Sadly a sow died - not sure what but abdominal issue?

[Harmonypiggy]

Past few days all my guineas looked to be apparent happy pigs wheeking and running about, but sadly overnight one of my sows lost her life. I found her deceased in the cage and it looked like some abdominal issue as there was diarrhoea and blood, it was not very pleasant. There had not been any soft poops or any noticeable issues. She was around 3 months old. Her blood sister looks fine and so does my other sow, both were wheeking for food earlier. I put her in a box and filled it with hay and cleaned where she was.

The other 2 don't seem any different will they notice the loss? Maybe they had paid respects as it happened.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m sorry for your loss.

As the other two were with her when she passed, they will have realised what had happened and would most likely have gone through their process before you found her. They will have a period of adjustment while they reestablish their hierarchy but as they have each other, they will likely be fine.

 

[Bill & Ted]

I’m so sorry you lost one of your little piggies x
Sleep tight little lady

 

[Claire W]

So sorry for your loss x

 

[Bradshaw Piggies]

So sorry for your loss

 

[Wiebke]

Past few days all my guineas looked to be apparent happy pigs wheeking and running about, but sadly overnight one of my sows lost her life. I found her deceased in the cage and it looked like some abdominal issue as there was diarrhoea and blood, it was not very pleasant. There had not been any soft poops or any noticeable issues. She was around 3 months old. Her blood sister looks fine and so does my other sow, both were wheeking for food earlier. I put her in a box and filled it with hay and cleaned where she was.

The other 2 don't seem any different will they notice the loss? Maybe they had paid respects as it happened.

Hi

I am very sorry for your loss. Only a post mortem examination at the vets will be able yo establish the exact cause of the death.

The companions will have long taken their leave. Guinea pigs react very differently to a passing; the same as humans. Most get just on, especially when they are not alone or were not closest of friends. Your girls will be establishing a new group hierarchy in the coming two weeks, so you have to brace yourself for some dominance behaviour if the leadership is contested or the new leader feeling insecure when stepping into paw prints she feels are larger than hers.

Here is more helful information:
Death, Dying, Terminal Illness, Grieving and Bereaved Companions: Information and Support for Owners and Their Children
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)

 

[Harmonypiggy]

Thankyou all for kind words, I took some time with my piggies and feel better. There is one who keeps wheeking in submission now and being chased.

I have more positive post to make soon on some piggy news

 

[Sgboyd]

Keep a close eye on them regardless. Make sure they are eating. I learned the hard way they can starve themselves with grief. I had a herd of three. The oldest passed and the other two stopped eating. I began force feeding them a day later with critical care. It wasn't soon enough as the second died in my arms. The vet had been closed and we had an appointment the next day. I ended up taking the last to the emergency vet and she was given hydration under her skin. At her appointment at her exotics vet we were told this is pretty common for them to grieve this way.

It took a lot of time and money to get her eating well again but she lived two more years thankfully. The final straw was bringing a pup home in a last ditch effort to see if a friend would help.

The friend helped immensely. She was not doing well alone.

Be ready to give pellet mash or critical care if need be while they work through whatever they work through.

 

[Merab]

Just caught up with this thread.
I am so sorry for your loss.
Holding you in my heart

 

[Katmomma]

I recently lost one of my 2 girls. I got up to feed them and she was gone. I thought she was sleeping until I picked her up. Her sister seemed fine, but I heard they don't do well alone. My daughter brought me 2 beautiful baby girls, and I was amazed at how she reacted. She seemed to be protecting them instantly and nuzzling them both like she was their mother. We've had them about 3 months now and they are inseparable and happy. I'm sorry you lost your sweet baby girl.