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Starting Member
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Last Login: 11/16/2009 4:04:14 AM
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I had a guinea pig (named Pacov) for about 5.5 years. About 2 weeks ago I noticed that he lost weight, but he was still eating as usual. I didn't do anything! My mom told me that he is old and that it is probably normal that he lost some weight, but as long as he is eating well, it is ok. It seemed logically to me, so I didn't take him to a vet. At that time, I noticed mushy poop, but not always. One day it was mushy, the other day was hard...I taught it was result of his diet that day, noting serious.
Than 2 days ago, he stopped eating. That night he ate some lettuce and the day after nothing again. At 5 PM, when I got back from work, I rushed him to a vet, but he was already half paralyzed, I saw that he is suffering. Vet offered me 2 options - to give him 2 shots (vitamins and some probiotic) or to put him to sleep. I said to try with medications. The minute he gave him those shots my Pacov started bouncing of the table, shivering, like he had some seizure. It was HORIBLE! We went home and after about half an hour he passed away on my chest ((
I am devastated! All the time I wonder if his death is my fault. Would it be different if I took him to a vet two weeks ago… and more than that I wonder was he feeling pain (‘cause to me it looked like it, but my vet told me that he probably isn’t aware of anything, like he is in some sort of coma). Did I put him to more suffering when I took him to a vet to get those shots? Please tell me! I am crying my eyes out for 2 days now!
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Community Moderator
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Hello, I'm sorry to hear about your loss of your guinea pig. Guinea pigs are animals that hide their illness well. And because of this sometimes it is already too late when you see a sign of illness. So even if you had taken your piggie in two weeks ago it might not have made a difference depending on what the condition was.
FeathersNFuz, Community Moderator
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Starting Member
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Thank you for replying.
He was 5 ½ years old. Is it possible that he was simply old? Is that their process of dying?
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Community Moderator
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That would be a great question for our Guinea Pig expert. I'll be sure to pass it along.
FeathersNFuz, Community Moderator
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Starting Member
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| Ok, tnx a lot for your interest in this! I'm anxious to hear his opinion.
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Junior Member
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Starting Member
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@feathersnfuz
Hi! Did the expert replied to you? Hope you didn't forget to ask him...
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Community Moderator
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I passed the question along to the SmallAnimalChannel editor. I'm not sure if and when it will be answered.
FeathersNFuz, Community Moderator
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Community Moderator
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Hi! Our expert sent back her answer to your question. Here is the link to the article:
http://www.smallanimalchannel.com/critter-experts/guinea-pig/what-happens-as-guinea-pigs-age-0911.aspx
FeathersNFuz, Community Moderator
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Starting Member
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Dear friends,
I can't thank you enough for replying! I red the article and my guinea pig had almost all signs of aging (rolling of toes, thicken feet, cataract, he started to sleep more...).
Although I know that my grief for him will never end, at least I can comfort myself that his death was not my fault and that he had a great life.
Thank you, again, and for all of you who have guinea pigs: enjoy every single moment with these incredible creatures and treasure them, they are truly magnificent animals!
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