Wondering if I should take my piggie to the vet or let him pass at home

[lauren2812]

Hi just hoping anyone would have some advice for me as I’m really unsure what to do at the moment. Sorry if this is long and I ramble

One of my guinea pigs Rolo (4 years old) has suddenly taken a turn, when I put the veggies in their house last night he came up to the bowl but didn’t seem to care.

Since this morning he’s been sitting in the same spot, not moving for food/water or when I came up to the house.

Put him onto the bed for some cuddles with me and my other piggie, gave him some water from a syringe and he loved it, after the water he seemed to start moving a bit, not much (he’s still mostly lying still with his eyes half closed) but he seemed to start responding to my movements and even chase after me a little/nuzzle me with his nose. Tried him with hay but wasn’t interested, put a strawberry in front of him and he has started to eat it now after it being there for a while. Hes still extremely lethargic but after perking up a bit i still have a bit of hope

I’ve booked an emergency appointment at the vet but as the time comes closer I’m wondering if it’s worth the stress for him to go, or whether i should just let him pass in familiar surroundings with his brother with him. He’s obviously not okay and after having guinea pigs my whole life it does seem like end of his life, but can’t help wondering if something could be done

 

[Wiebke]

Hi just hoping anyone would have some advice for me as I’m really unsure what to do at the moment. Sorry if this is long and I ramble

One of my guinea pigs Rolo (4 years old) has suddenly taken a turn, when I put the veggies in their house last night he came up to the bowl but didn’t seem to care.

Since this morning he’s been sitting in the same spot, not moving for food/water or when I came up to the house.

Put him onto the bed for some cuddles with me and my other piggie, gave him some water from a syringe and he loved it, after the water he seemed to start moving a bit, not much (he’s still mostly lying still with his eyes half closed) but he seemed to start responding to my movements and even chase after me a little/nuzzle me with his nose. Tried him with hay but wasn’t interested, put a strawberry in front of him and he has started to eat it now after it being there for a while. Hes still extremely lethargic but after perking up a bit i still have a bit of hope

I’ve booked an emergency appointment at the vet but as the time comes closer I’m wondering if it’s worth the stress for him to go, or whether i should just let him pass in familiar surroundings with his brother with him. He’s obviously not okay and after having guinea pigs my whole life it does seem like end of his life, but can’t help wondering if something could be done

Hi

HUGS

I am very sorry.

Please take the time to read our emergency and our dying care guides. They contain in much more detail what you can do for a piggy that still has a chance of making it (round the clock feeding support including how to improvise) and how to spot when the line of no return has been crossed and the natural dying process is already underway.

What we cannot do is to tell you what to decide; especially not without access to your piggy and having to rely only on your own assessment - we can't tell right now whether he still could be saved or not. That decision is the owner's - and the owner's only - privilege and burden combined.

We can only give you the necessary information to help you make your own decisions on a bit better footing. If in any doubt, please contact the clinic for any further guidance re. bringing Rolo in after reading our guides so you can ask more specific questions and will get better answers - or they may wish to rather make their own assessment to ensure that his welfare is coming first - whichever way.

It is always most difficult when you are not quite there yet but you can see it coming and want desperately to get it right. Please accept that we cannot go into all the crucial little details in every single post; that is what we have written our guides for.
Here are the relevant links:
Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

 

[weepweeps]

I’m sorry Rolo is poorly. Sending you a hug. It might be worth keeping the vets appointment as it may be something treatable and if it’s not they could help him pass peacefully. There’s no right or wrong in these circumstances. Take care

 

[Merab]

Hugs
It’s a difficult time for you.
Holding you in my heart

 

[Sweet Potato]

I would keep the appointment if I were you even if it is his time it may be that pain killers or euthanasia can make it a less painful experience for him.