Loss Dropped my piggy and it died

I am sorry for your loss, the only advice I have is the next time block off the area outside, we use grids or fencing and always hold with two hands. Can I ask why your were holding the box with one hand and her with the other? Why you didn't put her right in the box when or where you got to it?

Accidents do happen and the harsh reality is what was done can not be undone. I'm sorry for your loss and I wish I could feel more sympathy for you but I can't...Please refrain from another small pet in the future.

@lunarminx, i held it so i could put her quickly, and i was using the other hand to put my arm through the bush. it seemed like i wasn't able to do a good job.

Amalee said:

Accidents do happen and the harsh reality is what was done can not be undone. I'm sorry for your loss and I wish I could feel more sympathy for you but I can't...Please refrain from another small pet in the future.

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That was very passive aggressive statement.

Amalee said:

Please refrain from another small pet in the future.

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That was a bit rude don't you think? Accidents do happen. We had a piggie die 6 days after getting her due to a broken neck. We didn't know loft/second levels were supposed to be enclosed and she jumped off the side...thus killing her instantly. Doesn't mean I'm going to stop raising my 5 guineas though.

Amalee said:

Accidents do happen and the harsh reality is what was done can not be undone. I'm sorry for your loss and I wish I could feel more sympathy for you but I can't...Please refrain from another small pet in the future.

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Wow. Uncalled for I'd say. When I started with birds over 20 years ago, I had no clue that it was dangerous to let them fly without clipping their wings for safety. Lost one because of a fast run into the window. Accidents happen and people learn from them. Not everyone starts off realizing the dangers to be aware of for each kind of pet you get. I am now considered very bird savvy and have brought much joy to them as they have me. Good thing no one told me to stop with birds...

OP: Sorry for your loss. You've come to the best forum to learn about how to deal with gps, especially the lone one you have left. I came in green with how to properly care for gps and this forum has given my girl a wonderful life and home as a result of studying it.

Amalee said:

Accidents do happen and the harsh reality is what was done can not be undone. I'm sorry for your loss and I wish I could feel more sympathy for you but I can't...Please refrain from another small pet in the future.

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Wow. Just wow. If the OP didn't learn anything from what happened, it blew it off, I'd say s/he shouldn't have another companion animal any time soon, if ever. But clearly s/he is devastated and seems to want to ensure that this never happens again. The OP is actively asking for advice. S/he could've said nothing and shrugged. It's also useful for the rest of the folks on the forum to be reminded of how to properly handle and care for our pigs.

@guineaninja, the others have given some good advice, including making sure that any play time, in or outside, happens inside of a restricted area, safe from escape. Outside, I'd also recommend being aware of threats from the air -- if you aren't right next to the piggies (which you really should be), they are at risk from hawks and such. When you pick one up, using both hands and immediately bringing the pig close to your body helps both keeping your grip and calming the piggie down. I also put one or two fingers on the main holding hand through the front legs to brace against their chest, in case the pig tries to bolt forward. You can also throw a loose shirt or blanket to briefly stall the pig while you grab it (taking it off as soon as you put the pig back). If the pig is super-slippery with mud or something, I'd recommend sitting down with it and wiping it off before trying to elevate it into a box or pen.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Personally, once you understand what went wrong and do everything you can to prevent a future accident, I don't think it is helpful or healthy to re-visit the accident in your mind. It's just my opinion, of course, but once you have taken from the experience everything you can, every lesson, you are brutalizing yourself to no good end. Take the pain and be productive, and do something to honor your piggy's memory.

Firstly I'd like to say I'm sorry for your loss! Please don't start believing that you're a bad person for this. I know, I would also be blaming myself- heck I was almost crying the first time I cut one of my girls' nails because I made her bleed! Know that you have come to the right place- you'll learn a lot about guinea pigs- I know I have!

Although you're mourning at the moment, try to use all of your time giving your remaining piggy a great life- this is something very positive to keep you occupied

You're brave to have posted this thread and I want to thank you for having the courage to do so. Even the most experienced guinea pig owners have situations where a guinea pig tries to squirm out their hands and succeeds. I've had guinea pigs most of my life and still had two instances where they were able to get out of my hands. Fortunately for me, they were low to the ground and weren't harmed. There are a couple of ways to hold a guinea pig to keep them from jumping. One is to hold them close to your body and cover their eyes. They won't jump where they can't see where they're going. You can cup under them with your left hand and place the right hand around shoulder, covering the eyes with your fingers. The other way is to hold them facing you since they won't jump towards you. A safer way is to lift them and put them into a carrier and transport them where you want to move them.

That said, what happened was an accident so no one should tell you not to own another small pet. We all learn by our mistakes and, sadly, it took this unfortunate accident to realize how squirmy they can be. Try the box method of catching and moving them next time if that's easier for you. Always have them outdoors in a confined area, with constant supervision in case a predator decides to slither, jump or fly in to grab them.

By posting this thread, you are actually doing a great service to others who think accidents don't happen, even when they're careful. This is a good warning to those with small children who think they can carry guinea pigs safely. Even adults can have problems handling them. I've attached a photo of what happened to my hand and wrist from a guinea pig that really wanted to get away. I was sitting on the ground so I was able to put him on my lap..... I'm very sorry for your loss...

https://s738.photobucket.com/user/kavykeeper/media/IMG_8664.jpg.html (<script class="js-extraPhrases" type="application/json"> { "lightbox_close": "Close", "lightbox_next": "Next", "lightbox_previous": "Previous", "lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.", "lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow", "lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow", "lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen", "lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails", "lightbox_download": "Download", "lightbox_share": "Share", "lightbox_zoom": "Zoom", "lightbox_new_window": "New window", "lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar" } </script> <div class="bbImageWrapper js-lbImage" title="Dropped my piggy and it died" data-src="/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi738.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fxx28%2Fkavykeeper%2FIMG_8664.jpg&amp;hash=6918d033e3f636ec555ea8bc6b616617" data-lb-sidebar-href="" data-lb-caption-extra-html="" data-single-image="1"> <img src="/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi738.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fxx28%2Fkavykeeper%2FIMG_8664.jpg&amp;hash=6918d033e3f636ec555ea8bc6b616617" data-url="https://i738.photobucket.com/albums/xx28/kavykeeper/IMG_8664.jpg" class="bbImage" data-zoom-target="1" style="" alt="Dropped my piggy and it died" title="Dropped my piggy and it died" width="" height="" loading="lazy" /> </div>)

Amalee said:

Accidents do happen and the harsh reality is what was done can not be undone. I'm sorry for your loss and I wish I could feel more sympathy for you but I can't...Please refrain from another small pet in the future.

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who are you to pass judgement on the OP? I take it you have NEVER done a single thing wrong in caring for your GPs and that gives you the right to tell him/her not to get another small pet.? I highly doubt it, so please climb down off your pretend pedestal and join the rest of us in the land of reality where no one is perfect.

to the OP, i am truly sorry for your loss and i applaud you for admitting your mistake and taking the time to learn from it.

I am so very sorry for your loss.

I agree that this is a powerful reminder for all of us. My husband (just this week, actually) picked up the loft of our cage so that I could clean it. He wasn't paying attention and hadn't realized one of our pigs was in the hammock that was attached to the loft, and as he moved the loft over the floor (the cage is on the table, so we're talking several feet in the air), he realized it didn't feel right and asked me to look. Sure enough, a pig was in the loft. Let's just say it was a very tense few moments as he lowered the loft gently so that the pig wouldn't jump or fall. What probably saved her is her severe head tilt, which throws her off balance easily. Either of our other pigs would likely have jumped right out and been severely injured or killed, but Flower was just lolled on her side and unable to get her balance fast enough to bolt.

What we did was horribly, almost criminally careless. Your actions were also careless (although more likely out of simply not knowing better), and they ended in tragedy. But please don't blame yourself. Even long-time pet owners make mistakes.

I am so, so sorry about what happened... *Big Hug* Accidents happen, and sometimes we have to learn things the hard way. I learned that my Roland was a very STRONG squirmer, and a week ago he dug his claws in when I was trying to lower him into the cage, he was able to wiggle free even though I DID have both hands on him and he jumped about 8 inches to a foot to the floor of the cage. I was terrified he was hurt, but he started popcorning and eating hay within a few seconds. What happened with you was just a big learning experience. Like the others stated, have an enclosed area set up outside for your pigs, take them outside in a pet carrier and place the pet carrier into the enclosure. To take them back in, lure them back into the carrier with veggies and close the gate. Once again, I'm SO sorry for what happened, and you obviously learned from this. I suggest getting a new friend for your other pig, as I'm pretty confident this will never happen to you again. Not with this nightmare experience in your memory. Please don't beat yourself up over it. You're not a Guinea Pig killer, it was an accident and you obviously love your pets.

Oh, also, another tip I learned since I have a squirmer is to always transfer him using a little t-shirt wrapped around him. It makes him feel safe and prevents him from digging into me with his claws!

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. Accidents happen. There is always some stupid unthinking person that will pass a remark. Don't let it get to you for every jerk on the forum there are 100s that are great. I dropped my puppy taking him out of the bathtub and he broke his leg.

guineaninja said:

@lunarminx , i held it so i could put her quickly, and i was using the other hand to put my arm through the bush. it seemed like i wasn't able to do a good job.



That was very passive aggressive statement.

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You said she fell to the hard floor, so did she fall outside or inside? The next time, have the box sitting down on the ground and use two hands, I do know how hard it can be to hold a dry struggling piggie, a muddy one had to have been worse.

I find a laundry basket works great for taking the piggies outside.

guineaninja, my heart goes out to you. Please read through Guinea Lynx website for some of the best information of guinea pig ownership. Please don't hate yourself for what happened. I'm so glad you came here for advice. I know you didn't mean for that to happen and I feel that you are blessed that to still have the piggy that you do. I would recommend researching and learning as much as possible about caring for guineas as they are not a simple pet, and talking to someone supportive about how you are feeling, maybe a parent?

I hope that you also continue to post here.

Sincerely,
Melissa

Oh gosh I'm so sorry to read about what happened. As you can see from others you are not the first to drop a guinea pig or make a mistake resulting in injury or death, and others have had very near misses, and some of these people are very experienced.
The only comfort I can give you is that this thread may help to save a guinea pigs life in the future, by all of us here reinforcing the fact that guinea pigs can squirm, scratch and struggle out of a person's grip.

All I can do is offer advice on how to make carrying them easier, and catching them for that matter. I highly recommend purchasing an enclosed run - i.e. a run that has a lid. If you can't afford that then I recommend making some kind of enclosure and staying with them if it has no lid (to ensure no cats etc can jump into their enclosure), so it doesn't matter how much they run, they cannot run into harm.

What works for me is having a plastic hidey with one entrance hole for the pigs to get into. Usher your pigs towards this when you want to take them out of their cage and once they are inside pick it up with your hand blocking the entrance hole. The pigs shouldn't struggle and panic in there - it should feel safer for them than being caught and picked up.
Then place this in the run and let them come out when they wish.
Like-wise when it's time to put them back remove everything in the run except the plastic hidey-house. Place this against the wall of the run and usher them towards it. they soon learn the routine of getting in the hidey. They may dart around for the first few times but it's very likely that they'll learn quickly that being herded towards the hidey means time on the grass then time to go back to the cage, so they should be alot calmer about the process after a few practices.

The added advantage of this is that when you or your hands approach them in the future they are alot less likely to associate that approach with the 'scary capture and pick-up' (most guinea pigs feel that way about being captured) and should end up being calmer with you.

I have kept rodent pets on and off for most of my life (I'm nearly 40) and have learned loads. I research before I buy but experience and research doesn't make me immune to making mistakes. Lack of knowledge led me to take a perfectly healthy hamster to the vet, which resulted in her being put to sleep (also due to the vet's lack of experience in this particular case). I beat myself up, I cried on and off for weeks, it was very painful indeed to think about her and all I wanted to do was turn back the clock. The hamster was in pre-hibernation mode which made her look like she was dying. All she needed was to warm up. Neither myself nor the vet recognised her condition. It was a fatal mistake which well and truely knocked me for six through guilt and regret and all I can do is tell you that time does heal, especially once you accept that there was no ill-intention behind your actions, and that unexpected things do happen.

Amalee said:

Accidents do happen and the harsh reality is what was done can not be undone. I'm sorry for your loss and I wish I could feel more sympathy for you but I can't...Please refrain from another small pet in the future.

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This comment was totally uncalled for. Accidents happen. I once had a small puppy at an adoption event fall out of the top cage as I opened it. Guess I should've stopped fostering after that right? Yeah, so did not happen. I felt terrible for what happened as does the OP, so who are we to pass judgement. Yeah, she should've held it with two hands, just as I should've made sure I was ready in case the puppy jumped. It happens, we learn from our mistakes, and we move on. Guess you're perfect, for never having made a mistake before.

OP, I'm sorry for your loss. Hopefully you know now that next time you should try to contain your animal inside a pen of some sort, to avoid escapes. As long as you're more careful, then you should be fine.

You're not alone. My first guinea pig was so tame, very calm and let me hold him without any fuss. When I decided to get him a friend, my newer one was quite skirmish and I didn't know or understand that. I didn't understand that a guinea pig could jump up and run away quickly -- I realize how silly that sounds to so many people on this forum because so many piggies do that. But, I assumed that another pig would be like my previous one and let me pick him up with ease and hold him.

When I brought my new pig home, he jumped out of his carrier, and off my 4 foot high bed. I was mortified and not quick enough to get him. You should've seen my face when he jumped off -- I cried and blubbered while running all around my room trying to catch him. When I finally caught him, I held him for like an hour feeling his feet and back and for a few days after that, I was watching him non-stop.

Everyone make mistakes, and as long as you're willing to learn from said mistake, than there isn't anything wrong with trying again. I recommend staying on this forum for a while, taking care of your other guinea pig and getting him a friend as soon as possible, and as for how your current guinea pig is (frozen), try being calm around him and if he wants to be left alone, leave him be.

There is not one perfect piggie owner -- we all buy food we didn't know was bad for our pigs, purchase toys that we originally thought were suited for them, and a lot of us originally bought our first pigs at pet stores in pet cages. The important thing that you and everyone else need to do is to accept that we are always learning and that we will do what is best for our pigs.

I'm so sorry for your loss, losing a pig would be devastating to me. Take care of yourself.

I'm so sorry for your loss, I know it is very hard to lose a friend and I can't imagine the guilt and sadness you are feeling. All you can do is learn from it going forward.

I know I personally made a lot of mistakes raising my previous pigs I had as a kid, and I still feel guilty for it, but you can make up for it by learning and going forward being that much wiser and more prepared for your other pigs/future pigs.