My guinea pig passed away yesterday

[amy]

Hi,

I came home yesterday and found one of my guinea pigs in his house dead. He seemed 100% fine and has been eating and drinking as normal. About 2 weeks ago he has a little cut on the side of his head, i called the vet and they said to clean it with salt water and monitor him. I did this and he seem fine. He has been jumping around, eating like normal etc and the cut had scabbed over and didn't look swollen etc.
Now I am terrified it was infected and i never realized or knew and that is what killed him! I am devastated and he was such a lovely natured piggy. I feel awful and haven't slept as worried i did something wrong. He seemed happy and fine so i don't understand how he past. I understand it was very hot yesterday but his little hutch is in the shade and has a shaded places in his hutch to go and chill. Feel awful. Don't understand what happened. Can guinea pigs just pass away like that? Vets have also told me you would notice something wrong as they don't eat normal and they sleep a lot more. I haven't seen any of this in him.

[Kayleigh]

Sometimes these things happen. Guinea pigs are very good at hiding being unwell.

Its happened to me on a couple of occasions. With the warmer weather we are having make sure oigs are kept cool. Heat is a fast killer.

Plenty of veggies, shaded area and even frozen bottles of water in the cage to keep them cool.

Sorry for your loss.

Sent from my GT-I9000 using ProBoards

[madmommy]

So sorry to hear that! Don't beat yourself up. As Kayleigh said, these things happen. Remember the good times. Hugs to you!

[amy]

Thanks i just feel really guilty about it. He was such a lovely piggy and not even a year old what i think upsets me most. Its the first time one of my guinea pigs have died. Just feel awful about it and worried that i missed something. :-(

[Orlaith]

So sorry to hear about your piggy.

I doubt it was an infection, you'd have seen signs of inflammation around the wound, so don't blame yourself. It could have been a seizure or a stroke or anything like that which you can't control.

[piggiluv]

So sorry for your loss...

[cavylover12]

I'm so sorry for your loss. You may feel horrible but as long as you know you did your best with him, it's okay.

Kira

[amy]

Thanks!
I have a slight problem in that I don't know where to bury him. My garden is all paved and stone so i have no earth to dig and i am really unhappy at the thought of burying him in some random place that was not his home. I know i may sound silly but he deserves to be placed somewhere peaceful. Does anyone have any ideas?

[lisa21264]

Hugs for you. I am so sorry for your loss. Things like this happen so don't blame yourself. Remember the good times you had with your piggie. We have our pets buried on our property. All of them that passed since 2002. I'm sure you will find a spot to bury him.

[Orlaith]

I recently had the same problem when my piggy passed. We live in a 4th floor apartment with no access to a garden. Our vet offered to cremate her for free, but instead we bought a giant outside plant pot to go on the balcony and buried her in there, and then we planted a rose bush on top. So far it's working well. If you Google "piggy burial pots" you should get more info. Hope that helps!

[cavylover12]

We've had many many animals die, chickens to guinea pigs, and we bury them in our backyard and plant some lovely plant on top. Like maybe some pretty yellow flowers or red roses. And of course, you put a little rock with some happy writing on it like Hope you enjoy the Rainbow Bridge!! The burial pot is a fabulous idea. I cant think of anything else since cement is too hard to dig and bury things in....

[amy]

Thanks eveyone for your messages. I think we might look at a burial pot! Thank you for your ideas!!