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How to keep dying Guinea pig comfortable

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Vikki1980

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I have a 2 year old boat who was the happiest Guinea pig I have ever had. He was off his food on Thursday and I took him to the vet Friday where they said he had something wrong with his gut and he was backed up. They administered medicine and sent me home with midicine and food to give via a syringe. But today he is no better and am struggling to get any food in him I’m getting more on me. They said if we was no better would need to be admitted. But the medicine cost me £107 and I just can’t afford anything more which breaks my heart. And I have a 10 year old broken hearted daughter. As now its the weekend vets are all shut and I see euthanasia is around £100 which I just can’t afford. I’ve just got him comfortable in his cage and keep talking to him in between crying. Is there any thing else I should do. Should I keep cuddling him or is it best to leave him be. I’m devasted. Praying for a miracle
 
Hi there I'm not an expert at all and I'm so sorry you and your daughter are in this situation 😪
Is he accepting anything via syringe meds/food/water even?
 
I’m so sorry hear this.

Sadly this kind of bloat can come out of the blue.
Does he have painkillers?

Is he not wanting to swallow anything? Complete refusal to swallow sadly means the system is shutting down.

The guides below have been written in a very sensitive way and will help you navigate this upsetting time.

Keep him warm, but not hot, and comfortable but follow his lead.
Does he have a cagemate? If so; then keep them together as much as possible as they offer comfort to each other and it also helps the companion to know what is happening.

Wiebke

Thread 'Is My Guinea Pig Dying?'

1 Life or death emergency – Can my piggy be saved?
- Contacting a vet clinic at all times and link to life and death emergencies list
- What to do if I cannot access vet care instantly?
- The need to save up for emergency vet access
2 Is my guinea pig dying?
- Be honest with yourself
- Multiple organ failure (i.e. a natural death)
- List of signs that your guinea pig could be dying
- What can I do for a dying guinea pig...
Wiebke

Thread 'A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs'

1 Your mental health, sensitivities and work commitments
- Mental health and support resources
- Sensitivity aspects
- When work and other commitments clash
2 Life or death emergency – Can my piggy be saved?
- Contacting a vet clinic at all times and link to life and death emergencies list
- What to do if I cannot access vet care instantly?
- The need to save up for emergency vet access
3 Is my...
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I am sorry you are faced with this.

Wiebke

Thread 'Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment'

1 Statement
2 Emergency assessment and accessing vets
- How urgent is my guinea pig's problem?
- Finding an emergency vet
- Seeing a vet not familiar with guinea pigs (including lists of safe and dangerous medications)
3 First Aid care and easily available products
- General 'always have at home' stuff and comfort measures for very ill guinea pigs
- Improvising support feed; recovery formulas...
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I've linked the forum guide for you. A vets for pets at Pets at Home would e a cheaper option for you and open today if you have one near you. See no.5.
 
He has pain killers which I got in him this morning with another dose of antibiotics. If I could just get him to have the mush food but he is clenching his mouth closed. His brother is in the cage next to him as separated them a year ago as his bro kept attacking him. But he knows something wrong as he keeps coming over. I’m not having anymore after this I can’t handle the heart break.
 
CTWC said:
Hi there I'm not an expert at all and I'm so sorry you and your daughter are in this situation 😪
Is he accepting anything via syringe meds/food/water even?
Click to expand...
Barely. I managed to get probably half of his meds in this morning the rest was all over my hand and as for the food hardly any. He had the full dose at the vets yesterday. It’s so sad I’m trying my best as he was such a happy pig always following me around. He would sit old my shoulder watching the telly at night and now he’s just sat there looking so sad.
 
The sad fact is once they stop being able to swallow then sadly the system has closed down.

It is heartbreaking losing them and dealing with acute illness is very hard. His brother can’t be left alone long term though - but that’s not something to consider right now though

Sending hugs
 
If you are able to I would keep calmly speaking to him so he knows you're there, share you loving memories of him and his friend, hearing your gentle voice will comfort him and help him feel safe 💙
 
I’m currently cuddling him and talking to him. He keeps closing his eyes but then opening again. I’m in bits 😞
 
Try to be strong for him as he will pick up on your emotions and if he crosses the Rainbow Bridge then you can cry and cry and cry 😪
 
I went through this with our gorgeous boy Toby he was only a few months old I just held him and spoke gently about how much he was loved and I even hummed a few tunes and prayed told him it was ok and that I'd love him forever 💔
 
Wiebke says to close your eyes and imagine the two of you in a wonderful place to pass calming thoughts onto him, describe what you can see and hear etc to him and it will hopefully help to settle you in this heartbreaking time which will help him too 💙
 
Managed both meds and a few syringes of food. He has tried to walk slightly but unsteady. Have put him in his cage for the night in plenty of hay. Hoping for improvement in the morning but I’m honestly not sure. Don’t think will sleep much tonight my daughter is devasted and wants to be with me tonight. Thanks for all the kind wishes everyone. Will be praying tonight for my little Loki 💔🤞🥹
 
Piggies&buns said:
The sad fact is once they stop being able to swallow then sadly the system has closed down.

It is heartbreaking losing them and dealing with acute illness is very hard. His brother can’t be left alone long term though - but that’s not something to consider right now though

Sending hugs
Click to expand...

BIG HUGS

Losing a piggy to severe bloat is a terrifying experience. Please be kind with yourself and give yourself time and space to come to terms with it. You haven't done anything wrong. It can truly hit with the force of an oncoming steam train and leave you heartbroken, bewildered and shaking. :(

Wiebke

Thread 'A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs'

1 Your mental health, sensitivities and work commitments
- Mental health and support resources
- Sensitivity aspects
- When work and other commitments clash
2 Life or death emergency – Can my piggy be saved?
- Contacting a vet clinic at all times and link to life and death emergencies list
- What to do if I cannot access vet care instantly?
- The need to save up for emergency vet access
3 Is my...
  • Like

My thoughts are with you, having been there myself a few times. Dying is unfortunately not a gentle drifting away in one's sleep. It's much more physical like that. If you have never experienced it and not being braced for how messy it can be, it is easily a very traumatising experience. Seeing someone you love suffer and feeling helpless is one of the worst places we can be in. This guide link is trying to talk you through it as much as possible, considering that the process differs so widely and is never quite the same but never any less gut-wrenching.
 
Please be kind to yourself. This is a very difficult situation. You are doing all that you can. I’ll be thinking of you.
 
Loki has passed overnight. I’m completely broken more so at then having to tell my daughter. Thankyou for all your kind words. Will find a nice place for him in our garden where he loved to run around in the summer 💔 god bless my little man x
 
Vikki1980 said:
Loki has passed overnight. I’m completely broken more so at then having to tell my daughter. Thankyou for all your kind words. Will find a nice place for him in our garden where he loved to run around in the summer 💔 god bless my little man x
Click to expand...

BIG HUGS

I am so very sorry. Having to tell your kids when you are all torn up yourself is one of the hardest jobs that come with being a parent. Please try to tke comfort in that as these things go, Loki hasn't suffered for long - a few uncomfortable hours after years of being loved and looked after well every single day. You haven't failed him since what guinea pigs measure their lives by is not a long life or an average life span but happy todays in good care. As long as you give them those, you are not failing your pets. And while you are doing this, day by day, you are inspiring the next generation to carry on your torch.

It is Ok to not being ok right now. Be kind with yourself and give yourself time to grieve. You can create a memorial together and can develop a little ritual to mark significant days together to mark your love and your loss.
This will help your daughter in her own future encounters with loss to have some coping structures through your own example to express her loss but also to be part of your constructive grieving process.
I've learned from my own mum's example half a century ago.

Practical tips and materials for parents can be found in this link here. We have tried to provide a wider range so there is hopefully something that feels right for your daughter and for you. Several of us have their own kids and can help you with their own understanding and experience.

Wiebke

Thread 'Pet Death: How To Tell The Children? (Tips and Resources)'

- Helpful links and resources for parents
- How to find local pet bereavement support lines and charities
- Recommended children's books and video for different age groups
- How to best introduce a new cavy companion or pet?
- Full forum grieving guide (for parents and family)


This is Chapter 3 from our general grieving guide but it makes it hopefully easier for parents to find help in a hurry when they are reeling and struggling themselves.

Every child is different. I have tried to provide a...
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I am so very sorry Loki has left for the Rainbow Bridge, hold the love you all have for each other in your hearts that bond can never be broken 💙.
Popcorn happily buddy and watch over your family 🌈
 
I am so very sorry that Loki has left for the Rainbow Bridge. Please be kind to yourself as you grieve. Try to remember him at his best rather than as he was at the end and all the love that you & your daughter gave him. Big hugs.
 
So very sorry that you lost Loki.
You gave him the precious gift of a good ending, at home, surrounded by your love.
He will leave a huge hole in your heart so be gentle with yourselves.

The bereavement thread that @Wiebke link has some good resources to help children grieve.
One thing I think a few members have done is work with their children to create a memory book full of stories, pictures and records of special moments.

Hugs 🤗
 
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