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Bladder stone surgery fundraising ideas

Wizzy

Wizzy

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Feb 19, 2018
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Location
Tunbridge Wells, Kent
My pig rexy has been on medication for a uti for over 2 weeks now- and no improvement. If anything she has got worse. She is having an ultrasound on Wednesday. If she does have a bladder stone, surgery will cost £250. My mum is so unsupportive- to her, it’s just an animal that we can always put down if it gets sick. I’ve had to pay for everything- the medication, vet fees and painkillers- and I’m having to pay for the ultrasound with all of my pocket money. It makes me sad, because she always calls me a freak for caring so much about my guinea pigs, and says it’s weird. We have only had rexy about 2 months- she came from a rescue as a friend for my piggy pepper. She thinks we should just send her back- but I could never do that, I love rexy to much :(. I have no idea what to do really- I’m all out of money. Does anyone have any ideas on how to raise money for her op? And what are some of the risks of bladder stone removal surgery? I’m super scared, and feeling quite alone as no one else really cares :(.
 
Awww I am sorry to hear this. Have you contacted the Rescue at all? As you hadn't had her very long maybe they can help you in some way or maybe they have a vet that can do the surgery & then you can pay them back in installments? Your mum really should help you out, if she lends you the money can you repay her? Or maybe if she helps you car boot some stuff you no longer need, sell old bikes, games, etc or even do a cake sale invite friends around & then they can buy cakes which will help your funds. Your mum is the responsible adult & she has a duty of care to your pets to ensure they don't suffer; that includes paying vet bills, if she agreed to you having pets then she must have accepted at some point they will need to see a vet.
 
I’m so sorry that your mum is being so unreasonable. As already mentioned, if she agreed to let you have animals in the first place, she must know that vet treatment would be part of the deal.
Could you do odd jobs around the house for family and friends such as ironing, hoovering, washing cars, washing the pots and cleaning the bathroom etc just to give you a few ideas?
 
Thanks everyone- my mum is being so heartless at the moment. She says its a waste of money and we can either put it down or give it back to the rescue. Its really horrible! Shes not even on board with the ultrasound- but I've already booked a vet appointment myself. I hope she doesn't cancel it! My step-dad quite likes the guinea pigs- but he thinks that rexy is fine because she is only in pain when going to the toilet. Both of them think i'm making it up. My dad agrees with me, and he hasn't even seen the guinea pigs- he is on the opposite side of the country! He won't pay either though- they aren't his responsibility. My mum really isn't very animal friendly- which is stupid because having a pet comes with the responsibility of vet care! If it was up to me and I had enough money, it would be fine. Anyways, sorry for the rant everyone! :)
 
Do you have a PDSA or Blue Cross anywhere near you?
Which rescue did you adopt from? Would they be able to offer you any help and support?
I’m sure your mother must have signed an adoption agreement or confirmed that she would follow the rescue’s adoption policy. That policy should have included a requirement to seek veterinary help when the piggy needs it. Please remind her of that, as she is the responsible adult. But I would definitely recommend that you speak with the rescue.
 
Hi everyone, yes I have contacted the rescue, and they have said that if rexy needs an op, she will have her and pepper to stay for a couple of days and syringe feed her/give her meds. But at the moment, my mum doesn’t think she’s ill. She said that she had a guinea pig who lived until 8 with no problems, and when we got the guinea pigs she wasn’t expecting the vet bills. So.... not much I can do at the moment :(. Rexy is completely happy and eating and active in herself, but she squeaks and ever so slightly hunches up every time she needs the toilet. I’ve read about cystease- the one that’s meant for cats? Will this help her at all?
 
Wizzy said:
Hi everyone, yes I have contacted the rescue, and they have said that if rexy needs an op, she will have her and pepper to stay for a couple of days and syringe feed her/give her meds. But at the moment, my mum doesn’t think she’s ill. She said that she had a guinea pig who lived until 8 with no problems, and when we got the guinea pigs she wasn’t expecting the vet bills. So.... not much I can do at the moment :(. Rexy is completely happy and eating and active in herself, but she squeaks and ever so slightly hunches up every time she needs the toilet. I’ve read about cystease- the one that’s meant for cats? Will this help her at all?
Click to expand...

Cystease can help but if the ultrasound scan shows a stone, she will need surgery to have it removed.

It is great that your mums guinea pig lived until the age of 8 with no problems but not all guinea pigs are so lucky.

I’m sorry but I think that your mum is being out of order refusing to pay for anymore tests
as by being the responsible adult, she has a duty of care towards Rexy :( She May be acting normal but Rexy IS ill if she is hunching up and crying in pain when going to the toilet :(
 
As a last resort how about a go fund me page? I agree it’s a bit odd to do one for vet bills but I’ve seen one a long while back for a child that wanted to take her rabbit with her (parents made the decision were moving country) and she had to raise funds for the airline transport fees to take the bunny with her and buy a new cage at the new home. She hit her target.
I was shocked why this cost wasn’t part of the parents budget, I thought it was a bit mean they were willing to leave their child’s pet behind unless the donations would cover it. So yeah...seen all sorts of strange requests.
 
Aww bless you what a tough time to go through. I hope you got on ok at the vet
 
Hello everyone...rexy seems a little better. She still squeaks when she needs the toilet sometimes, it’s actually now mainly when she poos! But the squeaks aren’t as loud, and they don’t last as long, and they are less frequent. At the moment my piggies daily veg is:
Morning: A peice of cucumber, a peice of carrot and lots more hay. They also get 2 teaspoons of grain free pellets.
When I get home/evening: Lots of fresh grass, more cucumber and sometimes a little bit of celery.
Before bed: lots more hay.
Is this an ok diet? Is the grass ok.... I have been feeding quite a bit but they’ve been on it for about 3 weeks now so should they be used to it? They usually get about a bowl full a day... is this to much?
The vet couldn’t find any bladder stones on the ultrasound :)
Anything else I can do to improve the happiness and wellbeing of my darling piggies? I’m going on my dofe this weekend, so I won’t see them for 2 days or so, but I’ve given my dad a strict diet plan! 😂😂
 
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