Tia

[Tiamolly123]

Tia’s weight has going crazy just lately. Since the 19/6 she weighed 904g, up until now when she weighs 712g
i just can’t understand it. She is eating the same amount but has lost so much weight.
She is eating & drinking the same as before.
I‘m shocked at the weight loss.I shall start her on critical care tomorrow, she hates the stuff. I’ll put in poo soup as well. I won’t force feed her. Please don’t take this as a criticism to anyone else, we all hold different views.
I’ve thought it over & I’ve decided If old age is coming to take her, we’ve been good friends for over 8 yrs & I want the end to be peaceful for her.

 

[Wiebke]

Tia’s weight has going crazy just lately. Since the 19/6 she weighed 904g, up until now when she weighs 712g
i just can’t understand it. She is eating the same amount but has lost so much weight.
She is eating & drinking the same as before.
I‘m shocked at the weight loss.I shall start her on critical care tomorrow, she hates the stuff. I’ll put in poo soup as well. I won’t force feed her. Please don’t take this as a criticism to anyone else, we all hold different views.
I’ve thought it over & I’ve decided If old age is coming to take her, we’ve been good friends for over 8 yrs & I want the end to be peaceful for her.

HUGS

It is not at all uncommon for old piggies to eat like harvesting machines in order to make up for their body starting to fail processing the nutrients fully as the body is starting to fail or for a pain issue to come up, like galloping arthritis. It always depends on whether the organs or the immune system goes first in the oldies. But in the real oldies, when the end comes, it usually comes quickly as they no longer have the resilience to fight back.

With my own oldies, I always make sure that I try a higher dosage of metacam (in accordance to their weight) and see whether that makes a difference in order to make sure that they have as much comfort as possible in their last days; most oldies have their little or larger aches and pains.

Try mushed pellets instead if that goes in better or up the pellet amount you are feeding for calories for the short term and the long term no longer matters.
My own oldies in a comparable situation when the body is going downhill quick are just on comfort care but I do not syringe feed beyond what they are willing to take from a bowl, spoon or syringe.

You may find the chapter about terminal care helpful, which deals about the issues around where to draw the line. There is no right or wrong. Whether you want to keep any suffering at the sharp end as short for your piggy as possible or whether you want to hang onto them as is fair for them have both their right, as long as you allow them to leave when their time has come. As a long term owner you are usually more willing to not prolong the process.
A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs

 

[piggieminder]

Sending you and Tia my very best wishes. Tia has made a grand old age which is testament of your brilliant care.