shocking deaths

Question
over the last week i have lost 3 of my 4 guineas, two were found dead in there cages on two sepertate days with no warning signs whatsoever! the third appeared quiet,lathargic and genrally sick last night and was found dead this morning! i have no clue what happened to them and am worried for my other pig and two rabbits i still have! the only change has benn to food i swapped the brand of food i was feeding but did so gradually as instructed,have now switched back to the old brand, the cages all seemed clean with no poo anywhere,all cages have been safely cleaned and disinfeceted!!
any insights would be greatly appriciated
many thanks in advance

Answer
Hi Sarah,

Sorry for taking so long to reply to you. I have had a number of increasingly problematic issues with my internet as well as being a "live-in nanny" to newborn twins so I have had problems answering many, many questions. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

I am very sorry to hear of your losses. It's always hard to lose a loved one, whether human or animal, and I sympathise with your multiple bereavements.

Is there any way the pigs may have eaten a food which was slightly moldy? Perhaps the new brand of food was moldy. Remember mold can be microscopic to start off with and they may have been little sign of the food being dodgy. Mold can be in hay and veggies too.

Do you wash veggies or grass before feeding them it? There may have been chemicals used on them which had an adverse affect.

I recommend you take at least one of your remaining animals to your vet for a checkup. Even if they appear healthy, there may be a "hidden" illness which caused your other guineas deaths.

I'm sorry I am unable to help you further. Speaking to your vet is probably the best thing to do in your situation.

Best Wishes,

- Laura
www.cavy-care.com