My guinea pig passed away today

[baxterbr]

I am really sad making this post but I just wanted to share this.
My 4 yo guinea pig passed away this morning. She had some weight loss/weak muscles problems so the vet gave me some multivitamins and instructed me to mix with water and have her drink 0.3mil of the mixed substance every day for about 10 days; Prior to that, the vet gave her 3 injections for 3 days straight. 2 of them were vitamins and one of them was anti-inflammatory; she had these for 3 days every day until they given me that multivitamin dosage to mix with water and give to her for about 10 days. It might be normal but I wanted to include that everytime she had the injection done, she would be twitching like 3-4 times and that's it.
My plan was actually going to my vet after these 10 days regardless if she was feeling better or not so the vet could look at her again. But only after 4 days of giving her injections she passed away. I don't know if it was a coincidence but she passed away about 30 mins after her 4th dose. They way she died really hit me; she kept falling and when I picked her up she was twitching and rolling her head, looked like a seizure maybe; meanwhile I was calling a friend to pick me up and get me to the vet cause I ain't have a license yet (just turned 18); and I was also browsing the internet like crazy for maybe something I could do while waiting. She died about a minute/two minutes max. before my friend got here. Maybe if I had called them earlier the vet would've saved her.. It just don't sit right with me, so heartbreaking that she died in my arms without me actually being able to do anything.

I feel guilty about this because when her first symptoms showed up I took her to a vet that wasn't actually an exotic vet but decided to help anyways, she had some hair loss from fungus and the vet prescribed a topical cream. I feel like she was fine after and even some hair started growing back in that area.
But only a while after she started losing weight and even had problems maintaining balance I took her to an exotic vet which gave me the treatment I said above in this post.

Anyways, I have included some pictures of my guinea pig in her prime, back when she was popcorning and wheeking all day long I have a lot of pictures of her but I am such a terrible photographer.
Somehow even writing this thread makes me happier and maybe I will find some closure by reading the comments. I am looking to make a little memorial altar for my guinea pig and put it in my room to honor her life. Until then.. my baby

RIP Baxter (2018-2023) I know it's a male name but I thought it was a male at first and the name stuck

 

[Homestead Mom]

You loved her, and did everything you could. It does sound odd to me that she reacted that way, but regardless, it’s not anything you did wrong. Take comfort in knowing you are a good owner.

 

[Deleted member 151683]

It does sound odd to me that she reacted that way

About the injections?

 

[Swissgreys]

I am so sorry that you lost your precious Baxter and often writing a memorial post can really help with processing your grief.

The most important thing to remember is that you tried your best, and Baxter died in the arms of someone who loved her.
Four is a good age and guinea pigs often hide their illness very well, meaning when we realise how ill they are it is often already too late.
Be kind to yourself as you grieve.
Baxter obviously had a great life with you and was very loved.

 

[Swissgreys]

Sorry I meant to add that what you saw right before Baxter died is actually quite normal and can be a sign that the body is shutting down.
By that point she would have been too far gone to do anything, even if you had rushed her to a vet.
I have been through the exact same thing with one of my piggies once, and although it looks quite traumatic, by that point the chances are very high that she really had no idea what was happening and certainly did not suffer.

 

[baxterbr]

Sorry I meant to add that what you saw right before Baxter died is actually quite normal and can be a sign that the body is shutting down.
By that point she would have been too far gone to do anything, even if you had rushed her to a vet.
I have been through the exact same thing with one of my piggies once, and although it looks quite traumatic, by that point the chances are very high that she really had no idea what was happening and certainly did not suffer.

Thank you for your words.
So at that point the vet wouldn't be able to do anything anyways? That's good to hear because I was making all type of scenarios today in my head: "what if I called right after she was twitching" "what if I did that"

 

[baxterbr]

Sorry I meant to add that what you saw right before Baxter died is actually quite normal and can be a sign that the body is shutting down.
By that point she would have been too far gone to do anything, even if you had rushed her to a vet.
I have been through the exact same thing with one of my piggies once, and although it looks quite traumatic, by that point the chances are very high that she really had no idea what was happening and certainly did not suffer.

She did look confused, I remember I was trying to offer her food or water and she was just staring with this unconscious expression on her face; not even moving her teeth or anything. She never closed her eyes

 

[weepweeps]

I’m so sorry you have lost beautiful Baxter. She was a much loved piggy and you did all you could for her. You noticed she was poorly and got her to a vet and got her treatment. Popcorn high at the bridge Baxter. Take care

 

[baxterbr]

I’m so sorry you have lost beautiful Baxter. She was a much loved piggy and you did all you could for her. You noticed she was poorly and got her to a vet and got her treatment. Popcorn high at the bridge Baxter. Take care

Thank you for kind words, I just wish she had lived more..

 

[weepweeps]

I lost a piggy to a bladder stone last August. He was only 2. We always want them here longer. Sometimes it’s just their time to hop over the rainbow bridge .

 

[Siikibam]

I’m sorry you lost your beautiful girl. Considering the what ifs and if I had done this or that is all part of the grieving process. Just know you did all you could for her.

We always want them to live longer, but sometimes the pull of the rainbow bridge is just too strong.

 

[Wiebke]

She did look confused, I remember I was trying to offer her food or water and she was just staring with this unconscious expression on her face; not even moving her teeth or anything. She never closed her eyes

HUGS

I am very sorry for your loss.

Guinea pigs actually don't close their eyes for sleeping, and nobody (not even humans) will close their eyes automatically when dying. That is usually done by a nurse or an older family member, depending on where the death happens.
A natural death where the organs break down and the body becomes oxygen starved is a lot more physical than most people with their vague impression of people drifting away in their sleep expect and it can really upset you when this is the first time you are dealing with a loss.

Piggies whose body is no longer able to process food, will not be interested in it (the same as very ill piggies or humans); twitching or seizures, involuntary leg movement are all part of the heart giving up and oxygen no longer being pumped around enough through the body. Thankfully, by then Baxter would have been mostly out of it and no longer fully aware. It is worse for those that watch because it can be rather freaky; we call the twitching at the end 'running to the Rainbow Bridge'.
But once a piggy's body is starting to break down, there is nothing anybody can do to reverse the process; including seeing a vet instantly. All you can do is keep your piggy as calm, comfortable and warm (but not hot) as possible under the circumstances.

It sounds like Baxter was already ill (or had a genetic defect) and rather neglected when you got her but you have given her the love and care that she needed and have not failed her. 4 years is a decent age.

We know that you are a very caring owner because only somebody who truly loves will go through the intense feelings of guilt and soul-searching that you are currently going through. They are typical for the onset of the grieving process and we all have them to some degree or other after a loss. Be kind with yourself in the coming days. You haven't failed Baxter if a vet has been seen and could not find anything amiss.

 

[baxterbr]

HUGS

I am very sorry for your loss.

Guinea pigs actually don't close their eyes for sleeping, and nobody (not even humans) will close their eyes automatically when dying. That is usually done by a nurse or an older family member, depending on where the death happens.
A natural death where the organs break down and the body becomes oxygen starved is a lot more physical than most people with their vague impression of people drifting away in their sleep expect and it can really upset you when this is the first time you are dealing with a loss.

Piggies whose body is no longer able to process food, will not be interested in it (the same as very ill piggies or humans); twitching or seizures, involuntary leg movement are all part of the heart giving up and oxygen no longer being pumped around enough through the body. Thankfully, by then Baxter would have been mostly out of it and no longer fully aware. It is worse for those that watch because it can be rather freaky; we call the twitching at the end 'running to the Rainbow Bridge'.
But once a piggy's body is starting to break down, there is nothing anybody can do to reverse the process; including seeing a vet instantly. All you can do is keep your piggy as calm, comfortable and warm (but not hot) as possible under the circumstances.

It sounds like Baxter was already ill (or had a genetic defect) and rather neglected when you got her but you have given her the love and care that she needed and have not failed her. 4 years is a decent age.

We know that you are a very caring owner because only somebody who truly loves will go through the intense feelings of guilt and soul-searching that you are currently going through. They are typical for the onset of the grieving process and we all have them to some degree or other after a loss. Be kind with yourself in the coming days. You haven't failed Baxter if a vet has been seen and could not find anything amiss.

Thank you so much. Baxter didn't actually ever showed any symptoms in her life; it was only 3 months ago that she started losing hair and then her back legs were really weak. The vet said she had a muscular atrophy and needs to eat more and take those vitamins daily; It just seemed like she was doing better and actually recovering. Do you think it could've been something else? Maybe I should've had a necropsy done on her before I buried her

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you so much. Baxter didn't actually ever showed any symptoms in her life; it was only 3 months ago that she started losing hair and then her back legs were really weak. The vet said she had a muscular atrophy and needs to eat more and take those vitamins daily; It just seemed like she was doing better and actually recovering. Do you think it could've been something else? Maybe I should've had a necropsy done on her before I buried her

It is impossible for us to say what Baxter has died from but once a piggy is becoming frailer, then that opens the door to other things as well as her body simply giving up. All it takes is one organ starting to pack in and in the whole engine will stop.

I am sorry because at this stage you are desperate for answers to make sense of your sudden loss but piggies can go into organ failure out of the blue even when they are seemingly well.
Anyway, I have lost a 5 year old who fell ill over the weekend and then took an unexpected turn for the worst on Sunday evening and passed away a few hours later in the early hours of Monday for when she already had a vet appointment; just before Christmas - if that helps you?
I don't know what Breila died from because I my vets were unable to fit her in on the Saturday and she didn't show any clear symptoms; until Friday evening, she was perfectly well in herself and then suddenly just went very quiet but still kept eating and her weight was stable until later on Sunday when obviously a switch flipped and she went into organ failure. It is also rather likely that my vet may not have necessarily picked up on what the problem was even if they had seen her in time. Sometimes is sadly just not to be.

But it doesn't have anything to do with your care. Try to take pride in having got Baxter as far you have despite her not having had a good start to her life and in having given her a happy life. Guinea pigs don't have a concept for an average life span; they measure their life in happy todays.
As long as you have given Baxters many good days of life you have given her what she would consider a good life - irrespective of how long or short it was. That is what really counts because you can never choose when and what from a piggy will die. That is not in your control.

Try to focus on what you have done for her and on the good times you have given her because you have not failed in what really counts for guinea pigs.

If you really struggle with your loss and keep struggling over the coming days, then you may find our Grieving Guide helpful as it can help you make more sense of the strong emotions and urges you are experiencing in the wake of a rather traumatic experience.
The guide contains helpful tips of what you can do for yourself and also where you could look for more trained support for pet bereavement issues if you need support in case you struggle with sleep or your daily life.
We have to grieve as much as we love; they are the two sides of the same coin but since love is what makes our life so much richer, suffering the pain is part of it. The light of love shines the brighter because of the shadows. It is the shadows through which you ultimately grow as a human being.
Here is the link: Death, Dying, Terminal Illness; Human Grieving and Bereaved Companions: Information and Support for Owners and Their Children

 

[baxterbr]

It is impossible for us to say what Baxter has died from but once a piggy is becoming frailer, then that opens the door to other things as well as her body simply giving up. All it takes is one organ starting to pack in and in the whole engine will stop.

I am sorry because at this stage you are desperate to want answers to make sense of your sudden loss but piggies can go into organ failure out of the blue even when they are seemingly well. I have lost a 5 year old who fell ill over the weekend and then took an unexpected turn for the worst on Sunday evening and passed away a few hours later in the early hours of Monday for when she already had a vet appointment, just before Christmas - if that helps you?
I don't know what Breila died from because I my vets were unable to fit her in before the weekend and she didn't show any clear symptoms; until Friday evening, she was perfectly well in herself and then suddenly just went very quiet but still kept eating and her weight was stable until later on Sunday when obviously a switch flipped and shje went into organ failure. It is also rather likely that my vet may not have necessarily picked up on what the problem was even if they had seen her in time. Sometimes is sadly just not to be.

It doesn't have anything to do with your care. Try to take pride in having got Baxter as far you have despite her not having had a good start to her life and having given her a happy life. Guinea pigs don't have a concept for an average life span; they measure their life in happy todays.
As long as you have given Baxters many good days of life you have given her what she would consider a good life - irrespective of how long or short it was. That is what really counts because you can never choose when and what from a piggy will die. That is not in your control.

Try to focus on what you have done for her and on the good times you have given her because you have not failed in what really counts for guinea pigs.

If you really struggle with your loss and keep struggling over the coming days, then you may find our Grieving Guide helpful as it can help you make more sense of the strong emotions and urges you are experiencing in the wake of a rather traumatic experience.
The guide contains helpful tips of what you can do for yourself and also where you could look for more trained support for pet bereavement issues if you need support in case you struggle with sleep or your daily life.
We have to grieve as much as we love; they are the two sides of the same coin but since love is what makes our life so much richer, suffering the pain is part of it. The light of love shines the brighter because of the shadows. It is the shadows through which you ultimately grow as a human being.
Here is the link: Death, Dying, Terminal Illness; Human Grieving and Bereaved Companions: Information and Support for Owners and Their Children

Thank you for these words, really means something. I do have one question though. I don't know what to do with her homemade cage; even cleaning the cage, it seems so hard for me to let go of her bedding. I am also thinking about collecting some of her hair and maybe even some of the bedding and have it implemented in the memorial but I'm not sure how should I do this right.
Do you have any advice for me? Also sorry to hear about your piggies

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for these words, really means something. I do have one question though. I don't know what to do with her homemade cage; even cleaning the cage, it seems so hard for me to let go of her bedding. I am also thinking about collecting some of her hair and maybe even some of the bedding and have it implemented in the memorial but I'm not sure how should I do this right.
Do you have any advice for me? Also sorry to hear about your piggies

Thank you. It was hard, especially as my then oldest decided to go into organ failure on Monday evening (simply old age; she was very frail by then and had lost her neutered husboar only three months earlier), so I had a double burial in my large piggy burial planter.

What you can do:
- Get a little pretty box or fabric bag to keep the physical reminders.

- Or make a little collage of your favourite pictures and include the physical remains in it.

- There is also personalised jewelry that incorporates ashes and could be made to include hair if a ring or a pendant next to your skin would help to give you peace?
The cheapest resin pet hair pendant is just about £5 for instance but you can easily find more if you google a bit. Here is just a quick link as an example: Pet Fur Necklace Pet Keepsake Resin Pet Hair Jewellery - Etsy UK

- Taking paw prints from something mouldable or putting some ink/colour on the underside of her paws and pressing them in turn against a sheet of paper is also something you might consider - the prints can then be incorporated in whatever memorial you choose, whether that is resin, wood or stone.

As for the body you can choose cremation (google for pet crematoriums within your reach or ask your vet clinic because they usually offer this service; it is more expensive via the vet though) or if you want to bury Baxter, then I would recommend to use a plant pot that you can take easily with you when you move house.

You can leave her cage for a few days if needed if you are not ready yet to remove her reminders from your life immediately; then deep clean and put it on your local free-ads or - if it is a C&C cage - somebody on here may be interested.

 

[Popcorns & Wheeks]

I'm so sorry to hear you have lost your beloved Baxter. It really is heart shattering. Sleep tight little one

 

[baxterbr]

Thank you. It was hard, especially as my then oldest decided to go into organ failure on Monday evening (simply old age; she was very frail by then and had lost her neutered husboar only three months earlier), so I had a double burial in my large piggy burial planter.

What you can do:
- Get a little pretty box or fabric bag to keep the phyical reminders.
- Or make a little collage of your favourite pictures and include the physical remains in it.
- There is also personalised jewelry that incorporates ashes and could be made to include hair if a ring or a pendant next to your skin would help to give you peace?
The cheapest resin pet hair pendant is just about £5 for instance but you can easily find more if you google a bit. Here is just a quick link as an example: Pet Fur Necklace Pet Keepsake Resin Pet Hair Jewellery - Etsy UK
- Taking paw prints from something mouldable or putting some ink/colour on the underside of her paws and pressing them in turn against a sheet of paper is also something you might consider - the prints can then be incorporated in whatever memorial you choose.

As for the body you can choose cremation (google for pet crematoriums within your reach or ask your vet clinic because they usually offer this service; it is more expensive via the vet though) or if you want to bury Baxter, then I would recommend to use a plant pot that you can take easily with you when you move house.

You can leave her cage for a few days if needed if you are not ready yet to remove her reminders from your life immediately; then deep clean and put it on your local free-ads or - if it is a C&C cage - somebody on here may be interested.

Thank you. Removing her reminders is really gonna be tough but it has to be done I guess.
Definitely considering getting a pendant and put her fur in it. I was gonna take her paw prints but I already buried her so.. (unless there isn't an alternative way to get her prints)
I'll try to combine these things together into a nice little memorial for her. It's just crazy how yesterday she was here and now she's gone..

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you. Removing her reminders is really gonna be tough but it has to be done I guess.
Definitely considering getting a pendant and put her fur in it. I was gonna take her paw prints but I already buried her so.. (unless there isn't an alternative way to get her prints)
I'll try to combine these things together into a nice little memorial for her. It's just crazy how yesterday she was here and now she's gone..

There is no way to get her paw prints once you have buried a piggy or left them at the vets for cremation but as you have the hair, concentrate on optimising on that. Take your time to do your research before you decide what is best for you.
A sudden unexpected death can leave you totally shaken as you have to cope with both the shock and the loss at the same time. Right now, it is like a wave that it drowning you and your thoughts are racing. If you can, please try some Mindfulness exercises to help ground you again a bit and give you a little space to breathe.

If you really struggle over the coming days and weeks, in the UK the Blue cross offers several free platforms for pet bereavement support by trained volunteers. Talking is the best thing you can do.
Here is the link: Pet bereavement and pet loss

 

[Wiebke]

PS: If paw prints are not an option, then a silhouette from your favourite picture can be used to personalise a memorial instead.

 

[baxterbr]

PS: If paw prints are not an option, then a silhouette from your favourite picture can be used to personalise a memorial instead.

I happen to have a pretty good picture of her back leg paw I might try to get that to an actual paw print. The silhouette idea is great I'll do that one too. Once again thank you for your words and time