Squeak Died

[jcoombes2002]

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone is able to help, our little squeak who is about a year and half old died yesterday, we came home to find her dead on our carpet next to her food bowl. She has been running around the night before and there was nothing new food wise on which she could of died from, and they are indoors so isnt overly cold, does anyone know why this could of happened?  I understand that their could have been something wrong internally which we dont know, but she hasnt been acting any different and I was just wondering if anyone could have any answers and I am absolutely gutted. Out of our four chipmunks Squeak was the one who would run around, play, take food off your plate you know.
 
I look forward to receiving your responses.
Thanks
Julie

[tarcus/Kevin]

   Sorry to hear of squeak's demise. Sometimes they just up and die without reason without a post mortem by a vet it is too hard to say why these things happen but as for the others I would not worry too much as you seem to be doing everything right regarding food and handling.
Best of luck.
Will you be getting a replacement for her ?

[Nate]

Hi Julie , what a shock for you to find Squeak like that, I'm so sorry for you.

You say she was by the food bowl, if you can check her mouth, it's just possible she may have choked. I take it there are no signs of her being in a recent fight, so it maybe a genetic problem.

I had an autopsy when my Sue died, as I wanted to be sure she didn't have an infection. I think it costs around £170, and is arranged through your vet.

When I found Fudge dead on the top of an aviary it was such a shock. She looked in perfect health and she had been mixing with the others for years. I didn't have an autopsy for Fudge as I was sure there was no disease. As Tarcus said it's very sad, but sometimes they do just die suddenly.

If Squeak was your dominant chipmunk you may find one of the others being more lively as the dynamics of your group are bound to change.

[jcoombes2002]

Thank you for your kind words there are much comfort to me, I cant afford an autopsy so am going to bury her with George our last chipmunk who died.

We are hoping that Zippy may become more active again as Squeak used to chase him off and back to his nest so he was never really allowed out to play.

I checked her mouth as much as I could but didnt find it in me to open it to much as it may of snapped or something as she had been there for an hour or so we think as we were at work.

I miss her terribly already, I get way too attached to animals, they are like your children.

Julie
 

[Gilly]

Very sorry to read about the loss of Squeak.
I wonder if it could be a heart attack ? Just sounds like it was sudden.

[mazmich13]

I am so sorry for your lose and I know how you feel. This time last year was when sadly my Alvin had to pass away and I thought that was the end of the world. I am also not sure what he died of, but I know he went blind at one point. I also did not have the money to pay to find out what was wrong with him and layed him to rest in the back garden next to my other well loved pets. Christmas was a little strange without him and reading this made me think about him again. I have three chipmunks now, but i do still think of Alvin.
Alvin used to live alone and I worried that he wasn't getting enough exercise, but we used to Chase him around the house and he loved it.
Chin up! As the saying goes time heals.