One of group passed away

Ethelandmarigold

Ethelandmarigold

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Jul 26, 2019
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Location
Bristol, UK
Hi,

ive posted on here a couple of times about my young guinea pigs. I bought a young female pair in July, one turned out to be pregnant, they had terrible lice and then once she had given birth she began to develop on and off respiratory problems.
unfortunately after almost 7 weeks of antibiotics and nebulusing we lost her today. The other two appear healthy but are both extremely unsettled. Her youngster was tucked in to her when I came home and found her and has been making some strange vocalisations (sounds similar to when they eat hay, but like a grunt).
il obviously very upset but seeing the way the other two are feeling is really upsetting. They were both closest with the girl who died and they have been sat apart most of the evening and have been unbelievably quiet (which is totally out of character as they both never usually stop). I'm wondering if they will bind more together or if I’m likely to see them fall out?
Additionally, I’ve been having so many problems with the company I bought them from regarding their health issues (they’re nearly 7 months and since I git them I’ve spent just over £500 in vet bills for all their ailments). Does anyone have any advice on how to get them to take some responsibility?

long thread sorry!
 
Ethelandmarigold said:
Hi,

ive posted on here a couple of times about my young guinea pigs. I bought a young female pair in July, one turned out to be pregnant, they had terrible lice and then once she had given birth she began to develop on and off respiratory problems.
unfortunately after almost 7 weeks of antibiotics and nebulusing we lost her today. The other two appear healthy but are both extremely unsettled. Her youngster was tucked in to her when I came home and found her and has been making some strange vocalisations (sounds similar to when they eat hay, but like a grunt).
il obviously very upset but seeing the way the other two are feeling is really upsetting. They were both closest with the girl who died and they have been sat apart most of the evening and have been unbelievably quiet (which is totally out of character as they both never usually stop). I'm wondering if they will bind more together or if I’m likely to see them fall out?
Additionally, I’ve been having so many problems with the company I bought them from regarding their health issues (they’re nearly 7 months and since I git them I’ve spent just over £500 in vet bills for all their ailments). Does anyone have any advice on how to get them to take some responsibility?

long thread sorry!
Click to expand...

Hi!

I am very sorry for your bad experience. I hope that other members have more experience with the legal aspect. Complaining to the local council over trading standards is one way but it won't get you any financial compensation.

Please make sure that her baby is ok. How old is she now?

Piggies grieve no less deeply than human if generally more shortly because of survival pressures; but like with humans they react in very different ways so you can never quite predict what is going to happen. A lot depends on where in the group hierarchy your sow has been ranked.
The loss of a leader with mean that her spot has to be taken over by another one and that will cause some dominance behaviour which travels down the hierarchy as the group is re-established. With a lower ranked down there will be less dominance and just a sorting out with the sows ranked immediately above and below once your piggies are picking up life again.

This guide here tells you what you need to keep an eye on in the coming days: Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

And here is help for yourself as you grapple with your own feelings: Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

PS: If you want to get new piggies at some point in the future (I don't think you want to add right now; especially if there is a potential transmission risk and not after your bad experience), please consider adopting from The Littlest Rescue; it is local to you and on our list of recommended rescues with a mandatory quarantine/vet care, pregnancy watch and rescue dating. This will hopefully help you to avoid any repeat of your nightmare but gives you the possibility to continue your piggy journey with an added feel good factor as you do not help the piggy you adopt but also the help to make space and save another life that will take any adoptees' space and get the knowledgeable rescue and medical care they need.
 
Wiebke said:
Hi!

I am very sorry for your bad experience. I hope that other members have more experience with the legal aspect. Complaining to the local council over trading standards is one way but it won't get you any financial compensation.

Please make sure that her baby is ok. How old is she now?

Piggies grieve no less deeply than human if generally more shortly because of survival pressures; but like with humans they react in very different ways so you can never quite predict what is going to happen. A lot depends on where in the group hierarchy your sow has been ranked.
The loss of a leader with mean that her spot has to be taken over by another one and that will cause some dominance behaviour which travels down the hierarchy as the group is re-established. With a lower ranked down there will be less dominance and just a sorting out with the sows ranked immediately above and below once your piggies are picking up life again.

This guide here tells you what you need to keep an eye on in the coming days: Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

And here is help for yourself as you grapple with your own feelings: Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

PS: If you want to get new piggies at some point in the future (I don't think you want to add right now; especially if there is a potential transmission risk and not after your bad experience), please consider adopting from The Littlest Rescue; it is local to you and on our list of recommended rescues with a mandatory quarantine/vet care, pregnancy watch and rescue dating. This will hopefully help you to avoid any repeat of your nightmare but gives you the possibility to continue your piggy journey with an added feel good factor as you do not help the piggy you adopt but also the help to make space and save another life that will take any adoptees' space and get the knowledgeable rescue and medical care they need.
Click to expand...

Hi,
Thank you for your reply!
I will contact the council. I spoke to the company again today and they continue to say they’ve heard nothing from me or need documents that I’ve sent several times.
Her baby is now 4 months old so is fully weened etc. She’s very mopey though as she was always inseparable from her mum. Mum was middle rank so i guess that’s what they’re doing at the moment.
Thanks for the links they’re helpful.
At the moment I don’t want to get any more pigs as I’d feel I was replacing her but if I do in future I will contact littlest rescue. I’ve dealt with them before and they’ve been great.
Both girls appear healthy but I’m going to get them a vet check Monday to be sure as I’m really paranoid now.
 
Ethelandmarigold said:
Hi,
Thank you for your reply!
I will contact the council. I spoke to the company again today and they continue to say they’ve heard nothing from me or need documents that I’ve sent several times.
Her baby is now 4 months old so is fully weened etc. She’s very mopey though as she was always inseparable from her mum. Mum was middle rank so i guess that’s what they’re doing at the moment.
Thanks for the links they’re helpful.
At the moment I don’t want to get any more pigs as I’d feel I was replacing her but if I do in future I will contact littlest rescue. I’ve dealt with them before and they’ve been great.
Both girls appear healthy but I’m going to get them a vet check Monday to be sure as I’m really paranoid now.
Click to expand...

HUGS
 
So sorry for your loss.
What an awful time you’ve been having.
Glad the babies are doing ok.

If you send documents again make sure that you send them recorded deliver. That way there will be proof of delivery.

Another option, if nothing else works, is to write to the CEO to lay out your case.
That can produce results.
 
I am so very very sorry for your loss, massive hugs to you at this sad time
 
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