George being held in the sunshine
George has been unwell for a long time. In the last week his health deteriorated significantly and I had to take him to the vets.
He was losing weight rapidly despite eating a lot. His poos were squidgy and his gums were sore due to the lack of front teeth. There were also deposits in his cavity at the front.
I took him to the vets and they were concerned because he was in a lot of pain. Previously he had been ill but comfortable, this time was different. They put him on antibiotics (Baytril, 0.25ml per dose) and painkillers (Metacan, 0.13ml per dose), which isn’t licensed for guinea pigs but they can have it.
George’s condition then improved throughout the week as he started to put on a little bit of weight and appeared happier. I went away on Friday evening, returned on Saturday morning and we found him dead in the hutch.
He had been eating but his body had given up on him. We buried him in the field.
George had a good life but I am worried for Freddie now as he seems very upset that his hutchmate has gone. Freddie has now taken to sitting near where George passed away and being very quiet (which is uncharacteristic for him). Elly has now moved in with Freddie to keep him company until a new guinea pig arrives in two weeks time.
viv66 said,
October 2, 2009 @ 3:46 pm
I’m sorry to hear about your loss; piggies seem to have such short lives but very full ones. They do grieve quite profoundly; you’ve done the right thing in giving Freddie a companion to raise his spirits.
One of my beekeeping pals has a piggie that is coming up for 14 years old; amazing. Our oldest was 7 and a half.
xx
Claudia Shipley said,
October 3, 2009 @ 8:19 pm
Thanks, I’m kind of happy in a way as it means he’s out of pain, and, yes, he certainly had a good life. I thought 7 and a half years was considedered old in guinea pig years, but 14 is incredible. I think, in fact, that’s a world record. Heard that 13 years was the oldest piggie recorded, but might have to check that. What’s her/his secret?
viv66 said,
October 5, 2009 @ 4:24 pm
The world record is 14, as far as I can recall from our ancient Guiness Book of records(that we ditched at our last move, I think).
I have no idea at all about Mike’s secret; he didn’t even seem aware that this was out of the ordinary! His daughter used to breed show pigs but having grown up, left home and moved away, Mike was left with the remaining pigs, who have had great lives in his amazing garden. He’s a beekeeper, though, and who can guess the magic they have in their hands??