Wondering

Question
I inquired about my three skinny pigs not that long ago. I asked about their living arrangements-- and as I was advised I moved my baby one into a different house than my bigger two. But a few days ago I was going to clean their houses so I put all three of them together on a blanket together. Which isn`t unusual because I let them socialize together a lot. As I was cleaning their cages I noticed that my two bigger ones were wandering around a lot more than Phil. (That was unusual since Phil is usually really curious and always wandering around.) So I stopped what I was doing to check on Phil. He was laying on his side which at first I didn`t think was weird at all. (I find them lying on their side in their cage a lot. It`s quite stuffy and warm in my room despite the numerously fans because I have a cat and have to leave the door closed at all times.) So I lifted Phil up-- (he`s a real finger biter too so I was expecting him to whip around and start gnawing on my fingers like they were a bunch of carrots.) but he just stayed still. This scared me a lot, so I put him down carefully... And even then he tried to stand but he just couldn`t stay up-- he fell over on the same side. I didn`t know what to do. My parents were at work, and I had no way of getting to a vet unless I took two bus rides. Phil already seemed to be in distress--and he got jumpy on car rides, so I didn`t think a long journey on public bus was a good idea either. So I cleaned my two bigger skinny pigs cage and put them back. Got Phil some carrots, cause they were his favorite and layed with him on my floor. His health seemed to deteriorate from there. He wouldn`t chirp, or drink, or eat anything. He just layed on his side with the saddest little skinny pig face ever. A hour after I noticed him acting strangely he passed away, but what is really weird is that when I woke up in the morning and fed them he was his usual self eating in the food bowl. I feel so bad that I don`t know what was wrong with him, or if it`s contagious. I tried to find any information on what could of caused him to die but I couldn`t find anything that sounded anything like what happened to Phil. I`m so worried my other little babies are going to die on me too, what should I do?

Answer
Hi C

Firstly, I am very sorry to hear about your loss.

It is very difficult for me to say what might have been the problem as the obvious answer would be food intake related. My initial thought however was that he was suffering from a diet deficieny, possibly calcium which would explain the inability to move. However I am only speculating.

I doubt the other pigs will be affected but if I was in your position I would get them checked by your vet to be on the safe side.

Andy