Surviving piggie still not herself

[chaz_p77]

One of our piggies died on Tuesday. She was 4 years old and deteriorated very rapidly. I managed to get her to the vet, but she was so ill that they couldn’t even examine her. It was all horrendous and heart-breaking.

Her sister has just not been herself, and we’re now almost a week on, so we don’t know whether she’s still pining or whether we should be more worried. She’s eating, but makes no attempt to come up to us at feeding time. She stays in one or other of her shelters all the time - she’s not moving around the cage at all. She seems very lethargic. We don’t know whether we should get her checked out by a vet or whether we just need to give her more time.

Any advice would be really gratefully appreciated - we’re worried she might have whatever made her sister ill, so we may be overthinking everything.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m so sorry for your loss.

First and foremost you need to rule out it being a medical issue, so please do have her checked by a vet.
Please also ensure you switch from routine weekly weight checks and instead weigh her daily for now. This is the only way you can be sure she is definitely eating enough hay and maintaining her weight. If she is losing any weight, then you must syringe feed her.

A lack of hay (as well as the other symptoms you describe) could be down to an illness or it could be down to pining.
If a medical issue is ruled out, and she is struggling to be alone then finding her a friend would become a priority.

The guides below will help

Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

 

[chaz_p77]

Thank you so much for your reply. We will get her checked out tomorrow.

 

[Josie_lg]

I agree get her checked first just incase. Better safe than sorry. Guinea pigs are such loving animals. Maybe she is depressed poor thing

 

[chaz_p77]

She does just look so sad. She wouldn’t go downstairs in the cage for about 5 days. When her sister got ill she cowered in the upstairs shelter as far away as possible and basically stayed there for days.

 

[Piggies&buns]

She does just look so sad. She wouldn’t go downstairs in the cage for about 5 days. When her sister got ill she cowered in the upstairs shelter as far away as possible and basically stayed there for days.

Acute pining is rare but it does happen. If and when medical is ruled out, then getting her bonded with another piggy may well be what she needs

 

[aredgrave90]

I'm sorry for your loss

My Elena was depressed after her sister, Tracy, passed. She got on with surviving (i.e. eating and drinking), but she spent most of her time in the sleeping compartment and she seemed both scared and unhappy. Bonding her to another sow wasn't especially easy, but now she has a friend she is much more happy, and has regained her personality. If there isn't any underlying medical issue, I would try to find her a friend at a local rescue.

 

[Bertie & Jelly]

So sorry you lost your piggie. I was just about to post something very similar as one of my piggies died last Monday. Like yours, his lifelong cage buddy of 4 years is not moving around much either nor eating much. He won’t use any of the hideys he used to, runs away from me and needs to be coaxed out with critical care. I’ve tried a cuddly toy and radio and now I’m trying to find a new foster companion. I do hope your little one begins to regain her zest for life. A vet check will at least set your mind at rest about illness. Sorry I can’t provide any helpful advice but wanted to send hugs

 

[chaz_p77]

So sorry you lost your piggie. I was just about to post something very similar as one of my piggies died last Monday. Like yours, his lifelong cage buddy of 4 years is not moving around much either nor eating much. He won’t use any of the hideys he used to, runs away from me and needs to be coaxed out with critical care. I’ve tried a cuddly toy and radio and now I’m trying to find a new foster companion. I do hope your little one begins to regain her zest for life. A vet check will at least set your mind at rest about illness. Sorry I can’t provide any helpful advice but wanted to send hugs

Thanks - I’m so sorry you’re going through the same thing. When I got them for my daughter 4 years ago I had no idea how attached I’d get to them, and how much I’d worry about them!

 

[Bertie & Jelly]

Thanks - I’m so sorry you’re going through the same thing. When I got them for my daughter 4 years ago I had no idea how attached I’d get to them, and how much I’d worry about them!

Same! My daughter’s piggies too till she moved for work. They do bring worry but so much joy too