Guinea pig is dying, I'm so upset.

[Bimbop5]

I feel terrible because I didn't realize my guinea pig was ill until Friday. I have been so focused on my other 2 pigs who are 7 and 6 1/2 years old. First the 7 yr old had a face abcess and I was dealing with flushing it out everyday, pain meds and antibiotics. Then my 6 1/2 year old got a chest infection and is on 2 antibiotics and pain meds. Thankfully, my oldest one made a full recovery from her face wound. And the one, Walnut, with the chest infection is almost completely back to normal.

So I didn't even worry when my younger one, who is 3 years, suddenly wasn't coming out of her hide box. I thought that's strange and then got distracted. Suddenly on Friday. I thought something is definitely not right. Turned out she had a terrible chest infection too. I started her on antibiotics right away. But it's too late, she's stopped eating or moving around. She's barely responsive. I was syringe feeding her critical care yesterday (friday) and today but it's just dribbling out. :( I've given her metacam incase she's in pain but I honestly don't think she'll live through the night.

I just had to write this down. I feel so guilty.

Oh sweetheart, I'm sorry 💐

They are such lovely wee things aren't they, I really miss having them around.

We've just lost our hamster, like you I feel guilty. Long & boring story, but I should have noticed sooner. She had several weeks of antibiotics & various things, but she didn't make it. I was devastated - I loved that little wee thing very much, she was naughty, cheesy & lovable.

I try to remember that other than not catching her illness as soon as I should have, she lived an incredibly charmed life! Spoilt rotten. As I'm sure your wee girl is xx

Don't feel too terrible about not noticing. Guineas are prey animals in the wild so will hide any weaknesses. You may only notice when it's quite serious. If you'd been caring for two other guinea pigs as well it's not surprising you didn't notice! You clearly love them and give them all the care they need.

Has she seen a vet? What did they advise? I'm sorry but if she's that sick I would take her to the vets to be PTS. A natural death is rarely peaceful and free of suffering.

I don't want to make her last moments more stressful than I have to. She is with her best friend and has a nice warm heatpad beside her. It's nighttime here and rushing her into the emergency vets and sitting and waiting to see a vet while dogs and cats are around and all that stress...I just can't do that to her. If in the morning she is still suffering then I will make that decision. I have made that decision to PTS with most of my other pets so I understand where you are coming from. Thank you.

Aw Bimbop you've had lots to deal with having these ill (quite elderly) guineas to cater for.
The younger one would've been subdued anyway with her cage-mates being ill.
And yes, they do hide it well, its their survival instinct.

I would 100% prefer that my piggies shrugged off this mortal coil at home, my previous pigs have all 'gone' at home .They've all been peaceful, the pigs have been 'out of it'. GP3 had a very quick spasm in his last seconds (he was with DD) but so did GP5 when she was PTS. Sort of a last kick.

We had our GP5 PTS last week and I would've liked to spare her the journey, the Waiting Room (dogs, cats etc) though they have a solid travel box. If I could've predicted that she'd 'go' that night I might've waited. She wasn't showing signs of pain outwardly but she wasn't eating and (amongst other symptoms) her breathing was rapid and forced.

You might find by morning that your piggie has passed , hopefully she'll slip away quietly.
They need their familiar surroundings, their cagemates, a comfy bed to lie in. Sounds like your doing everything possible but sometimes I wonder if its more stressful to them to keep filling them with meds and soft foods. They go into a "Leave me alone" phase.
Maybe keep offering her fluid in a syringe (weak Ribena is appreciated) and let her have quiet.

to your piggies

more stressful to keep filling them - ooh that sounds bad
Yes to syringe feeding and meds when they are in a state to take them.
What is difficult and stressful (for all concerned) is when they reach the stage that you need to prise open their jaws and administer a drop at a time and hope they eat it not choke.
It took DD and I a good 15+ minutes to give GP3 his last mouthfuls.

We gave GP5 Critical Care then reduced it when she could nibble veg and took pains to deliver her meds. But in her last day she was too meh so it wasn't fair to stress her more.

(clear as mud there)

Hi everyone, just wanted to update you that Poppy passed away. I think she went during the night as she was gone in the morning. I feel so sad and feel as though I failed her. I also feel really bad for her friend, Pearl, who is now alone. I have 2 other guinea pigs but they didn't get along with Poppy and pearl. I have put a stuffed animal in with pearl in hopes it might help. I'm not planning on getting anymore guinea pigs. :(

Sorry to hear your sad news but am glad wee Poppy died peacefully.

Oh, you poor thing, I'm so sorry. If it's any consolation the exotics vet we use (I do guinea pig rescue - we have eight!) told me that by the time nearly any animal is dying of pneumonia they're not distressed. They just feel very tired and then they go to sleep and rest. Also, please don't feel you were in any way eesponsible for her getting sick. I'm in the US and we have a horrid pneumonia outbreak going on and I've heard something similar is happening in the UK.

Oh no! That's exactly happened with my girl Pepper last July (another P name!!) Totally know how you feel.