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I'm filled with anxiety and need propping up

Hi lovely people - I'm getting pretty despondent and very anxious with Squirrel's situation. I have just called the vets and the results from the swab are not back yet. I asked her to chase them up for me, although I would say that whatever drugs they give him will not result in a cure - I have been reading some posts from @furryfriends (TEAS) who seem to think an operation will be the only way forward. I am trying so hard to keep Squirrel eating but even he is loosing the will a little bit. We are hovering between 840-850. I've got everything on the go - softened pellets, dry oats, oat wet down and mixed with shavings of broccoli (used to be his favorite), grated carrot, apple and other veg, grass that I've cut for him, Timothy, meadow, Cotswald Sweet, oat and alfalfa hay all chopped up into tiny pieces, softened nom nom's also a fave of his but it's really hard trying to tempt him - I have also been doing a little critical care but obviously with his teeth I am trying to encourage him to eat himself rather than on the CC. Every feed is taking an hour/hour and half mainly sitting on my knee, although he will eat independently to a point. The abscess grew over the weekend, but it seems to have shrunk a bit which I can only assume means it is leaking in his mouth which might be why he is off his food a bit today. Why does everything take so long to sort out - I just want him to get better. I am living on constant edge. I copied the text from @weepweeps to the vet and she sent back a reply saying we really need to wait for the swab results. We started the antibiotics on the 9th of July surely we would be seeing something by now if they were going to make any difference. Sorry for bleating on - I just feel so helpless and in a bit of despair. I know there are a lot of you with poorly piggies and my heart goes out to you all. It's just so awful.
 
Sending you a big *HUG*
I have no advice, but just wanted to add my best wishes that Squirrel will get better.
Make sure to take care of yourself too, I know how easy it is to be so focused on getting them well, we forget about ourselves.
 
SpiritoftheForest said:
Sending you a big *HUG*
I have no advice, but just wanted to add my best wishes that Squirrel will get better.
Make sure to take care of yourself too, I know how easy it is to be so focused on getting them well, we forget about ourselves.
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oh bless you thank you - I will do whatever it takes to try and save him - it's the not knowing where we are heading that is driving me insane. Thank you for the hug - it means a lot.
 
KK327 said:
Hi lovely people - I'm getting pretty despondent and very anxious with Squirrel's situation. I have just called the vets and the results from the swab are not back yet. I asked her to chase them up for me, although I would say that whatever drugs they give him will not result in a cure - I have been reading some posts from @furryfriends (TEAS) who seem to think an operation will be the only way forward. I am trying so hard to keep Squirrel eating but even he is loosing the will a little bit. We are hovering between 840-850. I've got everything on the go - softened pellets, dry oats, oat wet down and mixed with shavings of broccoli (used to be his favorite), grated carrot, apple and other veg, grass that I've cut for him, Timothy, meadow, Cotswald Sweet, oat and alfalfa hay all chopped up into tiny pieces, softened nom nom's also a fave of his but it's really hard trying to tempt him - I have also been doing a little critical care but obviously with his teeth I am trying to encourage him to eat himself rather than on the CC. Every feed is taking an hour/hour and half mainly sitting on my knee, although he will eat independently to a point. The abscess grew over the weekend, but it seems to have shrunk a bit which I can only assume means it is leaking in his mouth which might be why he is off his food a bit today. Why does everything take so long to sort out - I just want him to get better. I am living on constant edge. I copied the text from @weepweeps to the vet and she sent back a reply saying we really need to wait for the swab results. We started the antibiotics on the 9th of July surely we would be seeing something by now if they were going to make any difference. Sorry for bleating on - I just feel so helpless and in a bit of despair. I know there are a lot of you with poorly piggies and my heart goes out to you all. It's just so awful.
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I’m so sorry. I really feel for you. It’s so stressful waiting. When I drove 2 hours from Swindon to the vets in Northampton they didn’t do a swab at all. Other vets in Swindon wanted to do a scan as well. Again the vets up in Northampton didn’t do a scan either. I hope you get some answers soon.

If you can get to The Cat and Rabbit Vets you won’t regret it. Good luck.

Just keep feeding and giving pain meds. ❤️
 
weepweeps said:
I’m so sorry. I really feel for you. It’s so stressful waiting. When I drove 2 hours from Swindon to the vets in Northampton they didn’t do a swab at all. Other vets in Swindon wanted to do a scan as well. Again the vets up in Northampton didn’t do a scan either. I hope you get some answers soon.

If you can get to The Cat and Rabbit Vets you won’t regret it. Good luck.

Just keep feeding and giving pain meds. ❤️
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Thank you I’m frightening myself witless that it’s cancer - it’s hard to keep my anxiety levels under control. He’s been out for a little while on the grass tonight with Stan and is currently having a nibble at the bowl of wet porridge, grated carrot and apple and the very top of the broccoli . He seems to be hungry so that’s a good sign and he’s quite bright so I keep praying / the lump however is just hard and horrible !
 
It’s not great news - his swabs are back - it’s commonly known as guinea pig strangles. He’s starting two more antibiotics and poo soup tomorrow and she’s seeing him Thursday. We may see change in two weeks or so but the outcome is not very positive. I’m also scared about Stan - I don’t know whether to separate them or what to do I forgot to ask.

Strangles in guinea pigs, also known as caseous lymphadenitis, is a bacterial infection characterized by abscesses in the lymph nodes, most commonly in the cervical (neck) region. It's primarily caused by Streptococcus zooepidemicus, though other Streptococcus species or Streptobacillus moniliformis can also be responsible. The infection can spread through various routes, including oral, skin contact, and aerosol droplets
 
I really hope the two antibiotics together work. We are here to offer support as we know how stressful it is caring for a poorly piggy. I’d keep them together. It will cause more stress if you separate them.
 
I'm sorry to advise the decision was made to help Squirrel over the rainbow bridge this morning. To say I am heartbroken would be an understatement statement and as I write this I can barely see through my tears. He was so brave and such a beautiful soul but I would not let him suffer.

I have Squirrel in with Stan but Stan seems frightened and I don’t know whether to give him some more time or lay Squirrel to rest in the pet cemetery in the garden. Any advice would be welcomed.

Rest easy my darling Squirrel - may you find peace and happiness in piggy heaven and know we loved you with all of our hearts xx
 
Oh no, I'm so sorry 😞
You truly tried everything you could, and Squirrel knew how much he was loved.

Give Stan a big cuddle and lots of love. If he has approached Squirrel, he'll know so I would say go ahead and remove Squirrel now.

Guinea pigs grieve differently. Larry seemed scared when I showed him his buddy Eric - but Libby just sat by her husband Lando eating!

RIP Squirrel, over the Rainbow Bridge 🌈❤️
 
Oh I’m so sorry you have had to help Squirrel over the rainbow bridge. Popcorn high little one. ❤️
 
I'm sorry. Hugs

Rest easy Squirrel over Rainbow Bridge 🌈 You'll be able to enjoy all the nom-noms over there 🥦
 
Thanks @Wheekallweek @weepweeps and @Mrs Tiggy Winkle

I’ve worn myself out crying for my dear little Squirrel. Stan is clearly grieving but he’s eating and had lots of cuddles and we had some grass time together - him eating me just talking about Squirrel. Squirrel is buried with our three hamsters Willow, Bumble and Mable. I’ve had wonderful support from Lily at Mandy’s guinea pig rescue.

Thanks again x
 
It’s such a sad time. It’s helps to have others around that have been through similar situations. Sending hugs. ❤️
 
@Wiebke i just wanted to thank you for your really wonderful guides on bereavement and bonding - it’s overwhelming at the moment but I’m reading and re reading. You write so well and it’s such a comfort. I hope you are keeping well and treatment going ok xx
 
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