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Small pets

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Original poster

Two GPs out of five have died

37 replies

MillyMoo1113 · 23/10/2017 19:05

Been out to give the Guineas some tea and fresh hay, I've been away over night but left them plenty of food and water and hay last night before o left. Two of the five of them have died. They obviously died over night, were stiff, poor things.

Am I right in thinking they are supposed to have mourning time?

Also, I am worried about the other three now, one doesn't look great tho she perked up when the fresh hay and kale went in and started eating. Are they subject to virus?

OP posts:
AuntLydia · 23/10/2017 19:07

I'd consider the vet in case it's a virus. Give the hutch a good clean out too. Are they outside? It was cold here last night, we're they definitely warm enough?

BertieBotts · 23/10/2017 19:16

Guinea pigs are desert animals and can be prone to hypothermia :( Give them some fleece blankets as bedding and make sure the hutch is properly covered from the elements with a tarpaulin or similar. Consider keeping inside over winter too. I wonder if the sudden dip in temperature might have been a factor.

soberexpat · 23/10/2017 19:19

Are they outside? Surely too cold for them now?

littlemisscomper · 23/10/2017 19:38

Poor old piggles. Definitely get them checked. Have neighbours been having fireworks? No blood or signs of injury? Any chance it was hypothermia? Any sneezing, going off food or signs of general malaise?

Original poster
MillyMoo1113 · 23/10/2017 19:47

They're in the shed. We've cleaned the hutch out, am tempted to take others to vet in morning

OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 23/10/2017 19:49

It’s pretty unusual to lose two at the same time for no obvious reason. I’d take the others to the vet for checking over.

BertieBotts · 23/10/2017 20:20

Might be worth looking into how to insulate the hutch even if in a shed because sheds can still be cold.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 23/10/2017 21:07

Oh vert Sad

Was there any loose pooh in the cage or round the bums of the dead piggies?
were they in the main sleeping area or had they been pushed out or maybe chose to sleep apart (one of the early signs of my GP5 being ill was she sat apart from her cagemates)

We have overnight temperatures in double figures still and mine are in deep hay bedding to insulate. A group of piggies will tend to cuddle up for warmth.
Are the others ok, bright eyes , warm ears and feet?

Their natural Peru environment is dry cold overnight but of course the lardy domestic piggie is a world apart from his rangey cavy cousin. UK climate is damp.

Do they have a sleeping area ? Maybe a cardboard box inside it full of hay to give the a snuggly bed.

And yes, vet visit for a check up if you're concerned.
How old were the pigs who died? Is it possible their cagemates kept them from the food (though they'd have eaten hay even if they couldn't get to the bowls)

dietcokeandwine · 23/10/2017 22:10

Oh OP so sorry to hear this.

How old are your surviving pigs and how old were the two that died?

Personally I would be taking the remaining ones to the vet just for a check up (ensure no respiratory infection etc).

Presumably there were no signs of injury?

It's really sad but it could just be one of those things. Although unusual to lose two at the same time Sad

Chances are that if they've always lived in the shed, they'll have been fine with the recent dip in temperature, but it's worth ensuring that your surviving pigs are warm enough and insulated etc.

What a horrible shock for you FlowersSad

flyingpigsinclover · 23/10/2017 22:12

oh, i'm so sorry. i hope the others are ok.

Original poster
MillyMoo1113 · 24/10/2017 08:16

A third one has gone overnight.

They are 4-5 years old, original and mum were 5, mum still alive, 2 of her children have gone, they were 4.

There was loads of bedding and they are in the shed, no sign of injuries to the ones that have died.

The remaining two are bright, chatty, loud, and hungry, and appear fine tho I will try get them into vets for a check up.

As I've only discovered Ethel this morning, am I supposed to leave her body in cage to help with mourning?

I'm going to buy brand new cage for last two, they no longer need the massive double hutch.....

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 24/10/2017 08:45

Aww poor Ethel Sad

YY to leave her with the other pigs a while to let them grieve but is there anything they might be breathing in? Have your NDN done any painting nearby or is your shed near a car that might have been running there?
(Just trying to rule things out)

4-5 is on the older side of middle aged so it might have just been 'time'.

There was a poster a while back who had 2 plump glossy tricolour girls who were about 11yo (and the guineas' breeder still had the Mum). They lived outside all year.
On Super Furry Animals we all thought What'll happen when one goes but they both went the same night which was a shock for the owner but a fitting end for two old ladies.

So sometimes , there's no rational reason.

Are you taking the other pigs for a Vet check ?

flyingpigsinclover · 24/10/2017 09:21

Awww poor Ethel. Can you bring the other two in in case if fumes and to keep them company ?

Original poster
MillyMoo1113 · 24/10/2017 10:32

Am at the vets with the other two now waiting for a check. I don't think neighbours have done anything new over weekend, no painting or anything, I honestly can't think of anything that's been different to normal.
Fingers crossed for these two now that they get the all clear, I have a very emotional DD at home right now

OP posts:
dietcokeandwine · 24/10/2017 13:15

Thinking of you op. Hope your vet visit is positive Flowers

flyingpigsinclover · 24/10/2017 23:00

I hope it was ok at the vets.

AtSea1979 · 24/10/2017 23:06

Only just seen this. You need to get new cage asap and ditch the hutch. What did the vet say? I have 3 piggies left so watching with interest. Hoping it's just a terrible coincidence.

Original poster
MillyMoo1113 · 24/10/2017 23:26

Thank you for everyone's advice and support. Vet gave other two all clear, checked temperature, heartbeat, good feel for lumps, eyes, ears, mouth. They've a new cage and I'm keeping them inside for a few days to keep a close eye on them. They seem to have settled well and wolfed down the spinach I fed them. Fingers crossed

OP posts:
TimeIhadaNameChange · 25/10/2017 09:36

Any chance you could keep them in now for the winter? I'm worried that the change from being in a warm house (even if the heating's off) to outside again could kill your last two. Sorry to be so pessimistic, but it's the truth.

Alternatively, could you put a heater in the shed for them? Take the chill off the air. Plus heatpads and insulation.

littlemisscomper · 25/10/2017 18:48

I wonder if it's poisoning? I would be inclined to chuck the open food bag. Are you having any PM's done? It's not normal for 3 to die in a week, of old age!

flyingpigsinclover · 25/10/2017 18:51

Putting a heater in the shed might risk problems with carbon monoxide?

AtSea1979 · 25/10/2017 23:41

It isn't that cold yet! And they will be fine in the shed so long as you chuck a blanket over the cage at night too.

AtSea1979 · 25/10/2017 23:42

Posted too soon. Have you given them any fruit or veg that you wouldn't normally?

TimeIhadaNameChange · 27/10/2017 10:37

flyingpigs - not if it's just an electric heater (Mine have one of these.

EastMidsGPs · 27/10/2017 19:01

Ours have a little plug in radiator..
Apparently costs 2p a day to run, but they usually only have it at night as our utility room does get cold.
However with the new baby piggie I suspect DH will put it on in the day Hmm

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