Bladder stone and barely eating

[Inokillzombies]

My guinea pig Gandalf has been diagnosed with a bladder stone 4 days ago. He also has a urinary infection. I can't pay for the surgery. I don't have the money and it is really expensive. There is also some risks involved. The stone is pretty big. His bladder is full of blood and sludge We are giving him 3 meds, 1 antibiotic and 2 for the pain - Trim/Sulfa, Meloxicam and Gabapentin. At first he wasn't eating much. But now he doesn't eat anymore. So I have started syringe feeding him pellets with water and some veggies. Most of the time he doesn't swallow and just lets it flow down out of his mouth. Most days he just lays in the same spot. When he walks he is a little woobly and his belly is on the floor. I don't know if he doesn't eat because of the pain or the meds that sedates him a little. Yesterday, he fell asleep on me and I had to nudge him 2-3 times before he woke up. Since today, he has started doing grunting noises, he has water in his eyes and discharge on his nose. Do you think this is the end for him? Is he letting himself die? Or is it the medication and the pain that is putting him down? I don't know what to do... So I came to ask for your help. Should I just keep trying to feed him hoping he will get better. Should I consider euthanasia? I just lost another piggy of old age and a respiratory infection that we were treating. He seemed to be doing well on the meds and was back to his normal self. But I found him dead yesterday morning. So my heart is really heavy right now and I don't want to lose another pig .

 

[Piggies&buns]

Sending you hugs.
I’m so sorry to hear this; and for your loss

A large bladder stone and sludge blocked bladder will be very painful; plus the risk of not being able to urinate properly being a serious issue. Pain in itself will make them not want to eat.

Sadly when they refuse to swallow it is often a sign they are coming to their end.
If he is struggling then it may be kinder to go for euthanasia.
It is something that you should discuss with your vet.

Thread 'A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs'

Feb 20, 2020

1 Your mental health, sensitivities and work commitments
- Mental health and support resources
- Sensitivity aspects
- When work and other commitments clash
2 Life or death emergency – Can my piggy be saved?
- Contacting a vet clinic at all times and link to life and death emergencies list
- What to do if I cannot access vet care instantly?
- The need to save up for emergency vet access
3 Is my...

• Wiebke
• Replies: 6
• Forum: End of Life and Bereavement Support Corner

• 

 

[CTWC]

Hi I am so sorry your guinea is so poorly as said above from what I've heard it can be very painful and no animal should be left in pain is he swallowing his pain medications?

 

[Gem789]

Oh bless you,I'm so sorry you're in this situation.Ive had 2 piggies with bladder stones but luckily I had the money to pay for it.I know vet costs are higher in Canada/America.I do think if you can't afford the cost then the kindest thing to do would be PTS.I'm ever so sorry,it's a very painful condition for a guinea pig xx

 

[Inokillzombies]

Hi I am so sorry your guinea is so poorly as said above from what I've heard it can be very painful and no animal should be left in pain is he swallowing his pain medications?

At first he was. But now I'm not so sure. The vet told me that some piggies could live well with a stone if we give him some pain meds. It gave me hope. He told me some piggies can live a long time. But now I can clearly see that for Gandalf it is not the case. I will have to euthanize him. He can barely walk anymore. My heart is really heavy right now . But it is the best I can do for him.

 

[Merab]

So sorry that you are in such a difficult situation.
Holding you in my heart

 

[Piggies&buns]

At first he was. But now I'm not so sure. The vet told me that some piggies could live well with a stone if we give him some pain meds. It gave me hope. He told me some piggies can live a long time. But now I can clearly see that for Gandalf it is not the case. I will have to euthanize him. He can barely walk anymore. My heart is really heavy right now . But it is the best I can do for him.

I’m so sorry.

I’m afraid it’s not the case that they can live with a stone long term. They are incredibly painful and must be removed.

Sending you hugs
Out

 

[Inokillzombies]

Thank you everybody. Gandalf has crossed the rainbow bridge . We went to the vet to ease his pain. My heart is really heavy. I hope he is jumping around with his other companions that have passed away. I love him with all my heart and forever will .

 

[Lorcan]

I'm so sorry, it's a hard decision to have to make but you made the right choice for him. Be kind to yourself now, you could've done no better.

 

[weepweeps]

I’m so sorry. You definitely made the right decision. Gandalf is popcorning high over the bridge with his friends.

I had a piggy with a stone who didn’t survive the surgery. So don’t feel bad about not getting the surgery. There may not have been a happy outcome either

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m so sorry for your loss
He definitely is happy with his friends.

Letting them go is such a heartbreaking decision to make but it is one made with love and with their best interests in your heart

 

[CTWC]

You have done this final act of love by putting him before your own heartbreak. I believe he is with his friends popcorning happily in no pain he will watch over you and be in your heart forever

 

[Inokillzombies]

I'm so sorry, it's a hard decision to have to make but you made the right choice for him. Be kind to yourself now, you could've done no better.

Thank you everyone. It's always so hard to make this kind of decision . But it was the best for him. He is now popcorning and rumbling (like he loved to do) with Bilbo and Sauron in the fields of the rainbow .

 

[CTWC]

We are all here for you for as long as you need us for support or to share your memories of Gandalf, Bilbo and Sauron

 

[Merab]

So very sorry that you had to make such a difficult decision for Gandalf.
It was the last gift of love you could give him.
Be gentle with yourself as you grieve.

 

[Inokillzombies]

My two little babied that have passed . Gandalf is the white and grey one. And sauron the black one. They had such wonderful personnalities. I love them so much . Sauron was easier to accept because he was already around 6 years old. But Gandalf was almost 3 years old. He was also a piggy with a lot of personnality and I could just feel all of his love for me. I am gonna miss them very much

 

[Inokillzombies]

Some more pictures of Gandalf where we see all of his beauty and him being silly

 

[Inokillzombies]

And this was Bilbo

 

[CTWC]

What wonderful photos of your boys thank you for sharing them and yes they certainly leave a big hole in your heart when they leave us but hopefully your memories, photos and the love will help you a little as you grieve their loss

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you everybody. Gandalf has crossed the rainbow bridge . We went to the vet to ease his pain. My heart is really heavy. I hope he is jumping around with his other companions that have passed away. I love him with all my heart and forever will .

BIG HUGS

I am so very sorry. Letting a beloved one make their journey to the Rainbow Bridge is both the most loving but also the most heartbreaking gift we can make a pet of ours.

It is never easily made, but to spare anybody we care deeply about any unnecessary suffering and a slow demise can be the best thing left to do. Sadly, we can never choose when or what from the end comes. We can only ever give our piggies the happy todays in good care that they measure a good life by. You have done that and have not failed Gandalf in any way.

Be sad, but please try not to be too harsh with yourself when the inevitable soul-searching hits. Your heart is very much in the right spot! It sadly never gets any easier because each piggy and our bond with them is unique. But their precious memories stay with us forever...

 

[Baileysmypig]

My guinea pig Gandalf has been diagnosed with a bladder stone 4 days ago. He also has a urinary infection. I can't pay for the surgery. I don't have the money and it is really expensive. There is also some risks involved. The stone is pretty big. His bladder is full of blood and sludge We are giving him 3 meds, 1 antibiotic and 2 for the pain - Trim/Sulfa, Meloxicam and Gabapentin. At first he wasn't eating much. But now he doesn't eat anymore. So I have started syringe feeding him pellets with water and some veggies. Most of the time he doesn't swallow and just lets it flow down out of his mouth. Most days he just lays in the same spot. When he walks he is a little woobly and his belly is on the floor. I don't know if he doesn't eat because of the pain or the meds that sedates him a little. Yesterday, he fell asleep on me and I had to nudge him 2-3 times before he woke up. Since today, he has started doing grunting noises, he has water in his eyes and discharge on his nose. Do you think this is the end for him? Is he letting himself die? Or is it the medication and the pain that is putting him down? I don't know what to do... So I came to ask for your help. Should I just keep trying to feed him hoping he will get better. Should I consider euthanasia? I just lost another piggy of old age and a respiratory infection that we were treating. He seemed to be doing well on the meds and was back to his normal self. But I found him dead yesterday morning. So my heart is really heavy right now and I don't want to lose another pig .

I am SO sorry! My guinea pig was diagnosed with a large bladder stone last week. She's still eating, but is in pain when going to the bathroom. The vet prescribed Metacam for pain relief. I'm contemplating surgery, although there's not an appointment until Feb 4. I don't know what to do. My little Bailey is still eating, but I don't like seeing her squealing when using the bathroom. I'm so sad. I love my little 4 year old pig.

 

[Inokillzombies]

I know my vet was telling me to do the surgery ASAP if I were to do it. So I think the longuer you wait, the more dangerous it can be. But I'm not sure. As long as your piggy is eating and seems to be doing rather well under the pain medication, I would maybe wait. Just make sure she is peeing and not losing weight. My little Gandalf was really not the same at the end. He didn't eat and was barely moving. He was also not peeing and pooping on his last day. So it was really the end for him. So it's a really difficult call to make. It really depends how your piggy is doing with the pain medication. The vet told me that even with pain medication, it could still hurt a little. But I'm not so sure anymore if anything he said was true. Because my gandalf seems to be doing really poorly even with the pain medication. I wish you good luck with your piggy .

 

[Inokillzombies]

I know my vet was telling me to do the surgery ASAP if I were to do it. So I think the longuer you wait, the more dangerous it can be. But I'm not sure. As long as your piggy is eating and seems to be doing rather well under the pain medication, I would maybe see if she gets better. But piggies also hide their pain well sometimes. So... it's really you who can see if you should wait or go for euthanasia. Just make sure she is peeing and not losing weight. My little Gandalf was really not the same at the end. He lost his spark and joy. He didn't eat and was barely moving. He was also not peeing and pooping on his last day. So it was really the end for him. It's a really difficult call to make. It really depends how your piggy is doing with the pain medication. The vet told me that even with pain medication, it could still hurt a little. But I'm not so sure anymore if anything he said was true. Because my gandalf seems to be doing really poorly even with the pain medication. You really have to go with your heart and your gut. Most times we just know when it is time to let them go... It's just it's hard to accept, because I feel we tend to keep our hopes up till the end. We just don't want to lose them because we love them so much . I wish you good luck with your piggy .
(Edited version because the website didn't want me to edit my post anymore )

 

[Merab]

What lovely pictures of Bilbo and Gandalf.
The happy memories do help the grieving as you remember all the love you shared.
Holding you in my heart

 

[Baileysmypig]

I know my vet was telling me to do the surgery ASAP if I were to do it. So I think the longuer you wait, the more dangerous it can be. But I'm not sure. As long as your piggy is eating and seems to be doing rather well under the pain medication, I would maybe see if she gets better. But piggies also hide their pain well sometimes. So... it's really you who can see if you should wait or go for euthanasia. Just make sure she is peeing and not losing weight. My little Gandalf was really not the same at the end. He lost his spark and joy. He didn't eat and was barely moving. He was also not peeing and pooping on his last day. So it was really the end for him. It's a really difficult call to make. It really depends how your piggy is doing with the pain medication. The vet told me that even with pain medication, it could still hurt a little. But I'm not so sure anymore if anything he said was true. Because my gandalf seems to be doing really poorly even with the pain medication. You really have to go with your heart and your gut. Most times we just know when it is time to let them go... It's just it's hard to accept, because I feel we tend to keep our hopes up till the end. We just don't want to lose them because we love them so much . I wish you good luck with your piggy .
(Edited version because the website didn't want me to edit my post anymore )

Thank you for responding. I'll keep you posted, and sorry to hear about your piggie.