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Worried my Boar is dying post surgery.

Sorry to say that we've decided to let Noop go. Jon inserted the tube and removed a lot of fluid but Noop immediately started to refill and vocalise discomfort. Jon said without major, complex and invasive surgery there was nothing he could do and that surgical recovery was unlikely regardless. My partner is going to him now to say goodbye and let Noop drift away, peacefully. He's nearly 5. He has been an absolute pleasure to love, nurture and raise. My favourite, and only, boy. I tried so hard and I hope he knows that.
We're in pieces. We've never had to make a decision like this before. We've lost pigs before but never had to decide like this.

BIG HUGS

I am very sorry about the traumatic way you have had to let Noop go. But you have made the right decision. Unfortunately, your owner's right to be the sole person to make that decision can become as much of a burden in such tricky circumstances. It is at once the most loving and the most heart-breaking gift we can make a pet in our care; it is never a gift that is lightly made.

The massive build up of fluid in the upper digestive tract points very much to a blockage (i.e. most likely a twisted gut) since it means that the nonstop stream of saliva is no longer passing through the gut and is backing up - by the sound of it, it has been back quite long bit up. By now the trapped gut sling must be very swollen.
A trapped gut can be fatal even for a human if they are not found quickly enough to be operable. A close widowed friend of my mum's had a very narrow escape. :(

Be as sad as you need to but please try your best not to feel bad. You have done all the right things. Try to take consolation in that the end has come comparatively quickly for Noop with just a few bad hours against years of happiness and love with you.
Guinea pigs measure their lives in happy todays and you have given those to Noop. Today was one unhappy day against 1500 good days... You have not failed him in any way as far as he is concerned. ;)

It is OK to not be OK for a little while but try to be kind with yourself as you digest the shock, the pain of the loss and the rather traumatic events today - that is quite a lot to work through at the same time.
What I would strongly suggest is that you seek support from the free Bereavement services of the Blue Cross (UK Animal Charity) whenever you feel overwhelmed, paralysed or trapped in a pernicious thought loop and unable to move on. If you cannot do that for your own sake, please do it for Noop. I am sure that he would like to know that you are OK as well.
Pet bereavement and pet loss
Human Bereavement: Grieving, Processing and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children
 
I’m so sorry. That’s absolutely heartbreaking for you. Please know that you did all you could. I’ve been in a similar situation and as others have said, it’s highly traumatic. I think there’s also something really hard about nursing a piggy through so much and then suddenly losing them after all that. You build up a special bond where you would do anything for them and it hurts so hard when you have to face the reality that there’s nothing more than can be done even with the best care and experienced vets. You did more than many owners would have managed.

You always did the kindest thing throughout his whole life, right up the end, and no doubt Noop would thank you for that from the bottom of his heart.
 
Heartbreaking as always losing our beloved guineas keeping you in our prayers and sending hugs and wheek wheeks to Noop 💙
 
Hugs. Your decision was made with love and respect.

Be gentle with yourself as you grieve. Let the grief hurt when it has to, and keep Noop close to your heart; he will always be there with you.

What a lucky little chap to have had such a caring family. Enjoy the Bridge, little one🌈
 
I’m so sorry. Noop knew he was loved. He will be popcorning pain free over the bridge. Take care ❤️
 
So very sorry that you lost Noop.
The decision to let him go was a brave one but heartbreaking for you.
Noop had the best of care from you and no-one could have done more.
Holding you in my heart ❤️
 
I’m so sorry you had to make that decision for Noop. You have clearly given him a happy life full of love and care and a kind end. Heartbreaking though it is. Thinking of you x
 
I'm so so so sorry to read this. Right now I'm on the subway crying my eyes out for you and Noop ❤️

Like Weibeke said - you didnt miss a thing and you didnt fail Noop. These things you just cant control. Noop had such a luck to have you as his human! You have been giving him great care and love. I'm sure you made him a very happy piggie during his life.
 
What an absolute beauty. Gorgeous colours and a lovely photo.
 
So very sorry that you had to help Noop across the rainbow bridge. It really is the final act of love we can give our little friends. Sending a big hug.xx
 
I'm so sorry. Please don't think it's anything you have done. I lost one of my boys this way too after getting him through bloat twice. You did everything you could to help Noop.
Sleep tight sweet Noop.
 
I am so sorry you’ve had to say goodbye to your beautiful boy. Take heart that his life was filled with happy days and he will have known just how much you loved and cared for him x

Popcorn high little Noop 🌈
 
I've just caught up with your posts. 💔😭 I'm so sorry you lost Noop. Letting go of your pet is one of the hardest things. We've done that a few times and it never stops breaking our hearts all the time. But you've given everything for him and he would know that. All we have are memories to cherish and what a gift they are. Big hugs to you. :hug:❤️

Popcorn free Noop and no more pain. 🌈❤️
 
Thank you everyone. During these times I always question why we all do it. Ultimately it always ends. But the alternative of not having him at all, never having known and loved him.... No. Going through this will always be worth it. He will always be worth it.

We've already decided to adopt again as soon as we move house and get settled. I know that probably sounds too soon but we've been here before and we're not ready to end the piggie cycle. We try to see losing a piggy as them choosing to make some room for us to make another piggy happy. There's another little boy out there who needs our cuddles and kisses. We'll need a boy to mediate for our girls! They're very sassy...

I hope this thread helps other people. I know I frantically Google everything Guinea Pig related and often sit reading through the information on here. We didn't have a happy ending for our story but I really hope this journey and the information on here is of use to somebody and their beloved piggies.
 
Thank you everyone. During these times I always question why we all do it. Ultimately it always ends. But the alternative of not having him at all, never having known and loved him.... No. Going through this will always be worth it. He will always be worth it.

We've already decided to adopt again as soon as we move house and get settled. I know that probably sounds too soon but we've been here before and we're not ready to end the piggie cycle. We try to see losing a piggy as them choosing to make some room for us to make another piggy happy. There's another little boy out there who needs our cuddles and kisses. We'll need a boy to mediate for our girls! They're very sassy...

I hope this thread helps other people. I know I frantically Google everything Guinea Pig related and often sit reading through the information on here. We didn't have a happy ending for our story but I really hope this journey and the information on here is of use to somebody and their beloved piggies.

Love is like a river; not like a well with a bottom. It is not limited and it doesn't just dry up. Occasionally a river hits some rapids, shallows or a whirlpool but the water flows on and changes as it flows. Like water we can never go back but we still carry the same water with us in the form of our memories and who we are with our piggies changing us as well; love is never a one-way process.

I like to visualise my past piggies as my little guardian angels looking out for my current crowd - they actually do so through what they have taught me during their own lifetime and which now benefits their successors. Yes, losing them hurts each time because every bond is unique and ties into a different place. Some losses can hit you harder because of a closer bond or the circumstances of a loss. But without them our lives would be a lot poorer.

What gets easier eventually are some of the mechanics of the grieving process and us becoming able to spot the same personal hang-ups sooner. Death is no longer as frightening after having sat with twenty or more piggies passing at home although the realisation of the 'here we go again' is always a blow to the gut. You learn over time just how later or sooner you want to draw your own line; usually you draw it that bit sooner because you know what comes after. You learn to hone your criteria through repetition although you always have to make your decision for each piggy on its very own merits. If something has not gone so well, then take it on board and do better in a comparable situation. A mistake is never an all-out failure, it can be turned into a future benefit as long as you don't keep repeating it.

Be kind with yourself as you grieve and give yourself time to do so. Your new piggies will take you in a different direction again. You are welcome to stay on as a part of our friendly community or rejoin again, of course.
 
I'm so sorry for everything you have been through. Noop was and is a beautiful baby boy and you did everything that anyone could ever do for him. He was lucky to have you and he loved you every day he knew you. You should be proud of everything you have done for him. You are an amazing guinea mummy. It's so rare that people would be so dedicated to a boy and you dedicated yourself to him. Entirely. You did amazingly and Noop is now in a happy place where he is absolutely still with you and still in love with you.
 
I'm so sorry to hear about Noop. You did everything you possibly could have and more than so many others could have. Without a doubt, Noop knows how loved he is. Noop loves you too, even though he may not be here any more, he loves you and wants you to know that he's so thankful for giving him the best life any guinea pig could have asked for and for loving him the way you do. You're a wonderful person and a wonderful guinea pig mama.
 
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