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Abscess vs Tumor

Hi everyone, just to let you know Albus died this morning. I phoned first thing and they said he wasn't eating, drinking, pooing or moving and really didn't want the syringe feed as the surgery had been all around his throat and jaw and that they were struggling to keep him warm and not able to get him above 25 degrees despite doing everything they could. The surgery was so extensive and he wouldn't be able to recover, and given that it was throat cancer and so advanced they couldn't say for sure how far it had spread and it would be continuing to do so. I didn't see the point in putting him through a painful recovery to just die of cancer sooner rather than later. We gave him a chance with the surgery but he just wasn't able to bounce back from it and the vets did everything they could.

The vets were great actually and let us go in to say bye. I took his friend and his brother with us and his brother talked to him and nuzzled him and then all three of them just lay together for a while. I held Albus and he talked to me which was surprising given his surgery but a big honour.

Really glad they got to say goodbye to each other, and the vet then took him and was going to knock him out with anaesthetic gas before putting him down.

Really hope we did the right thing. Feeling very sad for his brother and his friend and miss him already. We didn't have him long but I like to think he was happy... he was so active and chatty and popcorned a lot. They lived in a 5x4 C&C with a 1x4 hayloft and he seemed to love it. He was a gentle, sweet and kind guinea pig and always talked to us up at the bars and ran over to us when we went in their room. when we first adopted him and his brother 4 months ago they were such a mess and totally unhandleable but they became really tame and actually started to seem to enjoy being groomed. I really tried to do the right thing by him but second guessing myself a bit now. The vet seemed to think it was the right thing to do but it's on my mind a bit now, especially since he wasn't even 3. I don't know if alpacas maybe aren't as hardy as other guinea pigs or if we've just been very unlucky yet again. We've had a bit of a run of horrible luck with my animals.

I just want to thank you all for your support and help, particularly with this as it's been a really difficult time. I've been enjoying being part of the forum and would like to thank you all for giving me the confidence to post more, I really like it here.
 
You gave him a chance, and he got to see his companions and say his goodbyes. There was nothing more you could have done... but it is natural to look back and keep second guessing yourself. It's how we learn for the future.

I lost a lovely big boar after stone surgery once. When I went to collect him after the operation he was already cooling down and you kind of know then that it's not looking good. I had this idea that if I could just "keep him warm" but a blanket and a cuddle can't compensate if the body is shutting down. I felt really bad putting him through the op but it was that or pts straight away. I had to give him a chance - rather that than the other way round - pts a pig that could have recovered with surgery. It's just that we can never tell for sure beforehand - the only difference is hindsight. Take care of yourself and your little family x
 
I’m so sorry to hear your sad news about Albus, sending you big hugs x
Sleep tight little man 🌈
 
Aww I’m so sorry. Sending love xx
 
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