please read. Snickers is getting old and sick

**snickersthepig** · #1 04-15-08, 05:25 pm

Snickers has been part of my familt since late 2004 and now he is nearing 5 years old. he's always been the lay around and eat kind of guinea pig, never too active.He is an adorable mixed guinea pig, his hair stands straight up and he is black and brown. Since yesterday he has stopped eating anything but spinach. Also, instead of squeaking (as he usually does), he is making a sad grunting sound. I think he is having trouble breathing. Please keep him in your thoughts and wish him the best as his health is going. I've loved him forever and always will.

-iLOVEhim

**gpigluver14** · #2 04-15-08, 05:43 pm

Creepy. My guinea pig's name is Snickers and I got her in 2004 as well, in September. She's turning four this year though, and another big difference: she's a female. She is also a black and brown abby. (See avatar.) AND she's a bit lazy too. Whoa. Did you pignap her? LOL.

All joking aside.... I would definitely get your Snickers to an exotics vet if he seems to be having trouble breathing. It could be a URI (Upper Respiratory Infection) and if not treated soon enough, could be fatal. I myself have lost a pig to one- please don't take any chances!

**Ly&Pigs** · #3 04-15-08, 05:57 pm

Get him to a vet asap. He has a very treatable condition. In the meantime handfeed him. See Guinea Lynx :: Hand Feeding for info on how to handfeed.

**auburnmare5** · #4 04-15-08, 07:09 pm

I would get to a vet ASAP! Best of luck to Snickers!

**Biscuit** · #5 04-16-08, 07:33 am

Please see a vet. Even though Snickers is senior, he could have some good years left. Don't rob him of those and definitely don't let him go painfully to a treatable condition. =(

**snickersthepig** · #6 04-23-08, 07:30 pm

Ok guys, I know you said to take him to the vet, and we did, but all they said they could do was give him an antibiotic shot. He was in pain and they said that the antibiotic might help some, but would just drag out his sickness and most likely not cure him. I did not want to cause him any more pain so we chose not to give him the antibiotic. He had begun eating his regular pellet food and drinking water regularly as of friday. He was appearing to be much better until Monday April 21. I fed him spinach that morning and had given him some pellet food, but he didnt seem interested. I went on with my day, worrying about him. When I got home He had apparently had a stroke during the day because he coulnt move the right side of his body. We called the vet and they said all they could do was to put him down. We were thinking about it and we were coming unglued while we petted him, thinking of losing such a dear friend. While we were petting him he slipped peacefully away, in no appearant pain. Please dont criticize me if you think I did something wrong. I did what I felt was best. Anyway, whats done is done. I will miss him forever, but now I know he is in a much better place.

**Ziggy&Herald** · #7 04-24-08, 10:04 am

I'm so sorry for your loss, 5 is a good age, I know many might say different. I think the only other thing I would have done was maybe get a second opinion. Hope your doing OK, again, I'm so sorry.

**Cosmictadpole** · #8 04-24-08, 10:32 am

I'm so sorry to hear that he passed away, but glad that he could be with you and go peacefully. Some of us don't have the option of getting a second opinion (money, only one vet in town, etc...). It sounds like you cared for him greatly and did everything you could for him. I hope that knowledge can offer you at least some comfort while you deal with this painful loss.

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