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Am I trying for selfish reasons?

dannif_piggies

dannif_piggies

Adult Guinea Pig
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Firstly I'm sorry if this is in the wrong section..

A bit of background story, Honey has ovarian cysts an successfully came through the spay, however since being given medication her gut has been completely thrown off and apart from one episode of decent poops (not perfect) she has had continual soft poops since September 14th... Ive tried various things, the current regime is no veggies except one slice of cucumber allowing me to get pro-c into her in a less stressful way (she hates the syringe)
so I'm currently sitting giving Honey a cuddle on my floor. Ive just cleaned out Honey and Willows cage and cleaned off their feet made them all fresh, and I'm doubting what I'm doing... am I trying so hard for Honey for selfish reasons? She seems fine in her OAP self, but we all know with pigs that's no way to judge. Today her poops have become somewhat softer and there was also some type of mucus next to it on the cage liner, I'm gonna get her to see the vet tomorrow but I'm just worried she's in pain and suffering without me knowing. Her belly makes all sorts of grumbling noises too. I just really don't know what to do. Most people are probably going to say just do what you think is best and I really don't know, maybe it is time to say goodbye? 😥
 
If she suffering then it's easy choice.
My pig is 50% down in weight full of cancer and partly disabled. I bath her back end remove poops daily and give her cc.. Why because I love her and my reward is seeing her with the herd.
I will do this forever but nature will call time on this.
If she's ill I deal with it
if she's ok I deal with it
If she's struggling I will deal with it.
See what your vet says.
Pts is for piggie not to make life easy.
I don't to mean to be harsh but keep strong and my best wishes to you and your piggie. xx
If it time to say goodbye then my love and thoughts to you and piggie.
 
Last edited:
David Pet Lover said:
If she suffering then it's easy choice.
My pig is 50% down in weight full of cancer and partly disabled. I bath her back end remove poops daily and give her cc.. Why because I love her and my reward is seeing her with her herd.
I will do this forever but nature will call time on this.
If she's ill I deal with it
if she's ok I deal with it
If she's struggling I will deal with it.
See what your vet says.
Pts is for piggie not to make life easy.
I don't to mean to be harsh but keep strong and my best wishes to you and your piggie. xx
Click to expand...
Ive been doing the best I can possibly do for her since she was a baby. This isn't about me. If it's the best thing for her then I will continuously wipe her feet, clean her cage, and everything else that comes along with caring for her. I don't care what I have to do, my issue is, is it the right thing for her or is she suffering without me knowing it. (She doesn't squeak and so I can't even see or know if there's discomfort)
 
Have you tried changing foods, giving a different pre/probiotic, her insides are probably all out of sorts from the spay&things she used to have may not agree with her any more?

Have her poops tested for worms /parasites /bacteria?
Are all your other guineas OK or soft poops too?

Just a few suggestions to mention to the vet.
She will tell you when she's had enough. You'll know. She must be generally fit & healthy if she's just sailed through a spay :)
Healing vibes :) Xx
 
dannif_piggies said:
Ive been doing the best I can possibly do for her since she was a baby. This isn't about me. If it's the best thing for her then I will continuously wipe her feet, clean her cage, and everything else that comes along with caring for her. I don't care what I have to do, my issue is, is it the right thing for her or is she suffering without me knowing it. (She doesn't squeak and so I can't even see or know if there's discomfort)
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Have you tried poop soup? Many people on here recommend it for soft stools.
 
dannif_piggies said:
Ive been doing the best I can possibly do for her since she was a baby. This isn't about me. If it's the best thing for her then I will continuously wipe her feet, clean her cage, and everything else that comes along with caring for her. I don't care what I have to do, my issue is, is it the right thing for her or is she suffering without me knowing it. (She doesn't squeak and so I can't even see or know if there's discomfort)
Click to expand...
I didn't say it was about you . . You said piggie was fine in herself.
I can tell you care about your piggie and your message reminded me of what I do for Cocoa and we all caring people on here.
Wish I could help more. I was giving you what I would do as I am with my piggie.
If she's in pain then be strong and do the ultimate love thing. x.
As for sloppy poo's it's messy I use cotton buds to clean personal bits
 
dannif_piggies said:
Firstly I'm sorry if this is in the wrong section..

A bit of background story, Honey has ovarian cysts an successfully came through the spay, however since being given medication her gut has been completely thrown off and apart from one episode of decent poops (not perfect) she has had continual soft poops since September 14th... Ive tried various things, the current regime is no veggies except one slice of cucumber allowing me to get pro-c into her in a less stressful way (she hates the syringe)
so I'm currently sitting giving Honey a cuddle on my floor. Ive just cleaned out Honey and Willows cage and cleaned off their feet made them all fresh, and I'm doubting what I'm doing... am I trying so hard for Honey for selfish reasons? She seems fine in her OAP self, but we all know with pigs that's no way to judge. Today her poops have become somewhat softer and there was also some type of mucus next to it on the cage liner, I'm gonna get her to see the vet tomorrow but I'm just worried she's in pain and suffering without me knowing. Her belly makes all sorts of grumbling noises too. I just really don't know what to do. Most people are probably going to say just do what you think is best and I really don't know, maybe it is time to say goodbye? 😥
Click to expand...

As long as Honey is eating at least partly by herself, is active and interested in her surroundings and able to lead a normal piggy life with her companion, then she still has both quality and the will to live. ;)

I would recommend to discuss with your vet @furryfriends (TEAS) suggestion.

My Pili Pala has spent the last year of her life with top up support in the wake of her big GI stasis and subsequent diagnosis with IBS and suspected hyperthyroid when slowing down the inevitable gradual weight loss was hard work; thankfully she loved her twice daily bowl of mixed recovery formula and mushed pellets and only needed syringing whenever she was poorly.
 
GPTV said:
Have you tried changing foods, giving a different pre/probiotic, her insides are probably all out of sorts from the spay&things she used to have may not agree with her any more?

Have her poops tested for worms /parasites /bacteria?
Are all your other guineas OK or soft poops too?

Just a few suggestions to mention to the vet.
She will tell you when she's had enough. You'll know. She must be generally fit & healthy if she's just sailed through a spay :)
Healing vibes :) Xx
Click to expand...
I changed her to grain free science selective (I think this is the name) pellets and after this was when she had the few days of normal poops. She has had no poop testing done as when Ive previously gone to the vet for post op checks they was not really concerned due to the large op she had and due to her age (she's 6) it was expected to have a longer recovery. Willow is the only piggy with her but she is absolutely fine and completely healthy (apart from the fact she's probably annoyed about keep standing in Honeys poop 😂) thank you for your comment
 
David Pet Lover said:
I didn't say it was about you . . You said piggie was fine in herself.
I can tell you care about your piggie and your message reminded me of what I do for Cocoa and we all caring people on here.
Wish I could help more. I was giving you what I would do as I am with my piggie.
If she's in pain then be strong and do the ultimate love thing. x.
As for sloppy poo's it's messy I use cotton buds to clean personal bits
Click to expand...
I'm sorry I didn't mean to come across blunt, I honestly didn't mean to, think the emotions took over. Thank you for your support. Ive been using "like water" wipes which help me quickly get off the poop and with least stress as possible
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
I have had piggies come here to TEAS with very soft poos and bowel issues. Our vet has treated them very successfully with the antibiotic Metronidazole, plus Fibreplex.
Click to expand...
She was on fibre plex probably around month ago now, but again this didn't seem to have an effect on her 😥 I'll see what the vet says tomorrow, earliest we could get was 4.45 though 😔
 
Wiebke said:
As long as Honey is eating, active and interested in her surroundings, then she still has both quality and the will to live. ;)

I would recommend to discuss with your vet @furryfriends (TEAS) suggestion.
Click to expand...
The new delivery of hay just arrived and she was certainly interested in that, looking up to see what the hay gods were going to put in the hay rack 🤣 I just hope I'm doing the right thing 🙏
 
Thank you everyone for the support, I guess all I can do is continue to aid Honey with what she needs and she'll let me know when the time has come 💖
 
dannif_piggies said:
I'm sorry I didn't mean to come across blunt, I honestly didn't mean to, think the emotions took over. Thank you for your support. Ive been using "like water" wipes which help me quickly get off the poop and with least stress as possible
Click to expand...
it's fine take worse than that to upset me.
Your emotions told me you care and that's enough for me. less than 2 hours ago you was a little lost and put a post on for help.
Reap the rewards and i hope we are helping. I've asked many times for help and generally got it. keep in touch ok.
Here to help
Honey you be a brave and strong piggie for your slave ok xx
 
David Pet Lover said:
it's fine take worse than that to upset me.
Your emotions told me you care and that's enough for me. less than 2 hours ago you was a little lost and put a post on for help.
Reap the rewards and i hope we are helping. I've asked many times for help and generally got it. keep in touch ok.
Here to help
Honey you be a brave and strong piggie for your slave ok xx
Click to expand...
Thank you once again 😌
 
Sending hugs to you and your piggy.
I lost my Georgie pig after 6 months of caring for him with top up feed and meds.
I too doubted myself at times but take each day as it comes. I based it on if George was interested in hay, treats, what was going on and generally doing piggy things then keep going.
I hope your little one feels better soon.x
 
Bracken had a stone operation in early September, he also had parasites and worms. He has recovered well from the operation except he still squeaks when he poops, he had treatment for the parasites etc and is clear. He has had scans, fecal tests, blood tests etc. etc. everything comes back normal. We are managing the pain and keeping an eye on him and like you I sometimes wonder if I am doing the right thing. Then I see him first at the bars when a bag rattles, diving in the hay box after fresh hay, chasing his cage mate and putting him in his place, just doing all things piggie and I know right now PTS is not an option. You and I and everyone in this situation will know when our piggies have had enough, they will let us know. You are doing a wonderful thing keeping her comfortable, don't give up hope yet, it's early days for an elderly piggy. I hope she is better soon.
 
rhymer said:
Sending hugs to you and your piggy.
I lost my Georgie pig after 6 months of caring for him with top up feed and meds.
I too doubted myself at times but take each day as it comes. I based it on if George was interested in hay, treats, what was going on and generally doing piggy things then keep going.
I hope your little one feels better soon.x
Click to expand...
I just never wanna be doing this care for the interest of myself and I always hope that it's making Honey just more comfortable and it's something that she wants me to do. Now Ive calmed down, I think she'll let me know when she's ready to go 💖
 
I think to a certain degree, especially when they're getting along in years, that they will tell you when they have had enough. I must admit i've been feeling the same about Leonard, even on his higher dose of metacam for his osteodystrophy he is still has pretty bad days, struggling to crouch to go to the toilet..but in all other respects he is doing great. Eating, popcorning, running around. Animals are pretty good at just getting on with it, I think it bothers me more than it bothers him to be honest, I can't say if he's actually painful and being brave, or just mildly uncomfortable and just being a bit of a wimp, bless him (he takes after me if thats the case! XD ) but I do think, as much as they will hide it, as their person..you'll know.
 
piggieminder said:
Bracken had a stone operation in early September, he also had parasites and worms. He has recovered well from the operation except he still squeaks when he poops, he had treatment for the parasites etc and is clear. He has had scans, fecal tests, blood tests etc. etc. everything comes back normal. We are managing the pain and keeping an eye on him and like you I sometimes wonder if I am doing the right thing. Then I see him first at the bars when a bag rattles, diving in the hay box after fresh hay, chasing his cage mate and putting him in his place, just doing all things piggie and I know right now PTS is not an option. You and I and everyone in this situation will know when our piggies have had enough, they will let us know. You are doing a wonderful thing keeping her comfortable, don't give up hope yet, it's early days for an elderly piggy. I hope she is better soon.
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Thank you for these reassuring and kind words, she's just had her slice of cucumber with pro c and comfortably having lap time whilst Willow finishes her veggies 😌
 
You are caring so well for Honey. Can't really add to what everyone else has put really just wanted to add my support and send healing vibes. You will know when the time is right to help her toddle off to the Rainbow Bridge. She will tell you. The light will go from her eyes.
 
Betsy said:
You are caring so well for Honey. Can't really add to what everyone else has put really just wanted to add my support and send healing vibes. You will know when the time is right to help her toddle off to the Rainbow Bridge. She will tell you. The light will go from her eyes.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your kind words, she's actually improved drastically since this post was made, and has actually done some more normal looking poops once again!
 
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