8 year old piggy with a tumor is now peeing blood.

[AbraCassandra]

This just came out of her and she protested in pain a little...I know it doesn't look normal as some of it is clumpy and some is stringy and it's definitely not normal poo but since she went so long without going and her gut is normalizing again this shouldn't be a bad thing right? I really don't want to stress her out by taking her back to the vet after what she went through.

 

[AbraCassandra]

God I don't want to get my hopes up...But it's happening anyways...Both times she peed today while I had her out there seems to be SO much less blood than previous pictures I've posted AND her poos are starting to look more uniform. Earlier today she had a couple that were strung together like christmas lights but that could have been because she had gone so long without pooping. She also seemed to be a bit less in pain...Can I hope that the medicine is actually working for my little girl? She also devoured some cucumber and lettuce by herself along with the syringe feeding I've been giving her.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Oh I don't own a kitchen scale : / Or even a normal scale. Maybe I can order a tiny pet scale from Chewy but I don't know how long it'd take to get to me.

Do buy a normal set of digital kitchen scales.
They are an essential piece of kit as piggies should be weighed weekly as part of routine care. This helps you spot any health issues sometimes before any symptoms become evident (hay intake being the last part of their diet, will often reduce when they start to feel unwell). You then switch to daily weight checks if you notice any weight loss (50g or more) as this helps you more closely monitor hay intake, but also so you can know you are getting enough syringe feed into a poorly piggy.
Weight - Monitoring and Management

 

[weepweeps]

God I don't want to get my hopes up...But it's happening anyways...Both times she peed today while I had her out there seems to be SO much less blood than previous pictures I've posted AND her poos are starting to look more uniform. Earlier today she had a couple that were strung together like christmas lights but that could have been because she had gone so long without pooping. She also seemed to be a bit less in pain...Can I hope that the medicine is actually working for my little girl? She also devoured some cucumber and lettuce by herself along with the syringe feeding I've been giving her.

That’s brilliant that you’ve seen an improvement

 

[Free Ranger]

She's a trouper!

 

[AbraCassandra]

She's a trouper!

Indeed! I just took this video.

She's getting her appetite back and eating by herself (though I"m still giving her a few syringe fulls of the critical care because I add the probiotic to it) and the probiotics are slowly starting to harden up her poo so it's less messy. She's been getting quite a few wipe downs lately thanks to the antibiotics. I'm mad at Bene Bac though. The probiotics are in these tiny hard to squeeze tubes, they only gave me 4 and they're only half full -_- I ordered some others and I hope this brand is good because it was a bit pricy. BRYTIN TheraBiotic 2X Probiotic Microbial Support Supplement, 60 count - Chewy.com

I ALSO ordered some Gripe water for infants for her gas because the simethicone is not working and I saw others in threads here talking about the gripe water working. Poor kooky's tummy is like a tiny balloon. I've tried massaging, mimicking her walking around since she really can't and using a percussion massager under a pillow and nothing is helping : (

 

[AbraCassandra]

She is fully eating on her own now. She's not drinking water though but I have read that if they get enough water from their veggies that's normal for older piggies and I do give her extra veggies nowadays because it's easier for her to reach that over the bottle or the bowl she has in her cage. I've also started mashing up her pellets and she now eats them. Always hated pellets before but I guess she's a mash girl and that is how I'm getting her probiotics into her as well.

As for her urine, she still cries out in pain when she goes BUT I don't see any trace of blood at this point and as you've all seen in earlier pictures there was a LOT just two days ago. Hopefully in a couple weeks when her antibiotics are finished she won't cry anymore.

I personally don't want to take her in for her check up on the 25th with this vet since they almost killed her...I'd rather wait for her normal vet which isn't until May 2nd since the antibiotics are clearly working. What are your thoughts?

 

[Free Ranger]

I wouldn't cancel the vet on the 25th. I mean just in case - she's on the up and bless her should keep improving, but just in case she takes a turn down again...
I would maybe find out how close to the appt you can cancel without financial penalty. So if it's like a week, you know at what point you have to make that decision and that will depend on her health at that time.

In the meantime concentrate on trying to get her pain under control... your vet might be happy to answer an e-mail requesting further advice on metacam dose once/twice a day?

 

[AbraCassandra]

I wouldn't cancel the vet on the 25th. I mean just in case - she's on the up and bless her should keep improving, but just in case she takes a turn down again...
I would maybe find out how close to the appt you can cancel without financial penalty. So if it's like a week, you know at what point you have to make that decision and that will depend on her health at that time.

In the meantime concentrate on trying to get her pain under control... your vet might be happy to answer an e-mail requesting further advice on metacam dose once/twice a day?

I don't get penalties for not going to an appointment but yes if she still seems very bad as in needs another round of antibiotics, or at the VERY least to get her more pain meds because her back legs are wrecked... She can barely move her left back leg and kind drags them. They're not paralyzed. I gently did an arthritis test where I pulled her leg out carefully until I felt it shaking and it shook pretty quick. Both legs so at this point...I'm considering her on end of life care being a very old lady and I'm going to get her the most effective pain meds I can just to ensure her remaining time with me is quality over quantity.

I'll go to the vet but they won't be taking her away from me after last time. I'm not going to have her leave this world terrified with strangers trying to hold her down and jab her with a needle. Last time was too close.

 

[Free Ranger]

Very wise.

Sorry if this repeats myself (I've been posting in another thread and losing track!) but 5 year old George is on twice daily metacam for his arthritis. At 1.35 kilo he has roughly 0.3ml ish of 1.5 mg/ml twice a day (roughly because the syringe is actually in different units). But a month ago I started him on oxbow joint support lozenges at 1 a day and he has improved no end! He moves about much more freely now and doesn't nibble at his achy joints any more (we used to see hair in his teeth every night - not now). They took about 2 weeks to kick in and 4 to see this much improvement. He'd been on the metacam since November so I'm sure the improvement between Feb and now coincided with the lozenges. They are quite hard to crunch so she might need them softening up if she's still weak. The added bonus is that the glucosamine they contain is the same stuff that helps to sooth and rebuild bladder walls which is why my younger, but fatter girl Louise is also allowed one.

We've had some posts about piggies with arthritis who improved significantly after laser treatment 5 year old sow diagnosed with crippling arthritis, is there any hope? which would be worth asking about too

 

[AbraCassandra]

Thanks I got those for her and they're arriving today. Now my boy is having issues and his breathing is crackly so I am hoping the vet that saw her will have an opening today as well.

 

[AbraCassandra]

And now my boy is also on Baytril for a possible URI. Due to his spinal injuries and the mass near his heart, the vet was apprehensive of doing any tests that would stress him out. She said it sounded most like a URI but there is also a possibility that the mass have grown and is making it hard for him to breathe : ( so hopefully that's not the case and it's a URI and the antibiotics work.

Kooky has made a lot of improvement. She's back to screaming at me to wake up in the morning and feed her and gobbles every teensy tiny tidbit of her mashed pellets, lettuce, peppers and hay.

I've added a tiny bit of alfalfa hay to both their hay bins for added fiber and goodness since they're both ill. Not a lot. Just a tiny handful mixed into their timothy.

 

[AbraCassandra]

*sigh*...Very sad right now. Kooky seemed to be making a great turn around...Her urine was much less bloody...But today it's worse than ever? She still has a huge appetite but is not pooping nearly at all...I gave her a small bath and looked at her rear end and noticed there was blood. Like pure blood not mixed with anything and when I sat her down she peed and cried a lot and it looked like this picture. My hand is a reference to the amount... It's POSSIBLE she just stopped pooping simply because I didn't feed her as much as I have been and also the urine was darker also due to not getting the same amount of liquid as she's been getting...I gave her a few slices of cucumber, some parsley, some soaked green leaf lettuce and a baby carrot and she gobbled it all down. I'm praying she's alive tomorrow...We have no options right now. I left a message with her vet and I'm praying they'll be available for walk ins tomorrow because if they are not, the only place I can go to will just put her to sleep because they rarely have their guinea pig vet in.

I'm just so confused because my husband and I told each other if she ever loses her appetite, we'll know it's time to let her go...That she's ready...But it's as strong as ever even on the meds...But she must be in such agony...My heart is torn in two directions right now.

 

[h_and_piggies]

Sorry to hear that Kooky is still having some health issues. My thoughts are with you all.

 

[AbraCassandra]

I think what might have happened is maybe I tore something back there when wiping her because I was trying to keep her area clean...I was being gentle but she would rub against it very hard and I think it might have ripped her back end a tiny bit because when I dab it with a moist paper towel, there's a bit of blood there. I may have to settle to just giving her gentle bum soaks with warm water instead of wiping her rear end with a moist paper towel every couple of hours.

 

[Wiebke]

*sigh*...Very sad right now. Kooky seemed to be making a great turn around...Her urine was much less bloody...But today it's worse than ever? She still has a huge appetite but is not pooping nearly at all...I gave her a small bath and looked at her rear end and noticed there was blood. Like pure blood not mixed with anything and when I sat her down she peed and cried a lot and it looked like this picture. My hand is a reference to the amount... It's POSSIBLE she just stopped pooping simply because I didn't feed her as much as I have been and also the urine was darker also due to not getting the same amount of liquid as she's been getting...I gave her a few slices of cucumber, some parsley, some soaked green leaf lettuce and a baby carrot and she gobbled it all down. I'm praying she's alive tomorrow...We have no options right now. I left a message with her vet and I'm praying they'll be available for walk ins tomorrow because if they are not, the only place I can go to will just put her to sleep because they rarely have their guinea pig vet in.

I'm just so confused because my husband and I told each other if she ever loses her appetite, we'll know it's time to let her go...That she's ready...But it's as strong as ever even on the meds...But she must be in such agony...My heart is torn in two directions right now.

OUCH

That should be vet checked because that is not normal of a urine infection.

 

[AbraCassandra]

The guinea pig vet I go to is not available on Sundays : ( I have to wait til tomorrow. Good thing is she still has an amazing appetite and has been almost non stop eating.

The only emergency vet we have only has their guinea pig vet tues, wens, thurs and what they said on the phone to me was "If you bring her in, our only option is to euthanize her. Would you like her euthanized?" like...Uh...? all other vets are closed on sundays. But I'm pretty positive they'll see her tomorrow they've been so good to us seeing both her and her brother same day.

 

[AbraCassandra]

Semi good news, I brought her out to give her the Meloxicam for pain and went ahead and just gently dabbed her rear end just to see if there was blood present and for the first time in a day and a half it was wet...but clear. so hopefully whatever that was is over. I just wish she'd poo more than she has been. she had a little pile of about 10 poos this morning and a couple scattered around. but maybe it'll get better.

 

[Wiebke]

Semi good news, I brought her out to give her the Meloxicam for pain and went ahead and just gently dabbed her rear end just to see if there was blood present and for the first time in a day and a half it was wet...but clear. so hopefully whatever that was is over. I just wish she'd poo more than she has been. she had a little pile of about 10 poos this morning and a couple scattered around. but maybe it'll get better.

The poo output runs behind events - how much depends on how quickly the gut runs.

 

[AbraCassandra]

I'm going to have to start giving her critical care again...She's slowing down on me. Yesterday I noticed she seemed weaker even though she was eating. Today she's very wobbly and eating but VERY very tiny bites and very slowly...Her appointment for a check up is on friday. I hope she makes it. I swear the bleeding is less but it's still there. She's not pooping much at all.

I'll try to give her some critical care today and see if she peps up.

 

[Wiebke]

I'm going to have to start giving her critical care again...She's slowing down on me. Yesterday I noticed she seemed weaker even though she was eating. Today she's very wobbly and eating but VERY very tiny bites and very slowly...Her appointment for a check up is on friday. I hope she makes it. I swear the bleeding is less but it's still there. She's not pooping much at all.

I'll try to give her some critical care today and see if she peps up.

HUGS

 

[AbraCassandra]

Still sitting with her trying to get something into her. So far just about 6 mls of critical care. very slowly...like .3 ml at a time from a 1ml syringe. I crushed up and added the probiotics directly to the critical care so she's getting that at the same time

 

[AbraCassandra]

Sorry for the spam but I can't edit my older post. I got about 7 ml into her. She stopped fighting...I got worried she wasn't going to keep chewing and would choked. It was to the point where I could lift her head with no resistance and her mouth just fell open...She's not showing any signs of pain right now and if she does decide it's time for her to finally be reunited with her sister then I accept it...I won't give up on her til she gives up on me. If she shows any signs of pain I'll see if her vet will see her today to help her along into the next chapter.

 

[Wiebke]

Sorry for the spam but I can't edit my older post. I got about 7 ml into her. She stopped fighting...I got worried she wasn't going to keep chewing and would choked. It was to the point where I could lift her head with no resistance and her mouth just fell open...She's not showing any signs of pain right now and if she does decide it's time for her to finally be reunited with her sister then I accept it...I won't give up on her til she gives up on me. If she shows any signs of pain I'll see if her vet will see her today to help her along into the next chapter.

Hi

HUGS

The information in our dying will hopefully help you. Just keep her warm but not hot as the blood circulation winds down and she will feel cold; a little warmth will help her to let go that bit more easily and gently. It won't be long now.

When the chips are down, she is just a very old lady whose body has reached its end.

A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs (see chapter on multiple organ failure/natural death)

 

[AbraCassandra]

Thank you. I'll keep an eye on her. she's always by my side. Both the piggy's cages are right next to me so all I need to do is look down to my right and she's there tucked into her favorite place in the whole world, her hay hammock. she sleeps there all the time and is there more than her igloo. I can just bend slightly and be able to stroke her fur and comfort her. I know it's a bit messy in her cage as I've been almost constantly trying to sweep up her area just to keep poo and mess out from under her and have been moving it to the far side of the cage where she doesn't wander. The room is 78 degrees so nice and warm.

Also...Johnny says hi. He's my boar and has always been solitary since he was surrendered to me. Very attached to my husband and I and always right there next to me watching me on the computer.

I'm going to wait a little and then give kooky her other pain med. She had the Gabapentin not too long ago but I want to time it right so she constantly has something in her system to help her. She hasn't squeaked in pain once today. Not even when I brought her out.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you. I'll keep an eye on her. she's always by my side. Both the piggy's cages are right next to me so all I need to do is look down to my right and she's there tucked into her favorite place in the whole world, her hay hammock. she sleeps there all the time and is there more than her igloo. I know it's a bit messy in her cage as I've been almost constantly trying to sweep up her area just to keep poo and mess out from under her and have been moving it to the far side of the cage where she doesn't wander. The room is 78 degrees so nice and warm.

Also...Johnny says hi. He's my boar and has always been solitary since he was surrendered to me. Very attached to my husband and I and always right there next to me watching me on the computer.

I'm going to wait a little and then give kooky her other pain med. She had the Gabapentin not too long ago but I want to time it right so she constantly has something in her system to help her. She hasn't squeaked in pain once today. Not even when I brought her out.

Have you got something warming? It is not not about room temperature but about blood circulation running down - this makes you feel cold whatever the ambient temperature; it is just this little extra burst of warmth that can help ease the passing. It is the very last gift that you can make her.

 

[AbraCassandra]

Have you got something warming? It is not not about room temperature but about blood circulation running down - this makes you feel cold whatever the ambient temperature. It is one of the last gifts that you can make her.

I don't have anything that heats...But I have soft microfiber towels I can layer around her maybe?

 

[AbraCassandra]

I also have a heater I can put next to her cage that'll blow into it

I turned it on a couple feet away from her. I can feel the warmth hitting her body. Will that be ok?

Since I'm right here I'll know if it's too warm

 

[Merab]

So sorry that things are not looking good.
Holding you in my heart

 

[AbraCassandra]

So sorry that things are not looking good.
Holding you in my heart

Thank you. It's ok...I know we did what we could and if it wasn't enough then at least we tried. It's in God's loving hands and I know, no matter what. She'll be safe.