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Alice is very ill

Madge Woollard

Madge Woollard

Junior Guinea Pig
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Our 6yo Alice is in the last stages of life. It’s the first time we’ve cared for a dying pig. Since Thursday her breathing has become laboured and she is doing red wees and barely moving. The vet says she probably has cancer and no more can be done for her. She is barely drinking, but she is taking little bits of food, today she had a dandelion leaf and 3 small pieces of pepper. Should we be encouraging her to eat, or is this just prolonging her suffering? When is the right time to let her go?
 
Madge Woollard said:
Our 6yo Alice is in the last stages of life. It’s the first time we’ve cared for a dying pig. Since Thursday her breathing has become laboured and she is doing red wees and barely moving. The vet says she probably has cancer and no more can be done for her. She is barely drinking, but she is taking little bits of food, today she had a dandelion leaf and 3 small pieces of pepper. Should we be encouraging her to eat, or is this just prolonging her suffering? When is the right time to let her go?
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Hi!

HUGS

I am very sorry; it is such a hard time! You are now in the 'grey phase' where you have to weigh up several valid factors against each other and see where you come down - this is a decision that you have to make for yourself and for the individual piggy. It is not a one size fits all kind of scenario. But as long as you make any decision with Alice's welfare foremost in mind (and you sound like a very loving owner to me), you can't go wrong.

Anyway, I have recently written the guide below specifically for people in your situation to help you work out where you stand so you make your own decisions with a clearer mind and conscience. It won't the loss itself any less painful but it can make a difference with the inevitable soul searching and feelings of guilt that are characteristic for the onset of the grieving process. And of course, you want to get it as right as you can for Alice!

I sincerely hope that it is going to answer your most pressing questions in much more detail than I can in a single post; the practical ones as well as the ethical and emotional ones.
Here is the link: A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs
 
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