melsey3
Junior Guinea Pig
Hi Melanie from Southampton UK here! I really need some positivity here, but also some realism.
Today I took Panda (Aged 7) to the vets with suspected teeth issues! I knew it was bad, but didn't realise how bad!
His right and left Molars are completely crossing over at the back, meaning it is pretty much impossible for him to eat, and in the last week he has lost nearly 200g in weight, basically it will ultimately kill him, if I don't do anything, he may survive for a few more weeks, but it is not a good outlook.
His overall health is generally pretty good, his heart and lungs are fine, and he dosn't really have anything like arthritis, or sight impairment, but because of his weight loss, and age there is a huge risk that he may not make it through an op.
The vet said I had 2 options! One was to put him to sleep, and the other was to put him under anaesthetic, I asked her what she would do if it was her own pet guinea pig, and she said 100% she would take a chance on the anaesthetic, especially as in general he is in pretty good health. That was good enough for me, but I am really, really worried as he only has a 50/50 chance of pulling through, even with her positivity, but if it means he does get through it, he could have many months of life left in him! She said her biggest worry was the after affects of the anaesthetic, and getting his gut moving properly again, I have nursed some very sick guinea pigs in the past, who had the odds stacked against them, and have had more success stories than negative ones, but I am really scared.
I do feel his best option is to risk the anaesthetic, as I definitely don't think he is ready to leave our world yet, but I am convinced he won't be coming back, as have lost younger guinea pigs under anaesthetic before. I asked the vet to be completely honest with me, as I would rather have the full truth layed out in front of me, rather than false positivity, and she really does feel that it is worth taking the risk, she was absolutely lovely, and so kind and gentle when talking about Panda, and she said they would do everything they can to help him get through the procedure (sadly she won't be the one doing the op). I am dropping him off tomorrow night, but am so worried that I'm not going to see him again, and how his brother is going to cope without him. The vet suggested his brother stay in the hospital with him, so neither of them are stressed out! She said the procedure should only take about 20 minutes.
Can anybody give me any success stories about their old 7 year+ piggies going under anaesthetic? I really need some reassurance right now! I am very aware of the risks, but think I would rather him fall asleep under the anaesthetic, than him having to have an injection which he will be very aware of to euthanise him, especially as he still wants to live! I feel that if he is meant to survive he will, and if he dosn't it's his time.
Many thanks!
Today I took Panda (Aged 7) to the vets with suspected teeth issues! I knew it was bad, but didn't realise how bad!
His right and left Molars are completely crossing over at the back, meaning it is pretty much impossible for him to eat, and in the last week he has lost nearly 200g in weight, basically it will ultimately kill him, if I don't do anything, he may survive for a few more weeks, but it is not a good outlook.
His overall health is generally pretty good, his heart and lungs are fine, and he dosn't really have anything like arthritis, or sight impairment, but because of his weight loss, and age there is a huge risk that he may not make it through an op.
The vet said I had 2 options! One was to put him to sleep, and the other was to put him under anaesthetic, I asked her what she would do if it was her own pet guinea pig, and she said 100% she would take a chance on the anaesthetic, especially as in general he is in pretty good health. That was good enough for me, but I am really, really worried as he only has a 50/50 chance of pulling through, even with her positivity, but if it means he does get through it, he could have many months of life left in him! She said her biggest worry was the after affects of the anaesthetic, and getting his gut moving properly again, I have nursed some very sick guinea pigs in the past, who had the odds stacked against them, and have had more success stories than negative ones, but I am really scared.
I do feel his best option is to risk the anaesthetic, as I definitely don't think he is ready to leave our world yet, but I am convinced he won't be coming back, as have lost younger guinea pigs under anaesthetic before. I asked the vet to be completely honest with me, as I would rather have the full truth layed out in front of me, rather than false positivity, and she really does feel that it is worth taking the risk, she was absolutely lovely, and so kind and gentle when talking about Panda, and she said they would do everything they can to help him get through the procedure (sadly she won't be the one doing the op). I am dropping him off tomorrow night, but am so worried that I'm not going to see him again, and how his brother is going to cope without him. The vet suggested his brother stay in the hospital with him, so neither of them are stressed out! She said the procedure should only take about 20 minutes.
Can anybody give me any success stories about their old 7 year+ piggies going under anaesthetic? I really need some reassurance right now! I am very aware of the risks, but think I would rather him fall asleep under the anaesthetic, than him having to have an injection which he will be very aware of to euthanise him, especially as he still wants to live! I feel that if he is meant to survive he will, and if he dosn't it's his time.
Many thanks!
I’ve had an almost 6 year old given an anaesthetic for an eye removal surgery and Eliza sailed through. The way I look at it, if they die during surgery, at least they have had a chance. But whatever choice you make will be the right decision for your boy x
