Any Guinea Pig experts ?

[FlapJack]

My sister got two guinea pigs about a year and a half ago. She was told they were babies. Last week, one of them abruptly passed away with no warning. No crusty eyes, runny nose, different behaviour - just gone :(.
Her second guinea pig started acting very subdued and so we took him to the vet, who said he was completely healthy and likely just depressed about losing his friend. My sister decided that if he didn't cheer up within a few days, she'd get him a new friend.

Anyway, he didn't get better, he got worse and stopped eating/drinking. His breathing got very fast, he started sneezing, and he had no desire to even lift his head off the ground. We took him to the vet again and she said she could take x-rays and do bloodwork if we wanted to know what was wrong, or just give him some antibiotics. We decided to do all of it and the results came back unclear, but he was 'very, very sick'.

This was last night, he died at 3am. My sister is a wreck. I'm posting because I do not know a lot about guinea pigs and I'm just wondering what could possibly have caused this horrible thing to happen. It's not like both pigs showed the same symptoms (like if they somehow caught a virus, which would be bizarre because they never leave the house). My sister hasn't changed anything about their daily routine, including food etc. Has anyone experienced anything like this or have any idea what could have brought it on? It's unsettling to have no idea, especially if in the future she ever wanted to have guinea pigs again.

[jeezitsjacki]

wow that is strange...not sure what happened. They can die because of stress...but it doesnt sound like they were stressed at all. I hope your figure out what happened

[FlapJack]

Thanks jacki, I know it's very strange. We were also worried about stress which is why we chose to bring him home and syringe feed etc instead of him staying with the vet overnight.

[JackieB]

Your poor sister. Give her a hug for us. I'll look forward to meeting the little piggies at the Rainbow Bridge.

[spotsmom]

Hi FlapJack- I'm sorry for your sisters loss. Do you have any pet rabbits or rats kept in the same house?

[FlapJack]

Thanks you guys.
No rabbits or pets or any other small furry creatures...It doesn't seem likely she'll want to bring home anymore Guineas at least for a long time, it's just troublesome not to be sure of the cause.

[Remali]

I used to have guinea pigs, altho I never had anything similar to that happen with mine. I think I would definitely get another vet, if your sister does decide to get another guinea pig or two. I've been sort of surprised at how many vets don't know a whole lot about guinea pigs and rabbits, you have to look for a vet that treats exotic animals I think, altho I really think a small animal vet should know how to treat guinea pigs. Anyway, I am so sorry your sister lost her piglets that way. They're the sweetest little things. Maybe a local breeder would be of some help, or a 4-H leader who is experienced with guinea pigs? Like you say, it would be nice to know what it may have been.

I found this online about guinea pigs and illnesses.....

http://www.guinealynx.info/emergencymedicalguide.html

[Gliderider]

Sorry to hear about you sisters Guinea pigs. I lost my Guinea pig Aslan not long ago and we don't know why. She was not acting sick or anything. Just found her passed away one morning.

[FlapJack]

Thanks for the posts guys. Remali those are some good suggestions, I'll look into it if my sister wants to.
They're just so fragile!

[shewasmyshadow]

I have mice. Not the same, but sort of similar I guess... If it were my mice that died like that I would guess a upper respiratory thing or possibly stroke/organ failure... something like that. All I can say is IF she decided to get another do not buy from pet stores. Purchase from a breeder who has bred the lines out a few generations. A good breeder will not breed lines that die young or from cancer/organ failure/stroke.

Oh, also bedding can carry molds and stuff. What type was she using? If it's pine that could be a culprit. Also, food that is not stored properly can cause problems. I store all my food in the freezer to keep molds, mites, etc out.

[Remali]

SWMS had some very good suggestions too..... the litter/bedding is so important, pine and cedar and those wood shavings can be so toxic to small animals. I use bedding like Carefresh and Kaytee Total Comfort bedding for my rabbit (it is paper-based, very soft and safe).

[FlapJack]

Thanks guys...I agree about the pet store thing. The first Guinea always seemed a little off to me (like with bulging eyes, which we were told was normal but still he seemed different). And she was using Carefresh bedding.

[shewasmyshadow]

Thanks guys...I agree about the pet store thing. The first Guinea always seemed a little off to me (like with bulging eyes, which we were told was normal but still he seemed different). And she was using Carefresh bedding.

What type of Carefresh? The white stuff is NOT good. Mice people say to stay away from that. It's very powdery and can be bad for them. The colored stuff is better. It can still mold, though. It's paper.

[FlapJack]

What type of Carefresh? The white stuff is NOT good. Mice people say to stay away from that. It's very powdery and can be bad for them. The colored stuff is better. It can still mold, though. It's paper.
Hmm actually I think it was white. I really hope this wasn't something like that which could have been prevented :(. But thanks for the thought because if we ever have them again we'll know to use the coloured stuff.

[Remali]

I hadn't heard that about the Carefresh, but I believe you. I use the gray-colored Carefresh. Actually tho, I prefer the Kaytee Comfort Bedding, it is more soft. I pick out the wet bedding every day in my rabbit's litter box.

Glad you told us about the white Carefresh, I won't use it.

[shewasmyshadow]

I actually use Aspen for my mice. It's safe if they are well bred. Pet store mice can't handle it. I really like it because it keeps down the odor.

[Remali]

I've noticed that the Kaytee Comfort bedding really keeps the odors down really well too, and it is super-soft with no smell of its own.