heartbroken
New Born Pup
I bought 2 baby female guinea pigs just over 5 months ago . They were different in character - one quiet and docile and one feisty , loud and so funny . 3 months later I noticed my dear little quiet piggy was expanding in size . The feisty one , whom I assumed to be a dominant female , was in fact a male . The store where I bought them said this was a rare error and initially said to bring them back and swap for 2 new ones ! I found this completely unacceptable - treating them like a pair of ill fitting shoes .
After negotiation ( my daughter took it up ) the store agreed to provide a hutch and pay for neutering surgery at their designated vets' surgery.
I took my beautiful boy on Monday . When he came home he was still and silent . I assumed it was the anaesthetic wearing off . By Tuesday morning he was evidently very ill. As the designated vet was a distance from my home , and the weather was so hot , I decided to rush him to a local vet . He stayed there until Wednesday late morning . I had a call from the vet to say he needed further surgery , and due to mounting cost best to get him back to designated vet for free care . I took him back there , and the vet who had operated on him took him in . An hour later I had a call to say he had a massively enlarged heart and his illness was not related to the surgery . However , the vet said he was responding to treatment and starting to move . As I had already paid the local vet £214 , I realised I was now paying this vet ( I am a pensioner) and asked what my bill was so far . I was surprised when she said £250 as he had only been there a few hours . I then said if he was responding well I could bring him home and continue treatment , as I could not afford the fees . The vet said she would discuss this with management . She then said my piggy would never have a good life , could die at any minute , would need medication for life etc etc . and said had I considered euthanasia . I asked her to forward the x-rays to my local vet as I really needed a 2nd opinion . She said 2 other vets at the practice had agreed her diagnosis but I needed that 2nd opinion and she did send the x -rays . She then said for me to think about euthanasia and she would call me in a couple of hours for a decision . Less than 20 minutes later she called to say my piggy was dead . I received a "massively discounted" bill for £250 -- somehow the total they came up with was £764 .41 for 5 hours . I feel I was responsible for his death - wish I had never taken him for surgery - he was so lovely , such a character and totally fine when I took him , selfishly thinking I could then keep him . Now I have 4 beautiful babies and their Mum but I know I cannot keep any of them . If one got sick I just couldn't go to a vet . And to care for them I know this need may arise . And this is why I am heartbroken .
After negotiation ( my daughter took it up ) the store agreed to provide a hutch and pay for neutering surgery at their designated vets' surgery.
I took my beautiful boy on Monday . When he came home he was still and silent . I assumed it was the anaesthetic wearing off . By Tuesday morning he was evidently very ill. As the designated vet was a distance from my home , and the weather was so hot , I decided to rush him to a local vet . He stayed there until Wednesday late morning . I had a call from the vet to say he needed further surgery , and due to mounting cost best to get him back to designated vet for free care . I took him back there , and the vet who had operated on him took him in . An hour later I had a call to say he had a massively enlarged heart and his illness was not related to the surgery . However , the vet said he was responding to treatment and starting to move . As I had already paid the local vet £214 , I realised I was now paying this vet ( I am a pensioner) and asked what my bill was so far . I was surprised when she said £250 as he had only been there a few hours . I then said if he was responding well I could bring him home and continue treatment , as I could not afford the fees . The vet said she would discuss this with management . She then said my piggy would never have a good life , could die at any minute , would need medication for life etc etc . and said had I considered euthanasia . I asked her to forward the x-rays to my local vet as I really needed a 2nd opinion . She said 2 other vets at the practice had agreed her diagnosis but I needed that 2nd opinion and she did send the x -rays . She then said for me to think about euthanasia and she would call me in a couple of hours for a decision . Less than 20 minutes later she called to say my piggy was dead . I received a "massively discounted" bill for £250 -- somehow the total they came up with was £764 .41 for 5 hours . I feel I was responsible for his death - wish I had never taken him for surgery - he was so lovely , such a character and totally fine when I took him , selfishly thinking I could then keep him . Now I have 4 beautiful babies and their Mum but I know I cannot keep any of them . If one got sick I just couldn't go to a vet . And to care for them I know this need may arise . And this is why I am heartbroken .
I think you have been very unlucky with your little boar. generally speaking neutering is a safe procedure and you were right to go ahead and get it done. I think your vet bills are outrageous and I would be very suspicious of what happened at the vet practice. I would insist on seeing those X rays too. After all you have paid for them
You've been very caring of the piggies.
as I am told this is how it has to be to avoid more pregnancies . The vet then said she could not be sure of the sexes as they were so young, and she failed to notice a bald patch on one baby - I haven't been handling them as I don't want to bond any more than I already have , but I saw the patch immediately when I picked her up to go back into the cage from the carry basket . The vet also said her own speciality was internal problems with cats and dogs . Where do I go from here ? Mum guinea pig is underweight when I thought I was supplying plenty of food - hay galore , pellets and fresh salad and veg twice a day . I feel a total failure -- 1 dead guinea pig , one underweight female and 4 babies of whom only 1 is definitely male and the others , well who knows ?
!
