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Liver mass found and pig not improving

6

6yearoldgirl

New Born Pup
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Hi my little pig started not eating properly last week so she stayed at the vets last thursday we found mites she had her first injection all good. On the friday her belly swelled and we did a ultrasound with her awake. That was carnage as they said found many things they thought she could had a stone or tumor on her bladder and kidney problems and a liver shadow.

She got discharged friday evening and i carried on the recovery plus and metacam. She also has had heart disease for around 2 years and takes vetmedin and frusol. I dropped her back monday morning to be put under GA originally for tests to see whats going on.

She only had a x ray and blood test in the end. She got strange results the x ray showed a ‘mass’ on her liver. They arent sure if its a cyst or tumor so dont want to do a biospy incase they burst a cyst. The blood test came back completely normal and clear. I dont want her to be operated on i dont think she could hack it so we dont really know where to go from here. I got some gut meds cisapride and emeprid but they dont seem to be working.

I'm back at the vets monday to see the vet and have another mites injection but my piggy isnt getting better. I'm still syringe feeding every 2 1/2 hours all day everyday. She is still in bed 99% of the time and looks tired, her eyes are a bit crusty. Her poos vary from soft and smelly to dry and small. She has lost 300g in weight in 11 days. I'm going out my mind now as its started to dawn on me this could possibly be the end.

All the posts on here about liver issues seem to not end well. I know shes 6 and she has to go sometime but ill do everything within my power to save her. Any positive stories about pigs living well with liver problems or advice ? Thankyou
 
6yearoldgirl said:
Hi my little pig started not eating properly last week so she stayed at the vets last thursday we found mites she had her first injection all good. On the friday her belly swelled and we did a ultrasound with her awake. That was carnage as they said found many things they thought she could had a stone or tumor on her bladder and kidney problems and a liver shadow.

She got discharged friday evening and i carried on the recovery plus and metacam. She also has had heart disease for around 2 years and takes vetmedin and frusol. I dropped her back monday morning to be put under GA originally for tests to see whats going on.

She only had a x ray and blood test in the end. She got strange results the x ray showed a ‘mass’ on her liver. They arent sure if its a cyst or tumor so dont want to do a biospy incase they burst a cyst. The blood test came back completely normal and clear. I dont want her to be operated on i dont think she could hack it so we dont really know where to go from here. I got some gut meds cisapride and emeprid but they dont seem to be working.

I'm back at the vets monday to see the vet and have another mites injection but my piggy isnt getting better. I'm still syringe feeding every 2 1/2 hours all day everyday. She is still in bed 99% of the time and looks tired, her eyes are a bit crusty. Her poos vary from soft and smelly to dry and small. She has lost 300g in weight in 11 days. I'm going out my mind now as its started to dawn on me this could possibly be the end.

All the posts on here about liver issues seem to not end well. I know shes 6 and she has to go sometime but ill do everything within my power to save her. Any positive stories about pigs living well with liver problems or advice ? Thankyou
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BIG HUGS

I am really sorry that I don't have that magic wand to pull out a last minute miracle for you., either.

Liver and kidney problems in guinea pigs are still not really researched and there is quite simply no effective medication. We sadly don't have any succss stories on here, either. It is one of a number of areas where small animals and guinea pigs especially are lagging far behind other pets. :(

Your old lady is very ill and frankly dying. Please try to put her welfare before your own desire to keep her going and your own fears of letting go. I am fully aware that this is not what you want to hear but please be strong for her and concentrate on making her as comfortable as you can in her last hours of life, so you won't be drowning in feeling of guilt afterwards but you can be sure that you have not failed her in any way right to the bitter end. We may not be able to stand up for ourselves but we can find it in us to be strong for those we love. ;)

You have given her a long life in good care and clearly with lots of love; this is what piggies measure a good life by so you haven't failed her in any way. What none of us has any control over is when and in which form the end comes; if it is not one thing then it will be something else once their much faster metabolism turns against our piggies. Pet are always only on a loan from above that can be cancelled at any time. :(

However, since love transcends time, you can still pack an amazing amount into a very short space, as long as you keep it light and nurturingly gentle. Try not to swamp her with your despair and any strong emotions you are currently tossed around by.

If needed, please see an out-of-hours vet tomorrow.
A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs

My thoughts are with you and your poorly girl.
 
Thankyou so much for your honesty. I need it. Last time i had a pig die everyone kept saying ‘you need to do whats best for your pig’ and in my mind i was getting annoyed hearing it like yes what does it look like I'm doing lets get the next treatment started. Not one person told me straight that that meant euthanasia and i was in bad denial . I love that bit about pets are only on loan its very true I'm very lucky to have had 6 years. Thankyou again i promise i will do right by my pig this time x
 
I’m so sorry. Sending hugs to you. ❤️

I lost a piggy recently to a suspected tumour. I said to myself when I brought him home with pain medication that he’d let me know when it was time to let him go.

I felt that once he was not eating for himself, not coming for veggies and not moving around then he is not enjoying his life anymore.

It’s so very sad but you have given her an amazing life filled with love. Take care ❤️
 
I’m so sorry that you are in this position. I think you really need an open honest discussion with your vet about whether continuing with treatment is the right course of action. I’ve always taken the view that if there’s no chance of a meaningful recovery, if their quality of life is affected and they are unable to eat, drink, clean themselves and potter around happily, then it’s probably best for them to let them go rather than to prolong their suffering. Sometimes having them PTS is the kindest act of love we can perform for our piggies. My thoughts are with you.
 
Crikey that mass looks horrendous if hers is anything like that then no wonder shes staying in bed. My vets are truly amazing they are a little confused with the blood test coming back normal. I asked the vet on monday if she is on her last legs and they were prettysure she wasnt dying. I cant keep syringe feeding forever i can see how tired she is now.

Its just such a profound loss there will never be enough time with our piggys. I'm so sorry to everyone else who has lost their pigs its so sad.

Ive just called the vets theyre only open for a hour today and i dont want to admit her as a inpatient as this could possibly be my last day with her. My appointment tomorrow isnt until 4pm but i can ring at 8am and get a earlier same day appointment so thats my plan.

Thankyou all so much. Ill give a update when i know more xx
 
6yearoldgirl said:
Thankyou so much for your honesty. I need it. Last time i had a pig die everyone kept saying ‘you need to do whats best for your pig’ and in my mind i was getting annoyed hearing it like yes what does it look like I'm doing lets get the next treatment started. Not one person told me straight that that meant euthanasia and i was in bad denial . I love that bit about pets are only on loan its very true I'm very lucky to have had 6 years. Thankyou again i promise i will do right by my pig this time x
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HUGS

Denial is a strong instinctive reation but it is unfortunately a very unproductive one. It comes at the price of huge feelings of guilt for you because of letting down somebody who relied on you when it counted most. That is not a price tag you want to lug around for a long time on top of your feelings of loss and I would not wish it on anybody.

Please be strong for your beloved girl and give her the most loving but also most heartbreaking gift we can give a pet we love from the bottom of our heart. And be very proud of yourself for having done so. As humans, we grow with the obstacles we overcome and by not making the same mistakes all over again. Facing up to facts is not just an all-round negative experience - only if you refuse to grow.

Your precious girl is already dying now.

PS: Thank you for not taking my post amiss. Sometimes I have to speak up for the piggies's sake.
 
Hey i wanted to update lastnight but i was exhausted. Thankyou all so much.

Theres a lot to unpack but piggy is still alive and actually ok. I dont know what the hell happened sunday night but 6pm passed and she shot out of bed and went over to her little tray where i put fresh food and started shouting! I was like omfg i sprinted to the fridge and she ate a big handful of lettuce, half a pretty big wonky raspberry and half a baby corn.

You can imagine how delighted i was but i was thinking do not think shes out the woods yet just bide your time. She carried on coming out of bed and eating so i didnt do a syringe feed before i went bed at about 10.


Hardly slept sunday night as was waking up constantly wondering if shes still eating or gone back to being very ill. But when i did properly get up at about 4am she wanted food straight away! Couldnt believe my luck and its carried on. I wouldnt say shes eating tonnes of hey but shes loving fresh food.

I ended up going vets at 4pm instead of getting a earlier appointment and they said shes not going to get better but if shes happy and eating then thats ok for now. Shes not lost any more weight but hasnt gained any she was a bit of a chonk before so is 1.07 now after losing 300g.

the horrible news is theyve found a lump on her chin. I have a appointment for friday afternoon unless she gets more unwell by then ill obviously take her straight in if she deteriorates.

The vets want to do a small biopsy on her chin lump but I'm sort of leaning towards not doing it. I feel so guilty my pig has been through so many procedures in her life and been forcefed so much medication and syringe food i dont think i can do it anymore.

Would you go for the boipsy or just make her comfortable and when the time comes take her for euthanasia ?

She really is doing well right now i hope no one thinks I'm being cruel. i know i dont have long left but i do have a small window of time to spend with her. Thankyou x
 
I think if she stops eating again I'm not going to step in with recovery food. As hard as it is its going to be time to let go x
 
I’m sorry to hear she is unwell.

You’re aren’t being cruel if she is happy for now, and you aren’t wrong for not syringe feeding if she stops eating again. You are making the best decision for her and you will never be wrong for that
 
6yearoldgirl said:
I think if she stops eating again I'm not going to step in with recovery food. As hard as it is its going to be time to let go x
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I’m pleased she’s perked up a bit. I totally agree with you. I did the same thing with Pepper when he was diagnosed with his tumour. Keep her on a good level of pain relief and when she stops wanting food, moving around the cage then you know it’s time. Good luck. Give her lots of cuddles and take lots of pictures. ❤️
 
Thankyou so much. She did eat some lettuce this morning but now shes stopped eating fresh food again its like as soon as i made that post she turned unwell again. Literally hate myself. Shes turning her head and body away when i pick the blanket up. Vets open 5 mins i hope they can get me in straight away. Scary times x
 
6yearoldgirl said:
Thankyou so much. She did eat some lettuce this morning but now shes stopped eating fresh food again its like as soon as i made that post she turned unwell again. Literally hate myself. Shes turning her head and body away when i pick the blanket up. Vets open 5 mins i hope they can get me in straight away. Scary times x
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HUGS
My thoughts are with you.
 
6yearoldgirl said:
Thankyou so much. She did eat some lettuce this morning but now shes stopped eating fresh food again its like as soon as i made that post she turned unwell again. Literally hate myself. Shes turning her head and body away when i pick the blanket up. Vets open 5 mins i hope they can get me in straight away. Scary times x
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I’m so sorry. Thinking of you. ❤️
 
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