My son's dear cavy passed away from an ongoing infection that we had been fighting for several months. He had seemed healthy other than a puss boil that sprouted on his side the day before the July 4-H show day, and we continued to treat the healing wound.
It was a sad time for all of us :( Just like the dogs, this rodent carved out a place in our hearts and lives with his patient and engaging personality. Well, patient that is until food was available, THEN, he must have veggies - FRESH VEGGIES, AND NOW!!! We made jokes about cavies being food and the fact that they are judged with rabbits - also a food animal - but this guy was always a friend first.
Will we again venture into the world of cavy showing? I don't know, it all depends on what my kids want to do...