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Died suddenly after vet said recovering

C

Christina Boase

New Born Pup
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My 2 year old girl developed wet bottom and a suspected UTI a week ago.
Xrays and scans suggested no stones or uterine infection but that it was confined to bladder-the bladder walls thickened and possible bladder sludge.
She was put on high dose baytril (and painkiller) and almost completely lost her appetite.

I thought it was the infection and have been syringe feeding her Critical Care 3 hourly day and night,put her on low calcium hay,pellets,veg and water and gave her fibreplex,then Pro-C and then poop soup probiotics.
But reading here I began to wonder if it was a reaction to the Baytril,so took her back to the vets this morning who gave her a scan and said she was improving and all was well.
I asked if she could come off the Baytril and on to Septrin but the vet said no-the antibiotic was working.
I brought her home,syringed her some cc and her Baytril dose and 2 hours later she is dying.
She is on her side in the hay,doesn't look in stressed and is warm. Her sister is beside her.
I am not putting her to the distress of going to the vets to be pts. It is better she is calm and safe here.

Sorry for this long screed,but I wanted to ask a couple of things:
1). Has anyone any idea what could have happened to her?
The blood in her urine was clearing a bit and she was reluctantly accepting being syringe-fed
But when I brought her back from this second vet visit and tried to feed her she wouldn't chew. Then just rolled over on her side and went limp.
2) What shall i do for her sister when she's gone?
It is very difficult to adopt a girl pig here in W Cornwall during the pandemic
3) VERY IMPORTANT does anyone know a vet near Penzance or in West Cornwall that is good with pigs.
I am so unimpressed with this vets lecturing me about poop soup being a fairy tale and they could go 12 hours without syringe-feeding them and Baytril's the only good AB for UTI.

Please excuse me if this is rambling or in the wrong place-I am so tired and sad and guilty I can't think straight
 
I’m so sorry your girl is losing her fight. I can’t comment on your questions about the medication nor what could be the cause. Unfortunately piggies can hide their illnesses very well, although it sounds like you got her seen promptly.

With regards your other girl - you can be guided by her as to getting her a friend. Sometimes, if they’re okay with the loss, they can wait a few weeks. If she’s really pining then you have to keep her well-being in mind and consider other means to get her a companion.

I think you will have to be willing to travel a little further afield to get her a friend from a rescue. I would contact some now so you’re on the list and they’re aware you’re looking. For vets, use the locator below to see if there are any near you. All the best to you and your girls.
Vet Locator
Rescue Locator
 
Siikibam said:
I’m so sorry your girl is losing her fight. I can’t comment on your questions about the medication nor what could be the cause. Unfortunately piggies can hide their illnesses very well, although it sounds like you got her seen promptly.

With regards your other girl - you can be guided by her as to getting her a friend. Sometimes, if they’re okay with the loss, they can wait a few weeks. If she’s really pining then you have to keep her well-being in mind and consider other means to get her a companion.

I think you will have to be willing to travel a little further afield to get her a friend from a rescue. I would contact some now so you’re on the list and they’re aware you’re looking. For vets, use the locator below to see if there are any near you. All the best to you and your girls.
Vet Locator
Rescue Locator
Click to expand...
Thank you for your kind message.
I will contact some of the other rescues and get on their lists.
I'm not sure how the vet locator works as the only vet I can see for Cornwall is over 2 hours drive away which is obviously no good in an emergency.
Is there some other place where members suggest good vets
Siikibam said:
I’m so sorry your girl is losing her fight. I can’t comment on your questions about the medication nor what could be the cause. Unfortunately piggies can hide their illnesses very well, although it sounds like you got her seen promptly.

With regards your other girl - you can be guided by her as to getting her a friend. Sometimes, if they’re okay with the loss, they can wait a few weeks. If she’s really pining then you have to keep her well-being in mind and consider other means to get her a companion.

I think you will have to be willing to travel a little further afield to get her a friend from a rescue. I would contact some now so you’re on the list and they’re aware you’re looking. For vets, use the locator below to see if there are any near you. All the best to you and your girls.
Vet Locator
Rescue Locator
Click to expand...
Thank you for your kind message.
I will contact some of the other rescues and get on their lists.
I'm not sure how the vet locator works as the only vet I can see for Cornwall is over 2 hours drive away which is obviously no good in an emergency.
Is there some other place where members suggest good vets?
Thanks again,Chris
 
That’s the only place that recommended vets are listed. I think you’ll have to use google to find one closer to you. Though I think in an emergency you’d just find a vet to go to. The U.K. is lucky with. Out-of-hours vet care. The details should be available from vets.
 
Christina Boase said:
My 2 year old girl developed wet bottom and a suspected UTI a week ago.
Xrays and scans suggested no stones or uterine infection but that it was confined to bladder-the bladder walls thickened and possible bladder sludge.
She was put on high dose baytril (and painkiller) and almost completely lost her appetite.

I thought it was the infection and have been syringe feeding her Critical Care 3 hourly day and night,put her on low calcium hay,pellets,veg and water and gave her fibreplex,then Pro-C and then poop soup probiotics.
But reading here I began to wonder if it was a reaction to the Baytril,so took her back to the vets this morning who gave her a scan and said she was improving and all was well.
I asked if she could come off the Baytril and on to Septrin but the vet said no-the antibiotic was working.
I brought her home,syringed her some cc and her Baytril dose and 2 hours later she is dying.
She is on her side in the hay,doesn't look in stressed and is warm. Her sister is beside her.
I am not putting her to the distress of going to the vets to be pts. It is better she is calm and safe here.

Sorry for this long screed,but I wanted to ask a couple of things:
1). Has anyone any idea what could have happened to her?
The blood in her urine was clearing a bit and she was reluctantly accepting being syringe-fed
But when I brought her back from this second vet visit and tried to feed her she wouldn't chew. Then just rolled over on her side and went limp.
2) What shall i do for her sister when she's gone?
It is very difficult to adopt a girl pig here in W Cornwall during the pandemic
3) VERY IMPORTANT does anyone know a vet near Penzance or in West Cornwall that is good with pigs.
I am so unimpressed with this vets lecturing me about poop soup being a fairy tale and they could go 12 hours without syringe-feeding them and Baytril's the only good AB for UTI.

Please excuse me if this is rambling or in the wrong place-I am so tired and sad and guilty I can't think straight
Click to expand...

Hi!

HUGS

I am ever so sorry for your loss. Unfortunately, only a post-mortem examination at the vet's may or may not give you an answer as to what has happened. It may be an underlying problem or a genetic issue and extra stress coming together - but in this case, it was an already lit fuse that would have gone off anytime anyway; it just happened a little sooner. So please do not feel guilty. These things do happen occasionally; it's happened to me at least once, too (after a consultation with a piggy savvy vet who couldn't find anything obvious) - it's simply something beyond completely beyond your control. :(

As to vet recommendations and a new companion, the best place near you is Maria's Animal Shelter in Probus near Truro; the vet the rescue is using is seeing guinea pigs on a regular basis. A vet appointment with a more experienced vet out of your local patch does count as a valid travel reason; just have confirmation of the appintment with you, just in case.
The shelter is a registered charity. Rehoming will resume as soon as it is possible for any rescue in this country; there may be a waiting list.
Website: https://mariasanimalshelter.com/
Facebook: Marias Animal Shelter Probus, Registered Charity

Please take the time to read the practical information via this link here; you should find it very helpful in making sense of your feelings and experiences as well as what you can do for your bereaved companion immediately, in the coming days and the medium term: Death, Dying, Terminal Illness, Grieving and Bereaved Companions: Information and Support for Owners and Their Children
 
I'm not sure how the vet locator works as the only vet I can see for Cornwall is over 2 hours drive away which is obviously no good in an emergency.
Is there some other place where members suggest good vets?
Thanks again,Chris
Click to expand...

You could try asking here: Members' Recommended Vets

The only member I am sure lives in Cornwall too is @Bill & Ted , perhaps she may be able to suggest a decent vet, though I know Cornwall is a big place ...
 
Oh thank you so much,kind people. My heart is so sad.
It doesn't matter how much you do,you always think it's your fault and you should have done something different

It is the middle of the night...she is still alive lying on a warm fleece in her house,but will not take water and I don't want to harass her.
I don't know why but I think her kidneys might have failed-her front half looks normal but she feels limp and paralysed.
I hope she will die in the night but if it looks like this process may take longer and I will have to put her in the car and take her to the vet to be put down.
I don't want to put her through that but have heard it can sometimes take a few days for a pig to complete the dying process.
She looks out of it but not twitching or tense or making distress sounds or movements.
Would it to be kinder to leave it to nature or drive her to the vets for an injection in an unfamiliar scary place?

That is a fantastic tip about the vet at Maria's Animal Rescue. It's only an hour away
I know the place as I had a lovely pig from them years ago.
I will contact the Cornish members too

You don't know how much difference your replies and suggestions have made for me on this absolutely wretched night.
Thank you again,
Chris
 
I think I would drive her to the vets, with her companion. I feel I wouldn’t want her to suffer. ❤️
 
Yes Siikibam...I think you're right,unless she's very near the edge come the morning.
But before the pandemic you could be with your pig for the injection. Now you just have to hand her over and wait in your car.
I don't suppose the piggy cares that much though.
I will update tomorrow
Meanwhile,many thanks,
Chris
 
Oh God,now I've been reading here about other people's experience of piggies euthanasia.

And they say the injection is painful and for the vet to give a puff of gas first.
So if I put a poor dying pig in my car and drive her to the vets how will I know whether they give her the gas first or not.

With the pandemic,you can no longer be with your pig and I don't trust my vets anymore now its been bought out by a corporation.
Could I give her a bigger dose of Loxicom to keep her calm (she is on 2.5 ml daily)

Please let me know what you'd do-every option seems cruel,
Chris
 
When I have had my poorly pigs put to sleep I haven’t been able to be with them as they take them away to give them gas that’s puts them to sleep and then inject them to actually euthanise them. Before this practice came in, they used to just inject them which wasn’t very nice. Now at least the gas knocks them out first. It’s not ideal for an owner who wants to be with their pig at the end but it’s better than them suffering as it’s a quick process. I would personally have her pts if she cannot move and isn’t feeding.
 
I agree with the above. Please don’t just give her a large dose of loxicom. I would call another vet and take her there if it worries you that much.

PS please can you add your location to your profile.
 
Hello @Christina Boase sorry been a bit busy, I’m so sorry that you have lost one of your piggies x
I can thoroughly recommend Maria’s Animal Shelter in Probus nr Truo. I have adopted 3 of my 4 piggies from there and found the shelter to be very well run and helpful. They always have piggies looking for new homes so definitely contact them if you are looking to find a companion for your remaining piggie.
I know Maria uses a vet in St Clements, Truro you could contact her to find out the details, she is happy with her vet. I have used a local near me and an exotics in Truro with mixed results, although to be fair the poorer outcomes were with my dental piggie Ted who I used to take up to the Cat and Rabbit Clinic who was the only vet who could do conscious dentals properly.
 
Christina Boase said:
Oh God,now I've been reading here about other people's experience of piggies euthanasia.

And they say the injection is painful and for the vet to give a puff of gas first.
So if I put a poor dying pig in my car and drive her to the vets how will I know whether they give her the gas first or not.

With the pandemic,you can no longer be with your pig and I don't trust my vets anymore now its been bought out by a corporation.
Could I give her a bigger dose of Loxicom to keep her calm (she is on 2.5 ml daily)

Please let me know what you'd do-every option seems cruel,
Chris
Click to expand...
Please don’t let your piggy suffer. If she is dying, the process can take hours depending on which organs go first. It isn’t pleasant and it isn’t fair either if you are able to make the process kinder for her. Some vets do allow owners in the consulting room for euthanasia situations but will take piggy to a back room for it to happen. From what I’ve seen, 2 people are allowed in the consulting rooms for this, but I know it varies from practice to practice.
Not all vets give an injection but rather some practices will overdose the guinea pig on anaesthesia which is what kills them. If you call ahead, you can ask that receptionist to check with a vet how they euthanise guinea pigs.
If a piggy is dying slowly then the kindest thing you can do is help them by having them euthanised, you think they’ll be gone by morning when actuality they’re still alive slowly dying and have been all night. It’s best to help them across than wait for this often very long process to drag out
 
Really sorry to hear this - it gets so intense, heart wrenching when they're sick and you're putting all the work in trying to pull them through 😔..
 
I hope your piggy is at peace. Take care of yourself. You feel so helpless when they are poorly. But you have done all you can. ❤️
 
UPDATE...Sadness and relief

Thank you all so much for your kind advice and support.!

Five hours ago I was writing on this forum that I hoped she'd die by morning,but fearing she wouldn't.
I went to bed for 2 hours and when I came down she'd died,still in the same position and without apparent struggle,with her sister sitting nearby.
I was so grateful not to have to make that decision. Though I was pretty sure we would go to the vets if needed.

But still it is good for the future to know that good vets will use the more humane methods of euthanasia.

That is useful info about Bill and Ted's Truro vet-it is a bit of a drive but I can always use local vets for simple straw-in eye-type things and the Truro one for more complicated problems

Thank you for helping me through,
Chris
 
Christina Boase said:
UPDATE...Sadness and relief

Thank you all so much for your kind advice and support.!

Five hours ago I was writing on this forum that I hoped she'd die by morning,but fearing she wouldn't.
I went to bed for 2 hours and when I came down she'd died,still in the same position and without apparent struggle,with her sister sitting nearby.
I was so grateful not to have to make that decision. Though I was pretty sure we would go to the vets if needed.

But still it is good for the future to know that good vets will use the more humane methods of euthanasia.

That is useful info about Bill and Ted's Truro vet-it is a bit of a drive but I can always use local vets for simple straw-in eye-type things and the Truro one for more complicated problems

Thank you for helping me through,
Chris
Click to expand...
No neither of my vets are any good at dental problems tbh, I used to take Bill and Ted up to Northampton to the Cat and Rabbit clinic, they are amazing vets with super experience of guinea pig dental problems. The exotic in Truro are ok and my local vet in Pool (about 3 miles away) is quite good but again no good for dentals.

I think the vets at St Clements in Truro is the good one, I’ve never been but I will try them in future if one of mine becomes poorly at any time x
 
Aww so sorry she has passed away. 😢. I’ve always panicked when mine have been dying from being ill and I’ve always taken them the vets. You never know if they get the gas or not really you just have to hope that’s what happens. I always say “you’ll give her gas before won’t you?!”
My pig had a UTI earlier this year. She prolapsed her uterus too! Had to have a small op to put it back but was given baytril and loxicom. After about 4 days on the baytril I was calling for septrin as she’d gone off her food and water completely. I was syringing her too like you. Anyway the vet never got back to me even though I called twice again so I had no choice but to take her to another vets and say “look she’s on baytril but it’s not good for her she’s going downhill can’t someone please just give me septrin!” Luckily the guy agreed abs gave me the meds. Baytril is renowned for being harsh on piggies digestive systems but some are fine with it.
Non of this is your fault at all. You’ve done the best for her right to the end. She died at home where she knows and would have been calm x
 
Thanks again everyone for your kind messages

STRANGE SEQUEL
Spent the whole morning trying to find her a female companion pig all over Devon and Cornwall but no luck-all the ones on the rescue websites were reserved or in quarantine and the pet shops had no idea when they would have new pigs in. Could take weeks.

So my husband took me out for a little drive down to the sea to relax.

There was a cottage there selling bric-a-brac for animal rescue centres and I bought some books and then noticed a big run of guinea pigs on her front lawn.
The owner and I got talking and it turned out she volunteers at pet rescue,has been mad about guinea pigs for decades and had just lost one of her elderly females and was finding it very hard to replace her.
So we were both looking unsuccessfully for female pigs.
And when I explained mine was grieving she said 'I'll be happy to have her if she wants to live in a little herd'

She has16 pigs,divided into 3 groups with one male and several females in each and they have runs on the grass,lots of tunnels and hideaways and when inside have big interesting cages in a very old caravan out back,warmed by various heat lamps and heaters.
And they're all named after Jane Austen or the Brontes characters and lives-there's Colonel Brandon and Elinor and Lydia and Charlotte and Wickham!
It was Branwell who was lonely after losing one of his females.

So I knew it was meant to be-here was my pig's chance to live as a real guinea pig in a little herd with a view of the sea with an owner who is completely observant and on the ball about their welfare.
It was one of the hardest things I've ever done to come back and fetch her.
I had to keep saying 'It's the piggy that matters,not you'
But when she went off to her new family riding happily on Jane's shoulder,I thought my heart would break.

It was the right decision though-who knows how many lonely weeks til I found her a pal
She will be called Harriet from Jane Austen's 'Emma' and the garden is open at the back so I can drive over and see her whenever I want.

Sorry this is so long but I just think it's an amazing instance of the universe providing and I am so grateful for it.

Grateful to all you guys too for your caring...I hope I will be able to support people here in future as you have supported me
Chris
 
Oh wow, that certainly was meant to be! A happy ending for you little bereaved piggie, she will have lots of company and even better that you can go visit and see her every now and again x
 
I’m sorry for your loss. What a sacrifice you’ve made for your remaining girl though. It sounds like she will be living it large. I’m sorry you felt you had to do that, but pat on the back for considering her needs before yours. It’ll be nice to drive by and see how she’s settled in. Big hugs.
 
Hoppo79 said:
Aww so sorry she has passed away. 😢. I’ve always panicked when mine have been dying from being ill and I’ve always taken them the vets. You never know if they get the gas or not really you just have to hope that’s what happens. I always say “you’ll give her gas before won’t you?!”
My pig had a UTI earlier this year. She prolapsed her uterus too! Had to have a small op to put it back but was given baytril and loxicom. After about 4 days on the baytril I was calling for septrin as she’d gone off her food and water completely. I was syringing her too like you. Anyway the vet never got back to me even though I called twice again so I had no choice but to take her to another vets and say “look she’s on baytril but it’s not good for her she’s going downhill can’t someone please just give me septrin!” Luckily the guy agreed abs gave me the meds. Baytril is renowned for being harsh on piggies digestive systems but some are fine with it.
Non of this is your fault at all. You’ve done the best for her right to the end. She died at home where she knows and would have been calm x
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Thanks Hoppo,but wish I'd found another vet like you did. I wanted to write a harsh note to the vet,but she looks about 14,probably went into the profession because she loves animalas and apparently the suicide rate for vets is 4 times national average,so didn't
 
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