I think my piggy might be dying

[Aaaaa7]

He is sick and on meds. He is lethargic and his breathing seemed slower than normal and like it would come fast in little bursts like breath-breath-breath breath-breath-breath.

He then got up and begged for food and readily took the carrot and ate it though. He’s nearly 6 years old, so I am assuming it might just be his time. But I’m not sure what to do.

Should I call the vet? Take him back in—which is over an hour, a train ride, plus a bus, then back again—when there may be nothing more they can do? Do I just keep giving him the meds, even though giving them to him are really stressful? What should I do if he declines?

It’s another few hours before I take him out and weigh him and everything, and I don’t want to unnecessarily stress him by doing it repeatedly. He is eating hay but the little one is keeping his distance and it just feels like he is less active and laying down to eat it when he maybe wouldn’t be.

I am not sure what the best thing to do here is or what to do if he gets worse…

 

[Aaaaa7]

He is sick and on meds. He is lethargic and his breathing seemed slower than normal and like it would come fast in little bursts like breath-breath-breath breath-breath-breath.

He then got up and begged for food and readily took the carrot and ate it though. He’s nearly 6 years old, so I am assuming it might just be his time. But I’m not sure what to do.

Should I call the vet? Take him back in—which is over an hour, a train ride, plus a bus, then back again—when there may be nothing more they can do? Do I just keep giving him the meds, even though giving them to him are really stressful? What should I do if he declines?

It’s another few hours before I take him out and weigh him and everything, and I don’t want to unnecessarily stress him by doing it repeatedly. He is eating hay but the little one is keeping his distance and it just feels like he is less active and laying down to eat it when he maybe wouldn’t be.

I am not sure what the best thing to do here is or what to do if he gets worse…

I fought really hard to save the other little one, but I also didn’t realize he was dying, and it was really unpleasant and I have a lot of guilt over how hard and uncomfortable it must have been for him. Plus it was a bit traumatic for me, too.

I don’t want to just do nothing if there is more I can do to help Skunk. But I also don’t want to make him miserable trying to save him when he might pass either way.

But sometimes he also seems normal so maybe I’m overreacting? Someone on the forum said it can turn fatal quickly so maybe he been in that mindset since, which might be for the best or might not.

 

[Wiebke]

I fought really hard to save the other little one, but I also didn’t realize he was dying, and it was really unpleasant and I have a lot of guilt over how hard and uncomfortable it must have been for him. Plus it was a bit traumatic for me, too.

I don’t want to just do nothing if there is more I can do to help Skunk. But I also don’t want to make him miserable trying to save him when he might pass either way.

But sometimes he also seems normal so maybe I’m overreacting? Someone on the forum said it can turn fatal quickly so maybe he been in that mindset since, which might be for the best or might not.

BIG HUGS

As long as Skunk is taking food and eating it, his body has not yet started to close down. It is however always very difficult and tough when you are coming very close to the tipping point and you start questioning yourself all the time.

Either way is OK - there is no right or wrong, seeing your long and complicated journey. I would however recommend that you give the clinic a call and ask for their advice. Please continue with feeding and watering support as long as he will take it and can swallow in case he is making a recovery.

You may also find these links below helpful in clearing your head somewhat and working out where you stand on certain aspects. This will help you to work out where your heart truly lies and will make it easier for you after the loss because you have done the soul-searching already and have followed your heart.

The questions in this link also apply largely for you, and you may find them very useful if you replace the questions about an operation with a potentially rough natural death vs. potentially stressful journey and a gentle passing. It is unfortunately not going to be an easy choice for you at all because you have to make it in good faith at this moment in time.
Operation or Terminal Care/Euthanasia? - Helpful Questions to Ask Ahead or in Hindsight

This is a step-by-step guide, which takes you through the whole process, including a chapter to help you work out whether your piggy has gone into multiple organ failure (i.e. a natural death) or not yet, and what to expect.
A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs

I cannot say just how sorry I am for the horrible time you are having. My thoughts are with you and Skunk.

 

[CTWC]

Keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers

 

[weepweeps]

Sending healing vibes to Skunk and hugs to you

 

[Merab]

So sorry you’re in this situation.
Holding you in my heart

 

[Truffolo]

I hope you both are comforted

 

[Aaaaa7]

Well apparently I overreacted the vet said his breathing hadn’t changed since I last brought him in and his heart rate was normal. She offered to do an X-ray, but he’s eating and playing and he’s nearly 6 with respiratory signs, so I turned it down as I’m concerned the sedation is too high of risk without being certain it’s needed or will help. Plus the stress of the long travel in the cold air and likely spending a night all alone at the vet…still not sure if it is the correct choice. But the breathing could just be a symptom of bordetella plus I was standing over him glaring him down out of nervousness so he might have just been stressed by my hovering idk this is so stressful but hopefully I’m making the right call. I’m extra emotional and worried because of just losing bear too so it’s difficult to sort out

 

[Wiebke]

Well apparently I overreacted the vet said his breathing hadn’t changed since I last brought him in and his heart rate was normal. She offered to do an X-ray, but he’s eating and playing and he’s nearly 6 with respiratory signs, so I turned it down as I’m concerned the sedation is too high of risk without being certain it’s needed or will help. Plus the stress of the long travel in the cold air and likely spending a night all alone at the vet…still not sure if it is the correct choice. But the breathing could just be a symptom of bordetella plus I was standing over him glaring him down out of nervousness so he might have just been stressed by my hovering idk this is so stressful but hopefully I’m making the right call. I’m extra emotional and worried because of just losing bear too so it’s difficult to sort out

HUGS

It is normal to have the jitters after a loss. If you are suffering from anxiety or other mental health problems, then it can get much worse.

Good that you have contacted your vets. We can only pick up on what you are telling us and give you the material that will help you based on your information but we without direct access to your piggy that is all we can do.

Please look after yourself and instead of hovering, concentrate on your Mindfulness exercises to calm yourself down and centre yourself again. Both of you will benefit.

Personally, I would not worry about bordetella. If there had been a transmission, your old boy would have already have come down hard with it. The time between infection and actual outbreak is comparatively short with bordetella; even more so in an elderly and somewhat frailer piggy.

See whether a bowl with steaming water next to the cage can help to ease the breathing a bit more.

 

[Aaaaa7]

HUGS

It is normal to have the jitters after a loss. If you are suffering from anxiety or other mental health problems, then it can get much worse.

Good that you have contacted your vets. We can only pick up on what you are telling us and give you the material that will help you based on your information but we without direct access to your piggy that is all we can do.

Please look after yourself and instead of hovering, concentrate on your Mindfulness exercises to calm yourself down and centre yourself again. Both of you will benefit.

Personally, I would not worry about bordetella. If there had been a transmission, your old boy would have already have come down hard with it. The time between infection and actual outbreak is comparatively short with bordetella; even more so in an elderly and somewhat frailer piggy.

See whether a bowl with steaming water next to the cage can help to ease the breathing a bit more.

My vet has done two exams on him and seems to think it’s bordetella and that it’s not serious at this stage. She has 12 years experience, been certified in exotic pets for 15 years, and has 2 masters degrees in it. So, I think I’m just going to trust that for now. She also doesn’t seem to think that it frequently turns fatal quickly and I panicked because I read that on this forum. So I don’t know who is right, but he seems okay right now so I’m just going to keep monitoring him and hope for the best.

 

[Wiebke]

My vet has done two exams on him and seems to think it’s bordetella and that it’s not serious at this stage. She has 12 years experience, been certified in exotic pets for 15 years, and has 2 masters degrees in it. So, I think I’m just going to trust that for now. She also doesn’t seem to think that it frequently turns fatal quickly and I panicked because I read that on this forum. So I don’t know who is right, but he seems okay right now so I’m just going to keep monitoring him and hope for the best.

We don't see many cases of bordetella on this forum since cohabiting rabbits and guinea pigs is no longer recommended.

Most cases that pass through here are from dogs with kennel cough and those have unfortunately usually proven fatal. It could be a different strain that is transmitted as to that of rabbits and may explain the different experiences. I also have taken the information from an official UK vets website which talks clearly about palliative care.

But I am glad that your vet is much more positive about it and has more positive experiences.

 

[exia]

Dont know anything about bortadella and not that very much about respitory problems either. But I do know how it is to be very emotional about your pigs and try to do your best. It's really hard sometimes with these very sensitive pigs. But I also think that you as a owner know your pig and will take the right decisions based on your pig needs. I'm still very sorry about the way you lost your little Bear, and I keep you and your little Skunk in my thoughts