How do you deal with piggie health anxiety?

toodledoodler

toodledoodler

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Hi everyone, I'm sure I'm not alone in this issue seeing that we all love our piggies endlessly and know how fragile they are – how do you guys deal with the anxiety in regards to your piggies' health and the constant worry that something is wrong? I am a very anxious, concerned and obsessive-thinking person in general but it's just so amplified when it comes to my boys, I don't know how to handle it. I had a really bad scare yesterday when one of my boys started making a grunting noise after he choked on a piece of bell pepper, I went to the ER straight away where the noise stopped before we even saw the vet who then told me (after an examination) that he likely irritated his pharynx or nasopharynx when he choked and I have literally watched him non-stop since then and he is 100% fine but the anxiety just doesn't go away. Whenever the slightest thing is wrong, I'm up every hour the whole night checking on the pig in question, I skip all my classes and plans to stay home to watch them when I'm not (kind of) sleeping, it doesn't matter if it's just one sneeze out of the ordinary. I completely panic, they are my entire world and just the thought of losing them makes me spiral. Please tell me somebody else also feels this way, I don't understand how people handle these things and how they don't interrupt their whole life due to a possible health issue. I'm currently WAY behind on my dissertation because of yesterday's escapades and the lack of sleep, I can't keep stressing like this because when I start working it will be unsustainable, but I also don't know how it would even be possible not to stress. Does anybody have any advice for a sleep deprived, anxious piggie parent?
 
Hello toodledoodler I think everyone on here has those anxiety worries - it’s tough
I know when I first got my piggies in 2020 I was anxious …were they eating enough,drinking enough, happy enough etc
Gradually you realise they’re ok…..
This forum is wonderful for answering any queries but also to support us especially if we are anxious
You have a lot going on and you do need to get on with other stuff
Your piggies are happy bimbling along and as long they have hay (tons of it )and water and each other then that’s all they could ever want or need
Maybe try mindfulness ….that really helps me with my anxious times
Keep talking on here …there is always someone to share those anxious times with
But if you become ill …..who will look after your piggies as well as you do ? They are relying on you to be there
Sending big hugs 🥰
 
Wiebke

Thread 'Pet Owners Anxiety - Practical Tips For Sufferers and For Supporters'

1 What is Pet Owners Anxiety?
2 What can I practically do when I suffer from it?
3 What can I do when dealing with an anxiety sufferer?
4 Conclusion
5 Practical Resources


This article has been written for Guinea Pig Magazine issue 62 in May 2021 and is shared on this forum with the permission of the magazine. The copyright for this article remains with Guinea Pig Magazine.

We are all often in equal measure excited and scared at taking care of a new pet or pet species, and frightened when our beloved guinea pigs are...
  • Like
  • Informative

I am sorry you are suffering so much with anxiety. I have linked the form guide which I hope will give you some tips on how to cope with it.
 
I always think that if you can give them love and care and a companion and do your very best for them, that helps allay most of the anxiety. Life throws many curve balls at you, pet worries, elderly relatives, poorly children, work, relationships etc the list goes on and on over a lifetime. You just cope and get on with it, it’s not helpful to over think things (this is how I cope with all life’s hurdles) I know it’s not how everyone manages but it works mostly for me 😊

Anxiety is caused mainly by dealing with things you have no control over, so always make the best of what you can add input to
 
toodledoodler said:
Hi everyone, I'm sure I'm not alone in this issue seeing that we all love our piggies endlessly and know how fragile they are – how do you guys deal with the anxiety in regards to your piggies' health and the constant worry that something is wrong? I am a very anxious, concerned and obsessive-thinking person in general but it's just so amplified when it comes to my boys, I don't know how to handle it. I had a really bad scare yesterday when one of my boys started making a grunting noise after he choked on a piece of bell pepper, I went to the ER straight away where the noise stopped before we even saw the vet who then told me (after an examination) that he likely irritated his pharynx or nasopharynx when he choked and I have literally watched him non-stop since then and he is 100% fine but the anxiety just doesn't go away. Whenever the slightest thing is wrong, I'm up every hour the whole night checking on the pig in question, I skip all my classes and plans to stay home to watch them when I'm not (kind of) sleeping, it doesn't matter if it's just one sneeze out of the ordinary. I completely panic, they are my entire world and just the thought of losing them makes me spiral. Please tell me somebody else also feels this way, I don't understand how people handle these things and how they don't interrupt their whole life due to a possible health issue. I'm currently WAY behind on my dissertation because of yesterday's escapades and the lack of sleep, I can't keep stressing like this because when I start working it will be unsustainable, but I also don't know how it would even be possible not to stress. Does anybody have any advice for a sleep deprived, anxious piggie parent?
Click to expand...

Hi

I am very sorry that you suffer from pet owners anxiety. You may find the practical tips for anxiety sufferers and their supporters in this link here helpful. My own personal experiences with supporting a close friend with major pet anxiety for over a decade now as well as fellow forum members over the years have gone into the article. In it, I am looking at both what sufferers can do fo themselves but also what their personal support field can do. And how you as a forum member can talk somebody with a panic attack through a crisis with their piggy.

If you cannot sleep or function, please seek help.

Wiebke

Thread 'Pet Owners Anxiety - Practical Tips For Sufferers and For Supporters'

1 What is Pet Owners Anxiety?
2 What can I practically do when I suffer from it?
3 What can I do when dealing with an anxiety sufferer?
4 Conclusion
5 Practical Resources


This article has been written for Guinea Pig Magazine issue 62 in May 2021 and is shared on this forum with the permission of the magazine. The copyright for this article remains with Guinea Pig Magazine.

We are all often in equal measure excited and scared at taking care of a new pet or pet species, and frightened when our beloved guinea pigs are...
  • Like
  • Informative

Please contact your gp (doctor) if your anxiety is impacting on your sleep and health so they can you refer you further on.

All the best.
 
Wiebke said:
Hi

I am very sorry that you suffer from pet owners anxiety. You may find the practical tips for anxiety sufferers and their supporters in this link here helpful. My own personal experiences with supporting a close friend with major pet anxiety for over a decade now as well as fellow forum members over the years have gone into the article. In it, I am looking at both what sufferers can do fo themselves but also what their personal support field can do. And how you as a forum member can talk somebody with a panic attack through a crisis with their piggy.

If you cannot sleep or function, please seek help.

Wiebke

Thread 'Pet Owners Anxiety - Practical Tips For Sufferers and For Supporters'

1 What is Pet Owners Anxiety?
2 What can I practically do when I suffer from it?
3 What can I do when dealing with an anxiety sufferer?
4 Conclusion
5 Practical Resources


This article has been written for Guinea Pig Magazine issue 62 in May 2021 and is shared on this forum with the permission of the magazine. The copyright for this article remains with Guinea Pig Magazine.

We are all often in equal measure excited and scared at taking care of a new pet or pet species, and frightened when our beloved guinea pigs are...
  • Like
  • Informative

Please contact your gp (doctor) if your anxiety is impacting on your sleep and health so they can you refer you further on.

All the best.
Click to expand...
This was very helpful, thank you so much for the resources and for the kind words <3
 
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