Some one needs to talk me down because I just returned from a 2 week vacation to find that BOTH of my guinea pigs have died. I am devastated. Especially because I can't figure out why. Help.
I took both pigs to my mom's house for her to watch them. I set up a cage almost exactly like the cage they have here. They were in a temperature controlled room.
Granted-one piggy was already sick with kidney disease-was on pain meds and critical care and had troubles walking due to arthritis the day before we left. I knew there was a good possibility she may not be here when I got back. I took her to the vet the day before and she was aware of her condition and that- if my mom, who was taking care of them while we were gone brought her in and she was in pain that I was prepared that she may have to be put to sleep. I said my goodbyes when I left, just in case. She passed 2 days after I left.
However- what baffles me is why her cage mate, a very healthy 3-year old pig, died a week and a half later. According to my mom she was eating less than normal but was still eating and moving about the cage seemingly normal. She didn't really get any floor time, like what I give her, but my mom did make sure to pick her up and pet her every day- especially since she was not in a central part of the house (as she is at my house). So what could be the cause?
My mom says she gave her all the food I listed- nothing out of the ordinary. Could it be from loneliness- the fact that her cage mate died on top of the fact that she was alone in a room by herself a lot more than she was used to? Or because I was away? I've heard of piggies getting depressed from loneliness and even dying but within a week and a half? The room she was in also had the cat's litter boxes in it- could that have contributed? The smell from the cat urine or even the cat litter dust itself? Again- she said she was acting relatively normal-although my mom did say she thought maybe she was lonely (so something in the way she was acting obviously made her think that)? In her naivety- she even went out a bought another guinea pig (from a pet store- I cringe!! If she only knew I'd never do that!) thinking it would be a companion for her-but she only but them together for a few hours and by that night she was dead. Was it stress?
I'm having such a tough time not knowing why! My poor mom is just a wreck. She feels so terrible- of course i don't blame her I just wish I knew what the cause was- I think it would help me put them to rest.
Any suggestions??!!
I took both pigs to my mom's house for her to watch them. I set up a cage almost exactly like the cage they have here. They were in a temperature controlled room.
Granted-one piggy was already sick with kidney disease-was on pain meds and critical care and had troubles walking due to arthritis the day before we left. I knew there was a good possibility she may not be here when I got back. I took her to the vet the day before and she was aware of her condition and that- if my mom, who was taking care of them while we were gone brought her in and she was in pain that I was prepared that she may have to be put to sleep. I said my goodbyes when I left, just in case. She passed 2 days after I left.
However- what baffles me is why her cage mate, a very healthy 3-year old pig, died a week and a half later. According to my mom she was eating less than normal but was still eating and moving about the cage seemingly normal. She didn't really get any floor time, like what I give her, but my mom did make sure to pick her up and pet her every day- especially since she was not in a central part of the house (as she is at my house). So what could be the cause?
My mom says she gave her all the food I listed- nothing out of the ordinary. Could it be from loneliness- the fact that her cage mate died on top of the fact that she was alone in a room by herself a lot more than she was used to? Or because I was away? I've heard of piggies getting depressed from loneliness and even dying but within a week and a half? The room she was in also had the cat's litter boxes in it- could that have contributed? The smell from the cat urine or even the cat litter dust itself? Again- she said she was acting relatively normal-although my mom did say she thought maybe she was lonely (so something in the way she was acting obviously made her think that)? In her naivety- she even went out a bought another guinea pig (from a pet store- I cringe!! If she only knew I'd never do that!) thinking it would be a companion for her-but she only but them together for a few hours and by that night she was dead. Was it stress?
I'm having such a tough time not knowing why! My poor mom is just a wreck. She feels so terrible- of course i don't blame her I just wish I knew what the cause was- I think it would help me put them to rest.
Any suggestions??!!