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Angel's Thread

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Sarah McGarry

Sarah McGarry

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Hi everyone, as some of you may know I work for The Potteries Guinea Pig Rescue and have 15 beautiful piggies. I have recently had the news that all of us pig owners dread, one of my old little girls Angel has got a tumour in her abdomen. I am absolutely devastated by the news and spent a good proportion of yesterday crying after the diagnosis.

So after some thought I have decided to document her last days with me in the hope that others who have to go through this same thing may be able to take peace in the process that I have gone through. I also hope that this is something that I can look back on. I am hoping to update this thread everyday. However, I have no idea how long she has left so this thread may last some time or may not last long at all.

So, I wanted to give you all some background about my Angel. She is a pink eyed Marino and was actually the reason I got involved with the rescue. Once Tilly my original piggy died of diabetes I needed a piggy for Lilly (how has now passed away). From this I got in touch with the rescue and fell in love with her right their and then, and so did Lilly! And I started working with the rescue.

And she has been a massive part of my life every since :) Yesterday, I took Angel to the vet because I felt that her abdomen had bloated out a bit and feared the worst, that this was fluid from a tumour most likely attached to her reproductive organs as she was an ex breeder piggy. This was then confirmed at Willows vets who were amazing. I was given the option to have her PTS but I just couldnt do it she is still eating and drinking and fine in her self. I have no idea if this was the right decision but now I am dedicating her last few days or weeks to doing everything she loves including being outside on the grass and eating apple. She has also been put on fleece so she is warm as she cannot regulate her temperature any more.

Sorry if this has been long but I could have gone on even longer about this special lady.
Here are some pics from today....



 
I am really sorry to read of this devastating news. Such a terrible Diagnosis but for now while she is happy and not in pain I think you have made the right decision in not PTS straight away. You will already be starting the grieving process as we did when we found out about Treacle's Lymphoma - you start the process as soon as you find out and will hit all the emotions grief, despair, anger, numbness etc...

Just be on the watch out for any bloaty episodes this can happen with tummy tumors as they push against various organs and look out for any pain signals. You will know when it is time to help her across the bridge, better a moment to soon than a second too late is the best advice I ever had on the forum. I know you will make everyday a great day for your beautiful little girl. I am so sorry, cuddles to your gorgeous girl and a virtual hug to you x
 
Oh Angel is beautiful am so sorry to hear about her tumour this must be a terrible time for you I hope you both enjoy what time you have with each other.
 
Thank you for your kind words, I am giving her a low dose of pain relief for now and we are going to watch TV together tonight with cucumber which she loves to do :) xxSarahxx
 
Angel is so beautiful. I am so sorry she has a tumour. I lost my Peronel to a tumour and it was an awful time. You sound so brave.
 
I'm sorry you have such a sad diagnosis, as others have said you will know when it's time, let her be your guide and keep an eye out for any signs that she is in pain.
 
Is horrible to lose anyone, but knowing it's coming and coming to terms with that is so hard. Enjoy your time together. x
 
HUGS! I am ever so sorry for the diagnosis; getting a terminal one comes as a huge shock!

I lost my old Tribe patriarch Llewelyn to an abdominal tumor that was too close to the guts to be operable at the beginning of 2011. His last few weeks were a very bittersweet time; filled with smiles, lots of love but also grieving. But he could pass away the way he wanted, at home and in the company of his ladies.IMG_1986_edited-1.webp
 
Sorry to hear your sad news Sarah, just hope that Angel is comfortable in the time she has left, Hoping that she has made the most of the lovely day we have been having a popped outside for a few nibbles on some fresh grass while the sun is shining.
Give her a tender kiss from me, and I am sending lots of (((Hugs))) to you too. xx
 
Hi everyone, thank you for all the kind words. No matter how many piggies I have it still hurts so much when they pass. Angel is doing well today. I went searching for dandelions because she loves them and she wolfed them down! For others reference on this horrible disease I feel I must make it clear that she was not sick at all and still isnt! So if your piggy has a lump ALWAYS get it checked out regardless of how they seem in themselves. They are very strong little creatures and will not have anyone know until it is too late. I was lucky in a way that I handle her so regularly as the vet said most people wouldn't have noticed till she went off her legs, which I think is so sad :( The only symptom I have noticed at the minute is she has started to look a little run down a bit in her eyes but other than that and the slightly enlarged abdomen you wouldn't know. I wish she could talk to me and tell me if she wasnt feeling well.
xxSarahxx
 
Oh hun.I'm so sorry. I do know what you're going through. (((((hugs)))))
Enjoy the time you have left with her and be ready to make the decision when the time comes, as Lee said: better a moment too soon than too late. I speak from bitter experience after standing at the vet's reception with Moonpig dying in my arms after fitting all the way to the vets - as sad as it was to make the decision to have Rocket and Wally Whiskers pts I knew it was time and for the best, I'd planned the same for Moonpig once she was in the palliative care stage but sadly was too late. :(
I'm only telling you this so that you're ready and hopefully don't go through anything similar.
Thinking of you. (((((big hugs)))))
 
Thank you for this post, it is useful to other owners even though it is very hard for you. I hope you and Angel have a long time together but even if you dont i think you have done the right thing. x
 
Hi, Thanks for trying to prepare me Andrea Jane, it hurts so much more because I have only just had to had Barney one of my other pig PTS about a month ago. Today I have noticed that Angel has lost her squeak! I have no idea if this is due to old age or whether its something to do with the tumour. I have had other piggies loose their squeak and it does seem to be something to do with old age. She sounds like the little penguin off toy story who's squeaker is broken :( But at least she is still hissing for food! She is eating loads and is still moving around fine. I even saw a little popcorn today when I put the veg in :) I'm just taking this as a sign that she is still happy.
xxSarahxx
 
Hi, Thanks for trying to prepare me Andrea Jane, it hurts so much more because I have only just had to had Barney one of my other pig PTS about a month ago. Today I have noticed that Angel has lost her squeak! I have no idea if this is due to old age or whether its something to do with the tumour. I have had other piggies loose their squeak and it does seem to be something to do with old age. She sounds like the little penguin off toy story who's squeaker is broken :( But at least she is still hissing for food! She is eating loads and is still moving around fine. I even saw a little popcorn today when I put the veg in :) I'm just taking this as a sign that she is still happy.
xxSarahxx
 
Sarah McGarry said:
Hi, Thanks for trying to prepare me Andrea Jane, it hurts so much more because I have only just had to had Barney one of my other pig PTS about a month ago. Today I have noticed that Angel has lost her squeak! I have no idea if this is due to old age or whether its something to do with the tumour. I have had other piggies loose their squeak and it does seem to be something to do with old age. She sounds like the little penguin off toy story who's squeaker is broken :( But at least she is still hissing for food! She is eating loads and is still moving around fine. I even saw a little popcorn today when I put the veg in :) I'm just taking this as a sign that she is still happy.
xxSarahxx
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Sounds like she is still happy, and long may it last. (((((hugs)))))
 
Hugs !

She's still eating and drinking willingly. And Syringe feeding can help later on as any disease progresses.

However, once she stops swallowing - I'm sure you will make the right decision at the right time.

Thoughts are with you
x
 
You have to admire the way they seem to cope with illness, I know it is natural as they are prey animals, but it still makes me wonder how they deal with it. Hope she is having a good day Sarah.
 
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