One Of My Guinea Pigs Just Died And I’m Worried About His Brother, Help!

[Naomi P-R]

Hiya,
So I came home from school yesterday and fed the pigs and noticed that Murphy was stumbling down his ramp, I tried to give him food as he’s usually eager to run up to me and snatch it out of my hand and he was slowly walking away, immediately realising something was wrong I picked him up and to my shock he weighed practically nothing and was very limp. I was very panicked and didn’t know what to do, called the vets and rushed down and they unfortunately had to put him down because he’d had a heart attack and his heart was failing. I was absolutely devastated and in shock as it was so sudden and random. I’ve only had my two pigs since December 2016, when my parents adopted them for me for Christmas, so they’re around three years old maximum - we were never told their birthdays. I was so upset and in such shock I didn’t really research anything or do anything with Fonze, I filled his house full of hay and left him as my mum said she was going to set him up back inside today - which she did do for me whilst I was at work. Now I’ve been really worried that’s he's going to be lonely or depressed and I’ve also been really upset that Fonze probably doesn’t know what’s going on. I just read somewhere that people show the surviving piggies the body. I still haven’t hurried Murphy because I was at school and working today but I think it’s too late to show his body to Fonze by tomorrow isn’t it? Because he died Tuesday afternoon. I just wanted some advice on why to do regarding that, supporting Fonze, potentially getting him another piggie, how long to wait before I do that, etc, any advice will be appreciated thank you!

 

[Wiebke]

Hiya,
So I came home from school yesterday and fed the pigs and noticed that Murphy was stumbling down his ramp, I tried to give him food as he’s usually eager to run up to me and snatch it out of my hand and he was slowly walking away, immediately realising something was wrong I picked him up and to my shock he weighed practically nothing and was very limp. I was very panicked and didn’t know what to do, called the vets and rushed down and they unfortunately had to put him down because he’d had a heart attack and his heart was failing. I was absolutely devastated and in shock as it was so sudden and random. I’ve only had my two pigs since December 2016, when my parents adopted them for me for Christmas, so they’re around three years old maximum - we were never told their birthdays. I was so upset and in such shock I didn’t really research anything or do anything with Fonze, I filled his house full of hay and left him as my mum said she was going to set him up back inside today - which she did do for me whilst I was at work. Now I’ve been really worried that’s he's going to be lonely or depressed and I’ve also been really upset that Fonze probably doesn’t know what’s going on. I just read somewhere that people show the surviving piggies the body. I still haven’t hurried Murphy because I was at school and working today but I think it’s too late to show his body to Fonze by tomorrow isn’t it? Because he died Tuesday afternoon. I just wanted some advice on why to do regarding that, supporting Fonze, potentially getting him another piggie, how long to wait before I do that, etc, any advice will be appreciated thank you!

Hi and welcome!

I am very sorry for your loss! Sadly guinea pigs can die from heart failure, heart attacks and strokes at any time in their life.

Fonze will know by now that Murphy has died; he will have known that Murphy was very ill before you noticed and not have been surprised. You do not need to show the body now; that is mostly for when a piggy has died very suddenly or has had to be put to sleep without looking ill, or for when a bereaved piggy is desperately looking for its friend.

Please take a deep breath - heart failure is not infective, but if you are worried, then have Fonze vet checked! It is a normal reaction to worry about your remaining piggies being at risk when you have lost one so suddenly and unexpectedly.
Guinea pigs can go downhill with devastating speed (and that is always a deep shock), but it would be a good habit to weight your piggies once weekly and ideally handle them regularly so you notice any weight loss quickly. You may still not be able to prevent them from dying (as I know from my own several experiences over the years), but it is the best way of keeping an eye on any developing problems and hopefully catch any curable ones early on.

You have done absolutely the right thing in getting Murphy to the vet as quickly as possible when you noticed, so please do not feel bad; guinea pigs are prey animals that will unfortunately hide any illness for as long as possible until it is all too often too late.

Please take the time to read this guide here; you will hopefully find it helpful. It talks you through in detail what you can do in the immediate aftermath and for the long term for Fonze. Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

You are welcome to post a tribute to Murphy in our Rainbow Bridge section if you would like to and whenever it feels right for you.

 

[Hoppity.K]

Hi there. I’m so sorry for your loss. Murphy was very much loved by you and he loved you too
I cannot post anything better than @Wiebke had already said, her advice is amazing. But please don’t feel bad or guilty. Fonze will understand in his piggy way and he may well have known something was wrong anyway. I’m sure guinea pigs have some sort of secret language that we haven’t or can’t tune into.
You gave Murphy a lovely happy life and sadly it was just his time to go. It was not your fault so please don’t feel guilty.
Give yourself & Fonze time to grieve & remember the good times.
Huge hugs

 

[Naomi P-R]

Hi there. I’m so sorry for your loss. Murphy was very much loved by you and he loved you too
I cannot post anything better than @Wiebke had already said, her advice is amazing. But please don’t feel bad or guilty. Fonze will understand in his piggy way and he may well have known something was wrong anyway. I’m sure guinea pigs have some sort of secret language that we haven’t or can’t tune into.
You gave Murphy a lovely happy life and sadly it was just his time to go. It was not your fault so please don’t feel guilty.
Give yourself & Fonze time to grieve & remember the good times.
Huge hugs

Thank you! I really appreciate it!

Hi and welcome!

I am very sorry for your loss! Sadly guinea pigs can die from heart failure, heart attacks and strokes at any time in their life.

Fonze will know by now that Murphy has died; he will have known that Murphy was very ill before you noticed and not have been surprised. You do not need to show the body now; that is mostly for when a piggy has died very suddenly or has had to be put to sleep without looking ill, or for when a bereaved piggy is desperately looking for its friend.

Please take a deep breath - heart failure is not infective, but if you are worried, then have Fonze vet checked! It is a normal reaction to worry about your remaining piggies being at risk when you have lost one so suddenly and unexpectedly.
Guinea pigs can go downhill with devastating speed (and that is always a deep shock), but it would be a good habit to weight your piggies once weekly and ideally handle them regularly so you notice any weight loss quickly. You may still not be able to prevent them from dying (as I know from my own several experiences over the years), but it is the best way of keeping an eye on any developing problems and hopefully catch any curable ones early on.

You have done absolutely the right thing in getting Murphy to the vet as quickly as possible when you noticed, so please do not feel bad; guinea pigs are prey animals that will unfortunately hide any illness for as long as possible until it is all too often too late.

Please take the time to read this guide here; you will hopefully find it helpful. It talks you through in detail what you can do in the immediate aftermath and for the long term for Fonze. Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

You are welcome to post a tribute to Murphy in our Rainbow Bridge section if you would like to and whenever it feels right for you.

Thank you that was extremely helpful, I really appreciate you taking the time to help me understand and explain it to me! Thank you again.

 

[Naomi P-R]

Hi and welcome!

I am very sorry for your loss! Sadly guinea pigs can die from heart failure, heart attacks and strokes at any time in their life.

Fonze will know by now that Murphy has died; he will have known that Murphy was very ill before you noticed and not have been surprised. You do not need to show the body now; that is mostly for when a piggy has died very suddenly or has had to be put to sleep without looking ill, or for when a bereaved piggy is desperately looking for its friend.

Please take a deep breath - heart failure is not infective, but if you are worried, then have Fonze vet checked! It is a normal reaction to worry about your remaining piggies being at risk when you have lost one so suddenly and unexpectedly.
Guinea pigs can go downhill with devastating speed (and that is always a deep shock), but it would be a good habit to weight your piggies once weekly and ideally handle them regularly so you notice any weight loss quickly. You may still not be able to prevent them from dying (as I know from my own several experiences over the years), but it is the best way of keeping an eye on any developing problems and hopefully catch any curable ones early on.

You have done absolutely the right thing in getting Murphy to the vet as quickly as possible when you noticed, so please do not feel bad; guinea pigs are prey animals that will unfortunately hide any illness for as long as possible until it is all too often too late.

Please take the time to read this guide here; you will hopefully find it helpful. It talks you through in detail what you can do in the immediate aftermath and for the long term for Fonze. Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

You are welcome to post a tribute to Murphy in our Rainbow Bridge section if you would like to and whenever it feels right for you.

Also do you have any advice about what do in regards with getting a new piggy? Fonze is about 3 years old he isn’t neutered but from what I’ve read a female is best but I can’t find any females in rescue centres that are a similar age. For now I’ve beouht Fonze back inside into my room so he’s not alone outside and I’m giving him lots of attention when I’m not at school at work I’m just worried about him being lonely or getting depressed?

 

[Wiebke]

Also do you have any advice about what do in regards with getting a new piggy? Fonze is about 3 years old he isn’t neutered but from what I’ve read a female is best but I can’t find any females in rescue centres that are a similar age. For now I’ve beouht Fonze back inside into my room so he’s not alone outside and I’m giving him lots of attention when I’m not at school at work I’m just worried about him being lonely or getting depressed?

Please NEVER put a full boar and sow together - they won't be able to stay together for long because your sow will be nonstop pregnant, and Fonze will not like being separated. Not to mention the fact that about every 4th or 5th birth ends with dead babies and/or mums. The risk rises with every successive pregnancy. Sows come into season within hours of giving birth and babies become sexually mature sometimes before they are even fully weaned.

Boars can be rebonded with other boars; ideally at a good rescue that allows them to decide who they get on with. Or - depending which country you are in - you can consider a neutering operation with a 6 weeks safety wait afterwards.

Please take the time to read the bereavement guide that I have linked into my last post!
It has a full chapter devoted to discussing how you can best find a safe new same sex companion, including links to rescue lists in various countries that offer dating/bonding bereaved guinea pigs.

Since you haven't added your country, state/province or UK county to your details, we cannot help you with any more specific advice on your local options.
How to add your location so it appears with every post you make (please do not get any more specific than that for your own safety) is explained in this guide here: https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...cation-and-creating-an-avatar-picture.107444/

 

[David Piggie Lover]

Hello. I'm sorry your piggie died and it's heartbreaking when they do.
You did everything you could and be ok with that. I'm not going to add much because @Wiebke has covered everything. Keep loving you piggie and keep us posted.
Me thinks another one be good for everyone. Hugs to your piggie.
Rip Murphy.

 

[Flutterby]

I am so sorry you have lost a piggy x

 

[Merab]

So sorry for your loss. Allow yourself to grieve for him.
I was left with a lone boar when his brother died with a brain tumour.
I decided to have him neutered and then acquired 2 sows from a breeder who didn’t want them.
This worked well and Titus was a very happy boy for the rest of his life and no furry consequences.
Think through your options and I know you will make the right decision for Fonz as well as yourself.

 

[Tiamolly123]

I'm so sorry, it must have been a shock, guinea pigs hide there illnesses.
Just take heart that th had a good life with you.