Elderly guinea decline - pursue diagonistics

[BlueBird]

Hi there,

I guess I'm wanting a little advice. We have an elderly guinea pig who's around the 6.5-7yrs mark. (her original owners reckons she's older than that but we just don't know). She's had almost back to back URIs for about 2-3 yrs now and I'm pretty sure she's polycystic.

Over the past week or so she's been showing signs that she's really not well. Off her food (but still eating little bits), she stays in bed all day, goes off to a corner to stare at a wall for a bit, lost quiet a bit of weight (she's worryingly skinny these days). She buried herself in hay once too which is really unusual for her. We've taken her to the vet but it's a bit unclear whats wrong with her other than having a breathing rattle and a bit of a temperature and we probably won't know until we do some blood tests and ultrasounds etc.

We are midway through her course of baytril and after an initial improvement she's gone right back to square one and has since picked up a bit of a sticking noise as she breathes (which I hope isn't me feeding her drugs incorrectly! She's not exactly a model patient when it comes to taking drugs).

So I'm now faced with a dilemma. Do we persue the diagnostics knowing she's not exactly fit and could react badly to the anesthetic? Or do I just let things take their course? She's not quite at the PTS stage yet. It's in the post but whether it arrives in 2days or 2years I have no idea.

My only reservations are that I don't want to get into a situation where we are just holding back the tide. I feel bad force feeding her drugs which she obviously doesn't enjoy (but I guess her fighting me is a good sign).

I just don't want to repeat what happened with my other guineas where I was desperately force feeding them liquid feed when they clearly didn't want to be here anymore and would have rather had peace in their final days.

Its just the cost/benefit balance to pursuing diagnostics seems a bit off now. But its hard to say no when you're standing in front of a keen vet and not doing what they suggest feels like giving up.

 

[Siikibam]

I’m sorry your girl is unwell. But what a fabulous age for her to be. I think you will know when the time has gone to let go or try something else. You know her best. What are the diagnostics they’d carry out? X-ray etc?

 

[Winniepeg]

So sorry that you are in such a sad dilemma. I’m sure you will make a decision with your girls best interest in mind. If you decide to let her go then please find peace in that decision. She’s a brilliant age and you’ve given her a great life. Are you able to talk to the vet and have a serious talk about prognosis . Fortunately I had a good rapport with my previous vet and I was able to talk things through and make informed decisions thereafter. Whatever the outcome we are here to support you.

 

[BlueBird]

Thanks guys! Yes I've been incredibly unfortunate with my pigs. Bonnie who left us earlier this year was past 5 getting on for 6 which I was quite pleased with. She suffered from bad genetics and was always at the vets for something. So I know our herd has managed to get to a grand old age! It's gotten to the point where my dad is starting to feel guilty that he didn't look after our childhood guineas well enough cause out of 5 of them only 1 managed to get over the 5 yrs mark. So at least I know I'm doing something right!

What are the diagnostics they’d carry out? X-ray etc?

He did mention an ultrasound and blood tests. Beyond that I'm don't sure.

Are you able to talk to the vet and have a serious talk about prognosis . Fortunately I had a good rapport with my previous vet and I was able to talk things through and make informed decisions thereafter. Whatever the outcome we are here to support you.

Unfortunately my vets have had a change of practitioners recently. The really *really* experienced small animal vet has left and when I spoke to the new one he's wasn't particularly Forthcoming with what his suspicions were. So either he hasn't told me or he doesn't know. So I guess advising me on what the prognosis is a bit difficult but if things don't improve I will certainly press him. I'm just starting to doubt prodding and poking her is the best thing. But as I say. It feels a bit neglectful to just do nothing. Watching your pets ail is never easy.

 

[Siikibam]

Could you go to where your previous vet went? Wishing you all the best and hoping for the best for your girl.

 

[Merab]

I can only offer support and will be holding you in my heart.
It’s not an easy situation for you.

 

[Bill & Ted]

Holding you in my thoughts, it’s such a difficult decision to make, but it’s made out of love whatever you decide.
I think you need a little time to think things through, her wonderful age is definitely against her now, which is something to bare in mind x

 

[Pound Shilling & Pig]

I'm so sorry you are in this situation. It's wonderful that these days there are so many more tests available for guinea pigs but that doesn't mean that perusing them is always in the best interest of the guinea pig. Ultrasounds are very non invasive and carried out conscious. My vet will carry one out during a normal consult, so the pig doesn't need to stay at the vets. To get sufficient blood to run tests guinea pigs need to be anethetised, so I too would be worried about this, given your pig's age and history of URIs. Then you have to consider that even if a diagnosis is found there maybe little that can be done. If you chose not to go for more tests that is absolutely fine but you don't have to do just nothing, I would speak to your vet about long term metacam (non steroidal anti inflammatory pain relief) whatever her illness it will help manage any pain she may be feeling. Most pigs love the taste and you have to wrestle th syringe off them. My oldest pig is currently 7 and 1/2 and on it permanently for his arthritis. He also has recurrent URIs and my vet says it will help with that too. He is a very boney old man despite eating well but I think a blood test would finish him off.

If your piggy is not eating much and you don't feel that stepping in with syringe feeding is right for her, the time to pts will likely come sooner rather than later. You sound prepared for this, so the most important thing right now is pain management and enjoying the time you have left.

Hugs to you both

 

[Freela]

I'm so sorry you're in this position. I try to look at it this way: Will doing the testing change management at all? If yes, it may be worth it. If not (i.e. surgery is too high risk or not indicated anyhow), I would let it be and just watch that her quality of life is still good. It's hard balancing this for old pigs... I've got an old lady as well so I know that this is coming at some point as well. Thinking of you!

 

[Two_Wheeks]

Nothing to add, but sending love and healing thoughts.
These little piggies are so small but take up so much space in our hearts

 

[BlueBird]

Thank you all for your kind words.

Belle had been slowly getting worse as the week progressed. She was particularly bad on Friday where we debated on whether to take her to the vet but we made the decision to wait until her check up appointment first thing on Monday where we would discuss the possibility of PTS. Approaching Christmas it was going to be difficult to find her help over the holiday period (and more morbidly getting her cremated as we don't have a garden to bury her). Thankfully she gave us the greatest gift she could last night by taking that decision out of our hands as she passed away at some point in the night last night and I found her right where I left her tucked away in a hidey.

Weirdly, I've found it a big relief which is kind of awful to say about a beloved pet but as I say she took the horrible decision out of our hands and went in her own time. She was an incredibly special pig and I'm not sure we will ever meet another like her but I'm glad to have been part of my life.

Thankfully, I feel prepared for this and it hasn't hit me as hard as when we lost Bonnie in the summer. She was old lady, she had had a very good run. It was just her time. I'm now off to comfort my husband who's very very sad at losing our herd matriarch and his favourite furbaby.

Take care all.
x

 

[Siikibam]

I'm so sorry for your loss. But glad she was surrounded by love. I can understand why you feel relief and it's not awful. I think it was 'easier' for her to take the decision rather than have you make it. All the best to you and your husband.

Sleep tight Belle

 

[Two_Wheeks]

So, so sorry for your loss. She didn’t want you to have to make that decision, so she slipped away peacefully knowing she was loved.
Her and Higgins can have a good old popcorn across Rainbow Bridge together, on their way to their next adventures xx

 

[Bill & Ted]

I’m so sorry that Belle decided to wander off over Rainbow Bridge last night, she slipped away in her dreams which is really the nicest way for any of us to go x
Sleep tight little Belle