It doesn’t matter how much you care for your guinea pigs; death is the most difficult part of life.
Your guinea pig’s condition is indicated by these signs, which indicate that he or she will not have much time remaining. It is critical to recognize all of the signs of a dying guinea pig so that you can provide them with the best possible care in their final days, and it will also prepare you for those difficult times.
How to know if your guinea pig is dying?
Domesticated guinea pigs can live for up to 8-10 years if they are kept inside the house and are properly confined to their cage.
As recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records, Snowball the Guinea Pig lived for 14 years, a significantly longer lifespan than the average life expectancy of guinea pigs, which are only 5 to 8 years.
However, if your guinea pig is nearing the end of his or her life, you will begin to notice some signs before the end of the animal’s life.
When your guinea pigs are nearing death, you will notice some changes in their physical appearance that will alert you to their impending demise. One of these signs could be a symptom of an underlying health problem that is followed by other signs.
However, if your guinea pigs are suffering from health problems and illnesses that are accompanied by the signs listed below, it is likely that their lives will be cut short soon.
If you are aware of the signs of death in your guinea pigs as soon as they appear, you will be able to manage the last few days of their lives much more effectively.
There are some common health issues that you should be aware of before you start looking for these signs. More information can be found at: Guinea pigs have 25 different health problems.
So, let’s get right to the point of what these warning signs are:
Table of Contents
Your guinea pigs have stopped eating
When your guinea pig refuses to eat, this is the most obvious and straightforward sign that something is wrong. A sufficient amount of food such as hay, fresh vegetables, and fruits is required for all guinea pigs to thrive. In the event that your guinea pigs deny consuming these, there is no doubt that something is not quite right.
Aged guinea pigs are less interested in eating than their younger counterparts, according to research. Guinea pigs that continue to develop and grow can consume up to twice the amount of food that older guinea pigs consume.
You should not be concerned if your older guinea pigs do not eat as much as they did when they were younger because this is completely normal.
Animals become healthy because they are obligated to consume nutrients in order to survive. In a similar vein, guinea pigs meet their nutritional needs by eating as much as they want when provided with the proper food, so you are not required to force them to eat.
Even so, if your guinea pigs do not appear to be hungry for food, this could be a sign that they are suffering from illness or are about to die.
Guinea pigs’ decreased appetite can be caused by a variety of psychological and physical factors. Take your guinea pigs to the veterinarian and discuss with them the issues that are causing you concern about your pets.
Learn more:
- Why is my guinea pig not eating?
- How Long Can Guinea Pigs Go Without Food? (Hay, Veggies, Pellets)
- Why Is My Guinea Pig Drinking So Much? (Things You Should Know)
They are getting more and more lethargic
Guinea pigs have a high level of physical activity by nature. There is no doubt that the energy levels of each and every guinea pig are different. You become more aware of how much your guinea pigs require you to run and jump around them the more time you spend with them. They are also more active the more time you spend with them.
If it appears that your guinea pigs are not as active as they used to be, show no interest in playing, and appear to be unwilling to engage in any physical activity for the first time, it is possible that they are nearing the end of their lives.
Unexpected laziness in your pets could be a sign that they are in distress. One way to determine whether this laziness is significant or not is to take your guinea pigs to a quiet, pleasant environment, and if they appear more active there, then all of their laziness was caused by stress in their lives.
If they do not appear to be active, even in that comfortable environment, it is possible that they are sick or that they are dying.
Your guinea pigs can be comforted by wrapping them in a soft blanket and giving them small amounts of water with the help of a syringe. However, you should not force them to drink if they refuse. You do not want your guinea pigs to struggle for air when they are going through a difficult time.
Also read: Why is my guinea pig not moving?
Your guinea pig has stopped grooming themselves
Guinea pigs are good at grooming themselves.
In spite of the fact that diseased guinea pigs are less likely to be interested in cleaning themselves,
Gnathogs with smooth, tidy fur and skin are considered to be healthy, while those with matted, greasy fur are considered to be sick. These first signs of skin problems are caused by paying less attention to clean fur.
Guinea pigs are susceptible to a variety of physical diseases, including parasitic and fungal infections, skin tumors, and other conditions, and only a small number of these diseases result in the death of the animals.
These diseases are distinguished by symptoms such as bald spots on the skin, dandruff, or the formation of scales, as well as the peeling of skin in thin sections.
As a result, it is critical that your guinea pigs groom themselves on a regular basis to avoid infection.
Also Read: How To Get Rid Of Matted Guinea Pig Hair? (Causes and How-to guide)
Flies can be seen all around the cage
Myiasis, also known as flystrike, is a potentially fatal skin infection that can infect guinea pigs and cause them to die.
Fly egg laying on the skin of Guinea pigs is made possible by the conditions in the environment. And this condition occurs when the guinea pigs’ bodies become soiled as a result of their excrement and waste excreted by them.
After hatching, these eggs release a group of legless larvae known as maggots into the environment.
It is possible for these maggots to attach themselves to the guinea pigs’ skin and consume them from the inside out, causing them to die almost immediately.
Additionally, the presence of moisture, urine, and waste on your guinea pigs’ skin is a warning sign that they are in danger. Guinea pigs that have maggots on their skin are on the verge of death, as evidenced by the presence of these maggots.
As a result, if you notice maggots on the body of your guinea pigs, take them to a professional veterinarian right away. Few maggots may have already penetrated the skin, making it ineffective to simply pluck out the maggots that are visible on the surface.
Antibiotics are used to treat the infection known as myiasis. However, if this infection is not treated while it is still in its early stages, it will be impossible to heal them and they will likely die as a result.
Also read: How flies are attracted towards guinea pigs and what to do?
We’ve selected the best supplies for guinea pigs to help you care for your pet.
Before you read on, here are some supplies for your guinea pigs that have been hand-picked by us and that you absolutely must have on hand:
Frequent change in body vitals
It is not uncommon to see some unusual changes in guinea pigs’ vital signs as they get closer to the end of their lives. The heart rate and body temperature of a living creature are two of its vital signs. The following are some typical signs of a guinea pig’s body vitals:
The body’s core temperature is measured in degrees Celsius. The temperature ranges between 102 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
Heart rate is a measure of how fast your heart is beating. The heart rate ranges between 200 and 250 beats per minute.
The rate at which you breathe. Every minute, between 42 and 105 breaths are taken.
It’s time to refill the capillaries. It takes between 1-2 seconds.
The body temperature of guinea pigs can be checked through a thermometer, and you can examine their heart and respiratory rate by setting a timer and counting.
And to observe the capillary refill time of guinea pigs, what you can do is open their mouth and gently press it against gums around teeth, as you press it with slight force the light color will be noticed.
After releasing pressure, how much time the gums are taking to get back to the natural color will tell you the capillary refill time.
If these body vitals start changing their degrees from average or show frequent changes day by day, it is the time to call a vet.
Learn more: Guinea pig normal breathing
Your guinea pigs have a hard time catching a breath
Guinea pigs that are fit and healthy do not make any noises when they are breathing because they only breathe through their noses and not their mouths.
As a result, making suffocating noises is considered a bad health signal. If your guinea pigs are making noises that sound like they are suffering from a cold, they may be exhibiting signs of illness, including a disease that is potentially fatal. The following are indicators of a breathing problem:
Guinea pigs can also have difficulty breathing when they are cold or stressed. Guinea pigs may become stressed as a result of hearing loud noises, being in a crowded environment, being afraid of predators, or being held in uncomfortably tight grips by their handlers.
Experiment with removing any and all of the potential stressors from your guinea pigs’ environment, and then observe whether or not your guinea pigs return to being happy and comfortable. If this is not the case, then there are serious health concerns.
A guinea pig that appears to be on the verge of passing away will be distressed and will breathe noisily; even its breathing will be in short bursts.
Their gut movement have stopped
Keep track of how often your guinea pigs pee and poop, as well as the texture of the waste they excrete, to determine how healthy they are.
It is also possible that any type of abnormal change in the guinea pigs’ urine and waste will be the cause of their death. Unusual changes in the texture, smell, and color of their waste discharge, as well as blood traces in their urine, are all warning signs of a fatal infection.
When your guinea pigs are unable to pass waste, they are said to be suffering from gastrointestinal stasis issues. This condition serves as a warning sign of deteriorating health and illness. And it occurs when guinea pigs begin to avoid food, which results in a slowed rate of digestion in the animals.
It is possible that the guinea pigs are refusing to eat because their food does not contain sufficient amounts of nutrients. Guinea pigs require a properly functioning digestive system in order to survive.
Consider the following scenario: you discover that your guinea pigs have not excreted and have not passed out urine for the past 6 hours. Take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible for treatment.
Excessive loose motions and even dehydration are common causes of poor health in guinea pigs prior to death, as is the presence of parasites. It has been observed that guinea pigs eliminate in large quantities just before they die.
Your guinea pig is making some unusual noises
If you notice that your guinea pigs are making unusual noises, it is likely that they are not feeling well and need to be treated.
When guinea pigs are uncomfortable, they make sounds like teeth grinding and screaming. Whenever your guinea pigs are in distress or are experiencing discomfort, they will scream.
guinea pigs may whimper or make a high pitched sound unintentionally when they die, which is most often caused by illness.
Other sounds to actively listen for include the sounds of breathing, which include sneezing, puffing, snorting, and wheezing.
They are drooling a lot
Guinea pigs drool and expel uncontrollable saliva from their mouths in the days leading up to their death, which can be fatal.
They produce such large amounts of saliva that they exceed your expectations, and this occurs primarily when they are not getting enough water.
However, while the fur of guinea pigs absorbs some saliva, the result is still a sloppy mess.
You may notice guinea pigs with swollen faces or mouths, which is primarily caused by drooling, in your home.
And if you look inside their mouths, you will notice that their gums are yellow, white, pale, or blue, which clearly indicates that they are suffering from additional illness.
Your guinea pig is shivering
If guinea pigs appear to shake or shiver despite the presence of a warm environment in their immediate vicinity, this is a sign that they are experiencing a state of shock.
The fear of death has also caused them to shiver as a result of their fright. Stress can also be a contributing factor to the terror. Both you and your guinea pigs may find these signs of impending death to be unacceptably disturbing.
You can make an effort to comfort your guinea pigs by providing them with a blanket or a warm environment. However, do not simply fix it around them. Provide them with a space and allow them to roam around in it if they so desire.
The product we loved personally.
Everything You Need to Know About Eglu The Go Hutch is a straightforward way to keep pets that is simple, stylish, and easy to use. This will make an excellent home for your new guinea pig friends, as it will accommodate two to three of them. The house is a wonderful place to eat, sleep, and cuddle up in during the winter months.
The Omlet has been meticulously designed. The purpose of the Eglu is to keep your pets warm during the winter months. Because it is fox and badger resistant, you can rest assured that your pets will be safe even when you are not at home with them.
Guinea Pig Probiotic Cookies Treats is one of a number of healthy cookies available from them in a variety of flavors. It’s a good idea to try a variety of flavors to see which ones your pigs prefer. Natural Food and Treats for Small Animals are available at TheNaturalCavy stores; visit their website to see what else they have.
Custom Fleece Ramp Liner fits C & C Cages or Midwest for the use of Guinea Pigs The guinea pigs will enjoy the soft fleece because it is so comfortable and gentle on their feet. The staff at the SylveraenTreasures store is extremely friendly, and they offer a wide selection of custom fabric options to choose from.
Absorbent Fleece Drip Pads for the use of Guinea Pigs These drip pads are an excellent way to keep your cage liner dry in the areas where your water bottles are stored. The PawsAndClawsAccs shops provide well-made, adorable accessories for all of your furry friends, including your cats.
Adorable Guinea Pig Shaped Cushion This beautiful blanket is made from satin and luxuriously soft velour fabrics, and it has a vivid, lifelike image that allows you to see every detail of their adorable little faces. The most thoughtful gift for the guinea pigs’ human companions. AdorableCushions stores are designed and created to appeal to animal lovers from all over the world, and they are located throughout the world.
