Guinea Pigies Lonly and unecspected death

Question
Unfortunately our guinea pig, Jimmy, died this Monday for some reason or another. We cant figure out why as he was eating and active and had his brother with him, Leo. Jimmy was the dominant one and was always happy and cheeky and showed no sign's of being ill. I understand that guinea pigs have an instinct to hide any illness but he really was fine. We brought him about 3 years ago and he was 1 or 2, they weren't certain. So the loss of our beloved pig has puzzled us.

Also Leo is now lonely and has never been without the comfort of his brother in his life. They lived outside but are put in the shed with plenty of hay in the winter.

I have now noticed while trying to cuddle Leo that you can feel all the boned under his stomach. I am scared that he is ill but i know it might be old age, but i cant tell if he is ill because he's starting to realize that Jimmy int coming back and is getting down, he is still eating and drinking though.

Leo is an albino, if that can mean anything.

Help? Please

H.

Answer
I am very sorry about the loss of your guinea pig, and I can say that it was most likely old age. I cannot say what would make this happen to lil Leo, but my advice is to take him to the vet ASAP, he could be going anorexic or have dental/respiratory problems, but this is a guess not a diagnoses. Your vet should know more.

Thanks for asking!
-Nicky