R.I.P. Flower

[amazon819]

Well, I found our little Flower dead this morning when I went to feed them. She was still warm, so it hadn't been too long. We've had her less than a month. She was so cute. We named her Flower after the skunk in Bambi. If you looked at her little face she looked like a skunk. She had been panting and whimpering, but I just thought she was nervous and not used to us yet. I guess she was sick. The other 2 piggies seem fine, but I'll have to keep an eye on them, in case it was something they could catch. I don't know of a small animal vet around me, but hopefully I'll be able to find one.

Any one know of a good vet in the Louisville, KY area?

[poozillas41]

Try searching for one on the internet. And I'm so sorry. I'm sure she was happy and well loved for the month that she did spend with you.

[clotho]

It sounds like she had a URI. URI's are definitely contagious, so you should watch your other piggies for any symptoms of illness.

Guinea Lynx :: URI
Guinea Lynx :: Common Mistakes
Guinea Lynx :: What's Normal?

Another thing you should do, if you haven't already, is get yourself a good digital scale and weigh your piggies at least weekly and keep track of it. Weight loss is usually your first sign that something is wrong and it gives you a chance to get your piggie to a vet before it's too late.

Guinea Lynx :: Weigh Weekly!

If you happened to get this piggie from a petstore, URI's are common problems. If you adopted, way to go! If not, please consider adopting if you do decide to get another piggie. Remember to quarantine just to be sure.

I am sad for your loss. You obviously loved your piggie very much.

[amazon819]

That does seem like it. Looking at the symptoms she definitely wasn't breathing well and she seemed bigger/puffier but I thought it was just incomparison with our new piggie who is very small.

Thanks for the info, clotho! At least now we know, and if either of the other piggies seem in distress, we'll know what to do.

[clotho]

If you do ever end up having to take a piggie to the vet for a URI, make sure you look up the dangerous and safe antibiotics lists on guinea lynx and print them out to take with you. Many vets do not have much experience with guinea pigs and might try to prescribe an unsafe antibiotic.

I sure hope your other piggies will be ok!!

[pgpsm]

I bet it's hard but you will still be remembered by her. Love is the strongest thing in the world. R.I.P

[Jenni_Feathers]

I'm sorry for your loss. I'm sure she had a very happy life with you.