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Peeing blood and neck lumps

Bill & Ted said:
aw, poor Harry, it’s no fun been wet when you are poorly x
I use vet bed in their beds with newspaper underneath normally. At the moment I have added an Asda noodle bath mat £6 between the vet bed and newspaper. It keeps them very dry and wicks well at all levels. Bill‘s wound has been lovely and dry, he been no worry at all, just got on with life after this op x

Vet bed and hay definitely do not mix, I use a stiff old hair brush to get it all out, then wash inside a draw string bag (like a pump bag)
Hope you get some idea of what’s going on when you see Simon and you can get Harry sorted x Sending hugs :hug:
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I’m so glad to hear Bill is doing well after his op! 🤗 I hope he continues to recover well. ❤️ I’ve just given Harry and Hamish a bum bath so they’re clean for now. I might have to resort to doing this daily if they can stand it. Hamish is very used to baths but Harry hates them normally. He was very good though.

A great suggestion with the noodle mat there! Thank you x
 
alexr said:
I’m so glad to hear Bill is doing well after his op! 🤗 I hope he continues to recover well. ❤ I’ve just given Harry and Hamish a bum bath so they’re clean for now. I might have to resort to doing this daily if they can stand it. Hamish is very used to baths but Harry hates them normally. He was very good though.

A great suggestion with the noodle mat there! Thank you x
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Aw, Ted is a bit dirty too, he is still not eating much hay to veggies ratio, so still got clumpy poos. I have been changing the flooring/bedding every day so as to keep it clean for Bill’s wound but it’s looking really good.
those noodle mats are really great the hay just falls off them when you shake them
Aw bless your lovely boys x
 
I carry a huge amount of guilt over Harry. He arrived from a rescue almost a year ago having been chosen by Algy during a bonding session. Unfortunately, although they co-existed for a couple of months, Algy’s dominance became too much for Harry and he snapped one day and stood up to Algy which resulted in a big fight. They had to be separated.

Since then, Harry has reacted in a fear-aggressive manner towards other boys and instantly tries to snap at them. The exception is Hamish, who is frail, so probably isn’t seen as a threat.

In the Spring, Rupert & Claudio also fell out as baby Claudio started to grow and Rupert couldn’t control him as easily. No matches could be found but they’ve all enjoyed spending time with Hamish on a 1:1 basis. Harry became over-boisterous one day and knocked poor Hamish over who couldn’t get up.

I was so upset with all these boy fallouts and bad behaviour that I reacted emotionally and returned Harry (the last pig to arrive) to the rescue he came from. However, after being up all night crying, I collected poor Harry the next day. I will always feel guilty about that.

I also feel rubbish because I’ve never felt me and Harry have bonded in the strong way I have with others. I’m not sure why really. I guess Hamish has been number one because I’ve known him the longest and he’s needed a lot of special care. Then we have the cheeky, naughty boys who all battle for my attention, the super cuddly long haired “floofs” and then the bumblers. Harry has very much fallen into the “bumbler” category - happily pottering along and enjoying being stroked but not that fussed by cuddles.

I think we’ve become a lot closer throughout his illness and he seems to be more keen on cuddles and TLC.

I was hoping to get him neutered and find him his Hilda pig to keep him happy but it looks like that’s all too late.

I feel so sad that Harry has not had as much 1:1 attention. I suppose the saving grace is he remained with me to support him through his illness rather than going to an inexperienced and potentially less dedicated owner.

Sorry for rambling, just trying to come to terms with everything.
 
@alexr please don’t feel guilty for taking him back to the rescue. At the time it was the right thing to do for him because of his failure to bond with Algy (actually not a failure, more like Algy crossed a line), and your other boys playing up.

But your heart overruled and you brought him back home. You may not feel like you have a great bond with him, but you have given him the best he needs, and what he deserves - company of his own and a fabulous diet. And you are still doing your best for him through his ill health. ❣️
 
Siikibam said:
@alexr please don’t feel guilty for taking him back to the rescue. At the time it was the right thing to do for him because of his failure to bond with Algy (actually not a failure, more like Algy crossed a line), and your other boys playing up.

But your heart overruled and you brought him back home. You may not feel like you have a great bond with him, but you have given him the best he needs, and what he deserves - company of his own and a fabulous diet. And you are still doing your best for him through his ill health. ❣
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Thank you. I love and try to do my very best for all the boys. I think Harry is very much a quiet, independent fellow as opposed to some of the lads who have strong personalities but are quite clingy. Harry has certainly enjoyed gourmet fine dining here. 😂 Although I only have two successful pairs, they do all enjoy interacting with each other through bars. They like to wind each other up, strut about and show off. I do think they identify as a collective though as they’ve been ever so quiet since Hamish and Harry have been ill.
I’m glad Hamish has been able to provide Harry with some comfort these past few days.
 
Aw please don’t feel guilty. You brought Harry back hone again and have given him a wonderful life. You may feel like you haven’t bonded so well with him but look at how much love and care you’re giving him?

My Elizabeth arrived in July and I haven’t fully bonded with her yet since losing Emma last year but we’re getting there. She’s a lovely girl who enjoys cuddles but doesn’t like to be stroked in the cage. I love her to bits and would be devastated if something happened to her.

We all bond in different ways and sometimes it takes longer with others xx
 
Never feel guilty, you have given all your boys amazing care. It’s funny how sometimes through illness you become more closer to a piggie, than you normally would have done x You are an exceptional slave to your boys and never think otherwise, they have been very lucky to have you as “their slave” x
 
Please don’t feel guilty - there is absolutely no need.
We all have different bonds with different piggies because they are different characters.
Harry will know that he is loved, he is safe and he is cared for.
What more could a guinea pig want.

Ramble away here anytime. We’re here to support each other
 
Claire W said:
Aw please don’t feel guilty. You brought Harry back hone again and have given him a wonderful life. You may feel like you haven’t bonded so well with him but look at how much love and care you’re giving him?

My Elizabeth arrived in July and I haven’t fully bonded with her yet since losing Emma last year but we’re getting there. She’s a lovely girl who enjoys cuddles but doesn’t like to be stroked in the cage. I love her to bits and would be devastated if something happened to her.

We all bond in different ways and sometimes it takes longer with others xx
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I guess it’s because his personal preference seems to be being stroked in the cage. He gets very restless after a minute of being cuddled. Mind you Herbie (Hamish’s friend) is very similar in that respect. Harry and Herbie are both large strutting bumblers who probably think it’s uncool to have long hugs. 😂
 
Merab's Slave said:
Please don’t feel guilty - there is absolutely no need.
We all have different bonds with different piggies because they are different characters.
Harry will know that he is loved, he is safe and he is cared for.
What more could a guinea pig want.

Ramble away here anytime. We’re here to support each other
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I suppose part of the fun of guinea pig ownership is getting to know all of the different characters. It’s fascinating observing all their quirks. I guess some are just more cuddly than others. I also don’t know much about Harry’s background. I don’t know if he ever had a piggy friend or if he’s always been a solo lad.
 
Harry has still been peeing blood and squeaking today and mostly sitting in one spot. However, he perked up when I got him out for a spot of hand feeding. It seems a mixed bag of salad is highly appealing. I’m hoping I can encourage him to eat a bit more before his review on Weds. His eyes still look bright which is good. Here is a shot of Harry taken the other day...E7C26DD9-9134-499B-9232-A92D540CC678.webp
 
alexr said:
I guess it’s because his personal preference seems to be being stroked in the cage. He gets very restless after a minute of being cuddled. Mind you Herbie (Hamish’s friend) is very similar in that respect. Harry and Herbie are both large strutting bumblers who probably think it’s uncool to have long hugs. 😂
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Elizabeth is the complete opposite. She’ll be stroked and have a cuddle outside the cage but I can’t get near her in the cage
Harry is gorgeous
 
Well yesterday was a very guinea pig themed day! A visit to Simon with Harry & Hamish first thing, a lovely catch up with @furryfriends (TEAS), returned home to find Barnaby had poked his eye whilst I was out (more eye drops for him) and then I went to Leicester to see Elf Lyons perform her “Love Songs to Guinea Pigs” comedy show!

Quite an intensive new plan for Harry: Continue with Marbocyl for another week to see if we can get on top of the UTI which hasn’t yet responded to treatment. Pain relief now consists of both Metacam and Tramadol. He’s also been prescribed Fibreplex three times per day to see if we can firm up his diarrhoea and we’re trying Cystophan to see if that helps his bladder.

The noodle mat idea worked well for keeping him drier so thanks for that. 😍 He also seems to be eating a bit more which is good!

Unfortunately, Simon still seems convinced that Harry’s lumps are sinister. Lumps in other piggies are subsiding so he thinks it more likely they’ve all fought off something like Bordatella without showing symptoms. He said if they’re otherwise healthy not to worry. Some have a history of living in close proximity to rabbits before coming to me so I guess it’s possible. However, he’s pretty sure Harry has lymphoma/leukaemia.

I guess it’s just about trying to keep Harry as happy and comfortable as possible for his remaining time with us.
 
Claire W said:
Healing vibes still being sent for your beautiful boys. Sorry about the hay poke xx
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I’m quite convinced they’ll do anything for attention! I can almost imagine him saying to Fernando while I was out: “Hamish & Harry are getting most of the attention at the moment and you too mate with your impacted bum. I noticed the pig slave gave me lots of hugs last time I got a piece of hay in my eye...I’ll just jump in this pile of hay with eyes wide open and see what happens...”
 
alexr said:
I’m quite convinced they’ll do anything for attention! I can almost imagine him saying to Fernando while I was out: “Hamish & Harry are getting most of the attention at the moment and you too mate with your impacted bum. I noticed the pig slave gave me lots of hugs last time I got a piece of hay in my eye...I’ll just jump in this pile of hay with eyes wide open and see what happens...”
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Ha ha he wanted some of the attention too 😉
 
Well it’s been a very sad and horrible time. I’ve barely been able to get Harry to eat in the last day. He shows no interest in any food offered. I was going to take him to our local vet (a friend of mine) to be put to sleep. However, he ate a very small portion this afternoon. She has scheduled an appointment in for tomorrow afternoon when she’ll be able to spend longer than an emergency appointment today would’ve allowed. I will keep trying to offer food over night and assess how he is in the morning but things aren’t looking good sadly.

Hamish is not doing too well either. He has developed a ferocious appetite (which I initially thought was a good sign) but he mostly just sits and his breathing seems so pronounced to look at, I think there’s a huge strain on his heart. His favourite things currently are food and cuddles but I think the rest of life is such a struggle for him. To be honest, with how they both were last night, I fully expected both to pass to the bridge but they’re still here today.

I will see how things are tonight but I may have to make the heartbreaking decision to send both to the bridge tomorrow.

In a way, as horrendous as it would be, I’d rather that than take Harry tomorrow and have to take Hamish a couple of days/week later.

I’m still in a quandary to be honest. 😭
 
alexr said:
Well it’s been a very sad and horrible time. I’ve barely been able to get Harry to eat in the last day. He shows no interest in any food offered. I was going to take him to our local vet (a friend of mine) to be put to sleep. However, he ate a very small portion this afternoon. She has scheduled an appointment in for tomorrow afternoon when she’ll be able to spend longer than an emergency appointment today would’ve allowed. I will keep trying to offer food over night and assess how he is in the morning but things aren’t looking good sadly.

Hamish is not doing too well either. He has developed a ferocious appetite (which I initially thought was a good sign) but he mostly just sits and his breathing seems so pronounced to look at, I think there’s a huge strain on his heart. His favourite things currently are food and cuddles but I think the rest of life is such a struggle for him. To be honest, with how they both were last night, I fully expected both to pass to the bridge but they’re still here today.

I will see how things are tonight but I may have to make the heartbreaking decision to send both to the bridge tomorrow.

In a way, as horrendous as it would be, I’d rather that than take Harry tomorrow and have to take Hamish a couple of days/week later.

I’m still in a quandary to be honest. 😭
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BIG HUGS

I am ever so sorry that both your boys are getting borderline at the same time. Multipacks are such a heart-breaking thing and take you so long to get over as your soul can only process so much at any time. :(

You will know when the time has indeed come. It is always the most difficult when you are coming close to it; as there are these constant little ups and downs.
 
So very sorry that you are facing such a heartbreaking decision.
Hard as it is for us, it is still a precious gift of love we give.
Holding you in my heart
 
I’m so sorry you’re in this heartbreaking position. I’ll be thinking of you, Harry and Hamish 💕
 
Big hugs. You certainly have your fill of problems at the moment. I’ll be thinking of you tomorrow x
 
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