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Sad times, could do with some feedback/support. What shall I do?

G

Gadzy

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hello,

I’m feeling very worried and upset regarding my 4 year old sow Fudge. She came back from the vets yesterday from a second opinion after having an ultrasound and fine needle biopsy (waiting for results) however, the vet doesn’t think it’s good news and has already ruled out any surgery? I feel like my grieving process is already beginning with sleepless nights and guilt and being very emotional.

I just wanted to seek some support and advice from others really because I don’t know who else to turn too. I don’t understand how she is only 4 with such a potential sinister illness. I feel like I’ve done something wrong or treated her wrongly to get this, I’ve had guinea pigs before and they lasted till around 6 which was fairly good going, but my Fudge is only 4 and things are not looking great in the slightest

How do I know when the time is right to let her go?

Do you think I should push for an operation depending on the results?

I feel like I’ve failed her. I don’t know what to do and it feels like my heart has been ripped out.

She has a cage friend Coco and I’m also worried about how she’s going to react. Fudge is still eating but doesn’t look well and is a lot more lethargic than she used to be. Seems very keen on greens and treats and not so much hay. I’m hoping it could be something like a dental issue but I think I’m in denial.

Any support and advice will be massively appreciated in this difficult time with Fudge
 
How sad, I'm so sorry Fudge is so poorly 😔
Try and take things one step at a time, cross each bridge when you come to it. Hopefully the fnb results will come back benign.
Instead, focus on Fudge and offering her all her favourite snacks, keeping her eating is important.
Has the vet had a good look at her teeth yet?
There is still hope 🤗❤️
 
Wheekallweek said:
How sad, I'm so sorry Fudge is so poorly 😔
Try and take things one step at a time, cross each bridge when you come to it. Hopefully the fnb results will come back benign.
Instead, focus on Fudge and offering her all her favourite snacks, keeping her eating is important.
Has the vet had a good look at her teeth yet?
There is still hope 🤗❤️
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Thankyou! I just don’t understand what’s happened and I feel it’s my fault. 4 isn’t that old is it? Not sure if others on here have had 4 year olds pass?

I just don’t know when I should let her go it’s so hard to tell. I was sad with my old pigs but I know they lived till 6 which was a good age. I think I’ve failed her only being 4.

I think the previous vet who wasn’t the second opinion had a look in her mouth and couldn’t notice any “spurs” or anything but she was fidgeting around all over the place.
 
So sorry to hear you’re having this.

About three years ago I had a guinea pig who had these symptoms as well as lumps around his lymph nodes and was diagnosed with lymphoma.
About a year ago I then had another guinea pig who developed the beginnings of these symptoms and had lumps around his lymph nodes, I was extremely upset and panicked slightly. The biopsy came back as fatty lumps and he’s still around and healthy today.
So it can really go either way.

From my personal experience, if it is lymphoma, I would say try not to panic (though it can seem impossible sometimes).
She doesn’t know about a diagnosis, an illness or how long she has left. All she knows is how she feels in that moment, as long as she is warm, comfortable (so on the right painkiller dosage) and has the food she wants.
This was the mistake I made and is my only regret, hoping my pig could be a bit more comfortable the next day when really that day would never come and he ended up being put to sleep about 24-48 hours after he should’ve been.
(I know this may sound quite harsh, I don’t mean it to sound that way. I tend to think of these things quite directly and literally but I understand that not everyone can deal with topics surrounding death in this way).

Wishing you and your pig good luck with the biopsy results.
 
I am so sorry about poor Fudge, please don’t blame yourself, you are such a caring owner. Just like people, none of us know when our pets are going to become ill or pass away. Guinea lives are measured in happiness and she sounds so loved and cared for. I think lives full of love and care even though sometimes shorter are far more important then age, it hurts us as owners to loose them, take care
 
I am so sorry, it's absolutely nothing you have done wrong. Unfortunately piggies like people suffer from devastating illnesses at any age. I do know how you feel though. I lost a beautiful boy a year ago, he was only 3. I am linking some threads for you. I hope you won't need them and the vet has jumped the gun before the test results come back but I hope they will help you feel more able to cope should you need them.

A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs


Human Bereavement - Grieving, coping tips and support links for guinea pig owners and their children


Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
 
Thankyou so much for your support all. What would you all do? Play it by ear and go from there? The last thing I want is her to be living day by day struggling. The trouble is if it was just fatty lumps then she wouldn’t be so under the weather would she?

I just can’t get my head around her being young still in my eyes. She’s been through the wars my Fudge, but I’m fearing the worst this time. Does it also depend on the vet and if they feel surgery would work?
 
I'm so sorry about Fudge. Easy for me to say but try to enjoy her day by day as this is how she lives.You are not to blame, if it was your fault you wouldn't be on here asking for advice. If there is any blame to be had it's for the irresponsible breeders who have created too many genetic conditions for the sake of attractive features like satin coats.
 
This isn't your fault! It's just luck of the draw I'm afraid. My Larry only made it to around three, I lost him due to diabetic complications, a thickened bladder and spondylosis of his lower spine. I lost Eric at around four and a half after surgery to remove a bladder stone. Many piggies are lucky to live long healthy lives, but unfortunately not all of them. All we can do is make sure they are happy and loved for however long they've got ❤️
 
Thankyou all for such lovely posts, it’s helping me already. Just knowing we have all been through this of some sort at some stage helps. When you’re stuck in a predicament I find that’s the hardest.

It’s so easy to think what if I did it that way or done this differently would she be well. I just can’t get over the fact she’s only 4 it’s killing me. Sorry to sound like a broken record, but I am truly struggling. I appreciate and respect all your time
 
piggieminder said:
I am so sorry, it's absolutely nothing you have done wrong. Unfortunately piggies like people suffer from devastating illnesses at any age. I do know how you feel though. I lost a beautiful boy a year ago, he was only 3. I am linking some threads for you. I hope you won't need them and the vet has jumped the gun before the test results come back but I hope they will help you feel more able to cope should you need them.

A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs


Human Bereavement - Grieving, coping tips and support links for guinea pig owners and their children


Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
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Thankyou so much
 
So sorry for your sad news.
I’m in a similar situation with my boar, Micah, who has a mass in his abdominal region.
You do start grieving as soon as a terminal diagnosis is received, accept that you are grieving and be gentle with yourself.

It is certainly not your fault. This is, sadly, part of life and loving.
Make lots of good memories, take lots of photos and give Fudge lots of happy todays.

The initial shock does pass.
None of us can know when the right time to let go is - you will know in your heart.

Regarding surgery - weigh up the pros and cons. Make a decision and live with it for a few days, then see how it feels. If it feels comfortable that’s probably the right decision. If you don’t feel comfortable then make another decision.
go with your heart, you know Fudge best.

Holding you in my heart ❤️
 
4 years isn't very old but a lot of piggies reach a critical age around 4. I have lost quite a few piggies at about 4.5 years, mostly due to cancer.
There is nothing you have done wrong or could have done to prevent something like lymphoma.
Sending lot's of healing vibes.
 
Merab's Slave said:
Regarding surgery - weigh up the pros and cons. Make a decision and live with it for a few days, then see how it feels. If it feels comfortable that’s probably the right decision. If you don’t feel comfortable then make another decision.
go with your heart, you know Fudge best.
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A very good idea ❤️
 
@Gadzy I'm so sorry to hear about your poor Fudge! My boar, Bolt, was only 3.5 years old when he also developed multiple rapidly growing tumors. The vet and I decided to put him to sleep last week before the tumors could start affecting his airway. The one on his neck had rapidly grown to the size of his skull and he was in some pain. I can completely relate to how you are feeling right now. Big hugs!
 
Gadzy said:
Thankyou all for such lovely posts, it’s helping me already. Just knowing we have all been through this of some sort at some stage helps. When you’re stuck in a predicament I find that’s the hardest.

It’s so easy to think what if I did it that way or done this differently would she be well. I just can’t get over the fact she’s only 4 it’s killing me. Sorry to sound like a broken record, but I am truly struggling. I appreciate and respect all your time
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Definitely not your fault at all ❤️
We just lost our gorgeous guinea Biscuit a couple of days ago at a little over four years old.
No visible signs of illness in the last couple of days or once he had passed. I think he just went in his sleep of old age.
He was purchased from a pet shop before I knew any better, so he was bred in a pet mill, and must have just not had it in him to live a long time.
So I know a little of what you’re going through 😊
Be kind to yourself, you’ve done everything you can. Beating yourself up won’t make things better. Just enjoy all the time you have with fudge
 
Hi all,

Thanks again for some lovely replies of support. I’m not sure what to do she’s eating her greens but the last couple of days gone off her hay and pellets. I’m guessing greens are the last form of food to go when she’s ill? She just won’t accept any critical care in the slightest. I don’t want to force it into her because she’s finding it abit of an ordeal. Unsure whether to ring the vet, but he’s ringing about results at the end of the week, but the way she is acting it must be cancer. It’s not good.

Do all guinea pigs from pet shops die earlier? I do know someone who had one from pets at home and she lived till 8! Or isit more luck of the draw?

Thankyou all again
 
I'm sorry she's not doing so well. Can you ring your vet and speak to him earlier, she needs to eat something other than veg for fibre. If she won't eat the CC can you get hold of another brand or mush up her pellets, she may not like the CC taste.

I think in terms of longevity it is the luck of the draw. I've had pet shop piggies over the years and they've lived from 10 months - 7 years. I have a 6 year old and a 5 year old at the moment. I would say over all though in my experience they do tend to be less healthy.

Not Eating, Weight Loss And The Importance Of Syringe Feeding Fibre


All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
 
She’s really confusing me, she seems to be picking out these straw like bits out the hay, I’ve got about 4 different hays but she’s the same with them all. I even got hay box Timothy in there which is the best quality. It’s very strange
 
Their prey drive means that they will carry on eating a little to show “predators” that they are still fine. Mine have never enjoyed CC but have tolerated Emeraid very well so that’s what I keep in when I’ve got poorly pigs. It’s always difficult finding a balance with terminal diagnoses. Just be guided by your heart and by your vet. I’ve said goodbye to so many piggies in the last few years. Some young, some old. It never gets any easier.
 
Keep offering her the hay, even if she just picks a few bits out its better than nothing! Maybe try some readigrass, I've never had a pig that doesn't go mad for it as a treat. Similar to hay, it's not something you would feed a healthy pig every day, but it may encourage her to eat.
Like the others said its worth offering either cc or mushed up nuggets in a bowl, many piggies will eat them this way and it's much less stressful for everyone involved! Perhaps add some emeraid to it. I find mixing with warm water makes it smell quite strong and may encourage her to eat some.
Mixing mashed banana in also helps for sure! Even some mashed up carrot, anything she likes really, whatever is her favourite.
Poor girl. I'm of a mind that if she's still eating, I would keep going, but that's jsut how I would do things in this situation, unless the piggy is in obvious pain and painkillers aren't helping, like my Larry.
Come on Fudge, keep fighting! 🤞❤️
 
fluffysal said:
Apologies for my earlier rant! One of our forum members @Merab's Slave mixes mashed banana with the cc, just wondered if that's worth trying. I'm pretty certain that Micah is happy to eat it from a bowl to (with assistance from his lovely wife Ruth)
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This is true.
He will also pick out the banana from any dish put into the cage.

Green oats are also a favourite as is Readigrass as @Wheekallweek suggested
 
I’m in a bit of a dilemma, I was out for the evening and got back and she has made a big mess with runny poo. I noticed it’s been more runny since she’s been on an antibiotic for the last few days. I’m going to stop it I think because even though she wasn’t eating much this poo was very very loose. I’m sure it’s been since the antibiotics. I’m going to stop them. Any advice?
 
Gadzy said:
I’m in a bit of a dilemma, I was out for the evening and got back and she has made a big mess with runny poo. I noticed it’s been more runny since she’s been on an antibiotic for the last few days. I’m going to stop it I think because even though she wasn’t eating much this poo was very very loose. I’m sure it’s been since the antibiotics. I’m going to stop them. Any advice?
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Antibiotics do commonly cause soft or runny poos. They kill all bacteria including the good ones in the gut so the digestive system doesn’t work properly.
You can give a probiotic alongside the antibiotic to reinstate the good gut bacteria and reduce/remove this symptom.

I know antibiotics can’t just be suddenly stopped as then there may be remaining bacteria left that can pass on a resistance to the antibiotic, meaning that in the future that infection is difficult to treat (or if antibiotics are used incorrectly a lot, literally impossible to treat). However I don’t know how that works if the antibiotics are just being given as a precaution, I would assume that the same still applies.
 
Piggies&buns said:
:agr:entirely.

Please never just stop giving antibiotics without consulting a vet.
Click to expand...

Okay thankyou, just been trying to read how to give probiotics on some old posts, 1ml of water to how much probiotic? She will be needed to be syringed it I think instead of out her water
 
Gadzy said:
Okay thankyou, just been trying to read how to give probiotics on some old posts, 1ml of water to how much probiotic? She will be needed to be syringed it I think instead of out her water
Click to expand...

it depends which type of probiotic you give.
A powder such as pro c - you can add a pinch of pro c to the syringe feed if you can get her to take some or to some water and then offer the syringe of the water very carefully. Adding to syringe feed is much easier. Never add it to the water bottle.

Fibreplex - is a paste which comes in a syringe tube. you just offer one click of it directly. No need to mix with anything

Poop soup is also a very good thing to give. It can be given even alongside a commercial probiotic.

Probiotics Live Gut Microbiome Transfer ('Poo Soup'); Recovery Formula Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links and Transfer Recipe
 
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