On Friday morning my baby Meeks pooed a grey, lumpy mass of tissue about the size of a grape tomato and it caused her rectum to prolapse. It was attached by a small bit and her rectum was only slightly protruding. When I found her she was walking normally and didn’t seem in any pain or discomfort, but I wasn’t there when it happened. She was over 6 years old, so I know it would have been risky to a degree, but I NEED to know what the honest chances of her surviving the surgery to remove it would have been. The vet we took her to recommended euthanasia immediately. Those were actually her first words after looking at her, but we never found out what the mass was. I’m hurting very bad from this (what I now feel to be) completely uniformed, rushed, and reckless decision that I’ve made. Would there even be a chance of it healing well or correctly since it was her rectum? I’m so devastated by her loss, I probably need her more than she needed me. But please, don’t give me bullsh*t sugar coated lies. I just want to know for sure a couple of things. 1. That the vet gave me the options I should have been informed of before I made that decision 2. That I didn’t jump to conclusions in thinking there was a good chance the surgery would be complex or high risk before I went to the vet 3. If I were to ever be in a similar situation that I wouldn’t be making an ill-advised decision 4. That I didn’t just go to the wrong vet 5. That I didn’t kill my baby for no reason
Thank you for all responses. I mean thank you to everyone who’s responded to anything I’ve posted. It has really really helped. I just haven’t been quite able to respond yet. I have to keep it together moment by moment. Love to you all.
Hi!
I am very sorry for your loss!
A prolapse is always a very serious issue; it is thankfully very rare (mostly this happens as a birthing complication) - but that is not going to help you.
Putting a prolapse back is the easier the sooner it happens because the tissue will swell up rather quickly and be very difficult/impossible to push back in the longer it is hanging out. There is also always the risk that it may come back out; we have seen that repeatedly. The advanced age would have been another major factor against your girl; but try to take consolation in that Meeks has actually lived an excellent healthy life span thanks to your good care!
Only a lab test would have shown what the mass was - but it doesn't sound normal or healthy.
If you want to hear the unadorned truth, in the vast majority of the thankfully few cases we have been contacted over in the last decade (perhaps one or two in a year, if that; mostly as a birthing complication in younger sows), prolapse has been fatal with something of a marked improvement in survival chances in recent years, provided it could be treated straight away as a life and death emergency.
In all honesty, I would have made the same decision as you for any sow of mine in the same situation, and without hesitation! Most likely I would have rushed an elderly sow like yours to the vets straight away for emergency euthanasia to spare her any unnecessary suffering.
When the chips are down, I'd rather bear the brunt of the pain and the inevitable soul-searching myself. There is nothing wrong with your owner's instincts!
You have not failed your girl in any way; it was just cosmic bad luck that this happened. Sadly we can never choose when and what from out beloved piggies die. We can only give them a happy life and ensure that the end, in whichever form it comes is as easy, quick and gentle for them as we can make it when the odds are very much against you.
Please be aware that strong feelings of failing, guilt, doubt and intense self-examination are very typical for the onset of the grieving process for any loving owner. We are wired to always seek the fault in ourselves. All it says is that you are loving and responsible owner because if you weren't you wouldn't go through this! These feelings are usually stronger after a sudden and/or traumatic experience or a long battle.
Please take the time to read our grieving guide. It will hopefully help you through the coming days and weeks as you are trying to come to terms with what has happened and are bashed around by very strong feelings and help you make sense of what you are going through.
Here is the link:
Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children
If your girl has a companion, then please follow the tips in this guide here:
Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig
I hope that this helps you?
I’m afraid I can’t answer all your questions but please remember that you made the right decision for your piggy. I’m just so sorry that you felt rushed.
