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Tips on dealing with anxiety and sadness about (sick) guinea pigs.

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AaronDulger

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Hi everyone,

I am new here and want to start off by saying hi to all the guinea pig lovers here on this forum.

I am not feeling all too well lately and notice that I can't really deal with seeing anything sad happening around me, specifically if it's guinea pigs.

Mochi, one of our boars, has been very ill several times in a row. Luckily, after quite some visits to the vet, Mochi managed to recover.

I was very scared during this period and even now, although glad he's doing okay, I still have this feeling of fear every now and then.

Also, when I am going to the pet store to buy hay and pellets for our piggies, I get to see a few small piggies running around in a fairly big cage. I can't help but look at them for a while and check if they're doing okay.

Today, one of the baby piggies there was breathing heavily and seemed not well. I mentioned this to the store owner, but I just can't stop thinking about his condition.

I don't know if this is a common feeling, but I sense that I am not handling this very well, as these thoughts of potentially dying guinea pig keep ruling my mind, and it makes me feel immensely sad.

With this post I would like to ask you for advise on how to handle this issue. Any tip is very much appreciated!
 
AaronDulger said:
Hi everyone,

I am new here and want to start off by saying hi to all the guinea pig lovers here on this forum.

I am not feeling all too well lately and notice that I can't really deal with seeing anything sad happening around me, specifically if it's guinea pigs.

Mochi, one of our boars, has been very ill several times in a row. Luckily, after quite some visits to the vet, Mochi managed to recover.

I was very scared during this period and even now, although glad he's doing okay, I still have this feeling of fear every now and then.

Also, when I am going to the pet store to buy hay and pellets for our piggies, I get to see a few small piggies running around in a fairly big cage. I can't help but look at them for a while and check if they're doing okay.

Today, one of the baby piggies there was breathing heavily and seemed not well. I mentioned this to the store owner, but I just can't stop thinking about his condition.

I don't know if this is a common feeling, but I sense that I am not handling this very well, as these thoughts of potentially dying guinea pig keep ruling my mind, and it makes me feel immensely sad.

With this post I would like to ask you for advise on how to handle this issue. Any tip is very much appreciated!
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Hi and welcome

I am very sorry that you are struggling so badly. I would recommend that you seek professional help, first and foremost, or look for an online or local support group for anxiety sufferers.

Please avoid looking at pet store guinea pigs if you can and consider ordering online instead if that would help you. You can unfortunately never save all and every time. Walking away is never easy for anybody but when you feel very deeply, then it is even worse. :(

You may also find this article here very helpful, which I have written for Guinea Pig Magazine have had permission to share with the forum. It contains plenty of very practical down to earth advice for owners with anxiety: Pet Owners Anxiety - Practical Tips For Sufferers and For Supporters
 
AaronDulger said:
Hi everyone,

I am new here and want to start off by saying hi to all the guinea pig lovers here on this forum.

I am not feeling all too well lately and notice that I can't really deal with seeing anything sad happening around me, specifically if it's guinea pigs.

Mochi, one of our boars, has been very ill several times in a row. Luckily, after quite some visits to the vet, Mochi managed to recover.

I was very scared during this period and even now, although glad he's doing okay, I still have this feeling of fear every now and then.

Also, when I am going to the pet store to buy hay and pellets for our piggies, I get to see a few small piggies running around in a fairly big cage. I can't help but look at them for a while and check if they're doing okay.

Today, one of the baby piggies there was breathing heavily and seemed not well. I mentioned this to the store owner, but I just can't stop thinking about his condition.

I don't know if this is a common feeling, but I sense that I am not handling this very well, as these thoughts of potentially dying guinea pig keep ruling my mind, and it makes me feel immensely sad.

With this post I would like to ask you for advise on how to handle this issue. Any tip is very much appreciated!
Click to expand...
You’re not alone. Mr Gilbert whose one of my piggies has been poorly for a few weeks now and I’ve noticed I’m clenching my jaw so much my face hurts.
I’ve looked up things I can do but they’re temporary fixes.
It’s really hard not to worry about your piggies all the time especially when one has been poorly.
I would definitely try and see someone to speak to them about how you’re feeling.
 
Hi, welcome to the forum. I am sorry you are feeling this way. It sounds like you are a very caring and sensitive person, which are great qualities to have. Many of us on the forum have experienced great sadness surrounding the illnesses and losses of piggies, it is the downside of loving and caring for them and can easily lead to fears about what else the future might hold. You are not alone in these feelings but they will pass. As others have said finding someone to speak to can be of great benefit.
 
It really hit me hard when both my boys were poorly at around the same time.
You obviously care greatly for pigs and their welfare! ❤️
 
Welcome to the forum. I’m so pleased Mochi has recovered from his illnesses. Lots of us on here have anxiety. When our piggies are poorly it makes it so much worse. So we all understand how you are feeling. I find relaxation with breathing exercises helps when I’m feeling particularly anxious. Also meditation also helps my mind settle. Good luck.
 
I would agree with the tip about avoiding the pet store.
My daughter is very sensitive too, and every time we went into a pet store in the UK she would become quite upset.
She found the way the animals were kept was really distressing, and seeing the inappropriately sized cages was very difficult for her.
We talked about it and agreed that the best solution was not to go in at all, as we couldn't change what we were seeing and therefore it was better not to see it.
But what did help was finding alternative suppliers for the things that we liked to buy.
We specifically looked for more ethical suppliers, bought from small businesses, or simply got things from pet shops that don't sell live animals.
Having this as a project did help her feel that in her own small way she was making a difference by no longer giving money to a large chain that has minimal welfare standards.
 
AaronDulger said:
I would like to thank you all so much for your response. Your answers helped me alter my ways and seek help by going to my GP. I am not doing very well still, but I am very much aware of the fact that these kind of issues can take a long time to overcome. Taking one step at a time will be the way to go!
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Hi. Thank you for the update. It is good to know you have spoken to your GP, seeking help takes courage. One step at a time is all you need do and living one day at time too x
 
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