I love my piggies, but every time I get new ones they die within 24 hours. The vets, meaning many that I've gone to, say it's probably viral. But we've waited two months, cleaned everything, even moved and they still die the same way. We have a bird and a dog and they're fine. Please if anyone knows why this is happening, I've researched for days, and I want my t.v. buddy back, but I won't kill another one because of selfish reasons. The symptoms before they die are heavy breathing, laziness just laying there(they look in pain), won't eat or drink, and about half of them get infections in their legs and have to drag that leg, and some can't even swallow, they try but can't and then hay gets caught(one of them got a 2" piece of hay stuck down his throat!) and I had to pull it out (avoiding the teeth), and this is all within 24 hours usually a lot less. I don't know what could kill them so quickly, it happened to my hamster as well.

It might be a long shot but have you used the same bedding with all of them, like the same type of wood shavings?
I know certain types can cause respiratory failure and can cause some pretty nasty reactions.

It seems unlikely for a virus or infection to kill them within 24 hours.

Altenweg is our other pets expert, hopefully she will come on and give you some more ideas/answers.

My best guess is that your dog is shaking them when you are not around.

It's a rare virus or infection would kill a perfectly healthy animal within 24 hours. These animals sound injured.

They are in pain and can't walk. Sounds like a broken back, which is a classic way for dogs to kill rodents. They shake them until their backs break.

EDIT: Or they've been dropped or thrown, perhaps by a sibling?

I'm so sorry to hear about this!

Well, a few things:

First, if at all possible (assuming you try this again), watch them as much as u can. If you're gone, set up a webcam or someone else to watch them. The leg stuff definitely sounds like an injury.

As for the heavy breathing, check the bedding as shazmataz said. Also, I would check what you use for hay. I had a rabbit die very quickly because we used more "straw-like" hay instead of timothy-type. It caused bloating and really messed with the digestion and eventually killed her. Also heat was a factor in my opinion so make sure you're not roasting the piggies.

I really don't think it's an infection or anything like that, it's too vicious. Has to be environmental or a physical harm. Good luck though!

I'm inclined to lean towards Shazzy's suggestion.

What kind of hay do you use? Also, when you get a new piggy do you use the same cage as the previous one? What kind of cage is it, metal, plastic, wood?

Are all these piggys from the same store or breeder?

Where is the cage kept?

What kind of food are you feeding the piggy's?

What kind of cleaning products are used to clean the cage and the room the cage is in?

I have to say that I don't think this is an attack by one of the other animals. I can see why others would think that, because of the leg injuries, unable to walk. I also don't think this is viral. I think this has something to do with environment or products being used.

OP, if you could answer my questions I may be able to give you some suggestions about what might be causing these deaths. Please keep in mind that I cannot give you a diagnosis. Not only am I not a vet, but I also can't take a look at your piggy's or your home etc. But, I can give you a few suggestions (once you answer the questions I've asked) that may help keep your next piggy alive.

Good points. There could be a toxin in the guinea pig's environment. But then you'd think the bird or dog would be affected. One possibility is poison pellets for rats or mice, in places where the pig or hamster could find it.

Is this within 24 hours after you bring the pet home, or within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms?

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Originally Posted by asking

Good points. There could be a toxin in the guinea pig's environment. But then you'd think the bird or dog would be affected. One possibility is poison pellets for rats or mice, in places where the pig or hamster could find it.

Is this within 24 hours after you bring the pet home, or within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms?

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Toxins or choice of food may only effect the piggy. Of course piggy food is different than bird food or dog food, so depending on the brand of food or other things the OP is feeding, the bird would not be getting the same food, therefore the bird is not getting the same symptoms.

The wood shavings usually only effect the respiratory system of the animal in direct contact with the shavings. If the OP isn't using those shavings in the birds cage, than the bird would have no ill effects, even if the bird is in the same room as the piggy.

My guess is that this has something to do with either the wood shavings, the food, or the store or breeder that the OP is getting the piggy's from.

It could also be a matter of the first piggy having a disease, and because the same cage has been used that disease is just being passed on to each new piggy. Bleach doesn't always kill everything, and most piggy cages are plastic or wood, which is very absorbent.