Guinea Pig Sudden Death?

Question

My guinea pig Mocha died unexpectedly today. He had started coughing and I didn't think much of it around 3pm when I got home at 6pm I found him in his hut with blood on the floor. My other guinea pig Cinnamon was making an awful shrieking sound--like he was crying.

What could have caused this death? He had all good food, water non-wood bedding fresh veggies every day. What happened.

And should I replace Mocha, and if so how soon?
I feel empty without my Mocha and I need sound advice.

Mocha and Cinnamon were bought from a Meijer store. They I believe were not very old. Maybe 3-4 months. I don't have the extra $$ to have a necopsy done and I've already buried Mocha. (Best not to have him in the cage for extended period of time)

how soon should i get another companion 4 my piggie?

1 day///now///1 week?

Answer 1

First off take Cinnamon to the vet to make sure that whatever Mocha had isn't contagious. You want to be as safe as you can be. If there is blood, a fight could have happened or perhaps he had an anal issue. I believe it's possible to have a sort of autopsy done by a vet if you'd like to inquire. I'm so sorry for your loss, that's so terrible. I would hate to have anything like that happen to my girls. How old are Mocha and Cinnamon. If Cinnamon is still fairly young, I would deffiently look into finding him a companion at your local animal shelter. I hope he is able to recover from this trauma.

Answer 2

you would probably need a necropsy to tell for sure. Sometimes vet schools will do them for free, or a university that does animal research. Since you buried your pet thats just for information.

If the pig was coughing and there was blood around its nose and mouth then it may have had some severe lung problem. If the blood was from its butt then a gastric problem is likely.

Sometimes animals just get sick and die. With birds and small animals it can be very fast with few signs that something is wrong. It sounds like you took good care of it .

If you havent done so , clean the cage very well, so if it was an infection your other pig wont catch it.

Your other pig would like another companion.

Answer 3

First, sorry for the loss of your little friend. I do not have the answer to your question, but found this one interesting as I now have 2 GP's as of this week. I did read that they live between 5 - 8 years (and you already know this I am certain), so my question is was Mocha between this age?

I can only speculate, but the sooner you replace Mocha for Cinnamon' sake the better off all of you will likely be.

I am starring this so that I can come back and view it later for answers from people more knowledgeable than myself in this topic.

Best to you!

Answer 4

I'm so sorry. I really am not sure what the cause could be. However, you should get him to the vet for a necropsy. He will be able to give you some answers, hopefully. You need to make sure it isn't something that could be spread to your other piggie.

Keep a close eye on Cinnamon. She will be grieving with you.

Addition:
Replacing you pig is up to you. While I know it's hard on you, the sooner your other pig has a friend, the better. However, when you get a new pig, quaratine her for 3 weeks away from your pig. This will ensure that she is disease free. Adopt one from www.petfinder.com !

Answer 5

When guinea pigs get sick they go downhill very fast maybe it was just his time or he got poisoning by something?? He may of had internall issues with the re-introducing i would look for a baby de-sexed male as otherwise theres possibilities of fights they still might but its greatly decreased cause the desexed one doesnt want to fight so much anymore

Answer 6

my friends brother guinea pig died unexpectedly 2 nd the guy @ the pet store said that it was "wet tail" he said the guinea pig got wet to much and that caused it 2 die

Answer 7

I don't know why... But I am SO sorry.
I have two guinea pigs and I would be heart broken...