MoruMum
New Born Pup
Hi everyone,
I really need some serious advice regarding my guinea pig, Butterscotch.
Some of you may already know that I was recently offered a job overseas, which had me seriously worried about what to do with my piggies. I was facing the heartbreaking decision of either giving them up or attempting to fly with them. Thankfully, the universe had other plans - I turned down the job and chose to stay here with my piggies.
Just a week later, while I was enjoying time with them, my 4.5-year-old sow Butterscotch - who has developed such a sweet, wonderful personality - suddenly developed diarrhoea. I withdrew fresh food, as recommended by guinea pig care guidelines, which helped a little. However, she remained puffed up and appeared to be in pain.
I took her to the exotic vet, who suspected a kidney stone. She explained that Butterscotch might be straining to wee and passing diarrhoea due to the pain. She prescribed Biolapis (a probiotic) and recommended reintroducing fresh food after a week. She also mentioned that if there’s no improvement, we should return for an X-ray. Unfortunately, the vet is now on Easter holiday and won’t be available until the end of next week.
Since the vet visit, Butterscotch has started passing blood in her urine. I suspect the physical examination may have worsened the condition, possibly causing further damage to her kidneys or bladder. I suspect this because when the vet was feeling her bladder it was quite strong and Buttersctoch really screamed. The bleeding has not improved (image of her wee attached). Metacam makes her diarrhoea worse.
I'm not someone who tries to keep my pets going for as long as possible just for my own comfort - I would never want her to suffer. But it breaks my heart to see her in pain.
At the moment, I’ve continued giving her Biolapis and have reintroduced a selection of fresh, non-brassica foods just in case it worsens the kidney stone but other food like peppers etc that she really enjoys. I know she appreciates them, and I want to give her quality of life, even if it’s short.
But deep down, I don’t believe she will recover. I can’t help but wonder - should I be considering putting her to sleep? Ideally, I’d wait until she stops eating because then I know it is time, but perhaps that would be leaving it too late. I also worry that when the time comes, I may not be able to book a vet in time.
Any advice, experience, or insight would be deeply appreciated.
I really need some serious advice regarding my guinea pig, Butterscotch.
Some of you may already know that I was recently offered a job overseas, which had me seriously worried about what to do with my piggies. I was facing the heartbreaking decision of either giving them up or attempting to fly with them. Thankfully, the universe had other plans - I turned down the job and chose to stay here with my piggies.
Just a week later, while I was enjoying time with them, my 4.5-year-old sow Butterscotch - who has developed such a sweet, wonderful personality - suddenly developed diarrhoea. I withdrew fresh food, as recommended by guinea pig care guidelines, which helped a little. However, she remained puffed up and appeared to be in pain.
I took her to the exotic vet, who suspected a kidney stone. She explained that Butterscotch might be straining to wee and passing diarrhoea due to the pain. She prescribed Biolapis (a probiotic) and recommended reintroducing fresh food after a week. She also mentioned that if there’s no improvement, we should return for an X-ray. Unfortunately, the vet is now on Easter holiday and won’t be available until the end of next week.
Since the vet visit, Butterscotch has started passing blood in her urine. I suspect the physical examination may have worsened the condition, possibly causing further damage to her kidneys or bladder. I suspect this because when the vet was feeling her bladder it was quite strong and Buttersctoch really screamed. The bleeding has not improved (image of her wee attached). Metacam makes her diarrhoea worse.
I'm not someone who tries to keep my pets going for as long as possible just for my own comfort - I would never want her to suffer. But it breaks my heart to see her in pain.
At the moment, I’ve continued giving her Biolapis and have reintroduced a selection of fresh, non-brassica foods just in case it worsens the kidney stone but other food like peppers etc that she really enjoys. I know she appreciates them, and I want to give her quality of life, even if it’s short.
But deep down, I don’t believe she will recover. I can’t help but wonder - should I be considering putting her to sleep? Ideally, I’d wait until she stops eating because then I know it is time, but perhaps that would be leaving it too late. I also worry that when the time comes, I may not be able to book a vet in time.
Any advice, experience, or insight would be deeply appreciated.
