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Decision time for our old lady Terk

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helen105281

helen105281

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Terk went to Guinea pig clinic today to see Karen and the vet. She has had an ovarian tumour for a couple of years now which had shrunk with Chorulon injections. She has never really been affected by it and due to her age (7) and the fact that she does not do at all well when she is recovering from an illness we made the decision not to operate. To be honest we are amazed she has done so well up to now. In the last week or so we have noticed that her breathing is very pronounced and this was confirmed today, together with an incredibly fast heart beat. She was given a scan by a lovely new vet at the clinic and she confirmed that the tumour is now 3cm and is affecting her breathing. She receommended that she be PTS in the next week or so. So it is a matter now of deciding when the time is right, I will not let her suffer, I would rather make the decision a day too early than a day too late, due to the fact that she is miserable and goes downhill incredibly rapidly when she is ill.

Just need to make the most of the time we have with her now until it's time. This will be done at our local vets who usually let us be there for the whole process so we can say our goodbyes properly.

Her little friend Ellie will hopefully join the herd. They both got out a few weeks back and Ellie had a lovely time with the other pigs and was sat with them eating hay, though she did lose her virginity pretty quickly to our neutered boar Barney. Terk on the other hand started lunging at the skinnies which is why she was never able to live with the herd which had been our original intention, the little madam.
 
Aww Helen, I am sorry that you are having to make this decision but you clearly have Terks best interests at heart and you are doing right by her.

Enjoy the time you have left together and I shall be thinking of you xx
 
I am very sorry to hear this Helen...completely understand why you decided not to operate and it is testament to your care that she has lived a full guinea pig life despite her tumour.

I hope you have a lovely last few days/weeks with Terk...she is the grand age of 7 and I'm sure she knows how much loved she is.

Thinking of you all at this sad time.

x
 
So sorry Helen to hear this sad news. Huge hugs to you and love to Terk. Its not a easy decision but you know you will know the right time. I know you'll make everyday a great day for her for whatever time you have with her. Love to you both x x x
 
I am really sorry to hear this. It is one of the hardest decisions to have to make. Enjoy your last days together.
 
Thank you everyone, it is very hard to know when to make the decision as she is eating well still but it is not fair to keep her with us when she is struggling to breathe so much. Is tough. She's a little fighter bless her.
 
Hi Helen

I dont know if this will help....but Mr Alan Maggots, my chronic endocarditis piggie, was recently helped to the Bridge after the hot weather. He was still eating/drinking OK...but his breathing was laboured and there were signs of cyanosis in his lips. He also had a couple of episodes where he rolled on his side to breather better. At the time he went to the vets he was pretty chipper.....because we'd upped his fruseamide.....but his breathing was still pretty poor and vet and us thought it better to let him go. He' had two extra years...one with a wifeypig...that he wouldn't have had if we hadn;t had the tests/diagnosis/meds done......

I was gutted to let him go...but also proud that he'd had the very best life he could have hoped for.

Hugs
x
 
That does help thanks Pebble. She has had 2 extra years with us too and with Ellie that she may not have had without those initial injections. It's not fair for her to be struggling and it will only get worse not better. Thanks for sharing, I'm sorry you had to go through that with him, he was such a lovely pig.
 
You will know within your own heart when the time is right to let her go. She has reached the grand age of 7 undoubtedly due to your loving care. Think about it this way, Terk will never really truly be gone as she will always have a secure place in your heart.

Hugs to you both

Lisa & Ali..xx
 
Wish we could take all the credit for her age but she lived with our friend Sophie from about a year old until she was 4 or 5 and came to us when her husboar Tantor died and her landlord wouldn't let her take in another pig. She was supposed to live with the herd but had other ideas and terrorised them so much our late boar Johnny used to herd her sideways and he was not usually aggressive. So we made the decision to get her her own little friend and they adore each other. Ellie is very laid back bless her.

Here is a link to a post on her old Mum's blog:

http://www.hastalavegan.com/2009/03/welcome-to-hasta-la-vegan.html
 
Sorry to hear about Terk, It's never an easy decision but as everyone has said you know you will know when its "her time"... Hugs to both you and your special girl x
 
Not doing too good tonight really struggling to eat. Will be phoning the vet in the morning if she's the same. Will not put her through the trauma of syringe feeding to delay the inevitable. It makes her miserable.
 
I'm really sorry Helen - it's not nice when they go downhill but she has had a wonderful time with you both and the right treatment and support health wise.
i never use to think I'd know when it was time but over the past year I've known and you will know - one of the hardest decisions to make.
Hope it goes as ok as it can tomorrow if you decide to go to the vets x
 
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