Is it best to let my piggy go?

[Sophia_9313]

My Guinea pig is 5.5 years old and has a mammary tumor. I had never had a Guinea pig with one and was unaware of the size it would grow, it remained small and did not grow for about a year, and she was on the older side so we chose not to risk surgery (we have had bad experiences giving surgery to elderly pets in the past). Truly, and honestly I didn’t know it would grow, and all of a sudden a couple months ago it started growing at such a fast pace, we took her to the vet and got some medication but it has not really helped and the tumor has more than tripled in size since we took her. It is close to the size of my hand and she can barely walk, she hobbles with much difficulty from one side of the cage to another when she attempts to walk at all. She still wheeks for food and seems mostly like her old self, though much more sedentary. I’m considering euthanasia now that the tumor is so large, it feels wrong to have her put to sleep when she still has an interest in life and in food, but it feels wrong to watch her struggle to even turn her body to get veggies. I’m thinking maybe it’s in her best interest to let her go, but I feel so guilty. I don’t know exactly what to do, is it cruel to put her to sleep when she still has an interest in food? Or is it more cruel to keep her alive when it’s so hard to walk, I don’t want the tumor to burst or abscess, that would be terrible, the worst thing imaginable for her. What’s best for her? Again, is it wrong to put her down when she’s still eating, or is it better to get her put down when she’s still enjoying life a bit instead of when she’s in so much pain (which I’m guessing is soon, days maybe possibly a couple weeks but I doubt that long)? I am only thinking of what’s best for her, I love her so much and in the future, or to do it over again, I would have risked surgery but now that is no longer even an option and hasn’t been since her last vet visit. We have tried everything, putting coconut oil and neosporin on the tumor to help the stay soft due to all the stretching, but I can see scabs and sores forming and I’m afraid of what may happen.

 

[Wiebke]

My Guinea pig is 5.5 years old and has a mammary tumor. I had never had a Guinea pig with one and was unaware of the size it would grow, it remained small and did not grow for about a year, and she was on the older side so we chose not to risk surgery (we have had bad experiences giving surgery to elderly pets in the past). Truly, and honestly I didn’t know it would grow, and all of a sudden a couple months ago it started growing at such a fast pace, we took her to the vet and got some medication but it has not really helped and the tumor has more than tripled in size since we took her. It is close to the size of my hand and she can barely walk, she hobbles with much difficulty from one side of the cage to another when she attempts to walk at all. She still wheeks for food and seems mostly like her old self, though much more sedentary. I’m considering euthanasia now that the tumor is so large, it feels wrong to have her put to sleep when she still has an interest in life and in food, but it feels wrong to watch her struggle to even turn her body to get veggies. I’m thinking maybe it’s in her best interest to let her go, but I feel so guilty. I don’t know exactly what to do, is it cruel to put her to sleep when she still has an interest in food? Or is it more cruel to keep her alive when it’s so hard to walk, I don’t want the tumor to burst or abscess, that would be terrible, the worst thing imaginable for her. What’s best for her? Again, is it wrong to put her down when she’s still eating, or is it better to get her put down when she’s still enjoying life a bit instead of when she’s in so much pain (which I’m guessing is soon, days maybe possibly a couple weeks but I doubt that long)? I am only thinking of what’s best for her, I love her so much and in the future, or to do it over again, I would have risked surgery but now that is no longer even an option and hasn’t been since her last vet visit. We have tried everything, putting coconut oil and neosporin on the tumor to help the stay soft due to all the stretching, but I can see scabs and sores forming and I’m afraid of what may happen.

Hi and welcome

Mammary tumors do not burst, they just continue to grow and grow and grow and grow until a piggy is unable to have all four feet on the floor and move around. They need to be either operated out; preferably when they are still at a smaller size or otherwise please let your piggy go when they can no longer exhibit normal species behaviour, which includes mobility/exercise aspects, not coping with being on their own, any distress or discomfort as well as losing interest in food from pain, which is generally the most obvious sign but not necessarily the only one. Like with humans, quality of life is a very individual concept. If you feel that your girl is still hanging in there, then wait a little more; if you feel that her growing mobility issues are majorly impacting on her enjoying her life, then let her go.

We cannot tell you when the right time has come for you and your piggy. There is a grey area where different factors can be weighted differently and there is no right or wrong. You are now in that area. Ultimately, it has to feel right for you because you have to live with it for the long term; especially in those cases where the decision when to draw the line is entirely up to you and is not taken out of your hands by circumstances. Listen to your gut is my best advice. This will help you best to cope with the inevitable doubts and soul searching as soon as you have let her go when your heart and your head are often very much at odds for a while.

For more practical in-depth information and discussion of what plays into a decision on when to euthanize is in this guide here and what the parameters are: A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs

 

[Merab]

So sorry that you are in this situation.
It’s a difficult decision to make.
I would echo @Wiebke in saying listen to your gut.
You will know when it’s the right time.
Holding you in my heart

 

[Sophia_9313]

Hi and welcome

Mammary tumors do not burst, they just continue to grow and grow and grow and grow until a piggy is unable to have all four feet on the floor and move around. They need to be either operated out; preferably when they are still at a smaller size or otherwise please let your piggy go when they can no longer exhibit normal species behaviour, which includes mobility/exercise aspects, not coping with being on their own, any distress or discomfort as well as losing interest in food from pain, which is generally the most obvious sign but not necessarily the only one. Like with humans, quality of life is a very individual concept. If you feel that your girl is still hanging in there, then wait a little more; if you feel that her growing mobility issues are majorly impacting on her enjoying her life, then let her go.

We cannot tell you when the right time has come for you and your piggy. There is a grey area where different factors can be weighted differently and there is no right or wrong. You are now in that area. Ultimately, it has to feel right for you because you have to live with it for the long term; especially in those cases where the decision when to draw the line is entirely up to you and is not taken out of your hands by circumstances. Listen to your gut is my best advice. This will help you best to cope with the inevitable doubts and soul searching as soon as you have let her go when your heart and your head are often very much at odds for a while.

For more practical in-depth information and discussion of what plays into a decision on when to euthanize is in this guide here and what the parameters are: A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs

Shortly after posting this and reading your reply, I’m noticing my sweet girl is having some trouble breathing, she is still able to but it’s labored. I think maybe it is time, I don’t want to let her get worse and be in more discomfort and pain, as heartbreaking as it is to admit, it might be time. I appreciate your thoughtful reply.

 

[Wiebke]

Shortly after posting this and reading your reply, I’m noticing my sweet girl is having some trouble breathing, she is still able to but it’s labored. I think maybe it is time, I don’t want to let her get worse and be in more discomfort and pain, as heartbreaking as it is to admit, it might be time. I appreciate your thoughtful reply.

HUGS

It sounds like the tumor is pushing on the heart and on the inner organs now. I am ever so sorry; it is such a heart-wrenching time!

We have got more sensitive but practical and helpful tips and information for what you can do for any companion and for yourself in the coming days and weeks:
Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig
Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

 

[Zanzan]

Sending you hugs, you are in my thoughts at this time

 

[LucyP]

I’m so very sorry to hear this and just wanted to send words of support.

Having made a decision to operate recently and then lose our pig soon afterwards (against the odds - it seems just an unlucky rare event), I know how painful it can feel to beat yourself up over a decision either way. There is no crystal ball and sometimes it feels as if you’re damned if you do and you’re damned if you don’t.

You seem a very caring owner indeed and it sounds as though she has had a good life with you, whatever happens next. All you ever wanted was the best for her, and she will know and appreciate that. Take care.

 

[Hannah_xx]

Sending hugs, it’s SO hard making that decision, I too recently had a similar heart wrenching euthanasia decision and it really is so tough. But you’ll know when it’s the right time. I also feel it’s nice to let them go on a ‘good’ day, rather than waiting until you feel they suddenly go down hill and you feel guilty for leaving it that bit too long. I had a piggy put down a few years ago with cancer, I let her go the very morning when her breathing started to look laboured, she went happily and peacefully before she suffered.
Sending hugs and thoughts x

 

[Merab]

Holding you in my heart