10 Common Causes of Guinea Pig Death (Piggie Parents Weigh In)

It’s hard dealing with the death of a guinea pig. It literally feels like a part of your heart is missing. And when you lose one of your fur babies, it’s normal to ask yourself “What caused my guinea pig’s death?”

Pneumonia is the most common cause of death in guinea pigs. This is because it develops quickly in them. Stroke caused by a blood clot or heat is also another common cause of death in cavies. Some common causes of death for guinea pigs are gut stasis, bloat, cancer, and dental issues. Other causes of death include scurvy, stress, and ovarian cysts.

Guinea pigs are sensitive little creatures who need a lot of care. This post looks at the most common causes of death and their symptoms.

Keep reading to know what you can spot early in order to save your pet.

1. Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a leading cause of death in guinea pigs. Guinea pigs are sensitive to colds so they’re more likely to get respiratory infections. These colds can quickly develop into pneumonia.

Pneumonia in guinea pigs is mainly caused by a bacterial infection. The main bacteria responsible for pneumonia are:

• Bordetella bronchiseptica,
• Streptococcus pneumoniae
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Klebsiella pneumoniae
• Citrobacter freundii

Pneumonia fills your cavies heart with fluid which makes it hard to breathe. It also progresses very quickly in guinea pigs and can cause death within 48 to 72 hours.

The main symptoms of pneumonia are:

• Difficulty breathing (heavy and struggles to draw in the air)
• Conjunctivitis (pink eye, swelling, white to green/yellow discharge)
• Nasal discharge
• Lethargy
• Sneezing
• Refusal to eat or drink
• Fever

Pneumonia also causes middle ear infections in guinea pigs. The signs of an ear infection are twisting the head to one side and lack of balance.

Pneumonia can’t get better treatment. Since it develops very quickly in guinea pigs, emergency treatment is needed. The primary treatment for pneumonia is antibiotics.

Your vet will instruct you on the medicine after diagnosing your vet. To keep pneumonia away, keep your guinea pigs warm. If they stay outdoors, bring them indoors when it gets cold. 

Guinea pigs who live indoors are less likely to be affected by changes in weather.

2. Stroke

Stroke is one of the causes of sudden death in guinea pigs. A stroke happens when a blood clot interrupts the flow of oxygen into the brain.

The main cause of stroke in guinea pigs is tumors. Chances of survival depend on:

• Diet
• Lifestyle
• Heredity

Strokes are rare in younger guinea pigs. The main signs of a stroke in cavies are:

• Seizures
• Acting unresponsive
• Displays irregular breathing

Once a guinea pig suffers a stroke, there are very high chances it will have one again.

Here are some signs your guinea pig suffered a stroke:

• Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
• Sagging in the affected area
• Listlessness
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of balance
• Walks in circles
• Tilts head
• Eyes may bulge

These symptoms can occur suddenly and then disappear slowly. You can tell if your little fuzz spud is fine one minute and suddenly can’t move the next.

3. Heat Stroke

Guinea pigs are prone to heat strokes in warm weather of over 75°F (or 28°C).

They’re one of the most common causes of death in cavies.

Aside from hot weather, other causes of heat stroke are:

• Obesity
• Thick fur
• Pregnancy
• Old age
• Living under direct sunlight
• Overcrowding
• Lack of fresh & cool water to drink
• Poor ventilation
• Small carrier

The best way to prevent heat strokes is to ensure your fur babies have good ventilation and that they’re NOT IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT. You should also make sure their water bottle is refilled in the hot season.

The signs of heat stroke include:

• Breathing fast
• Red ears and feet
• Bluish-colored gums and lips
• Drooling a lot
• Extreme sluggishness

If your guinea pig is overheated, don’t douse them in water. Wipe them down gently with a cool towel to lower their temperature. Keep them in parts of the house that are away from direct sunlight.

Heat strokes need immediate attention from a vet, so that you don’t lose your little pet.

4. Gut Stasis

Gut status (GI stasis) is also called ileus. It’s a life-threatening condition that affects guinea pigs.

Gut stasis happens when the bacteria in the guinea pig’s gut is thrown out of balance. This imbalance causes the contractions of the stomach and intestinal muscles to come to a complete standstill.

This means that any food in the stomach and digestive tract will stay in place. The food is not absorbed, processed, or metabolized. Guinea pigs are herbivores whose gut needs to constantly move.

What causes GI Stasis in guinea pigs?

• Dental problems – piggies will be unlikely to eat if there are any problems with their teeth.
• Stress – an unhappy guinea pig will more than likely eat less or completely stop eating.
• General illness – illnesses tend to bring a lack of appetite in your little cavy.
• Lack of fiber – Fiber provides healthy bacteria to the gut. It also helps in maintaining intestinal mobility
• Foreign body or blockage

Signs Of GI Stasis In Guinea Pigs

• No poops
• Not eating
• Lethargy (sluggishness; not moving around much)
• Refusal to drink water
• Grinding teeth (in pain)
• Noises (louder than usual)

Treatment For Gut Stasis In Guinea pigs

GI stasis is an emergency condition. Make sure to take your vet to the vet when you notice it. Here is the main course of treatment:

• Pain relief to make piggie comfortable
• Syringe feeding to introduce fiber to the gut and stimulate movement
• Digestive medication to help with gut movement
• Hospitalization
• Fluid therapy helps with dehydration, improves circulation, and improves shock absorption.

To prevent gut stasis, make sure your guinea pig has proper diets that are balanced and nutritious. Give them an unlimited supply of hay (Timothy hay). Also, make sure they live in a stress-free environment.

5. Bloat

If left untreated, bloating can be fatal in guinea pigs. In some cases, it can cause death within 48 to 72 hours. Bloating in guinea pigs is mainly of three types;

• Gas bloat
• Liquid bloat
• Blockage bloat

Gas Bloat is caused by: a wrong diet, too many fruits and veggies (rich in calcium), inadequate hay, and poor exercise. 

The cause of liquid bloat is still pretty much unknown. As for blockage bloat, it happens when they swallow something they shouldn’t.

Get your piggie to the vet for immediate treatment if your guinea pig has bloat.

6. Cancer

Guinea pigs get cancer like many other living beings. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in guinea pigs. In some cases, it can be treated through surgery. 

In other cases, it’s impossible to treat due to the advancement.

The most common cancers/tumors in guinea pigs are:

• Skin Tumors
• Lymphoma
• Skin tumors
• Uterine tumors

The main symptoms of tumors in guinea pigs are:

• Labored breathing
• Lethargy
• A ruffled and unkempt coat
• Lumps on their body where the tumor has spread.

You can feel for any lumps in your guinea pig’s body and have them checked by the vet. Tumors in guinea pigs tend to show themselves through lumps.

Treatment of cancers in guinea pigs can be through medicine and/or surgery to remove them.

7. Dental Issues

Dental issues are pretty common in guinea pigs. From overgrown teeth to gum disease, there is a range of dental problems in cavies. The danger with dental issues in guinea pigs is that they can cause gut stasis.

Guinea pigs will eat less or stop completely at the slightest pain in their teeth. If there is pain, they will refuse to eat. When they stop eating, their gut movement also stops.

Gut stasis is toxic to guinea pigs and can cause starvation among other range of issues. The poor diet also makes them prone to disease and have a poor recovery rate.

If your pet guinea pig has a tooth infection, it can spread to the ear and be fatal. Take your pet to the vet as soon as you suspect there is a dental issue.

To protect your guinea pig’s teeth, make sure to give them an unlimited supply of hay. You should also reduce their foods and treats that are high in sugar.

8. Scurvy

Well, guinea pigs and pirates might have something in common after all. Scurvy is caused by a vitamin C deficiency. Unlike other animals, the guinea pig’s body can’t make vitamin C.

The symptoms of scurvy in guinea pigs are:

• Lethargy
• Unwillingness to move
• Poor condition
• Painful joints
• Dental issues
• Weight loss
• Bruising and hemorrhage
• Alopecia or rough coat
• Diarrhea

Vitamin C is responsible for the production of a range of enzymes and tissues e.g. collagen. Collagen is considered the glue that holds tissues together – and keeps skin healthy.

The lack of vitamin C leads to lowered immunity and if it goes on too long – DEATH. Guinea pigs need a daily intake of vitamin C.

This can be given through fruits and vegetables or supplements. Make sure your little fur babies have plenty of vitamin C.

Vitamin C acts as both a preventive measure and a treatment measure when it comes to illnesses.

9. Stress 

Stress causes a host of issues in guinea pigs. This can be triggered by the state of their enclosure or the environment around them. Stress in guinea pigs can be due to;

• Sudden noise
• Poor handling
• Poor diet
• Lack of entertainment
• Loneliness
• Separation or death of a bond
• Illnesses such as URIs, heart disease,
• Fly strike

Stress can also induce many conditions in guinea pigs that can be life-threatening. Make sure your guinea pig is in a stress-free environment.

10. Ovarian Cysts

Ovarian cysts are more common in guinea pigs over 18 months of age. About 80% of female guinea pigs of this age will have ovarian cysts. The main signs of ovarian cysts are:

• Guinea pigs look to be in pain
• Wide abdomen
• Piggie doesn’t like being picked up
• Blood in urine
• Reduced eating
• Overgrooming
• Sluggish and tired

Treatment for ovarian cysts is mainly surgery. Although a vet will decide the best mode of treatment after the prognosis.

How Did Your Guinea Pig Die? (Pet Parents Weight In) 

Causes of death in guinea pigs are very varied. I wanted to get a first-hand experience from pet parents. I manually surveyed 136 guinea pig owners to find out what caused their guinea pig’s death.

• 20 of the respondents (15%) said their guinea pigs were due to URIs. The progression was rapid and the guinea pigs didn’t get better even after medication. In one case, a boar seemed to get worse after receiving antibiotics and died several hours later.
• 20 of the respondents (15%) didn’t know the reason the guinea pigs died. In some cases, the parents returned home to find their guinea pigs dead. In other cases, the cavy went into a coma before dying. In this case, the pet parents didn’t perform an autopsy to find out.
• 17 of the respondents (12%) mentioned accidents as the cause of death of their pets. The accidents were varied, some of which were caused by dogs. In other cases, it was a bad accident in the cage. A fight between a bonded pair of boars led one to sustain serious injuries that became fatal.
• 15 of the respondents (11%) said their pets died due to pneumonia. The progression was rapid for many of these pet parents. The cold season had made their pets sick and efforts to treat them didn’t work. They lost their pets within 3 days, some of whom died in their arms.
• 14 piggie parents (10%) lost their little pets to old age. The main age was 4 to 5 years old. In some cases, some guinea pigs lived until they were 8 to 11 years old. In most of these cases, the pet parents had been expecting it. So they were prepared and took care of their piggies until the end.
• 12 pet parents (9%) had lost their guinea pigs to heart disease. Most of these cases were in older piggies. However, there were some who were still young. The heart disease progressed slowly in many of the cases. The pet parents were expecting their piggies to die so they prepared.
• 11 guinea pig owners (8%) lost their pets to tumors/cancers. Ovarian and lymph tumors were the most common type. Many parents lost their sows to ovarian tumors. Some pet parents could not afford the costs of treatment for cancer so they chose euthanasia.
• 10 of the respondents (7%) said their pets stopped eating and later died. In almost half of these cases, the guinea pigs were in the care of others. One piggie owner had traveled and came back to find one of his piggies dead. The person who was taking care of them told him she stopped eating four days before.
• 9 guinea pig parents (7%) lost their pets to mites infestation. Some pet parents discovered the severity of the issue too late. As for others, they didn’t know what to do. Some owners were new parents and didn’t think mites could kill guinea pigs.
• 8 pet parents (6%) said the death of their pet was due to infection. It wasn’t specified exactly which type. The infection had led to the deterioration of the health of their guinea pig. Some of the pets were on painkillers and antibiotics.

Death in the cavy community was not a new thing. Many pet parents have learned new things after losing their pets. Here are a few highlights:

• Check for poop. Many pet parents had not learned the importance of checking if their pet pooped or not. This later turned out to be a serious issue.
• Check on your guinea pig every day. You can see if there’s anything wrong with your little friends. This’ll help reduce the chances of your pet dying suddenly.
• After one guinea pig dies, you should find a companion for the remaining one…in most cases

What Would Cause A Guinea Pig To Die Suddenly?

Sudden death in guinea pigs can be due to pneumonia and heart attack.  Upper respiratory infections also cause sudden death. 

It could also be due to old age, vitamin C deficiency, GI stasis (gut stops moving), or stress.

Poor breeding (like when roan guinea pigs are bred) and salmonella poisoning can also lead to sudden death in guinea pigs. Other causes can be starvation, dehydration, diarrhea, and dental problems.

How Do You Know Your Guinea Pig Is Dying?

There’s some signs that may indicate that your guinea pig is dying. These include a loss of appetite, lethargy, not responding to your voice or touch, sitting hunched over in a corner, and difficulty moving.

If your guinea pig is showing any of these signs, the situation should be monitored. You should take them to the vet if you’re not sure what’s going on with your little friend.

And if your guinea pig is over the age of four or five, it is important to keep in mind that their life expectancy is shorter than that of younger guinea pigs.

You have to expect their health may decline more rapidly in their later years. If you are concerned about your guinea pig’s health, it is always best to consult with a veterinarian.

These conditions can also just mean your piggie is sick and needs treatment. That’s why you should consult a vet to see if you can get your guinea pig treated.

What Happens When A Guinea Pig Dies?

When a guinea pig dies, it will lay on its side and relax its muscles. Its heart will stop pumping blood and it will also stop breathing.

After a while, the guinea pig goes stiff with ‘rigor mortis’. Rigor mortis, also known as postmortem stiffness, is the temporary stiffening of muscles that occurs after death.

Rigor mortis typically sets in within 2-6 hours after death and can last for up to 72 hours. The exact cause of rigor mortis is still not fully understood, but it’s thought to be caused by a combination of chemical and physical changes that occur in your guinea pig’s body after death.

What Does A Dead Guinea Pig Look Like?

If the death is within 72 hours, it will look stiff and cold. Its eyes will close and it will be unmoving and unresponsive. Its coat will look very dull.

It’ll probably look smaller and flatter than it was when it was alive. The guinea pig won’t have a heart beat and won’t be breathing.

If a guinea pig’s eyes are still shiny, then it might have gone into shock and might not be actually dead.

What Should I Do If My Guinea Pig Dies?

The loss of a pet is always difficult, and guinea pigs are no exception. If your guinea pig dies, there are a few things you should do to ensure that your other pets remain healthy and to help you cope with your loss.

1. Have your guinea pig necropsied by a qualified vet to determine the cause of death and rule out any contagious diseases (if you feel you need to).
2. Once you have the results of the necropsy, you can take steps to prevent disease in your other pets.
3. If your guinea pig died from a non-contagious cause, you may want to consider getting another guinea pig as a companion for your remaining piggies. Guinea pigs are social creatures and do best when they live in pairs or small groups. Losing a companion can be stressful for them, so getting another guinea pig can help them adjust.
4. Decide if you want to cremate or bury your guinea pig. Cremation is usually the best option for small animals, as it is less likely to spread disease. If you do choose to bury your guinea pig, make sure to do so at least two feet underground and away from any water sources.
5. Figure out how you’d like to memorialize your piggies. Some people invest in grave markers, memorial jewelry, or small animal burial urns.
6. Take some time to grieve for your pet. Allow yourself to feel sadness and loss; this is an important part of the healing process.

Let’s Wrap Up

Well, we have covered the most common causes of death in guinea pigs. These are mainly:

• Pneumonia
• Stroke
• Heat Stroke
• Gut Stasis
• Bloat
• Cancer
• Dental Issues
• Scurvy
• Stress 
• Ovarian Cysts

Among those listed above, there are some like pneumonia which causes sudden death.  Sometimes, the disease has gone too far to be treated since guinea pigs hide their illnesses.

Remember guinea pigs are very sensitive animals and prone to many illnesses. As a pet parent, there’s a lot to learn as you take care of your guinea pig.