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Preparing to say goodbye

Two_Wheeks

Two_Wheeks

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Hello Lovely Cavy-Slaves.

Our boy Gibson turns 6 at the end of this month. In the last week, he has gotten old-looking and lost his sparkle. We are managing his impaction, and I am syringe feeding him and picking out the seed heads from the hay to tempt him into eating them! Last night he barely touched his veggie dinner, his eyes were both watering, looked like he was crying. He is hunting out warm spots, so he has at least two snuggle pads in at any one time, with his favourite hidey scarves and blankets for him to tuck into. He's off to the local vet tomorrow to get some painkillers (if they deem it necessary). I'm in the office today but my partner has just called and said he is looking hunched up - he has refreshed his snuggle pad and given him some cherry flapjack (I know, but he's gone from chonk to skinny-minnie in the last few months/year).

Keith is also keeping his distance and looks quite perturbed like he doesn't know what to do! When Gibson's original cage mate was getting ready to cross the bridge, Gibson sat on top of him, we assume to try and keep him warm. Keith doesn't know where to put himself!

I guess I'm expecting the worst, I plan on keeping him on my lap most of this evening, if he is happy to be out, and I'm working from home tomorrow so can be with him all day.

Any other advice or things I can do to make this very special journey easier for him?
 
A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs

I hope the above guide will help you.
I went on the journey a month ago with Rusty, it's very hard but rewarding in a strange way, knowing they've had a good life lived to the full and that you are helping them pass on without pain or fear. I made an appointment for Rusty to be helped on his way the morning he passed. He was so calm I cancelled it, kept his pain killers up to date in case he was in pain and he passed quietly at home surrounded by love. Every situation is different but I hope it's a calm passing for our boy.

Thinking of you and sending hugs.
 
Sending big hugs to you, it’s so sad when a beloved piggie is reaching the end of the road, have a lovely snuggly evening with him tonight x
 
Thank you! I just want to be sure he is comfortable. With Higgins it all happened so quickly we just didn't have time to react, this is a bit different so I want to make sure I'm doing the right thing by him 💜
 
Two_Wheeks said:
Hello Lovely Cavy-Slaves.

Our boy Gibson turns 6 at the end of this month. In the last week, he has gotten old-looking and lost his sparkle. We are managing his impaction, and I am syringe feeding him and picking out the seed heads from the hay to tempt him into eating them! Last night he barely touched his veggie dinner, his eyes were both watering, looked like he was crying. He is hunting out warm spots, so he has at least two snuggle pads in at any one time, with his favourite hidey scarves and blankets for him to tuck into. He's off to the local vet tomorrow to get some painkillers (if they deem it necessary). I'm in the office today but my partner has just called and said he is looking hunched up - he has refreshed his snuggle pad and given him some cherry flapjack (I know, but he's gone from chonk to skinny-minnie in the last few months/year).

Keith is also keeping his distance and looks quite perturbed like he doesn't know what to do! When Gibson's original cage mate was getting ready to cross the bridge, Gibson sat on top of him, we assume to try and keep him warm. Keith doesn't know where to put himself!

I guess I'm expecting the worst, I plan on keeping him on my lap most of this evening, if he is happy to be out, and I'm working from home tomorrow so can be with him all day.

Any other advice or things I can do to make this very special journey easier for him?
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Hi and welcome

I am very sorry. No matter how old your piggy, realising that the end has come is always heart-breaking.
A guinea pig that is feeling very off/ill will remove themselves from the group (it is a protective instinct re. spreading infection and attracting predators); in a cage, a piggy will go into a kind of retreat in their cosy or a cage corner instead.
Keith will have already taken his leave by his behaviour but he is obviously one of those piggies who is not doing well on their own although he is managing better this time round.

Please keep a dying piggy warm but not hot; they will feel cold once the blood circulation starts breaking down, no matter the ambient temperature. Heat a cosy just half the time instead of fully and replace whenever needed. More practical tips, what to expect in terms of phsyical symptoms and when you need to contact a vet for emergency pts are in the guide.

Please take the time to read our Dying guide link; we have collected all the practical advice and what to expect from a natural dying process in there: A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs

Our guide links are there to provide the necessary in-depth how-to tips and information that we cannot repeat at length in every post since we are all doing this for free in our free time. It takes me several days to write a guide to make sure that it is practical, clear and contains any information that may needed and should be still accessible in our forum downtime so you are not feeling helpless and lost at any stage.

My thoughts are with Gibson and you. 6 years is a very good age to live to.

We also have practical and supportive how-to guides for what you can do for bereaved companions and for yourself during the grieving process to help make it easier for you: Death, Dying, Terminal Illness; Human Grieving and Bereaved Companions: Information and Support for Owners and Their Children
;)
 
Thank you @Wiebke @piggieminder @Bill & Ted @Hope4gem I am reading through the guide now.

It doesn't matter how old or ill they are, it's never easy. As long as when he goes he knows he is loved and cherished, I can't ask for more.

Off home soon for an afternoon of cuddles and porridge (his fave!) with Gibson.

Thank you again x
 
Two_Wheeks said:
Thank you @Wiebke @piggieminder @Bill & Ted @Hope4gem I am reading through the guide now.

It doesn't matter how old or ill they are, it's never easy. As long as when he goes he knows he is loved and cherished, I can't ask for more.

Off home soon for an afternoon of cuddles and porridge (his fave!) with Gibson.

Thank you again x
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Even after 40 years of goodbyes, it is never easy... Don't force anything and leave him be if wants to left be and just check on him from time to time to make sure that Gibson is as comfy as can be.
The guide will help you work out when he has crossed the line of no return.

Give Keith something to do if he is upset. Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs
 
I’m so sorry. It’s true that it never gets any easier saying goodbye to our loved ones. You’ve given him a life filled with love and happiness. And that love is continuing in your planned appointment tomorrow. Huge hugs to you.
 
So sorry that you are in this situation - it’s never easy.
You are doing everything right and being comfortable will enable Gibson to slip away peacefully when he’s ready.
Remember that have already started grieving and be gentle with yourself.
Holding you in my heart ♥️
 
Two_Wheeks said:
Thank you! I just want to be sure he is comfortable. With Higgins it all happened so quickly we just didn't have time to react, this is a bit different so I want to make sure I'm doing the right thing by him 💜
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He’ll be surrounded by the people who love him x
 
Thank you all so much.

He’s currently in his house with Keith who is now sitting with him. He ate 3 blueberries and about 1/4 leaf of sweet gem lettuce, and a couple of mouthfuls of warm porridge. He’s had a drink and is warm and comfortable, at least.

He might make a u-turn but I don’t think so, as long as he isn’t in pain, that’s all I want for him ❤️ Bless the little bean 💖
 
Your post is sad to read but is full of love and my heart goes out to you. Whatever the outcome I send you and Keith. Take care of yourself xx❤️
 
I’m so sorry you have lost Gibson. He had a great life and a peaceful end. Take care. ❤️
 
Thank you all so much.

The sun has come out now and I am thinking of Gibson back with his partner in crime Higgins. Heartbroken but so pleased it was peaceful and he was with me.

We now begin the process of finding a new home for Big-Little-Keith. He is very lost and upset, so if anyone knows anyone who is looking to rehome a wonderful, happy, healthy boy (16 months old), please do let me know and get in touch
 
I am very sorry for your loss but glad that you could make the last hours peaceful ones for Gibson.

Please be aware that any rescues and free-ads (not that we recommend to use them in the first place as they are not a safe place for any pets looking for homes) are currently drowning in a huge flood of no longer wanted pets as a reaction ot the massive price hike.

Would you rather consider hanging on to Keith and finding him a rescue dated friend who will then be able to return to the rescue when Keith's time has come? Unfortunately, your timing is very unfortunate for finding a new home.
Rescues (Adoption and Dating), Shops, Breeders or Online? - What to consider when getting guinea pigs

Most of us on here have already got all the piggies we can cope with; especially those who regularly adopt from rescues since the last years have been very hard on them. We are sending any people enquiring on to good wefare standard rescues for that reason - only that there is currently a never seen stampede going on out there. :(
 
Thank you, all. It really was very peaceful, and I am so grateful he hung on the night so I could be with him. Plenty of crying going on of course and I am so lost, trying to put on a brave face for Keith and the other animals.

@Wiebke thank you. Of course, I totally understand the incredible toll the pandemic is now putting on rescues. Our 'plan' had always been to find Keith a new forever home once Gibson passed. My health just isn't good consistently enough. I am hopeful we will find him somewhere he will be loved. I don't like the thought of him going to a rescue at all and being alone, he is a boy who likes the hustle and bustle of a home. It's still incredibly raw and I can't contemplate letting Keith go anywhere just yet, I think his heart has broken which is sad to see - I need to keep him close for the time being and make sure he grieves safely.

I'd love to get a rescue friend to come live with us, just circumstances aren't fitting for us :(
 
Two_Wheeks said:
Thank you, all. It really was very peaceful, and I am so grateful he hung on the night so I could be with him. Plenty of crying going on of course and I am so lost, trying to put on a brave face for Keith and the other animals.

@Wiebke thank you. Of course, I totally understand the incredible toll the pandemic is now putting on rescues. Our 'plan' had always been to find Keith a new forever home once Gibson passed. My health just isn't good consistently enough. I am hopeful we will find him somewhere he will be loved. I don't like the thought of him going to a rescue at all and being alone, he is a boy who likes the hustle and bustle of a home. It's still incredibly raw and I can't contemplate letting Keith go anywhere just yet, I think his heart has broken which is sad to see - I need to keep him close for the time being and make sure he grieves safely.

I'd love to get a rescue friend to come live with us, just circumstances aren't fitting for us :(
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Please don't try the free-ads with a free to a good home advert - that is a magnet for fighting dog people and snake owners posting copied pictures from the internet, then cancelling an in-person visit of yours at the last minute and sending their female partner round for a quick piggy pick up and then going incommunicado or - at the worst if you are really unlucky - posting a video of their snake eating yourpet piggy... It's happened often enough. Not that you are likely to get any other enquiries right now, sadly. :(

If you have health issues, then please join the waiting list of a good welfare standard rescue, which will make sure that Keith is paired up with a piggy he likes and that he only goes to a good and checked home. That IS by far the best and safest way of ensuring Keith's long term future. Your vague idea of 'rescue' as a sad collection of bare kennels and some dilapidated tiny hutches in a muddy corner is what some piggies are rescued from but more certainly not what any of our recommended rescues is like at all! These rescues have all been carefully vetted.
They also have the necessary bonding experience for boar dating or a neutering policy to allow Keith to live with a sow companion in the long term.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/guinea-pig-forum-recommended-rescues.196734/

If you want rehome informally, then you have to be aware that we cannot guarantee for our members and we can also not be made legally responsible as a forum. Please also accept that we do not allow private people to advertise their piggies on here; not after the hassle from the last big mess that caused when some of our soft-hearted but inexperienced members got in way over their head.
 
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