My guinea pig has a tumor (cancer) please help i dont know what to do.

[Itsmelbella]

My guinea pig had her appointment today because 2 weeks ago, she started breathing weird, thought it was an uti. After, she stopped breathing weird but then completely stopped eating. I fed her critical care for 2 weeks. the only food that was exceptional for her was grass because it was her favorite food. Her poops were small and she lost weight. Shes have been eating more, but it's still not enough. The doctor did an x-ray on her and informed me she has a tumor on her uterus, near her abdomen that is cancerous and that she only has about 3 months to live. There is no cure except for getting surgery which is around $800-1000 dollars. He said if I decided to go with the surgery, there is a possibility she can have anesthetic complications and die during the surgery. I don't have $800-1000 dollars, and I'm really unsure what to do. The doctor mentioned we could also put her down. I'm so disoriented and don't know what to do. I have till tomorrow to make a decision.

 

[Wiebke]

My guinea pig had her appointment today because 2 weeks ago, she started breathing weird, thought it was an uti. After, she stopped breathing weird but then completely stopped eating. I fed her critical care for 2 weeks. the only food that was exceptional for her was grass because it was her favorite food. Her poops were small and she lost weight. Shes have been eating more, but it's still not enough. The doctor did an x-ray on her and informed me she has a tumor on her uterus, near her abdomen that is cancerous and that she only has about 3 months to live. There is no cure except for getting surgery which is around $800-1000 dollars. He said if I decided to go with the surgery, there is a possibility she can have anesthetic complications and die during the surgery. I don't have $800-1000 dollars, and I'm really unsure what to do. The doctor mentioned we could also put her down. I'm so disoriented and don't know what to do. I have till tomorrow to make a decision.

Hi!

BIG HUGS

I am very sorry about you having got the worst kind of news. Please take a deep breath. You may have to decide whether you want to go for an operation until tomorrow. Please do not feel guilty if you cannot afford that kind of sum, especially not without any guarantee for success.

Your emotional turmoil is totally normal when faced with this kind of situation. We can sadly never choose when and what from our beloved ones die; all we can do is make as many days happy ones while we have them with us - but as guinea pigs don't have a concept for life expectancy but measure their lives in love and happy days, as a caring owner you do not feel guilty or bad when something out of your control happens. You have done what any loving pet momma should do.

You have got more time to decide whether your girl still has got enough quality of life to be around for a little long with some pain medication support or whether it would be kindest to send her to the Rainbow Bridge before the sharp end of cancer hits home.

Please take the time to carefully read the green guide link below. It will take you through all the aspects you are facing in your current situation in detail so you can weigh up what is most important for you and your poorly girl and make any decisions with a clearer mind and heart.
Nobody can tell you what you should do; the area you are in is a grey area where you cannot go wrong as long as you put your girl's wellbeing before your own fears. But as you are quite obviously a very loving owner I am sure that whatever decision you make, it will be the right one for the long term once you have had time to digest it all. If in doubt, listen to your gut and go with that.

Here is the link: Death, Dying, Terminal Illness, Grieving and Bereaved Companions: Information and Support for Owners and Their Children

 

[Itsmelbella]

thank you

 

[Itsmelbella]

2 days ago the vet informed me my guinea pig has cancer because of a tumor that was found in her uterus. He gave her about 3 months to live, and the only solution she'll survive is surgery to remove the tumor, but there is also a high risk she can die during anesthesia. The surgery was originally $800-1000 but he was generous enough to lower it to $300-400 dollars. I don't think whether I should do the surgery or not because my piggy could also die, but she can also survive, and turn out to be fine. If my family decides not to do the surgery, the ext best option is to put her down when shes at the worst, since shes showing symptoms. Any feedback and suggestions would be helpful, thank you.

 

[Merab]

I am so sorry that you have this kind of news.
I had the same last year with my Jemimah.
It feels as if the bottom has fallen out of your world.

I opted not to go for surgery - the vet wasn’t advising it due to her age.
I used the time to take lots of pictures, make lots of memories and ensure she was never uncomfortable.
I agreed with my vet that when I thought she needed painkillers I would just phone and ask for them.
Jemimah passed away peacefully about 3 months later.

Holding you in my heart.
Please use the forum for support and friendship - we understand how it feels.

 

[Siikibam]

I’m so sorry you’re having to make such a difficult decision. Has the vet spoken about what the surgery would entail? Is it purely for diagnosis or to see if the tumour can be removed and carry out some tests? And how old is your girl? Sorry, I did try to find it in your first post but can’t. It’s a difficult one because there’s always a risk with anaesthetic and all guinea pigs.

I can’t say which way I would go, but I am certain you will make the right decision for your girl. When you do make your decision, try not to second guess yourself. Hugs.

 

[Itsmelbella]

I am so sorry that you have this kind of news.
I had the same last year with my Jemimah.
It feels as if the bottom has fallen out of your world.

I opted not to go for surgery - the vet wasn’t advising it due to her age.
I used the time to take lots of pictures, make lots of memories and ensure she was never uncomfortable.
I agreed with my vet that when I thought she needed painkillers I would just phone and ask for them.
Jemimah passed away peacefully about 3 months later.

Holding you in my heart.
Please use the forum for support and friendship - we understand how it feels.

its to see if the tumour can be removed. My piggy is 5 years.

 

[Claire W]

I’m so sorry that you’re having to make some tough decisions. Nobody can tell you what to do but if it were my piggy, I would at least give her a chance as if she passes on the operating table, it will be like having her pts and if your vet has only given her 3 months to live without the surgery... It of course depends on if you can afford the surgery too

But whatever decision you make will be the right one and we will all support you x

 

[Wiebke]

2 days ago the vet informed me my guinea pig has cancer because of a tumor that was found in her uterus. He gave her about 3 months to live, and the only solution she'll survive is surgery to remove the tumor, but there is also a high risk she can die during anesthesia. The surgery was originally $800-1000 but he was generous enough to lower it to $300-400 dollars. I don't think whether I should do the surgery or not because my piggy could also die, but she can also survive, and turn out to be fine. If my family decides not to do the surgery, the ext best option is to put her down when shes at the worst, since shes showing symptoms. Any feedback and suggestions would be helpful, thank you.

Hi!

Like any major operation, any major operation does come with a certain risk; especially in older piggies and depending on how practised your vet and their team are with small animals. However, a spaying operation does come with a much larger margin of success because your vet can remove the organ without worries that the cancer will have spread further into the body. Noticeably more spays go well than not.

I have now had about 4 older sows (4-5 years) successfully spayed (i.e uterus and ovaries with ovarian cysts removed), two of them over cancer concerns. They have all lived more than one year longer (the last two of them are still with me and within a month of their 7th birthday now); in piggy terms, that is between 1-2 decades more for each of them.

The new fee sounds a lot more reasonable but it depends on what your family can afford and if they are able to and willing to cough up. Personally, I hope so!