Old man Hugo

[nursewinter]

Hello,

I used to be part of this forum when I first adopted 2 male boars several years ago fast forward to now we have had 4 in total (all rescues) and now have 1 boar left. We decided not to get further Guinea pigs as our situation has changed and so after Diego died a year ago we have been spoiling Hugo with love on his own.
A few days ago I noticed he wasn’t eating as much and took him to the vet Friday lunch time. There was talk of X-rays and blood tests and trying to find a lab that would do the blood test but ultimately we decided that at the age of 6 (+ however old he was before we adopted him) that we want his comfort to be top priority. The vet couldn’t find anything wrong with his teeth, eyes or ears but when he felt his tummy he wee’d and there was blood. We have metacam for him which he’s having twice a day to try and make him comfortable and hope he will start eating and drinking again. He hasn’t, the only thing he has eaten are a few dandelions I’ve picked for him. He’s cold despite his very comfortable indoor penthouse Guinea pig enclosure my husband built. And he’s not really moving.

My question is- do I take him to the vet Monday and make a decision around putting him to sleep? Or do I keep him comfortable at home with the metacam and hope he falls asleep? Do I hold him or leave him to rest?

Despite making the decision not to continue having Guinea pigs and that Hugo would be our last for a while he is a very much loved family member. I spent all day yesterday watching over him.

 

[Claire W]

Hello and welcome back to the forum. I am very sorry that Hugo is unwell. Has your vet considered trying him on a couse of antibiotics to see whether Hugo has a UTI? I think I would want to explore this route before thinking about euthanasia x

 

[nursewinter]

Hello and welcome back to the forum. I am very sorry that Hugo is unwell. Has your vet considered trying him on a couse of antibiotics to see whether Hugo has a UTI? I think I would want to explore this route before thinking about euthanasia x

I did wonder this myself (as my username might suggest I’m a nurse- the human kind). But he said it was cystitis and not a urine infection. I don’t know how he came to this conclusion though?

 

[Claire W]

I did wonder this myself (as my username might suggest I’m a nurse- the human kind). But he said it was cystitis and not a urine infection. I don’t know how he came to this conclusion though?

I’m not sure but could you get a second opinion? I’d definitely want to try antibiotics first as like you know yourself, blood in urine can Indicate UTI, bladder stones or sludge x

 

[Wiebke]

Hello,

I used to be part of this forum when I first adopted 2 male boars several years ago fast forward to now we have had 4 in total (all rescues) and now have 1 boar left. We decided not to get further Guinea pigs as our situation has changed and so after Diego died a year ago we have been spoiling Hugo with love on his own.
A few days ago I noticed he wasn’t eating as much and took him to the vet Friday lunch time. There was talk of X-rays and blood tests and trying to find a lab that would do the blood test but ultimately we decided that at the age of 6 (+ however old he was before we adopted him) that we want his comfort to be top priority. The vet couldn’t find anything wrong with his teeth, eyes or ears but when he felt his tummy he wee’d and there was blood. We have metacam for him which he’s having twice a day to try and make him comfortable and hope he will start eating and drinking again. He hasn’t, the only thing he has eaten are a few dandelions I’ve picked for him. He’s cold despite his very comfortable indoor penthouse Guinea pig enclosure my husband built. And he’s not really moving.

My question is- do I take him to the vet Monday and make a decision around putting him to sleep? Or do I keep him comfortable at home with the metacam and hope he falls asleep? Do I hold him or leave him to rest?

Despite making the decision not to continue having Guinea pigs and that Hugo would be our last for a while he is a very much loved family member. I spent all day yesterday watching over him.

Hi

HUGS

I am very sorry for your losses and for your dilemma. Are you sure that it couldn't be just an urinary tract infection?

Please take the time to read this guide here, which I have written in the interim. It takes you through all the aspects in play with end of life decisions. We cannot tell you what you should do; only you as the owner can make that decision but we can give you the instruments that will allow you to make any decisions with a clearer mind: A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs

Please have Hugo seen tomorrow as an emergency (give the clinic a call first thing in the morning) and see what the vet is finding.

 

[weepweeps]

I’m so sorry Hugo is poorly. Sending healing vibes to him and hugs to you.

 

[Jelly/Jam]

Hello,

I used to be part of this forum when I first adopted 2 male boars several years ago fast forward to now we have had 4 in total (all rescues) and now have 1 boar left. We decided not to get further Guinea pigs as our situation has changed and so after Diego died a year ago we have been spoiling Hugo with love on his own.
A few days ago I noticed he wasn’t eating as much and took him to the vet Friday lunch time. There was talk of X-rays and blood tests and trying to find a lab that would do the blood test but ultimately we decided that at the age of 6 (+ however old he was before we adopted him) that we want his comfort to be top priority. The vet couldn’t find anything wrong with his teeth, eyes or ears but when he felt his tummy he wee’d and there was blood. We have metacam for him which he’s having twice a day to try and make him comfortable and hope he will start eating and drinking again. He hasn’t, the only thing he has eaten are a few dandelions I’ve picked for him. He’s cold despite his very comfortable indoor penthouse Guinea pig enclosure my husband built. And he’s not really moving.

My question is- do I take him to the vet Monday and make a decision around putting him to sleep? Or do I keep him comfortable at home with the metacam and hope he falls asleep? Do I hold him or leave him to rest?

Despite making the decision not to continue having Guinea pigs and that Hugo would be our last for a while he is a very much loved family member. I spent all day yesterday watching over him.

 

[Bill & Ted]

Poor Hugo, I am so sorry you are both going through this I always though cystitis was a urinary tract infection, trying antibiotics may help if he has an infection

 

[Jelly/Jam]

I am so sorry for you all. You have to do what you feel is the thing to do. Hugo knows you love him dearly and you will do the best for him. Please take care.

 

[nursewinter]

Poor Hugo, I am so sorry you are both going through this I always though cystitis was a urinary tract infection, trying antibiotics may help if he has an infection

Well I’m humans it’s more common in females and you don’t usually need abx, but as far as Guinea pigs go I’ve no idea I will speak to the vet tomorrow. Xx

 

[Wiebke]

PS: Have you tried to syringe feed?
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

 

[Wiebke]

Well I’m humans it’s more common in females and you don’t usually need abx, but as far as Guinea pigs go I’ve no idea I will speak to the vet tomorrow. Xx

No, it's not gender specific. Sows don't bleed when in season.

 

[Jelly/Jam]

Hello and welcome back to the forum. I am very sorry that Hugo is unwell. Has your vet considered trying him on a couse of antibiotics to see whether Hugo has a UTI? I think I would want to explore this route before thinking about euthanasia x

Hello. Could we see a photo of Hugo?

 

[Claire W]

Hello. Could we see a photo of Hugo?

Sorry, I think you have quoted me by mistake as Hugo isn’t my piggy so I do not have a photo x

 

[nursewinter]

Here’s some photos of Hugo from a while ago, my son loves him very much. Here he is with his friends Franco and Diego (and we did have Vader before Diego and Hugo). And here is a photo of him now, I think you can tell he’s feeling very poorly indeed.

 

[Jelly/Jam]

Thanks for the photos.

 

[nursewinter]

We have some antibiotics now!

 

[Claire W]

I am so pleased that you and your vet are trying antibiotics. Hopefully it’s a UTI which will clear up but my next step would be an un invasive scan to check for bladder stones / sludge if the antibiotics do not work x

 

[nursewinter]

Hello all,
Just to say that unfortunately despite the antibiotics and pain relief Hugo just didn’t pick up, he stopped eating completely and moving around his cage. We made the decision with the vet to have Hugo put to sleep yesterday, he had been a very pampered and loved pig and it wasn’t fair to him. The vet felt there was probably other things going on for Hugo.
Thankyou for your advice and kindness.
Chloë

 

[nursewinter]

Hugo when he was feeling more himself and happy.

 

[weepweeps]

I’m so sorry. It’s such a hard decision to make but it’s made with love. He was a very handsome boy

 

[Bill & Ted]

I’m so sorry that you had to come to that sad but kind decision but he will have known just how much you loved him

Popcorn high Hugo

 

[AidaB]

I am sorry for your loss.

Popcorn free Hugo

 

[fluffysal]

Popcorn high over the rainbow bridge gorgeous Hugo

 

[Bertie & Jelly]

So sorry you had to make that decision. Sleep tight little Hugo