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Feeling Really Guilty

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Belinda Shute

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Felt absolutely terrible this week. Ethel, one of my older girls, has been having trouble eating and it turned out that she had a jaw infection. John Chitty, her vet, prescribed the meds and she seemed loads better the day after her visit to the vets.

A couple of days later she had really gone downhill and I took her and her sister Dotty to the vets, where they agreed to take them both in order to sort out Ethel. They have had to assist feed her with CC and she was in a pretty bad way. I went to the vets on Friday with the idea of suggesting to John that Ethel should be put to sleep. I said I would be guided by him and he said to give her a couple more days to see if she turned a corner. Laura, the head nurse, was amazing. I got upset and so did she. We were blubbing together when I suggested pts. Laura talked to me for nearly an hour and a half and it was nearly 6.45 when I left that evening,

John was so right to give her a chance. I went straight home and found her the juiciest dandelions and grass I could and have been syringe feeding for England this weekend!

She looks miles better - her coat is shiny again, her eyes have got their sparkle back and she is eating on her own. I still think we have a way to go, but she is so different to Friday night!

I feel so bad for thinking of having her pts on Friday and got quite upset yesterday at the thought that I might not now have her with me!

I'm so glad I took the vets advice, but feel really guilty too!
 
Don't feel guilty the only reason she suggested PTS is because you didn't want her suffering any longer than necessary that makes a good slave putting your feelings aside and thinking about what's best for the animal :).

I hope she continues to improve. X
 
flintstones said:
Don't feel guilty the only reason she suggested PTS is because you didn't want her suffering any longer than necessary that makes a good slave putting your feelings aside and thinking about what's best for the animal :).

I hope she continues to improve. X
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I agree with this. Don't feel bad. Just know that you've done the right thing and have been supported by a good vet.

Sending lots of love for Ethel. xx>>>
 
No no, you were just being responsible. Its such a fine line between a happy healthy piggie to a critcial piggie- well done acting so quickly and witht he constant syringing :)
 
You mustn't feel guilty for not wanting her to suffer. That's being kind and loving.
I'm glad she's picking up now and send her lots of loving and healing thoughts.
x>> x>>
 
Any good owner would consider stopping their piggy from suffering if there was no good outcome ahead, a good vet will only agree to PTS if they too feel there is no other course to take. It takes a great deal of love and selflessness to put their needs ahead of our own when it comes to making this decision.

Between you both you have given Ethel the best chance and it's paid off - well done! I hope that Ethel continues to improve and the AB's kick the abscess where it hurts!

Suzy x
 
So think I as well. You needn't feel guilty. You wanted the best for her, you have taken her to the vet's to be cared for. Many other people don't do that, they only complain about vets being "so horribly expensive" and these people let their piggies suffer. You have thought about the situation your piggy is in at the moment and spoken to the vet about it. This also should contain the question "Could it perhaps be better to put her to sleep?" I would have asked this question too, because I don't want to let my piggy suffering, so I need the vet's advice wether we can go on treating it or not.
 
Wiebke said:
It is always difficult to decide when and where to draw the line of suffering. You care deeply; don't feel guilty!

PS: you may want to speak to furryfriends (Debbie) from the Excellent Adventure Sanctuary; she has lots of experience with how to care best for piggies with dental problems or facial infections and could give you tips on how to help Ethel best.
http://www.teasnorthampton.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-...-guinea-pigs-with-extra-needs/231938713527009
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Hi! Yes, give me a shout if you need any help or advice. My phone nos and email address are on the links that Wiebke has given. It sounds like you are doing a fantastic job at the moment. x
 
Hi guys. Just a little note to say thank you so much for all your good wishes. It means a great deal to know that there are lovely people like you out there wishing us well.

Ethel tonight is looking really good and put weight on overnight. I havent syringed her as much today (she was chattering her teeth at me earlier when I was doing it!) but she is eating lots of timothy hay and is loving the spoiling with all the dandelions and lovely fresh grass she is getting.

She is a different piggy now and is wandering around the kitchen when she is let out and is coming out for her breakfast and tea, which she wasnt doing.

We are back at John's on thursday for a check up and I am hoping that she will continue to improve.

Syringe feeding really is a life saver when piggys are poorly. I always have some Critical Care in stock in case of emergencies and would never be without it.

My husband said that over the weekend I looked like Wurzel Gummidge! I had critical care on my top, on my trousers and I was covered in guinea pig hair. I even managed to get critical care in my hair and in the bed!

Thanks Debbie for your help and offer of advice. You were amazing when I phoned you once for my other old girly Dotty.
 
Very Glad she's doing better, my Patrick would most likely have died had I not syringed him round the clock when he was doing what ill Guinea pig's do best 'trying to die'.

I called the E-vet, I remembering saying he's just given up he would eat and they said I needed to give him intense nursing he'd just had major surgery so was very poorly, I followed the vets advice and after 24 hours my little guy was a different pig. Syringe feeding really IS a life Saver!
 
Oh love you were only thinking of your little Ethel HUGS XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Isn't she a little marvel doing so well for you x)
When a piggie has been ill and they start to chatter at you ....i get very excited and say......hey you've got your pigsonality back again !

HEALING VIBES AND EATING ONES TOO FOR ETHEL XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
 
So glad she is doing well... I lost a piggie from an infection in the jawbone a couple of years ago and I'm always glad when I hear of one who beats it! I hope she continues to improve and makes a full recovery!
 
Fantastic news! So glad she is doing so much better.

I had to smile about you being covered in syringe food etc. I frequently go out with hay in my hair or syringe food over my clothes. The other week I was walking round Tesco wondering why people kept looking at my chest area. I had a guinea pig badge on my coat and thought maybe they were looking at that. It was only when I later looked in the mirror that I realised I had syringe food smeared all over my chest! I dread to think what they thought it was!
 
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