Quarantine: Snowy Passed - Sows in Quarantine

[SnowFlower]

Snowy passed before I could get into the vet with her this morning. I only had 30 more minutes before the office opened. I had been force feeding her gruel and giving her syringe liquids. She had only stopped eating for 12 hours but I know that it is imperative to keep the digestive tract going and keep them hydrated. I was getting the kids in the car and about to put her in the carrier when I noticed she had passed (she had been alone for but 20 minutes).

I have split my sows up into 2x3s (2 are in a 2x4 since I just don't have that many rooms to quarantine in and these two are especially bonded). I called the vet and told her what happened and since the emergency veteranary hospital will not take Guinea Pigs, she offered to be available for the next couple of weeks on call should one of the others get ill during the night. She normally does not do this and I am greatful she has agreed to do this for me.

How long should this quarantine last? 3 weeks as if I were bringing new pigs into my home, more? Although she is well versed in Guinea Pig care and health, she is uncertain how long I should keep them apart so I figured I would ask here.

[akstrohm]

First, I'm very sorry Snowy is gone. That must be really hard.

Were all the girls in with Snowy? Have you been weighing them weekly, and have they lost weight?

[Scout.Layne]

I'm so sorry about Snowy.

[Wheekie]

I'm so sorry Snowy passed. It's so hard. My Coco went like that, too...only about 7 hours from the time he showed any signs that he was sick and he went before the Vet's office even opened. Never did find out why, but my other guy was fine. Again, I'm so sorry and best of luck with your other Furbabies! Keep us posted!

[Priil]

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss My thoughts are with you.

[Paula]

What is it she died from? If it was bloat or something else that isn't contagious there's no reason to quarantine the existing girls. There may be no reason to quarantine anyway if they were all living together in the first place.

[wheekypigs]

That's so sad, I had a piggy named Snowey too. She was such a good piggy.

So sorry you lost your piggy.

[SnowFlower]

Originally Posted by Paula

What is it she died from? If it was bloat or something else that isn't contagious there's no reason to quarantine the existing girls. There may be no reason to quarantine anyway if they were all living together in the first place.

Not sure what she died from, Paula, it happened pretty quickly and her symptoms were pretty vague to get a clear diagnosis and without autopsy my vet is unable to say for sure what happened. I am probably going to keep them in quarantine since I don't know just to be on the safest side possible.

Originally Posted by akstrohm

First, I'm very sorry Snowy is gone. That must be really hard.

Were all the girls in with Snowy? Have you been weighing them weekly, and have they lost weight?

Yes, all 6 were together. I have been weighing weekly and have started daily weighings for the duration of quarantine as per my own logic and my vet's recommendation. None have lost weight but for an ounce in Ginger Bug - which if I remember correctly is not immediate cause for concern but of course I am watching her closely and am keeping in touch with my vet twice daily to report all weights and describe my piggies behavior, appetite, etc. If any starts to show any signs of illness - even if vague or subtle - I can get them seen within 30 minutes.

Vet obviously so loves these animals - she has even offered to keep some emergency piggie supplies in her bag and drive to my place (15 minutes rather than 30) should one get ill after hours so I am not trying to get my small children together and get an ill piggie into the car.