• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Complex respiratory infection: the hardest decision...

Whortleberry

Whortleberry

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Aug 13, 2019
Messages
185
Reaction score
200
Points
255
Location
Devon, UK
Hello, I'm really sorry if this is a bit rambling and doesn't make enough sense. I think I'm basically requesting some empathy because the time seems to have come for Sparkle to have his suffering ended.

I'm pretty new here (just finding my feet!) and posted a bit about Tinsel and Sparkle (nearly 4 year old boar) in the Newbie corner and Rainbow Bridge section (after Tinsel died, we think of a Bordetella bronchseptica infection, 7 weeks ago). We've been treating Sparkle too, firstly as a precaution, then for a "proper" infection when he developed symptoms and xray showed lung congestion (the vet thinks he may have an infection plus an underlying tumour / cancer - so really difficult to get on top of). I've been daily weighing, giving antibiotics, fibreplex and supplementing as needed and we said we'd see how things go. My vet practice has been lovely and I've just been able to ring and say "hello, it's Sparkle's person again..."

Anyway, for the purposes of brevity (so I can get back to giving Sparkle a cuddle), I had a really difficult night with him last night and a few times I thought he would die on me. He didn't. I've had a chat with the vet this morning and we think (unless something radically positive happens in the meantime / or he dies) it would be kindest to put him to sleep. My sense is that he is in pain and suffering (behaviour change, breathing very shallow, very lethargic). I'm going on Wiebke's "you'll know" sense. And I have a horrible feeling that I know. Sparkle has had some "happy todays" (I just love that notion!) since the whole horror of contagious respiratory infections started but I sense that they are now at an end. I don't want him to suffer but I am terribly, terribly sad.

At the right point I will post a tribute in Rainbow Bridge.

S
 
Hmmm... Now I am doubting things... He is definitely not "right" but he now seems to be tucking into lettuce and ready grass with some enthusiasm (not the deceptive robotic-type-prey-animal-hiding type eating). Goodness none of this is straightforward! 😵😩☹

Apologies for the random S in the post above.
 
Sending you hugs, these things can be so up and down. it's hard to know what to do for the best. Looking after a sick piggy is very draining on top of everything else. believe no decision is the wrong decision when it's made with love.
You've come to the right place for a sympathetic ear.
I'm going through a similar situation with one of mine at the moment. 4 vets and 2 vet practices, piles of money and we're no nearer knowing what's going on. Xx
 
Thank you so very much.

piggieminder said:
no decision is the wrong decision when it's made with love.
Click to expand...

I like that a lot ❤

None of these decisions are taken lightly! It is so hard balancing everything. I thought we'd found a sort of "new normal" following Tinsel's passing (nowhere near as fun but passably all right). Sparkle improved to popcorn and run around and maintain weight over a few weeks but gradually then wasn't doing so well to the point that last night I thought he had actually stopped breathing a couple of times.

I don't know it seems right to PTS a piggy that has just consumed a handful of grass, some pepper, cucumber and lettuce and who, whilst isn't right, has just fairly happily hopped in his hay box. Maybe there will be some more happy todays...

piggieminder said:
'm going through a similar situation with one of mine at the moment. 4 vets and 2 vet practices, piles of money and we're no nearer knowing what's going on. Xx
Click to expand...

I really feel for you. It's tough!
 
It is tough, it's not the first time we've been here and I've learnt to enjoy every day I get with the piggies and try not to stress to much. The not stressing bit doesn't always work!
Sounds like Sparkle's a real fighter and is not ready to give up yet. I hope you get lots more happy days with your boy.
 
Thank you. You are right.

He is very poorly. Who knows how long he has left. Today I got a little video of grass eating 😊 and I have had so many piggy kisses from him today -just like he used to do to Tinsel! It is lovey and also utterly heart breaking 💔
 
I want to do a happy and a sad to the above and can't :( so will do a love instead, because he sounds a lovely little love.
 
Your boy is gorgeous.
A bit quieter than usual, but his weight is still stable, thank you. We just have a very intermittent squeaky out breath.
 
Thank you @VickiA and @Betsy

I think the thing that triggered last night's sudden deterioration may have (in retrospect) been related to Sparkle somehow getting a piece of hay stuck in his incisors, which caused a lot of dis/stress. When well it would be an unpleasant inconvenience but when poorly, potentially devastating. I am holding on to trying to make him as comfortable as possible, offering cuddles and nice things and appreciating the happier grass munching moments and being groomed as-if-I-were-a-guinea-pig in return.
 
Sparkle deteriorated this afternoon and was put to sleep this evening. In some ways it is a bit of a relief because the last month has been a bit like being in neonatal intensive care titrating medications and supplements and probiotics with weight and poo and breathing and behaviour etc etc.

Last week the vet thought he might bimble on for some length of time, probably several months, on and off antibiotics as needed. However, I very, nearly had him put to sleep on Thursday after a stressful night of worry. Only he rallied, being very interested in grass and a hay box etc so I held off and tried some other things the vet suggested. And he pootled about and popcorned a bit when I cleaned his cage for a couple of nights. But by this afternoon it was definitely his time to go. It's so difficult to know when it is right. I hope he didn't suffer too much at the end; I definitely tried very hard to do the right things at the right time but it's an inexact science.

What I am very grateful for are some very lovely piggy cuddles over the past few days and nights. I feel very privileged to have had Tinsel and Sparkle in my life and will miss them both dearly 💕🌈

Any words of comfort and reassurance are very welcome. I will post something on Rainbow Bridge.
 
Whortleberry said:
Thank you. He is!
After some Meloxicam this evening:

View attachment 120884


How is your little poorly one doing?
Click to expand...
He is beautiful! I can feel your love for him. I don't understand why the respiratory issues in GPs can not be figured. I am so sorry you and your piggie have to go through it.
 
I’m so sorry. You’ve been called upon to make the decision we all dread. That’s the toughest decision any of us has to make for our pets and shows how much love you had for Sparkle. You’ve really had a tough time of it, so I understand both the emptiness and relief that comes with this loss. Huge hugs x
 
In the last 12 months I’ve been called upon to make the same decision too many times. It’s heartbreaking. These little critters burrow deep into your heart and you constantly wonder if you’re making the right decision. But you’ve tried everything, given every chance, and eventually you have seen a sign that it’s time. I have always seen a sign that it’s time. And heartbreaking as it is, you have to love them enough to let them go. We do understand that on this forum. And we also understand the grief that you feel is real grief for the loss of a furry family member x
 
Whortleberry said:
Sparkle deteriorated this afternoon and was put to sleep this evening. In some ways it is a bit of a relief because the last month has been a bit like being in neonatal intensive care titrating medications and supplements and probiotics with weight and poo and breathing and behaviour etc etc.

Last week the vet thought he might bimble on for some length of time, probably several months, on and off antibiotics as needed. However, I very, nearly had him put to sleep on Thursday after a stressful night of worry. Only he rallied, being very interested in grass and a hay box etc so I held off and tried some other things the vet suggested. And he pootled about and popcorned a bit when I cleaned his cage for a couple of nights. But by this afternoon it was definitely his time to go. It's so difficult to know when it is right. I hope he didn't suffer too much at the end; I definitely tried very hard to do the right things at the right time but it's an inexact science.

What I am very grateful for are some very lovely piggy cuddles over the past few days and nights. I feel very privileged to have had Tinsel and Sparkle in my life and will miss them both dearly 💕🌈

Any words of comfort and reassurance are very welcome. I will post something on Rainbow Bridge.
Click to expand...


I am very sorry for your loss! You have done everything you could for him; he couldn't have had a more loving and committed owner!

Fighting a serious illness is always very taxing as it is a constant up down of hopes and a constant reassessment during the bad days. The end usually takes you by surprise as the final dive can come very suddenly. :(

It is never getting any easier as I know from my own experiences.

HUGS

Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children
 
I am very grateful to have found a place where there is so much understanding. Thank you so much @VickiA and @Wiebke .

VickiA said:
And heartbreaking as it is, you have to love them enough to let them go.
Click to expand...
Absolutely.

Wiebke said:
Fighting a serious illness is always very taxing as it is a constant up down of hopes and a constant reassessment during the bad days. The end usually takes you by surprise as the final dive can come very suddenly. :(
Click to expand...
That sums this experience up! I imagine there will be more in the future (as it is right to fill a guinea pig shaped hole).

Wiebke said:
I am very sorry for your loss! You have done everything you could for him; he couldn't have had a more loving and committed owner!
Click to expand...
That means a lot, especially coming from you!

Thank you for the link too. In a way I think that a long illness allowed me to do quite a bit of grieving before the final decision and last moments. I'm also glad that my niece got to say goodbye, which wouldn't have been the case if Sparkle hadn't rallied on Thursday. It's kind of tough doing one's own emotional processing whilst steering children through it too but I also think there is something very real and important about learning about death and all its confusions.
 
Sending you hugs and my very best wishes. It's the hardest decision to make but the last act of love we can give our furry friends, it sounds like you did the right thing for Sparkle.
 
I am so sorry for your loss. You made the hardest decision out of your love for your piggy. It's so very hard when we lose a beloved furry friend. He is out of pain now and in his prime and the Rainbow Bridge. Take care of yourself as you grieve.
 
Just court up with this.
So sorry for your loss, it's always a hard and heart breaking decision to let them go.
Sparkle will always be with you.
Popcorn free little Sparkle with Tinsel.xx
 
So sorry that you had to make this painful decision for Sparkle.
Even when it’s not unexpected, losing a beloved piggy still hurts but you made the decision out of love.
Be kind and gentle with yourself as you grieve for both Sparkle and Tinsel
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top