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Sudden Death

Ninica

Ninica

New Born Pup
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Hi Everyone,

So my bf got me a guinea pig beginning July, we got her from a pet shop who claimed she was 6 weeks old, and one could say it was love at first sight, sadly we didn't do our homework properly and only learned that evening that we should have 2. So we got another one feom a breeder, upon picking up the new addition i saw she was alot smaller than the one we had only to be told by an expert that the one we purchased first was almost fully grown so needless to say i was angry but like i said it was love at first sight and we proceeded to get the new addition. They got along well and were in good health. Sadly the worse happened, the morning she was fine playful and still came to say hello and lickrd my finger, later that afternoon she was a bit quiet and when i went to get her horrified we found her dead. No indication of anything wrong.

I know its best to have 2 but the little one seems to be okay, so my question is, is it really nessesary to get her a mate? As the thought of replacing my baby makes me cry.

Thanks
 

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Hi,

It is best to have them in pairs however some piggies can be loner piggies...my female doesn't like others in her cage...but she comes out every day (2-3 times) for as long as she wants it can be anywhere from 10 minutes to 4 hours....we set up boxes and tunnels for her she has food and water down for her and we sit around and play with her with different toys and stuff...she also has a collection of teddies in her home...we have tried bonding her to no avail so far...I do have two boys but she isn't spayed and is and elder piggy and the boys aren't neutered...it all depends on the amount of time you can devote to her...as she will need plenty interaction...I even see mine during the night if I'm up...its like a mini circuit during the night...just to make sure everyone is oki...but it is best to give yourself time to grieve too...if you feel up to it then get a new friend for your piggy...its not about replacing the previous piggy...no animals no matter how big or small can be replaced...its about offering another piggy a loving home where they're warm, safe and loved...and having another piggy to talk to for your current one...I'm sorry for your loss hopefully when everything has settled a little bit you will be able to make a decision on what's best for you and your piggy
 
Tj
WobblyPiggy said:
Hi,

It is best to have them in pairs however some piggies can be loner piggies...my female doesn't like others in her cage...but she comes out every day (2-3 times) for as long as she wants it can be anywhere from 10 minutes to 4 hours....we set up boxes and tunnels for her she has food and water down for her and we sit around and play with her with different toys and stuff...she also has a collection of teddies in her home...we have tried bonding her to no avail so far...I do have two boys but she isn't spayed and is and elder piggy and the boys aren't neutered...it all depends on the amount of time you can devote to her...as she will need plenty interaction...I even see mine during the night if I'm up...its like a mini circuit during the night...just to make sure everyone is oki...but it is best to give yourself time to grieve too...if you feel up to it then get a new friend for your piggy...its not about replacing the previous piggy...no animals no matter how big or small can be replaced...its about offering another piggy a loving home where they're warm, safe and loved...and having another piggy to talk to for your current one...I'm sorry for your loss hopefully when everything has settled a little bit you will be able to make a decision on what's best for you and your piggy
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WobblyPiggy said:
Hi,

It is best to have them in pairs however some piggies can be loner piggies...my female doesn't like others in her cage...but she comes out every day (2-3 times) for as long as she wants it can be anywhere from 10 minutes to 4 hours....we set up boxes and tunnels for her she has food and water down for her and we sit around and play with her with different toys and stuff...she also has a collection of teddies in her home...we have tried bonding her to no avail so far...I do have two boys but she isn't spayed and is and elder piggy and the boys aren't neutered...it all depends on the amount of time you can devote to her...as she will need plenty interaction...I even see mine during the night if I'm up...its like a mini circuit during the night...just to make sure everyone is oki...but it is best to give yourself time to grieve too...if you feel up to it then get a new friend for your piggy...its not about replacing the previous piggy...no animals no matter how big or small can be replaced...its about offering another piggy a loving home where they're warm, safe and loved...and having another piggy to talk to for your current one...I'm sorry for your loss hopefully when everything has settled a little bit you will be able to make a decision on what's best for you and your piggy
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Thanks for the advice, 🙂
 
I am so sorry for your loss 😞 Sleep tight little one 💕🌈
Unfortunately, no amount of time you can spend with your lone piggy can replace the companionship of another piggy. I am aware that sometimes a guinea pig has to live alone because of severe aggression issues, but it doesn't hurt to try, especially since she was bonded to your other piggy. Rescues often offer "dating", so you can bring your piggy along to trial some other piggies to see if they will get along. You don't need to get a new friend for her immediately (you can wait a couple weeks until you are ready), but just make sure she is eating normally and her weight is stable (weigh weekly).
I hope this helps. I am ever so sorry you are in this situation. The guides linked below may be helpful to you as well.

Rescue Locator
A Closer Look At Pairs (Boars - Sows - Mixed)
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities
 
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I’m so sorry for your loss.

Piggies do need to be kept in pairs, so when you and your piggy are ready, please do look into getting her a character compatible friend. They are highly social animals and being alone isn’t good for them.
She will grieve but will be ready for a new friend in a couple of weeks - I know it feels soon for you, but for her being with another piggy is important. You aren’t replacing the girl you lost, but you are instead ensuring your remaining piggy has the essential companionship she needs.
 
Thanks everyone for the advice and sympathy... Since I lost my little girl we have been handling Oreo ( the baby) alot more and giving her extra attention (if that's even possible 🙂).

I was wondering if u guys can perhaps assist me with another query, regarding Coco's death, the threads i have been reading did inform that sometimes piggies can die unexpectedly, but i keep on going through any possible event or reason that lednto her death, like i said she was in perfect health the morning, however upon finding her we did notice that she was busy poo'ing and that got me to think was her stomach perhaps blocked? I haven't giving them anything new or something like that, just the normal guinea pig mix food, their favorite snack carrots and then some hay, could the hay perhaps caused a blockage?

Any thoughts?
 
Ninica said:
Thanks everyone for the advice and sympathy... Since I lost my little girl we have been handling Oreo ( the baby) alot more and giving her extra attention (if that's even possible 🙂).

I was wondering if u guys can perhaps assist me with another query, regarding Coco's death, the threads i have been reading did inform that sometimes piggies can die unexpectedly, but i keep on going through any possible event or reason that lednto her death, like i said she was in perfect health the morning, however upon finding her we did notice that she was busy poo'ing and that got me to think was her stomach perhaps blocked? I haven't giving them anything new or something like that, just the normal guinea pig mix food, their favorite snack carrots and then some hay, could the hay perhaps caused a blockage?

Any thoughts?
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Unfortunately the only way to know cause of death would be to have an autopsy done. If she was passing poops then I don’t know that she was blocked. But as said, we can’t tell you. All the best.
 
Hello I’m so sorry for your loss. That must have been an awful shock for you. It’s natural that you would want to know what caused your piggy to pass. They hide their illnesses so well that we think they are ok when in fact they are not. Please don’t blame yourself for missing signs. I lost a piggy at only 4 months and had to re-bond his cage mate. Percy was so happy when he got a new friend. I was hesitant at first and thought he would be ok If I cuddled him lots. Buts it’s not the same as a proper friend you can speak to 24/7. Good luck and take care. ❤️
 
I lost a pig very quickly once. She was fine when I left home for work in the morning but when I got back only a few hours later she was very unwell. She died on the way home from the vets'. So in my experience, they can go downhill VERY fast and there is not always anything to be done about it.
I hope you feel you can find a friend for your lonely piggy at some point. Don't think of it as replacing, but you would be filling a piggy-shaped hole in your life. I'm sorry for your loss x
 
Ninica said:
Thanks everyone for the advice and sympathy... Since I lost my little girl we have been handling Oreo ( the baby) alot more and giving her extra attention (if that's even possible 🙂).

I was wondering if u guys can perhaps assist me with another query, regarding Coco's death, the threads i have been reading did inform that sometimes piggies can die unexpectedly, but i keep on going through any possible event or reason that lednto her death, like i said she was in perfect health the morning, however upon finding her we did notice that she was busy poo'ing and that got me to think was her stomach perhaps blocked? I haven't giving them anything new or something like that, just the normal guinea pig mix food, their favorite snack carrots and then some hay, could the hay perhaps caused a blockage?

Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Hay in general shouldnt cause any blockage as it is used fro fibre as well as their teeth...it could be possible that she had some issue with her stomach...however you wouldn't know unless you took her to get seen by someone who could run tests...unfortunately piggies are notorious at hiding issues due to them being prey animals...and normally by time you realise unless you take them as a precaution it may already be too late...take mine for instance...the only difference was that he was sneezing a bit more and his eye was very red...luckily he has baytril on repeat for his eye (partially blind due to an injury) so he has been on a 2 week course...I started him before he went to the vet...turns out I was right and he had a respiratory infection...my sow is currently pulling her hair and we still have no idea why despite the vet looking at her...she goes back in October to see if it has improved (all we know is its not lice or anything like that) but she is in good health for a 9 year old piggy...despite her bald patches...but she hid her first one under her arm pit it wasn't until she was refusing to be picked up normally and was doing little squeaks that she went to be seen... if you really want to know what happened you would need to find someone who would be willing to do some tests...however you can rest a bit easier knowing that she was loved until the end and had the best home possible...keep it up with oreo as well she will appreciate the snuggles...maybe until you decide on if you're getting another piggy you could get her some teddies...I got our sow loads that sit in her cage and she plays with them throwing them...burying them...cuddling them...especially if they smell like us...and lots of things for her to do if you search bordem toys on amazon lots of chewing things...tunnels...cardboard boxes...soft beds...treats...and maybe try getting different hay for her to try...ours all love redi grass and meadow hay...and dandelion mixes...
 
So sorry you lost your little girl x
Piggies can have heart attacks at any time in their lives, so it may have been caused by some very sudden illness like that. My rainbow piggie Bill died suddenly, he was perfectly fine at 11.00 pm and when I went to feed the boys at breakfast he had died in the night, such a shock and so many if‘s and but’s and should I have noticed anything? So I know how you are feeling. Take time to come to terms with your loss, at some point you will want to find a little friend for your remain piggie.A good rescue that offers bonding is a good place to start
Sleep tight Cocoa 🌈
 
Welcome to the forum.
So sorry for your loss.
Sadly death can come out of the blue for no obvious reason.
Holding you in my heart ❤️
 
Hey all you beautiful people...

So i thought i will update you guys, we got Oreo a friend, her name is Biscuit ( I attached a pic). Since we got biscuit, oreo has become a new piggie, extremely playful even more than when coco was with us... Seems like these two are a match made un heaven. I also came across a guinea pig guide book that's really interesting. I have also attached it for those who might want ro read it. IMG_20210926_203618.webpIMG_20210926_195712.webp
 

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I'm sorry for your loss, but glad that you got a companion pig. They really are much happier in pairs and I'm glad they're enjoying each other's company so much!
 
Such cute little things. You are not the first person I've seen on here that said their solo piggie became a "different pig" when they got a companion. Great to see they are so happy and you're taking great care of them.
 
Hi,

I'm so glad you were able to get a new piggy to love and treasure...Biscuit is very cute...hopefully you will all make some wonderful memories together <3
 
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