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Elvis, am I doing the right thing

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Ruth

Ruth

Junior Guinea Pig
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Elvis has been ill since feb, he visits AP practically every week to get his teeth done, he has a large lump unidentified under his chin which I have been advised to leave alone and he doesn't eat at all!

He survives on the syringe feeds, he is getting no better but no worse.He goes on the garden with Sammy and in the hutch but comes in at night, he has a little potter around but mostly sits in the shelter, his quality of life is not good but not bad either, he is not bad enough to [you know what] but he doesn't seem to improve.

I just feel we are stuck in a never improving situation, and I hate to say it but wish something would happen one way or another:(anyone ever been in the same situation.
 
BIG HUG

I am so sorry for you because it is such a drain on you and so hurtful for you to see that Elvis is not getting better.

It is so very difficult to say what to do, as it is down to Elvis and you; and you are doing your very best for him!

I just wanted to say that any kind of long term care is a real drag on the carer - whether it is human or animal. It is something that is easily underestimated.
 
I'm so sorry... You sound sad. It must be very hard for you to care so much for Elvis when he doesn't get well from it.

I think you know Elvis the best and you will know when and what to do. I'm pretty new to piggies and have already lost one to a large tumour, but it wasn't a long term care situation like yours.

Big hugs!
 
It's such a shame I don't know why he won't/can't eat, his teeth should be good enough to eat, but it may be that he just doesn't want to now although he does sometimes show some interest.
He is quite lively when I pick him up to feed him, so its not like he has given up, I suppose its just a case of carrying on the best we can, thanks
 
I'm sorry it's getting to such a difficult stage Ruth. You've done so well for him, nearly four months of syringe-feeding is real hard work, especially when he's not making any effort for himself to eat.

I'm not sure you're after advice, but for what it's worth, given his teeth are obviously well taken care of, maybe it's worth considering whether his refusal to eat is 'habit' or medically-based. Perhaps the lump is causing him significant discomfort? Maybe something to think about, a dose or two of pain relief may tell you one way or the other if it's discomfort that's bothering him.
 
I do give him metacam now and then as well as metatonic, the lump is mobile but its not an abcess, AP did try draining it but it was a bit strange almost chalky, he spoke to vedra who said we should leave it because she didn't know what it was either.Its a big lump but is still the same size.

I don't mind the feeds, I feed him 3/4 times a day and its become part of my day now.Its just sad and frustrating that everything is being done but there is no improvment.
 
will he lap on his own?

has AP has a rescue sow of mine with him as she has real bad teeth:( and AP said she needs her teeth doing every 3 days to get things going well she did have syringe feeds but will now lap it from a bowl until her teeth start to have problems:(
 
He doesn't want to eat at all, which tells me there is something else wrong as well as his teeth.
 
I'm so sorry to read your story. It must be very hard work and very disheartening. I think, if it was me, I would try to carry on as you are if you possibly can. Elvis seems to have a reasonable quality of life at the moment and is obviously much loved. We are all here to support you. Please keep us updated and I, and I know others, will send good vibes to Elvis. Take care. x x
 
I really feel for you Ruth, having met you and Elvis, I must say I can see why you are doing so much for him, he is obviously cherished.
I think we as dedicated and caring owners just go into auto pilot to do everything in our power to will our piggies to get better and to keep them going.
I know with Peggy I wanted so much for her to get better, it kind of took over my life while she was poorly because I so wanted her to get better.
I'm glad I made those trips to AP, I would do it all again with any of my pigs.
It was worth travelling every mile to get her teeth in a state so she could eat, Peggy did want to eat independantly when her teeth were ok, but it was very clear near the end that she was too poorly to want to eat, even being syringe fed, it was obvious to me she was saying no more mummy.
I'm in tears writing this, it is just devastating for you to know what to do for the best, especially with this lump.
I would go with your heart, if your heart says don't give up on the little guy, then as long as he wants you to feed him, then if you can go on doing so then do what you can for him.
I think you will know when he's very unwell and he will tell you in his own way that it is ok to let him go :)
 
I'm still here, plodding on with the syringe-feeding and only keeping going because she obviously wants to. Occasionally, she'll take something which appeals to her - a dandelion leaf this morning and a few half grapes yesterday. She'll still have her vitamin C tablet by herself but for the rest...

She eats well from a syringe, once she gets going, then carries on til she is pretty much stuffed.

While she is taking the food, I'll continue to offer it as many times a day as I can. I will really miss her when she goes.
 
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