance streptococcus etc.) It can be a very frightening experience.
It's also often not at all easy for a vet to figure out what is going on. Guinea pigs are prey animals and wired to suppress symptoms to an astonishing degree when out of their comfort zone. Lab tests will take time your piggy won't have. Resistancy issues, especially with respiratory issues are on the rise. Just bad luck.

Unfortunately, only a post mortem examination may (or may not) give you the answer you are craving.

Please be aware that as a caring owner you are wired to reflect everything back onto yourself, which means that we all experience some form of soul-searching or strong feelings or failure or guilt at the onset of the grieving process. They are usually much stronger after a traumatic and/or unexpected loss. These feelings don't mean that you have done anything wrong, they are quite simply the other side of the same coin that is our unconditional love and are a testament of just how deeply you care. As owners we can never be in full control and we can especially never choose when or what from a piggy of ours dies.

But as long as you give your pets what they want from life - happy todays in good care - you are not failing them. We could do better as owners taking a leaf out of their books instead of tripping up ourselves with raising our own expectation on ourselves too high and setting ourselves up for the inevatible fail as a result.

Please try to be kind with yourself. We will be here for you with moral support if you have questions, concerns or struggle in the coming days or weeks.

 

[ahnguyen]

Hi and welcome

BIG HUGS

I am very sorry for your loss. It is always hard to make sense of a sudden devastating illness that hits out of the blue.

There are more than just bacterial upper respiratory tract infections (which can also be fatal without evolving into pneumonia but there are also some rather nasty, often very fast evolving other germs around that can outrun any medication even if a piggy is seen very promptly (like for instance streptococcus etc.) It can be a very frightening experience.
It's also often not at all easy for a vet to figure out what is going on. Guinea pigs are prey animals and wired to suppress symptoms to an astonishing degree when out of their comfort zone. Lab tests will take time your piggy won't have. Resistancy issues, especially with respiratory issues are on the rise. Just bad luck.

Unfortunately, only a post mortem examination may (or may not) give you the answer you are craving.

Please be aware that as a caring owner you are wired to reflect everything back onto yourself, which means that we all experience some form of soul-searching or strong feelings or failure or guilt at the onset of the grieving process. They are usually much stronger after a traumatic and/or unexpected loss. These feelings don't mean that you have done anything wrong, they are quite simply the other side of the same coin that is our unconditional love and are a testament of just how deeply you care. As owners we can never be in full control and we can especially never choose when or what from a piggy of ours dies.

But as long as you give your pets what they want from life - happy todays in good care - you are not failing them. We could do better as owners taking a leaf out of their books instead of tripping up ourselves with raising our own expectation on ourselves too high and setting ourselves up for the inevatible fail as a result.

Please try to be kind with yourself. We will be here for you with moral support if you have questions, concerns or struggle in the coming days or weeks.

That’s so wonderful, and I feel so lucky to have stumbled upon this guinea pig community online. In my country, not many people raise guinea pigs, so the community is quite small and there are very few who have in-depth knowledge about this species. The day before my piggy passed away, I suddenly felt anxious and uneasy because it had been so many days since he was still at the vet. I started searching online about bloating in guinea pigs, and that’s when I discovered this forum. Thinking back now, I feel like it was a gift sent to me, so that after him passing, I would have this place to find comfort and emotional support. Thank you so much for taking the time to explain things clearly to me!
English isn’t my native language, so I’ve tried my best to convey my thoughts as clearly as possible. I hope you can understand and forgive me if my English sounds a bit odd at times.

 

[fluffysal]

Don't worry, we have many international members and your English is excellent.

 

[Wiebke]

That’s so wonderful, and I feel so lucky to have stumbled upon this guinea pig community online. In my country, not many people raise guinea pigs, so the community is quite small and there are very few who have in-depth knowledge about this species. The day before my piggy passed away, I suddenly felt anxious and uneasy because it had been so many days since he was still at the vet. I started searching online about bloating in guinea pigs, and that’s when I discovered this forum. Thinking back now, I feel like it was a gift sent to me, so that after him passing, I would have this place to find comfort and emotional support. Thank you so much for taking the time to explain things clearly to me!
English isn’t my native language, so I’ve tried my best to convey my thoughts as clearly as possible. I hope you can understand and forgive me if my English sounds a bit odd at times.

Translation programs are a lot better these days and you have communicated very clearly.

Our forum is older and independent of social media, which means that we have coming up to 20 years of collective forum experience and up to half a century of personal ownership in some cases to fall back on. We are also in total control of our no-profit place that is run entirely on voluntary member donations.
Running a friendly and supportive place frankly takes a lot more effort, so we are pretty unique in having this wonderful community where it is as much about us owners looking after each other (and having fun as well) as about our adored piggies and their quirks.

We also have got pretty much the most extensive and best quality information resource for all sorts of aspects of guinea pig care, which you may find helpful especially when being in a different continent to our mainly UK based forum although we have plenty of members from all over the world, including a few more Brazilian members.

Here is the quick access link to our guides, which you may want to bookmark, browse, read and then re-read at need as you will often pick up on different things at different levels of experience. The guides provide both in-depth information as well as practical how-to tips that we cannot type out in full in every thread. The guides format allows to us update and add to at need.

Thread 'Comprehensive Owners' Practical and Supportive Information Collection'

Oct 30, 2017

Overview
1 Guinea pig species needs and human ownership
- Guinea pigs as a species and their social needs
- Family and classroom guinea pigs
- Naming considerations and finding out the breed
- Pet Owners Anxiety (helpful advice for sufferers and supporters)
2 Getting guinea pigs, sexing, common starter problems and customer rights
- Where to best get your piggies from, common new guinea pig health problems and your customer rights...

• sport_billy
• Replies: 2
• Forum: Helpful Info Collections for Wannabes & Owners

• 

You are welcome to enjoy the lighter side of the forum community in our Chat sections. Some of our regulars have their own ongoing blog thread about their own piggies but there is a lot more to make you smile and giggle!