Hi everyone,
Sorry for my late response I've been trying to come to terms with the news. The X-ray showed no babies, instead 2 large tumours. We have to decide wether we do surgery which has a high chance of not going well or if we keep her home and enjoying her time left with Hunter and us. We have her on some pain relief now and we've been spending a lot of time with her. It's devastating and such a hard decision to make.
So, unfortunately this isn't the miracle conception after all. I just cant believe how wrong the Vet got it all, but this seems to be common when it comes to Vets and Guinea Pigs.
Thank you to everyone who gave me advice and support I really, really appreciate it. xx
BIG HUGS
I am so sorry for you getting the worst kind of news possible. The bald areas are most likely self-barbering because of pain.
The baby theory sounded to me rather unlikely but I would have never guessed that she could have two internal tumors instead, either.
You are justified in feeling very upset with the shock of the correct diagnosis because it marks the onset of the grieving process and is the second worst time in the whole process. You can either reflect your strong feelings into yourself as guilt (which is the more common) or you can reflect them outwards onto somebody else as anger - but I hope that you can come to appreciate that diagnosing the more unusual is often more in the way of a Whodunnit with fingerprint powder and a magnifying glass than not.
Please do not blame your vet; it sounds like they have been very careful in their investigation. It is not their fault that embryos, tumors, ovarian cysts and fat balls can look surprisingly similar in a scan; interpreting them correctly is actually much more tricky than most people imagine. In all fairness, your vet has been able to correctly rule out the most common issues and just got it wrong at the last hurdle - but they were also very willing to help you towards the correct diagnosis. I'd personally rather have a careful and caring vet like yours and appreciate that they are really pushing the boat out for my piggy's benefit even where the waters are pretty choppy than one who goes for the first likely issue and leaves it at that.
Whether you opt for a make or break operation or terminal care, you are perfectly right with focussing on creating as many happy and precious memories with your special girl. Knowing that you have got only limited time left gives you the opportunity to make the best of it; that is the one big gift that comes with a terminal diagnosis. Love can transcend time; you can stuff a lifetime's worth into just a moment, as I know from my dad's long struggle with terminal cancer.
I would recommend that you go with the option that feels right in your gut because that will make it easier for you to accept it all in the long term. There is no right or wrong in these situations.
I am wishing you precious hours with Honey! She is happy to have found such a loving and caring owner.
A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs