We have has a bad year. Lost 4 rats and 3 piggies so far. We moved to a different state as well. My oldest girl is 9. She has been stiff legged for the last 6 months. Diagnosed with arthritis a year ago. My previous vet didn't want to keep her on metacam for fear of damaging her kidneys. Obviously at her age, they probably don't work 100 percent anyway. I wanted to keep her comfortable even if it meant for less time. He still disagreed. She did well until the last 2 weeks. She has been tipping over and sitting a lot more. I luckily was able to get her 2 a vet. She is now on hospice care. Metacam 2 times a day and buprenorphine as needed, which I hate because it just makes her like a zombie. She still seems happy. Eating, drinking, and no weight loss. I do give her extra greens, cucumber, and syringe water throughout the day in case she doesn't feel like getting up. Of course she has hay all over so she doesn't need to go far for food. My question is, am I being cruel for keeping her around? I cannot imagine losing her, but don't want her to suffer. The vet says she wouldn't euthanize yet, but I wanted your opinions. I also just started her on cosequin last week. Sorry I haven't been around, but it's been a sucky year. Thank you in advance for your support.
Hi
As long as your girl is eating normally all on her own, she still has the will to live and enough zest for life left. That is likely also your vet's main criterium.
Please make sure that you change the bedding in the area she is sitting in most of the time twice daily and gently the genital area/check for urine scald on the undercarriage as well as on the foot soles with a damp soft rag with baby warm water. To not overmoisten the foot soles as that will make them more prone for bumblefoot infection but remove any poos that cake on before they harden too much.
Our mobility care tips deals with all the little and larger adaptions and practical care issues that can make a real difference in the comfort:
Looking After Guinea Pigs With Limited or No Mobility
We have a specific chapter in the section about looking after a terminally ill piggy that deals specifically with the issue about when to call it shots and what all plays into it.
In my own experience, the most difficult stage is coming up towards the line because you want to get it right between your own fears and your piggy's welfare - that is where you are at right now.
A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs (see chapter 4)
It will hopefully help you clear your mind even if it cannot ease the pain in your heart because you have already started your grieving process and are in fact going through it right now - the shock of knowing that the end is inevitable and not so far away is the second worst time in your grieving process with terminal illness, apart from the actual loss itself.
I would strongly recommend to read the whole chapter about terminal illness because it will enable you to be more in control of that time - both for your own benefit and your old lady's. She will have more quality of life without you being a twisted knot of anxiety over getting it wrong.
It is in fact not a clear line but a grey area within which you have leeway to find the point that is right for you unless he decision is taken suddenly out of your hands by your piggy. At this age, when the end comes naturally, it will be very, very quick.
9 years is a grand old age and a true testament your love and good care.
HUGS
