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End of life care?

Toffee321

Toffee321

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi,

My guinea pig Toffee is 10 nearly 11 and has just had surgery to remove a massive kidney stone. She now has a kidney infection and is on antibiotics and pain relief but they don't seem to have made a huge difference. She is constantly laying in her wee and is very smelly so is being bathed every day. I realise this isn't a great quality of life so we are having her put to sleep Friday or Saturday. In herself she seems quite happy and is eating. Is there anything we can do before Friday to make her as happy as possible?

Thank you x
114377
This was Toffee last summer
 
I think just spend time with her, give her her favourite veggies and show your love. I'm sorry that you are going through this. I have just had to do the same with Donald though he was only 3. In a way it was nice to know in advance and be able to say a proper goodbye with snuggles
 
Lady Kelly said:
I think just spend time with her, give her her favourite veggies and show your love. I'm sorry that you are going through this. I have just had to do the same with Donald though he was only 3. In a way it was nice to know in advance and be able to say a proper goodbye with snuggles
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She lives outdoors with her two friends lily and pepper. Should I be bringing her inside or is she ok to sleep out there?
 
Toffee321 said:
She lives outdoors with her two friends lily and pepper. Should I be bringing her inside or is she ok to sleep out there?
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Its personal choice but I left Donald in with his 3 wives outside. I figured he loved them more than he loved me and that would give them more lrecious moments together too
 
I am so sorry you are going through this with your girl. I had a similar experience with Bracken last year although he was only 2. As has already been said I let him eat what he liked best and had lots of cuddles. We made lots of memories with floor time, paper bags of hay and boxes of hay, although his favourite play things. Your girl has obviously had a wonderful life with you to have reached such a wonderful age.
 
Sorry you are going through this, make the last few days as good as possible lots of favourite food, it is hard to say goodbye I know so painful when we have to choose the time, but at least we can spare any suffering. Massive.higs to you and lots of love to beautiful Toffee x
 
Toffee321 said:
Hi,

My guinea pig Toffee is 10 nearly 11 and has just had surgery to remove a massive kidney stone. She now has a kidney infection and is on antibiotics and pain relief but they don't seem to have made a huge difference. She is constantly laying in her wee and is very smelly so is being bathed every day. I realise this isn't a great quality of life so we are having her put to sleep Friday or Saturday. In herself she seems quite happy and is eating. Is there anything we can do before Friday to make her as happy as possible?

Thank you x
View attachment 114377
This was Toffee last summer
Click to expand...

Hi!

I am very sorry, but what a wonderful age to live to! Sadly the immune system is no longer as sprightly when you are well over 100 years in human terms. :(


Please keep your old lady as comfy, warm but not hot and as normal as you can in the company of her usual mates (It should get warmer and therefore more comfy in the next days for her outside), treat her to her favourite treats (including a last short trip to a warm lawn in your company if that is one of her highlights) or a handful of grass, as long as it is dry. If she is the only one, then it may better to bring her indoors into a more steady climate as any ill guinea pig (ideally with a paw-holding companion).

Change the bedding 2-3 daily in her sleeping area and have hay close by. offer her water by syringe if she wants to take it and is not drinking from the bottle anymore.
Please check her twice daily for fly strike of which she is at risk of: Fly Strike

Take the time to say and do everything you need, so you won't have any regrets, but just the pain of the loss to deal with.

You may find these guide links here helpful:
- The human grieving guide has a chapter on grieving when looking after a terminally ill guinea pig: Human Bereavement - Grieving, coping tips and support links for guinea pig owners and their children

- The last chapter in our bridging care guide has further practical tips for recognising when the balance is tipping over into organ failure or too much pain and how to handle the delicate and usually agonising tightrope walk between not quite there yet or waiting too long: Emergency and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment

If it is any consolation for you, I have a nearly 8 year old sow (not quite as impressive as you, but still pretty respectable especially in view of her bad start into life!) in kidney failure and am doing this tightrope walk on a daily basis myself right now. Kidneys or heart are often the organs that get into trouble first in otherwise healthy and very old piggies. :(

All the best! Toffee couldn't obviously have wished for a happier life or a more caring piggy mom!
 
Keeping Toffee comfortable and just loving her is the best gift and care you can give her.
She’s an amazing age which is a tribute to your love and care for her.
Look after yourself too - end of life care is emotionally exhausting (you too @Wiebke )
 
I’m sorry that you are in this position but what a fabulous age she has lived to. She must have had a superb life with you. Remember that she doesn’t know what you do, so just make the most of what time you have left available to you. Huge hugs xx
 
I've very sadly had to move her vet appointment forward as she is really struggling to get around and dosen't seem particularly happy. It's the last appointment today at 7.30pm so I still have some time for last snuggles and love. Thank you all for your kind words and advice
Photo on 30-05-2019 at 08.41.webp

A last photo this morning
 
So sorry you are having to make this hard decision. It truly is the last gift of love.
You little piggy is a fantastic age, make sure you spend lots of time with her and take more photos.
Sending you massive hugs.xx
 
Lily, her friend seems to be hanging around a lot more than usual and seems quite worried. What can I do for lily after tonight?
 
So sorry that you have to make this decision.
It’s really tough even when we know it’s the best decision to make.
Lily will miss her companionship and in her own piggy way will grieve.
She will probably be more subdued but within a day or so should get on with the business of living.
She will need a new companion before you are ready but see how things go over the next few days.
Holding you in my heart
 
Merab's Slave said:
So sorry that you have to make this decision.
It’s really tough even when we know it’s the best decision to make.
Lily will miss her companionship and in her own piggy way will grieve.
She will probably be more subdued but within a day or so should get on with the business of living.
She will need a new companion before you are ready but see how things go over the next few days.
Holding you in my heart
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They are in a trio so Lily will still have pepper but I am just worried that she is not herself
 
Piggies know when something is wrong in their family and react - just as we do when something is wrong in our lives.
She will recover from her loss especially as she has a companion.
 
She's gone. Toffee had a lovely death, as far as death can go- snuggled up in my arms and just drifted away. She has always been loving, giving me licks and cuddles. She had a thing for metal necklaces and zips, she bit through two of them! Even at the vets today she was nibbling at my zip and I am just so glad she didn't have to suffer although I know the next week or so will be really hard, she has left a giant Toffee hole behind.
 
So sorry but she did have a peaceful death and is now free to popcorn over the Rainbow Bridge.
For you now is time to grieve and it will take time.
Be gentle with yourself and remember you gave Toffee the best life and the best end to life possible
 
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