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Piggie dragging back legs

Sorry I’ve just seen your thread! Are you still waiting to see an exotic vet? I live in Taunton and we have a great exotic vet in Exeter which you could ask to be referred to from your vet? Sending positive vibes
 
David Piggie Lover said:
Cancer killed her. The moral is she had zero back leg moment but had a beautiful 7 months extra . Was hard to see her like that and her quality of life in my eyes was worth keeping her going. . She had a spirit that was powerful and I miss her deeply but if you get chance read it all and like I say. . . She never knew she was ill she just got on with it. . Never showed pain but the mouth cancer spread and I lost her.
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Look at that powerful girl.
Id let her go if she showed her illness getting her down.
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What a beautiful piggie - I'm so sorry you lost her but glad that you got to spend a precious extra few months with her and that she lasted all that time without use of her back legs. That does give me hope and, as you say, if Blossom isn't suffering she can hopefully have a good quality of life. Thanks for sharing your story x
 
DougalandDiego said:
Sorry I’ve just seen your thread! Are you still waiting to see an exotic vet? I live in Taunton and we have a great exotic vet in Exeter which you could ask to be referred to from your vet? Sending positive vibes
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Thanks so much - we do have an exotic vet in Bristol but they were booked up for 2 weeks. We are currently waiting to see how things progress with Blossom but we may well need to take her back to the vet at some point - I will get in touch if ours isn't available - thanks for the recommendation x
 
That’s ok @Nicjones99 . My exotic vet is great and would highly recommend her so just let me know if you need the vets details. Hope she gets better soon. This vet is very good at fitting you in too if you need an appointment sooner than the two weeks. Hope you’re little piggy is better soon 🤞🏻
 
An update on Blossom... unfortunately it's not great news. I thought she was picking up, but the last couple of days she has deteriorated and I don't think she can go on much longer. She is still eating but her energy levels are low. Her left leg is totally withered and she is struggling to drag herself around, wash her face, etc. She spends most of her time sleeping but occasionally drags herself out for food (she lost some weight but it has been stable the last couple of days). We are bathing/wiping her daily, continuing with Meloxaid, giving her water by syringe.

A couple of times I have found her stuck on her side unable to move. The mornings are the worst - overnight she seems to lie in one position and wake up sort of twisted. Every morning I think 'she's gone' then she has some breakfast and perks right up again. This morning, our other pig Clover wouldn't come out for her breakfast, she just stayed by Blossom's side (this is unheard of). Having said that, they are now both munching away.

So... my questions. How long do we let her struggle on? Do we let her naturally pass away at home, or do we take her to the vet? Planning for the worst, I know it's important for Clover to see the body so she can grieve. If we do go to the vet, should we ask to bring Blossom's body home?

Thinking ahead (which is really hard) about what's best for Clover in the longer term... if Blossom does pass away, we would like to get her a new companion, ideally a rescue pig. I don't know where to start with this.... can anyone recommend anywhere in the Bristol area? Where do we go from here?

Thanks, as ever, for your support and advice.
 
It's best to let the surviving pig see the body of the other one so that they understand what has happened to their friend.

I can highly recommend Little Wheekers It is in the Bristol area and is also a Forum recommended rescue. I got Patsy from Little Wheekers. They do the introduction and bonding too.
 
Betsy said:
It's best to let the surviving pig see the body of the other one so that they understand what has happened to their friend.

I can highly recommend Little Wheekers It is in the Bristol area and is also a Forum recommended rescue. I got Patsy from Little Wheekers. They do the introduction and bonding too.
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Thanks so much Betsy, I will check out Little Wheekers. Whatever happens (and I guess there could still be a miracle), we will make sure that Clover can spend some time with Blossom and give her time to grieve x
 
Thank you for the update, so sorry for you, such a shame Blossom has gone downhill, sending hugs at this difficult time :hug:
 
@Nicjones99
You bring very brave and strong.
Blossom may need your help soon and that's very powerful hard thing to do.
Clover is a special piggie and Blossom knows that as you do. Hope nature allows a peaceful trip. Blossom is a fighter and allowing you extra time x
Sending lots tlc.
 
If Blossom does not seem in pain and is spending increasing amounts of time sleeping it could be that nature will take it's course... if you can still manage her caring issues that is. There is a good guide on this site for making the decision as to whether or when to pts - not sure how to link it but it's called
'A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs'

Our pigs who have died at home have usually tried to drag themselves away from the others as death becomes imminent, so if she's happy with Clover in the hideys she perhaps doesn't feel it's imminent yet...? Clover had obviously twigged that something's amiss so when circumstances change it shouldn't be as much of a shock.

If rescues for piggies are anything like rescues for cats/dogs there may well be something of a glut in the new year (as long as you can get in before the post-Christmas lockdown!) George will tell you sows are slim pickins at the moment but there are nearly always neutered boars looking for love.

Really well done on how you're handling this journey - it's not easy caring for a piggie when you don't know which way things will go and it can take it's toll emotionally 💕
 
God, it's so confusing - she's up again now, having a lovely lunch and looking lively again. An hour ago she was lying on her side and I thought she was about to take her last breath.
 
Free Ranger said:
If Blossom does not seem in pain and is spending increasing amounts of time sleeping it could be that nature will take it's course... if you can still manage her caring issues that is. There is a good guide on this site for making the decision as to whether or when to pts - not sure how to link it but it's called
'A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs'

Our pigs who have died at home have usually tried to drag themselves away from the others as death becomes imminent, so if she's happy with Clover in the hideys she perhaps doesn't feel it's imminent yet...? Clover had obviously twigged that something's amiss so when circumstances change it shouldn't be as much of a shock.

If rescues for piggies are anything like rescues for cats/dogs there may well be something of a glut in the new year (as long as you can get in before the post-Christmas lockdown!) George will tell you sows are slim pickins at the moment but there are nearly always neutered boars looking for love.

Really well done on how you're handling this journey - it's not easy caring for a piggie when you don't know which way things will go and it can take it's toll emotionally 💕
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Thanks @Free Ranger - that's good to know. My feeling is that taking her back to the vets would be really stressful for her and for us (especially as we're not allowed to go in with her and just have to hand her over at the door). Right now she looks perfectly happy, so maybe it's not as imminent as I thought. Honestly, who knows. I'm going to email Little Wheekers and put our name on the adoption list just in case. Then I'm going to donate to a few charities and create some good karma x
 
A last trip to the vets is always traumatic - my own feeling is that if they can pass peacefully at home they'll be happier. They don't know about their options so she's not going to be lying there thinking "why don't they me to the vet already!" they just live in the moment. I find it really tricky to try and adjust myself to this way of thinking as I'm constantly trying to plan ahead - I'm the sort that found waiting for an exam 3 times worse than actually being in one. I have to haul my thoughts back constantly. If you're a bit like that too you'll know what I mean!
 
Free Ranger said:
A last trip to the vets is always traumatic - my own feeling is that if they can pass peacefully at home they'll be happier. They don't know about their options so she's not going to be lying there thinking "why don't they me to the vet already!" they just live in the moment. I find it really tricky to try and adjust myself to this way of thinking as I'm constantly trying to plan ahead - I'm the sort that found waiting for an exam 3 times worse than actually being in one. I have to haul my thoughts back constantly. If you're a bit like that too you'll know what I mean!
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Yes, I definitely know what you mean - waiting and not knowing has to be the hardest bit. We are taking each day/hour/minute as it comes right now x
 
Sending you hugs this is such a stressful time. I believe we know our animals so well we get an instinct of when it's time to let them go. As long as she has some quality of life and you can keep her pain free then it's not time yet.
There is also Bristol Rabbit and Friends who rescue and rehome guinea pigs as well. I am linking in the Rescue Locator for you for rescues slightly further afield. Rescue Locator
I really hope you don't need them for a long time yet.
 
Hi again... so Blossom is hanging on in there. She looks a bit perkier than she was - I think she exhausted herself when she got stuck on her side. I've been checking on her regularly to make sure this doesn't happen again (even sleeping in the guinea pig room now, so I can check in the night - the things we do!). Her right leg seems to have some strength (I think this is why she is ending up on her side) but her left leg is still very limp and she keeps lying on it, which worries me. I keep gently adjusting her so that her legs out behind her and her spine is straight. Is that the right thing to do, or should I leave her to be? I'm just worried she doesn't have the strength to adjust herself properly. She is moving around and eating but her weight had dropped a bit yesterday so I'm going to start topping up her with syringe.
 
@Wiebke I've just noticed Blossom has a bulge down one side, it looks very much like the fluid build-up that Nerys experienced. I think it's due to how she has been lying. Our exotic vet has no appointments for the next week. Do you have any advice about how to deal with this in the short term? I will of course get her to a vet asap - I'm going to email them with a photo tonight and try to get a phone conversation tomorrow. In the meantime, we have weighed her and she has gained slightly on yesterday and is still eating for herself, just not moving around much at all.
 
Nicjones99 said:
@Wiebke I've just noticed Blossom has a bulge down one side, it looks very much like the fluid build-up that Nerys experienced. I think it's due to how she has been lying. Our exotic vet has no appointments for the next week. Do you have any advice about how to deal with this in the short term? I will of course get her to a vet asap - I'm going to email them with a photo tonight and try to get a phone conversation tomorrow. In the meantime, we have weighed her and she has gained slightly on yesterday and is still eating for herself, just not moving around much at all.
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Hi!

Unfortunately I cannot diagnose and there is nothing you can really do in the interim.

In Nerys hers started in the adrenal gland area and caused the back leg paralysis, which wasn't affecting both legs to quite the same degree. It went away again on its but Nerys never quite regained her mobility to the same degree (mind you, she was just short of her 8th birthday by then). Yours looks like a potential scondary complication.

You can give her legs a gentle leg massage if Blossom likes it.
 
Wiebke said:
Hi!

Unfortunately I cannot diagnose and there is nothing you can really do in the interim.

In Nerys hers started in the adrenal gland area and caused the back leg paralysis, which wasn't affecting both legs to quite the same degree. It went away again on its but Nerys never quite regained her mobility to the same degree (mind you, she was just short of her 8th birthday by then). Yours looks like a potential scondary complication.

You can give her legs a gentle leg massage if Blossom likes it.
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Okay, thanks Wiebke - yes, it definitely seems like a secondary condition caused by the immobility rather than the other way round. Spoke to the vet (non exotic) who said we don't need to rush her in tonight but to call back first thing tomorrow. I'm hoping the exotic may be able to squeeze us in as can't find anything about this online or on the forum. Blossom is still happily eating away in the meantime so can't be in too much discomfort, but it's not ideal x
 
Nicjones99 said:
Okay, thanks Wiebke - yes, it definitely seems like a secondary condition caused by the immobility rather than the other way round. Spoke to the vet (non exotic) who said we don't need to rush her in tonight but to call back first thing tomorrow. I'm hoping the exotic may be able to squeeze us in as can't find anything about this online or on the forum. Blossom is still happily eating away in the meantime so can't be in too much discomfort, but it's not ideal x
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All the best! It is always a worrying time; but this is definitely something that needs to be assessed by a vet. Even what Nerys had was anything but common - I've never come across it here or elsewhere.
 
I'm sad to say that Blossom has reached the end of the road :(
We took her back to the vet this morning and made an informed decision that her health was only going in one direction and rather than wait for her to deteriorate further, it would be kinder to put her to sleep.
We are very grateful to have had an extra 3 weeks with her and for all the support of this forum - it's been a massive help.
She never gave up her love of food, which made it a hard decision, but the build up of fluid (the vet said possible kidney issue, which could have caused the immobility) and withered left leg meant she was increasingly struggling to move.
She enjoyed a special last breakfast with Clover and will be buried in the garden next to her beloved friend Cocoa.
We are so sad but she brought us a lot of joy.
Gone but never forgotten x
 
Oh I'm so sorry for your loss. Blossom is out of pain now and is reunited with Clover once more. Look after yourself as you grieve.
 
Nicjones99 said:
I'm sad to say that Blossom has reached the end of the road :(
We took her back to the vet this morning and made an informed decision that her health was only going in one direction and rather than wait for her to deteriorate further, it would be kinder to put her to sleep.
We are very grateful to have had an extra 3 weeks with her and for all the support of this forum - it's been a massive help.
She never gave up her love of food, which made it a hard decision, but the build up of fluid (the vet said possible kidney issue, which could have caused the immobility) and withered left leg meant she was increasingly struggling to move.
She enjoyed a special last breakfast with Clover and will be buried in the garden next to her beloved friend Cocoa.
We are so sad but she brought us a lot of joy.
Gone but never forgotten x
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BIG HUGS

I am very sorry but you have made the right decision; it is all about quality of life and the likelihood of a recovery. Blossom was lucky to have found you!

Here is information on what you can do for Clover in the immediate and longer term and also helpful information and practical tips for your own grieving process in order to make it easier on you: Death, Dying, Terminal Illness, Grieving and Bereaved Companions: Information and Support for Owners and Their Children
 
I’m sorry for your loss. May she rest well beside her good friend. Take good care of yourself.
 
I’m sorry you have lost Blossom, sending hugs x I think you have made the right decision, better a day early than a day too late, treasure your memories x
Sleep tight Blossom 🌈
 
I'm so sorry for your loss. She had a happy life with owners who cared for her till the end. Sending love to you and Clover 💕
 
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