Why did my old guinea pigs die with bleeding gums after flea spray?

I am so sorry to hear that you lost Snickers. It is difficult to know what might have caused his death without performing a necropsy (an autopsy for animals). It may have been a recurrence of the pneumonia or he may have developed some other kind of infection such as a gastrointestinal infection. Either way, it sounds like you took good care of him for the duration of his life.

I am so sorry to hear about Coco passing away so unexpectedly. Blue lips, mouth and nose is indicative of a respiratory or cardiac problem. The bluish color tells me that circulation was compromised. Based on this I would think Coco either had some sort of heart condition or pneumonia, which is very common in guinea pigs and often fatal. I'm so sorry. I hope this can give you some closure. Best of luck.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and I’m so sorry to hear about Misty! If you want an answer you need to have her neceopsied (autopsy for animals). Fleas can kill a pet if there are so many they suck all the blood out of the pet. Typically we don’t see this in adult pets but it can happen. Because Misty died suddenly I would be more suspicious of underlying heart disease. Cats can have undiagnosed heart problems which can arise suddenly. If not, I would be concerned of a toxin. Again, it’s hard to say for sure but at least you know she didn’t suffer. My thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I definitely understand how you feel and I am so sorry for your loss. It is very unlikely that this happened from applying too much flea medicine. This is more likely due to the other symptoms you mentioned including the diarrhea, difficulty urinating and fatigue. This could have been due to a disease that had not been identified. Again I am so sorry for your loss and I will keep you in my thoughts as you go through this difficult time.

Ohh, really sorry to hear about poor Rufus. It sounds like something had really affected him quickly. The fact that he he started getting cold and was not acting normal suggests to me that he was in shock. There are a few different causes of shock that could be related to the heart, acute organ failure or possible toxin ingestion. The best thing you can do to determine the cause (if you are interested), is have his body examined by a veterinary pathologist. You can organize this through your vet, or your vet could do the exam. It sounds like you cared for him very well, so please know that you have done the best you can. Again, really sorry for your loss.

I'm very sorry for the loss of your pet. Without a post mortem exam, it is difficult to say what could have caused such a sudden death. It may have been a genetic condition, infection or something in the environment. These little critters are very adept at concealing illness or injury even from experienced owners. You should take some solace in knowing she likely did not suffer. Monitor your remaining pig for any unusual symptoms or behaviors. Gradually reacclimate her to you. This can be done by introducing your hand into the cage for short periods of time and slowly increasing the length as she progresses. Provide small treats each time you interact with her. Once she has accepted your hand IN the cage, try petting her gently for increasing periods of time. Talk softly and move slowly. If she allows you to hold her, start off again with short periods of time until she accepts handling. It may take some time but be patient and be consistent.

Thanks for reahcing out about Gordo and including photos. Could there be aggression from another animal? External parasites (mites) can lead to itching, and the scratching to cause the lesions. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Cleaning with a warm, moistened wash cloth might help but avoid soaps or topical antibiotics, as guinea pigs are meticulous groomers and will ingest. Good luck.