HEAT RELATED DEATH

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SoCalCavies
Partners in Crime

Post   » Thu Apr 23, 2009 12:55 pm


It's taken me a few days to be able to log on here, but I felt I needed everyone to benefit from the excruciating lesson I just learned about heat and guinea pigs. (I didn't find much about it on this website.)

On Monday, April 20th, 2009, the temperature reached 106 degrees in Escondido, California. I was at work all day and when I came home, I found one of my 4 pigs, Bucky, dead - and the 3 others in critical condition.

I have no idea if the other 3 (Boo, Bandit and Bonsai) will make it. I assume they will, as they have been cared for by multiple vets, but nothing can cure a broken heart. Boo is the one who is clearly suffering the most. He was Bucky's brother, cagemate, and best friend. I have heard that animals know when something dies, but what I have witnessed in the last 3 days positively verifies that for me. He just lays in the cage now, staring at nothing.

I want everyone out there to know that if you even THINK it might be too hot (or cold) for your pigs, PLEASE PLEASE do something about it!!! I never even heard of freezing water bottles to put in their cage until now - and now it's too late.

I thought I was the most attentive pig owner out there. I have been teased for years about how they are my whole world. I was so meticulous I even weighed all their veggies every time I fed them. I also weighed them every day. I constructed an insane cage made out of the best materials. They have beds with pillows that are changed twice a day. Cuddle cups, muliple water bottles, hay bins, a window view, separate play pens - you name it! But none of that matters if you don't think about their care 24/7. Looking back now, considering what's happened, I realize just how quickly something bad can happen. PLEASE don't make the mistake that I made. THINK before you decide not to check on them, or to go home for lunch, or to realize that it's too hot outside, because believe me when I tell you - you don't want to be responsible for killing your beloved pet. I cut Bucky's life short by probably 5 years. I took him away from all of us. And I can honestly say, I will never be the same again.

Thank you for your time.

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Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Thu Apr 23, 2009 1:29 pm


I am so sorry for your loss. I hope your other guinea pigs make it. It is a very very hard lesson to learn.

It sounds like they were outside? Were they in the sun at all? Or was it just the heat?

So sorry.

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Bugs Mom

Post   » Thu Apr 23, 2009 1:31 pm


This come up every year. Last Summer I posted about two little girls I was supposed to be pig-sitting but when they got here they had heat stroke and died. The owners left the pigloos in the cage in the heat.

It's a terrible thing to watch them die while you're trying to get them to the vet wrapped in cool towels.

Bookfan
For the Love of Pigs

Post   » Thu Apr 23, 2009 1:33 pm


I'm very sorry. That's so painful.

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sus4rabbitsnpigs

Post   » Thu Apr 23, 2009 2:02 pm


I'm sorry.

There is a thread in chat now about keeping them cool.

Tracis
Let Sleeping Pigs Lie

Post   » Thu Apr 23, 2009 3:51 pm


I'm very sorry for your hearbreaking loss of Bucky.

I'm keeping Boo, Bandit and Bonsai in my thoughts, and hoping for a speedy recovery.

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GuineaPinny

Post   » Thu Apr 23, 2009 3:59 pm


I'm so sorry. Please keep us posted on your pigs. How heartbreaking.

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Sidera17

Post   » Thu Apr 23, 2009 5:10 pm


This is so terrible. I'm sorry. :*(

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lisam

Post   » Thu Apr 23, 2009 5:32 pm


I'm so sorry. I hope your others make a total recovery.

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Bytxlaura
Remembering Nemo

Post   » Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:02 pm


I am very sorry for your loss. I hope the other 3 will make a full recovery.

tiggyswift

Post   » Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:32 pm


I am so sorry! I hope the others recover fully.

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Catie Cavy
Supporter 2011-2020

Post   » Thu Apr 23, 2009 8:27 pm


I'm so sorry for the loss of Bucky. Thank you for posting in your time of sorrow to warn others

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