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Advice for Treatment/Euthanasia

GuineaPig Mom

GuineaPig Mom

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hello,

I have a 6.5 year old Sheba guinea pig. He was very active, eating well, and relatively healthy until 2 days ago, when I noticed he was just lying down in the corner. His stools were very small and pointed and he seemed to be weak on his back legs. I could also feel a somewhat squishy lump on his left side which was not there 3 weeks ago and he seems to be in a lot of pain when I touch it. I fed him critical care and kept him warm until his vet visit, but his state looked so bad so suddenly so I was considering if he would need to be euthanized.

When I brought him to the vet, they started to take me through the euthanizing process right away, so I asked her if there’s any options for treatment. She suspected a spine fracture or a slipped disc, but my piggie has never had any fall or injury. She suggested several tests to confirm his condition, including X-rays, ultrasound, bloodwork, which he would need to be put under anesthesia for. He would also need to be put on 3 pain medications, strict cage rest, nebulizer, and anti-inflammatories, etc. The total was over $2000 and the doctor seemed hesitant as to whether my piggie would survive or have a quality life even after treatment. I would do anything to get my piggie treatment if he can recover, but honestly I don’t like the idea of putting him under anesthesia for these tests or forcing so many pain medications on him. Also, I’ve just had several piggies return home after a vet visit and pass away that night or the next day. So I just came back with two pain medications for today and told the vet I would let them know whether to treat or euthanize him tomorrow.

I really don’t want to euthanize my piggie if he’s able to recover again, but how likely is it for senior guinea pigs with potential spinal injury to recover and walk again? Is it really humane for me to be euthanizing my piggie without attempting treatment first? Any advice would really be appreciated.
 
Just thinking, you could see if the pain meds get the discomfort under control enough for an ultrasound. If the lump is cancer then you would have a clearer picture of what to expect 💔 I think ultrasound can be done without anaesthetic 🙏❤️
 
Fwiw I certainly don't think it would be inhumane to euthanise your piggy at his age combined with the problems he's showing. Your vet's reactions and assumptions indicate to me they think the end is near and that treatment is not possible.

Thinking of you and your piggy. Hoping an expert will be along soon.
 
The course of treatment suggested by your vet would probably be for a spinal condition, but I wonder if the lump you found is affecting his mobility and his health generally. It is easier to deal with euthanasia if a definite issue can be identified. Is there a possibility of seeing a different vet? Some vets are not that experienced with animals other than dogs and cats, but I have no medical qualifications so cannot judge with any certainty. Of course, you could choose just to use a supportive, conservative approach, with pain killers and supplementary feeding. His age may well be catching up with him and there may be a serious underlying pathology which at his age could be difficult to treat. Keeping him comfortable might be one of the valid approaches under the circumstances. I hope things work out OK. It is very sad, he is clearly much loved 🙏❤️
 
Truffolo said:
Just thinking, you could see if the pain meds get the discomfort under control enough for an ultrasound. If the lump is cancer then you would have a clearer picture of what to expect 💔 I think ultrasound can be done without anaesthetic 🙏❤️
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Thank you for the advice, I’ll take that into consideration too and discuss with the vet.
 
Truffolo said:
Has your vet said anything about what the lump could be? It could be significant as it is painful ❤️🙏
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I asked the vet what may be causing the lump and how we should diagnose and treat it, but she didn’t specify what it may be. She thought the weakness in his back legs should be addressed first.
 
Truffolo said:
The course of treatment suggested by your vet would probably be for a spinal condition, but I wonder if the lump you found is affecting his mobility and his health generally. It is easier to deal with euthanasia if a definite issue can be identified. Is there a possibility of seeing a different vet? Some vets are not that experienced with animals other than dogs and cats, but I have no medical qualifications so cannot judge with any certainty. Of course, you could choose just to use a supportive, conservative approach, with pain killers and supplementary feeding. His age may well be catching up with him and there may be a serious underlying pathology which at his age could be difficult to treat. Keeping him comfortable might be one of the valid approaches under the circumstances. I hope things work out OK. It is very sad, he is clearly much loved 🙏❤️
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Yes, I’ve been really conflicted about whether I should follow through with the exams to see if he can be treated or to just euthanize him. But what’s stopping me is having to put him under anesthesia just for these exams when he is already so weak 😢. There aren’t very many exotic vet clinics around here, and the one I go to is the best out of the options I have, although the veterinarian who examined my piggie today was not our usual vet. I have a euthanasia scheduled with our normal vet tomorrow, but I’ve also been contemplating changing the appointment to an exam because my piggie has been eating again.
 
That's so difficult to weigh up, especially since he seems a bit better e.g. eating again. Though sometimes piggies get better briefly like for a day or two and then...

I would be worried about the anaethesia for an elderly weakened piggy too.
Let's see what @Piggies&buns and
@Wiebke
Think
 
Maybe just chat it through with your normal vet tomorrow, they may have a different opinion.

As @Truffolo has said, and ultrasound can be performed without anaesthetic and may give you some idea as to what’s going on.

Remember nothing’s set in stone - you can change your mind at any point in either way during the appointment.

My prayers are with you during this horrible time. I hope for a positive outcome for you both tomorrow x
 
Hi

BIG HUGS

I agree that you have a good, honest chat with your vet as to how things stand and what could be done at what risk for your poorly one.

Please be aware that the shock of the bad news usually sends us instinctively into denial. It also breaks over us like huge emotional tsunami wave that tosses us between very conflicting emotions. Your grieving process doesn't start with death but with the moment you realise that death is an inevitable reality in the near future. It always comes as a huge shock to the system.

I have written this guide below for the specific purpose to help people in your situation clear their head (not their heart!) a little so that that can make any decisions with a somewhat calmer mind. So that you are hopefully feeling not as conflicted or overwhelmed whether you want any further examination or whether your beloved one may already be to frail. The guide is there to hopefully help you get the best out of your talk and a second vet's opinion - after you have had a bit of time to think about where your heart stands on several aspects and after you have had time to write down the questions you really want to discuss.

If you can, please take somebody with you who can if needed repeat points with you in case your mind gets hung up, as well as providing moral support and if possible doing the driving.
Operation, Terminal Care or Euthanasia? - Helpful Questions to Ask Ahead or in Hindsight

My thoughts are with you and your beloved boy in this most difficult and heartbreaking time.
 
If he is eating again, the pain meds are probably kicking in. I would give him a bit more time as the anti inflammatory might help, along with eating more. Also, I would ask the vet to explain why she thinks it could be a spinal issue. I think it may soon be time to prepare to say goodbye, but you may have a bit more time with him. It will be necessary to play it day by day, but you may get a few days longer, perhaps even weeks, or perhaps only a day. The end can come quite quickly. You have to consider what you can bear as well as you know him best and understand him best. If you feel he is fading and you are losing him or he is in too much discomfort and misery, then your feeling for him will tell you when it is time to end his suffering. I think it is much easier when they get to the stage when all they want to do is sleep as euthanasia is a sort of extension of what is already happening and they can pass very peacefully. But the in between part is very difficult ❤️🙏
 
Update:

Since my piggie was still eating fine and seemed to be improving, I just couldn’t bring myself to euthanize him and instead had him examined by my usual vet. We ran some x-rays, thankfully without needing anesthesia, and was diagnosed with intervertebral disc disease. The tissues between his spines were degraded, causing the discs to be compacted and exert pressure on his spine. The vet suspected this was what was causing the paralysis in his hind legs. He also had some mild arthritis and an URI.

I’m currently massaging his spine around the back of his neck and administering medications for his symptoms. Thankfully, he is still eating and has regained some mobility in his back legs. He developed some bloating from the antibiotics, but I’m trying my best to massage his tummy and balance the medication with probiotics and digestive supplements. I honestly don’t think he has much more time to live with IVDD, but I’m trying my best to make him comfortable with what time he has left.

Thank you so much for all the advice and support ❤️
 
I’m sorry he’s had this diagnosis. I hope he has many more days left with you.

Make lots of memories and cherish every day. ❤️
 
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