Suddenly unwell, then put to sleep

[Jessicaruthica]

My 6 month old female was put down by the vet this morning. My daughter found her unmoving when she went to give her breakfast. She was still breathing and we rushed her to the vet who said there was nothing she could do. Last night the guinea pig was so energetic we were making jokes about her being affected by the full moon. We had a young child visiting and my daughter said she told her not to feed the guinea pigs box hedge leaves when she saw her doing so. Could this be what killed our perfectly healthy, happy little guinea pig?

 

[G&C]

I’m sorry for your loss, I don’t know about the box hedging (whether it’s poisonous to piggies). Did your vet give you any indication of the cause?

 

[Wiebke]

My 6 month old female was put down by the vet this morning. My daughter found her unmoving when she went to give her breakfast. She was still breathing and we rushed her to the vet who said there was nothing she could do. Last night the guinea pig was so energetic we were making jokes about her being affected by the full moon. We had a young child visiting and my daughter said she told her not to feed the guinea pigs box hedge leaves when she saw her doing so. Could this be what killed our perfectly healthy, happy little guinea pig?

Hi!

I am very sorry for your loss. Unfortunately, only a post mortem examination by your vet will give you the answers you are seeking for; we can only speculate as much as you. Any responsible and caring owner experiences a bout of intense soul searching, feeling of guilt and failure at the onset of the grieving process; this is usually much more pronounced after a sudden, unexpected death when you try to make sense of what has just happened.

Boxwood is most definitely not something that should be fed to animals. so you were right to forbid it. I know that it is highly toxic to horses but have never come across a case of piggies eating it.

Please take the time to read these guides here; you should find them very helpful. If you keep your piggies outside, please bring the bereaved companion indoors.
Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children
Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig

 

[Bradshaw Piggies]

Highly toxic in horses, though fortunately we also don't see many cases of it in the equine world.

I'm so very sorry for your loss

 

[Jessicaruthica]

Thank you very much for your replies and thank you for the information on bereavement. It is such a thorough guide and so helpful. I am now looking for a companion for the young female that has been left behind. I hope we can find someone suitable soon.