When to let go?

[Meshen]

Hi all, I hope this post finds you well. My partner and I are currently caring for one of our guinea pigs, who has been diagnosed with a polycystic kidney. Between last summer and Christmas he steadily dropped from 1200g to 950g, at which point he was finally diagnosed. Since then he's been receiving regular painkillers and despite remaining active and eating well his weight has sadly continued to drop a further 100g. He is also self-barbering his back leg and side to the point that his one leg is now totally bald. It's sad to watch this happen and we can see the deterioration. We knew this was inevitable, but equally we also still see him contentedly chut around the cage with his companion, wheek for food and purr loudly when he gets what he wants. This is where it gets hard because, despite his poor condition, those things make us feel like there is still life in him and that he isn't ready to leave us quite yet, but we also don't want to be guilty of holding on too long. I know there is no black and white answer for this, but any of your insight or experience with this kind of situation would be appreciated.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all, I hope this post finds you well. My partner and I are currently caring for one of our guinea pigs, who has been diagnosed with a polycystic kidney. Between last summer and Christmas he steadily dropped from 1200g to 950g, at which point he was finally diagnosed. Since then he's been receiving regular painkillers and despite remaining active and eating well his weight has sadly continued to drop a further 100g. He is also self-barbering his back leg and side to the point that his one leg is now totally bald. It's sad to watch this happen and we can see the deterioration. We knew this was inevitable, but equally we also still see him contentedly chut around the cage with his companion, wheek for food and purr loudly when he gets what he wants. This is where it gets hard because, despite his poor condition, those things make us feel like there is still life in him and that he isn't ready to leave us quite yet, but we also don't want to be guilty of holding on too long. I know there is no black and white answer for this, but any of your insight or experience with this kind of situation would be appreciated.

Hi and welcome

I know that this sounds cheesy, but you will know when the day has come that he doesn't want to eat and live.
It is always one of the most difficult times when you come closer to that line but are not quite there yet.

You may find the guide link below helpful as it addresses all the areas that you want to take into consideration when making your own decisions with a view of being able to live with them best for the long term. There is a large grey area where nothing is wrong, as long as you make any decision with your boy's wellbeing topmost in mind; but it helps a lot when you can make your own decision with clearer mind and with a gut feeling of having got it right. You still have to go through all the self-doubting afterwards, as every loving and caring owner does, but you will hopefully have more peace once you are over the worst of grieving process: A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs

Since my own Mererid is in kidney failure and may make her own journey to the Rainbow bridge any day now, I feel for you.

 

[Freela]

((HUGS)) to you. I think, as Wiebke says, you'll know when he's had enough... for me it's when they don't want to eat or engage in normal guinea pig behaviors anymore. I've had to make the decision a few times over the years with various pets, and for me it was always when they couldn't do the things that are natural to their species anymore and when they clearly took no pleasure in life as far as eating, companionship, interaction, etc.

May I ask you a couple of questions about the polycystic kidney diagnosis? One of my pigs was diagnosed with an enlarged kidney as an incidental findings in January. She has no symptoms, but polycystic kidney was one of the potential diagnoses floated at the time. I'm just curious how the diagnosis was made and what (if any) treatment the vet could offer you. We were told that we could be referred to a clinic with ultrasound tech for a diagnostic ultrasound, but it would cost about 800 dollars and there wouldn't really be much they could offer treatment-wise regardless of the diagnosis, so we have just been watching and waiting for any changes in her. Just curious what your vet's approach was to diagnosis/treatment.

 

[Bill & Ted]

I’m so sorry one of your piggies is reaching the end of his life x
My Ted was also found to have either a tumour or stone in his kidney, found accidentally by feel when he went for a regular conscious dental after having a recent UTI. We were told either diagnosis was inoperable and palliative care was the best option.
Sadly Ted became poorly again within the week, we were so shocked and shunned by the diagnosis as we were expecting a clean bill of health despite Ted’s age and dental problems.

 

[Merab]

So sorry for your situation.
My Jemimah was diagnosed with a tumour last year - inoperable- so I found myself in a similar situation.
As @Wiebke said - you will know in your heart when the time has come to help him over the Rainbow Bridge.
He may decide himself when it’s time, as Jemimah did, and slip away peacefully.
If he’s happy and pain free that is the best gift you can give him.
Make lots of happy memories in whatever time you have left with him.
Holding you in my heart