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Poorly piggy with bladder stones - to operate or not?

I just fed Ohmi some Recovery formula, and he ate quite enthusiastically compared to previous days. He also managed to nibble some cucumber. Now he's back with his friend Pieta, who very warmly welcomed Ohmi back with lots of piggy kisses x
 
Little worried now. Ohmi is still lying in the exact same spot I left him in the evening, and when I picked him up his back legs were a bit stiff for not moving. I managed to give him his meds, but when I tried syringe feeding him he just wouldn't chew basically at all. I gave him a couple of syringes and then stopped. I placed him back to the cage and arranged his upper body to be slightly raised compared to his bum as I was instructed by the nurse yesterday, to help him breathe better. Now he is just resting there, just occasionally moving his head a bit. Pieta went to give him some kisses again. I placed a blanket over the wooden arch he is lying in to keep more warmth in there.

How fast should I see improvement? It's now been roughly 16 hrs since the start of his surgery. What I'm worried about is the fact that yesterday evening he was eating so well, but not now. Of course yesterday he had just been given strong painkillers at the vets and now only Metacam in the morning.
 
So sorry Ohmi is not doing too well, I would give the vets a call back and say you are very concerned. if he is in pain he won’t want to eat but it’s important to keep his tummy moving 🤞
 
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I've just spoken with our nurse from yesterday, she is currently phoning our vet (the vet only does a couple of days per week at the clinic). But the nurse agreed that this is not normal and Ohmi should be moving by now. I'm worried if anything can be done to help him at this stage, besides pts.

I tried again to give Ohmi some food with the syringe, but he just wouldn't chew. He had done multiple poops so at least some movement is still occurring.
 
Just spoke with my vet, she very warmly prompted me to get Ohmi pts as soon as possible. I'm heartbroken, as this is the exact situation I was most worried about.
 
I'm so sorry to hear this about your gorgeous Ohmi. Remember that you did the best you could with the information available, and always acted in his best interests - and that none of us can do better than that. Be kind to yourself.
 
I’m so sorry you have had to have your beautiful Ohmi pts. You made your decisions based on the information you had available at the time and you made the decision with Ohmi’s best interests at the heart of them. He had a wonderful, happy life with you full of love. Take care
 
Ohmi is now pain free and at the rainbow bridge 💔
Thank you all for your support, it means a lot x
 
Screenshot_20220224-151046_Gallery.webp

Wanted to share a bit better pigture of my boy, here it is. He was such a gorgeus guy, I love the perfect middle parting of his nose colour. He had a big character and a beautiful soul ❤️

(Heihei means bye bye in Finnish)
 
He really was a stunner. He knew how much you loved him. Popcorn high over the bridge Ohmi. Heihei. ❤️
 
Sorry you lost your handsome boy. You made the best decision you could for him based on what you knew and the advice of your vet. Sending big hugs.xx
 
Sending massive hugs to you, I’m so sorry you had to let him go, you did everything you coul x
Sleep tight Ohmi precious little man 🌈
 
What a handsome boy he was. Rest peacefully, Ohmi. And please take care of yourself during this time. You did everything for him.
 
I am so sorry that the GA was too much for Ohmi. You have given him a realistic chance for a longer life. Chances are all we can give our piggies; never a guaranteed good outcome. Especially not in make-or-break operations.

Please try to take consideration that it would have taken the same time for Ohmi to go into normal spontaneous multi-organ failure instead of one due to the operation, and try not to feel guilty or like you have failed him - you haven't.

You may find this link here helpful as you grapple with your strong feelings: Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children
 
Thank you all so much for your support and kind words. After crying my eyes out yesterday I'm again in tears re-reading your messages.

I keep thinking if we would not have done the surgery, would Ohmi have continued to get better with his meds? My head says no he wouldn't, but still I keep questioning my decision. My vet also assured me that we did what we thought was the best option for Ohmi, and while the op may have sped things up a bit, the ending was still inevitable as the original state of Ohmi and the diagnosis was bad enough. My vet also told me that had it been some random pig owner and not me, she would not even have suggested the surgery because she doesn't trust all owners to be up to decent post op care, but she trusted me to know what to do and this is why she also felt that we could give Ohmi a chance. I really appreciated her telling me this.

Now that Ohmi is gone, it is also up to me to live through my decision a couple of years back. When Ohmi's previous companion Faradi passed, I made the decision that I would not continue keeping piggies after Ohmi. I was not up to give Ohmi to a retirement home as he was originally adopted by me as a small pup and I promised to give him forever home, and that promise has now been fulfilled. Ohmi's last companion Pieta was adopted with a promise, that her previous owned would take her back if she outlived Ohmi. So I have now made arrangements, and Pieta is in fact moving back to her old place already today. I'm heartbroken to part ways with her so soon, but I know keeping her longer would be in the benefit for me and not for her. Pieta has seemed ok and acting normally, but has been lying and burying herself into the blanket on top of which Ohmi spent his last night, so I know Pieta is also missing Ohmi. So I'm trying to think positive that it's a good thing Pieta will get new company already today. It'll be a big change for me to not have piggies after almost eight years, and I will miss having them around so much! But at the same time I feel that I'm not ready to take new piggies after Ohmi, as he was so special to me, and that I'm no more up to new losses of new piggies.
 
I'm sorry, sending hugs !
We nearly lost now dog to bladder stones, but we went through it because of changing vets and thanks to a big loan we had to borrow ! Special diet from now on and no tap water as well 20220130_150122.webpshe back in this photo 20210915_110244.webp20210917_154706.webp20210909_143913.webp20210909_122858.webp20210917_164143.webp20210917_163721.webp20210921_165104.webp
 
So very sorry that you have lost your gorgeous Ohmi.
You gave him a life filled with love and you gave him that last gift.
Now look after yourself and be kind and gentle as you grieve.
Holding you in my heart ♥️
 
Powerpigs said:
Thank you all so much for your support and kind words. After crying my eyes out yesterday I'm again in tears re-reading your messages.

I keep thinking if we would not have done the surgery, would Ohmi have continued to get better with his meds? My head says no he wouldn't, but still I keep questioning my decision. My vet also assured me that we did what we thought was the best option for Ohmi, and while the op may have sped things up a bit, the ending was still inevitable as the original state of Ohmi and the diagnosis was bad enough. My vet also told me that had it been some random pig owner and not me, she would not even have suggested the surgery because she doesn't trust all owners to be up to decent post op care, but she trusted me to know what to do and this is why she also felt that we could give Ohmi a chance. I really appreciated her telling me this.

Now that Ohmi is gone, it is also up to me to live through my decision a couple of years back. When Ohmi's previous companion Faradi passed, I made the decision that I would not continue keeping piggies after Ohmi. I was not up to give Ohmi to a retirement home as he was originally adopted by me as a small pup and I promised to give him forever home, and that promise has now been fulfilled. Ohmi's last companion Pieta was adopted with a promise, that her previous owned would take her back if she outlived Ohmi. So I have now made arrangements, and Pieta is in fact moving back to her old place already today. I'm heartbroken to part ways with her so soon, but I know keeping her longer would be in the benefit for me and not for her. Pieta has seemed ok and acting normally, but has been lying and burying herself into the blanket on top of which Ohmi spent his last night, so I know Pieta is also missing Ohmi. So I'm trying to think positive that it's a good thing Pieta will get new company already today. It'll be a big change for me to not have piggies after almost eight years, and I will miss having them around so much! But at the same time I feel that I'm not ready to take new piggies after Ohmi, as he was so special to me, and that I'm no more up to new losses of new piggies.
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Please stop beating yourself up. The end result for Ohmi would have been the same and without the surgery, you would have always wondered if he’d have lived if you’d gone through with the surgery.

I’m sorry that your piggy journey has ended but it sounds like you have done the right thing for Pieta. After my current 4 piggies, I would like to take a break from piggy ownership. My eldest who is a neutered boar is nearly 6 and a half and my youngest is 17 months. I’m hoping that my 3 sows grow old together but of course, we can’t foresee the future. If I end up with a single piggy, I shall cross that bridge if I come to it.

Take heart that you have given all your piggies a fantastic life and cherish the memories (((hugs))) x
 
Powerpigs said:
Thank you all so much for your support and kind words. After crying my eyes out yesterday I'm again in tears re-reading your messages.

I keep thinking if we would not have done the surgery, would Ohmi have continued to get better with his meds? My head says no he wouldn't, but still I keep questioning my decision. My vet also assured me that we did what we thought was the best option for Ohmi, and while the op may have sped things up a bit, the ending was still inevitable as the original state of Ohmi and the diagnosis was bad enough. My vet also told me that had it been some random pig owner and not me, she would not even have suggested the surgery because she doesn't trust all owners to be up to decent post op care, but she trusted me to know what to do and this is why she also felt that we could give Ohmi a chance. I really appreciated her telling me this.

Now that Ohmi is gone, it is also up to me to live through my decision a couple of years back. When Ohmi's previous companion Faradi passed, I made the decision that I would not continue keeping piggies after Ohmi. I was not up to give Ohmi to a retirement home as he was originally adopted by me as a small pup and I promised to give him forever home, and that promise has now been fulfilled. Ohmi's last companion Pieta was adopted with a promise, that her previous owned would take her back if she outlived Ohmi. So I have now made arrangements, and Pieta is in fact moving back to her old place already today. I'm heartbroken to part ways with her so soon, but I know keeping her longer would be in the benefit for me and not for her. Pieta has seemed ok and acting normally, but has been lying and burying herself into the blanket on top of which Ohmi spent his last night, so I know Pieta is also missing Ohmi. So I'm trying to think positive that it's a good thing Pieta will get new company already today. It'll be a big change for me to not have piggies after almost eight years, and I will miss having them around so much! But at the same time I feel that I'm not ready to take new piggies after Ohmi, as he was so special to me, and that I'm no more up to new losses of new piggies.
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HUGS

I am so sorry that Ohmi's loss is coming with bigger long term changes for you and is making it somewhat harder that way.

Please be aware that soul-searching and feelings of guilt are typical for the onset of any loving owner's grieving process but that this is naturally stronger after a somewhat traumatic death. Our grieving guide explains about that, as well as the next stages to help you brace for the inevitable adrenaline hangover which will add some rather physical experiences of feeling very 'blue' and down indeed.
Losing Pieta will also mean that you are going through a bit of a grieving process for him, too; and that this is going to make the coming weeks while you get used to not having guinea pigs around in all the little and unthinking ways even harder on you because of the jarring reminders. Please be kind with yourself and seek help for pet bereavement if needed (you should find what there is available in your country when googling online). The guide link below also contains other practical ways of how you can help yourself with the processing of your grief.
Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

You HAVE made the right decision for Ohmi. He may have lived a little longer but he would have done so in increasing and even greater pain since bladder stones do not just disappear on their own; they grow and at the worst end up in the urethra where they can cause even worse havoc and can kill outright by blocking the urine flow, which is extremely painful. One a piggy is starting to lose weight because of stones, you are dealing with a problem that is not solving itself on its own and that needs intervention because otherwise it is a very agonising death. :(

Ohmi's body will closed down post-op because of the GA drugs but I can assure you that he would have been free of the excruciating pain from the stones in his last hours (which stops instantly as soon as they are out and that the pain in the bladder walls from the stones is much greater than the pain from the vet's incision) and that he was still protected by the strong painkillers from the operation when his body went into organ failure. I hope that this will help you.
 
Claire W said:
Please stop beating yourself up. The end result for Ohmi would have been the same and without the surgery, you would have always wondered if he’d have lived if you’d gone through with the surgery.

I’m sorry that your piggy journey has ended but it sounds like you have done the right thing for Pieta. After my current 4 piggies, I would like to take a break from piggy ownership. My eldest who is a neutered boar is nearly 6 and a half and my youngest is 17 months. I’m hoping that my 3 sows grow old together but of course, we can’t foresee the future. If I end up with a single piggy, I shall cross that bridge if I come to it.

Take heart that you have given all your piggies a fantastic life and cherish the memories (((hugs))) x
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Thank you Claire for putting it this way and writing it out loud, you are definitely right that I would also be questioning my decision if I had opted out of the surgery. But I didn't think of that before you said it, and you have made it easier for me to live with my decision. Thank you so so much!

Wiebke said:
HUGS

I am so sorry that Ohmi's loss is coming with bigger long term changes for you and is making it somewhat harder that way.

Please be aware that soul-searching and feelings of guilt are typical for the onset of any loving owner's grieving process but that this is naturally stronger after a somewhat traumatic death. Our grieving guide explains about that, as well as the next stages to help you brace for the inevitable adrenaline hangover which will add some rather physical experiences of feeling very 'blue' and down indeed.
Losing Pieta will also mean that you are going through a bit of a grieving process for him, too; and that this is going to make the coming weeks while you get used to not having guinea pigs around in all the little and unthinking ways even harder on you because of the jarring reminders. Please be kind with yourself and seek help for pet bereavement if needed (you should find what there is available in your country when googling online). The guide link below also contains other practical ways of how you can help yourself with the processing of your grief.
Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

You HAVE made the right decision for Ohmi. He may have lived a little longer but he would have done so in increasing and even greater pain since bladder stones do not just disappear on their own; they grow and at the worst end up in the urethra where they can cause even worse havoc and can kill outright by blocking the urine flow, which is extremely painful. One a piggy is starting to lose weight because of stones, you are dealing with a problem that is not solving itself on its own and that needs intervention because otherwise it is a very agonising death. :(

Ohmi's body will closed down post-op because of the GA drugs but I can assure you that he would have been free of the excruciating pain from the stones in his last hours (which stops instantly as soon as they are out and that the pain in the bladder walls from the stones is much greater than the pain from the vet's incision) and that he was still protected by the strong painkillers from the operation when his body went into organ failure. I hope that this will help you.
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Thank you Wiebke, it definitely helps when you tell me that Ohmi has been pain free after the op. The last thing I wanted was to inflict more pain and misery to him, and I feel better knowing that he basically already was out of it.

I might have been unclear in my previous messages, but the initial diagnosis of bladder stones seemed to be a wrong one. The vet said that there weren't any in the bladder or urethra, she also checked all Ohmi's other vital organs in the near area (at least liver and kidneys she mentioned) and there weren't anything that would explain the masses seen on the first x-ray. She also did a new x-ray during the op to confirm, but the masses didn't show this time. So I'll never know what really was wrong with Ohmi, and how he would have progressed without the op. Propably the end result would have been the same, as Ohmi really was seriously ill. It just bothers me that he had gotten slightly better just before the op.
 
Btw still crying and still amazed just how lovely you all are, your support means the world to me. I have had to show a brave face at home, as my daughter is also missing the piggies so much, but she is too young to understand fully what has happened, so I have tried to keep her memories of them happy and let her grieve in her own way.

Pieta was handed off today to her old/new home. I was told she would get two lovely ladies as her cage mates, and that she would get excellent care. I kissed her goodbye and thanked her for staying at my home for a while. While it was very bittersweet to hand her over, I think the fact that I had actually made this decision already when adopting her made it a little bit easier. I have lots of happy memories of her with Ohmi.

The house feels too silent as I miss the lovely background noise the piggies were always providing. Every time I walk by the cage I take a glance instinctively to see what the piggies are doing - this will take a lot of getting used to. But I didn't feel like taking the cage away just yet, although the empty cage doesn't feel nice either. It all happened so fast that I find it hard to believe that it was just two nights ago that I had both Ohmi and Pieta in there.
 
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