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When to say goodbye?

DizzyD95

DizzyD95

Junior Guinea Pig
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Bristol, United Kingdom
I have a 4.5 year old piggie called Pops. She has a URI which we are treating with antibiotics. She is also on Gabapentin and Metacam. She had a full ultrasound at the vets which showed the infection as well as some inflammation of the kidneys (blood work was good).

She is now wetting herself constantly, which is likely renal failure which I know isn't curable.

Last night she had a mini seizure and this morning has been struggling to pass wee - and when she does it's very thick and full of calcium.

We have a vet appointment this morning. She is eating and seems mostly like herself. My question, and I know that the vet can help advise, is when do you know it's their time. She obviously has a lot of issues which we are trying to manage with medication but I don't want her to be in pain. Equally, I'm struggling to know if it's time to let her go when she's eating etc. I have never had to have an animal pts, my other pigs have crossed the bridge themselves so I'm finding this very hard. Any words of advice would be appreciated. Thank you.
 
So sorry you find yourself in this situation and I hope the vet may be able to offer some hope. However there will be a point at which every precious piggy comes to the end of their life and it's good to be prepared. There are some very helpful guides on the forum (sorry I can't link from my phone) which I read last month when I prepared for our Hazelnut being helped over the bridge.

It would be a good idea to check with the vets about what to do if you needed to have your piggy PTS in an emergency such as out of hours.

I was worried about not knowing when Hazelnut's time was come but when it actually happened it was really clear. In her case there was a big change between being weak and poorly one day and the next day having very obviously just given up on life. I helped myself through any lingering doubts by remembering that it's better one day (or hour) too soon rather than one day too late in order to prevent unnecessary suffering.

Sending lots of sympathy.
 
So sorry to hear about Pops. Like you I faced this dilemma recently with my piggie who had lymphoma - he was eating and slowly pootling about in the morning then by the afternoon he just seemed listless. Like @Sparklepetal, it did become clear that he was nearing the end and PTS was the kindest thing for him. You know your piggie best. Thinking of you x
 
DizzyD95 said:
I have a 4.5 year old piggie called Pops. She has a URI which we are treating with antibiotics. She is also on Gabapentin and Metacam. She had a full ultrasound at the vets which showed the infection as well as some inflammation of the kidneys (blood work was good).

She is now wetting herself constantly, which is likely renal failure which I know isn't curable.

Last night she had a mini seizure and this morning has been struggling to pass wee - and when she does it's very thick and full of calcium.

We have a vet appointment this morning. She is eating and seems mostly like herself. My question, and I know that the vet can help advise, is when do you know it's their time. She obviously has a lot of issues which we are trying to manage with medication but I don't want her to be in pain. Equally, I'm struggling to know if it's time to let her go when she's eating etc. I have never had to have an animal pts, my other pigs have crossed the bridge themselves so I'm finding this very hard. Any words of advice would be appreciated. Thank you.
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Hi

HUGS

I am very sorry.

It is always very difficult because you have to answer this question anew for every piggy in their own situation and with their own personality and also on the background of your own experiences/lack of experience of loss - the latter can influence you as well; especially after a more traumatic goodbye.

It is not a black or white situation with a straight answer but there is a grey zone where there is no right or wrong; it all depends on which of the factors in play are more important for you. It for you is a weighing up between quality of life and will to live. Both are equally valid aspects. It is a matter of Do I want to give her as much time as possible? or Do I prefer to draw the line not long before the pain becomes too great and/or her body starts closing down in what is more likely a matter of days than weeks (ask your vet for their assessment as I cannot make it)?

There is an agument for either stance and I have gone either way with different terminally ill piggies where the full responsibility is resting on you and the decision is not taken out of your hand. It is admittedly the most difficult decision you will have to make as a loving owner - and only you can make it. I am certainly always somewhat relieved (but not any less heart-sore) if a piggy passes away naturally or if it is a clear cut case of emergency pts/euthanasia to stop any unnecessary drawn out suffering in a dying piggy in clear discomfort. It is somewhat easier for a long term owner to call the shots a bit earlier because of previous experiences where in hindsight you might have preferred not to wait as long, but that is part of the individual learning process and part of you feeling your very own way through this thorny thicket. As long as your decision is made with your piggy's interests coming before your own fears or pain of loss, then you are not failing Pops, whichever way your heart tells you to go.
You will definitely know the day when Pops herself has had enough; don't worry about that because Pops will tell you!

Listen to your gut because it will tell you clearest how you feel about it because that will allow you best to make peace again between your mind and your heart in the longer term once you have gone through all the inevitable soul searching/guilt that characterises the onset of the grieving process and that is usually stronger when it was you who had to call the shots and once you are over the pain of the loss.

I am discussing this dilemma that we all experience when coming close to the end but are not necessarily quite there yet in the chapter on terminally guinea pigs in this guide here: A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs
 
I am very sorry 😞 It’s always a difficult choice to make but it’s one we make out of love.

Whenever I’ve had to have a piggy of my own pts, I’ve always looked deep in to their eyes and most piggies tell you when they’ve had enough 😞 I always go with the saying that it’s better to say goodbye a day too early than a day too late to spare any suffering.

Have an honest discussion with your vet. That’s what I’ve always done and they’ve always been honest of what they would do if it had been one of their pets.

Go with your gut instinct. If you think your piggy has had enough and is suffering, then it’s time. If they still have a quality of life, then it isn’t x
 
So sorry that you find yourself in this situation.
It’s a very hard decision to make but one we make out of love.
Go with your heart on this as I hold you in mine. ♥️
 
Hi all,

I just wanted to say thank you for all your kind words - I have found such comfort in them. Tonight we made the difficult decision to help Pops over the rainbow bridge. We knew it was her time - she was losing weight and in a lot of pain despite her medication. The vet was honest and so compassionate. We had a wonderful cuddle and I have lots of wonderful memories to look back on - she had a brilliant life. We are devastated and she will be very missed 🌈 Giving her cage mate an extra cuddle tonight and will be monitoring her going forward to make sure she is coping.
 
DizzyD95 said:
Hi all,

I just wanted to say thank you for all your kind words - I have found such comfort in them. Tonight we made the difficult decision to help Pops over the rainbow bridge. We knew it was her time - she was losing weight and in a lot of pain despite her medication. The vet was honest and so compassionate. We had a wonderful cuddle and I have lots of wonderful memories to look back on - she had a brilliant life. We are devastated and she will be very missed 🌈 Giving her cage mate an extra cuddle tonight and will be monitoring her going forward to make sure she is coping.
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HUGS

I am very sorry. Try to take comfort that you have done absolutely the right thing for Pops and have not failed her in any way.

Be kind to yourself in the coming days since the pain of your loss is not any less after she has been part of your life for so long and you have shared a loving bond. Unfortunately, you cannot cut short the grieving process, which is the other side of the coin called 'love' but without the vloe we give and receive our lives would be much poorer.

Because Pops has been part of what has made you the person you are during that, she will always remain an integral part of you and you'll never lose her completely as long as she lives in your memories. ;)

Human Bereavement: Grieving, Processing and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig

PS: You have Little Wheekers Rescue in your area if you are looking for long term or end of life company. But as long as Pop's friend is eating and drinking you have a few weeks to think things through.
www.facebook.com/littlewheekers

PS2: I had to have my Miaren ('Bramble' in Welsh) pts last June at the same age when her kidneys went horribly wrong - it not an area in guinea pigs where you can do a lot, sadly. Miaren was the longest lived of a litter of 3 where there obviously were some genetic issues in play. I hope that this will help to comfort you a bit more. :(
 
Wiebke said:
HUGS
I am very sorry. Try to take comfort that you have done absolutely the right thing for Pops and have not failed her in any way.
Be kind to yourself in coming days since the pain of your loss is not any less after she has been part of your life for so long and you have shared a loving bond. Unfortunately, you cannot cut short the grieving process, which is the other side of the coin called 'love'.
But because Pops has been part of what has made you the person you are during that, she will always remain an integral part of you.

Human Bereavement: Grieving, Processing and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children
Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig

PS: You have Little Wheekers Rescue close by if you are looking for long term or end of life company. But as long as Pop's friend is eating and drinking you have a few weeks to think things through.
www.facebook.com/littlewheekers
PS2: I had to have my Miaren ('Bramble' in Welsh) pts last June at the same age when her kidneys went horribly wrong - it not an area in guinea pigs where you can do a lot, sadly. Miaren was the longest lived of a litter of 3 where there obviously were some genetic issues in play. I hope that this will help to comfort you a bit more. :(
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Thank you Wiebke - that is a comfort. Both Pops and her sister Minstrel have had lots of health issues so I do think genetics has played a part here. I do know of Little Wheekers and follow them on Facebook! If Minstrel doesn't cope well I will get in touch with them - she is currently enjoying some pepper which is a good sign (and being smothered in extra love)! Thank you so much again.
 
DizzyD95 said:
Thank you Wiebke - that is a comfort. Both Pops and her sister Minstrel have had lots of health issues so I do think genetics has played a part here. I do know of Little Wheekers and follow them on Facebook! If Minstrel doesn't cope well I will get in touch with them - she is currently enjoying some pepper which is a good sign (and being smothered in extra love)! Thank you so much again.
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If Minstrel is tucking in, then I please do not worry and look after yourself while you are in the thick of your own pain. Minstrel will keep until you will feel ready to put out your feelers.
 
So sorry you had to make that decision. It sounds like you did the kindest thing for Pops. I hope as you grieve you’ll also be able to draw on those happy memories that Pops gave you. Hugs to you and Minstrel 💕

FYI, Little Wheekers were wonderful helping me and Bertie after losing his lifelong mate Jellybaby recently.
 
I am so sorry. Making that decision is so heart wrenching. I hope very soon you will be flooded with happy memories. Sending you big hugs. ❤️
 
DizzyD95 said:
Hi all,

I just wanted to say thank you for all your kind words - I have found such comfort in them. Tonight we made the difficult decision to help Pops over the rainbow bridge. We knew it was her time - she was losing weight and in a lot of pain despite her medication. The vet was honest and so compassionate. We had a wonderful cuddle and I have lots of wonderful memories to look back on - she had a brilliant life. We are devastated and she will be very missed 🌈 Giving her cage mate an extra cuddle tonight and will be monitoring her going forward to make sure she is coping.
Click to expand...

Oh I am so sorry to hear your beloved Pops has moved onto the next world. Making the decision must have been hard but you did what was best for her. Sleep tight little Pops ♥️
 
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