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Floppy guinea pig

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AndreaJane said:
How does she seem now that you've been watching her for a few hours?
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Shes content, feeding well and enjoing the extra fuss. She is making little piggy noises again.... I'm waiting to see what the vet says tomorrow and will be led by his thoughts......... but we will see..... its breaking my heart as I can see she just wants to get up :(
 
If she was my pig and had not improved dramatically by the morning, I would have her pts. I'm sorry as I know this isn't what you want to be told, but I think you have done all you can at this stage and I'm concerned she is suffering. I'm not hugely impressed that your vets didn't want to see her today as with no improvement over the weekend I would have thought they'd be more worried than they seem to be.

In the meantime and I'm not sure that anyone else has mentioned this, please be careful about putting her on a hot water bottle. If she is unable to move away on her own, you could be over-heating her or even burning her. I know with heat pads they have a warning on them not to use them with animals that are unable to move away.

I'm sorry you and your pig are going through this and am sending hugs your way.
 
Did you not manage to get hold of Simon in time?
 
I have had a pig who was v.similar to Brownie. I adopted him with a headtilt (thought to have been caused by an untreated ear infection). He was fine in himself but in his latter months would walk veering off to one side before falling over. He couldn't right himself & would lay immobile & flat. He could eat, all limbs could move but his body wasn't stiff as Brownie's appears to be on the video's.
I took him to the vets i used to go to & they prescribed him antibiotics, thinking an ear infection. The day after i wasn't happy as he seemed to be constantly falling over & so took him to another vets for a 2nd opinion (the vets i use to this day), they said it was likely there was neurological involvement (likely a stroke) & the kindest thing i could to was to have him pts. I have always said i would never allow an animal to suffer & the vet deemed it that he was suffering & so, for me, the decision was made.

The RSPCA believes that the basic welfare of all animals must take into account the 'Five Welfare Needs'. These are:

- freedom from hunger and thirst
- freedom from discomfort
- freedom from pain, injury or disease
- freedom to express normal behaviour
- freedom from fear and distress.

As hard as it is can you, hand on heart, say Brownie meets the five freedoms?
 
Little Pig said:
If she was my pig and had not improved dramatically by the morning, I would have her pts. I'm sorry as I know this isn't what you want to be told, but I think you have done all you can at this stage and I'm concerned she is suffering. I'm not hugely impressed that your vets didn't want to see her today as with no improvement over the weekend I would have thought they'd be more worried than they seem to be.

In the meantime and I'm not sure that anyone else has mentioned this, please be careful about putting her on a hot water bottle. If she is unable to move away on her own, you could be over-heating her or even burning her. I know with heat pads they have a warning on them not to use them with animals that are unable to move away.

I'm sorry you and your pig are going through this and am sending hugs your way.
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Thank you for your thoughts and comments..... The vet saw her on saturday and there was a slight improvement, she said that If at any stage I was concerned over her or she took a turn for the worse then to take her straight back, she was happy to give her a little longer as she had only had the AB 17 hours previously and had'nt had time to work. She has improved little day by day and I have spoken to my vet daily to ask their advice. She can move albeit a scramble so if she gets too warm then she has the option to move.... Her hot water bottle is wrapped in a triple layer fleece which goes over the bottle twice, so it is only warm to the touch and it just keeps her warm, I dont put boiling water in it either. I do check on her regularly. I'm sure if she was suffering she wouldnt be eating as well as she is..... her appt at the vet tomorrow is looming and I will go with whatever the vet thinks is best for her.........I know in my heart of hearts that I have done everything in my power possible to help my little girl and I couldnt let her go without giving her a BIG chance as she has shown so much determination and fight. Everyone please rest assured I am not doing things light heartedly, I wanted to give her the best possible chance and I won't let her suffer uneccessarily.
 
AndreaJane said:
Did you not manage to get hold of Simon in time?
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No, I didn't manage to get hold of him..... its just been manic since I got home.... I have sat crying my eyes out holding Brownie and willing her to stand up.... Ive read so many comments on here some good some not so good and I know deep down she'snot going to recover from this........ I'm not giving up on her I am trying to do whats best for her which is all I have ever tried to do... I have sat my 2 daughters down and explained everything to them (they are 10) and I have told them that its probably best we let Brownie go as she cant run and play with her buddy, and she can't live lying down........ I think I have to face the fact that tonight will be our last night with our special little girl and I'm finding it really hard to cope with that thought. I have to have her best interests at heart. Please believe me when I say I am not giving up on her, I'm just wanting to do the right thing for her. I love my little girl and this is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. So unless she makes a dramatic recovery over night, this time tomorrow she will be at Rainbow Bridge 8...8...
 
oh love I'm so sorry that it is looking this way, you have been so brave.

i am thinking of you tonight, and my heart totally goes out to you x
 
pippinskyblue said:
No, I didn't manage to get hold of him..... its just been manic since I got home.... I have sat crying my eyes out holding Brownie and willing her to stand up.... Ive read so many comments on here some good some not so good and I know deep down she'snot going to recover from this........ I'm not giving up on her I am trying to do whats best for her which is all I have ever tried to do... I have sat my 2 daughters down and explained everything to them (they are 10) and I have told them that its probably best we let Brownie go as she cant run and play with her buddy, and she can't live lying down........ I think I have to face the fact that tonight will be our last night with our special little girl and I'm finding it really hard to cope with that thought. I have to have her best interests at heart. Please believe me when I say I am not giving up on her, I'm just wanting to do the right thing for her. I love my little girl and this is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. So unless she makes a dramatic recovery over night, this time tomorrow she will be at Rainbow Bridge 8...8...
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To let her go isn't giving up on her it's the hard part of being a responsible owner. Most people on here will have had to make the same decision but it never gets any easier. :(
 
I'm sat here looking at her little face, I wish I knew what shes feeling....what shes thinking..........whether she wants a little more time.........this is so so hard......I dont know if I should keep her in her own little box tonight or let her have her last bit of time with her cage mate..........I'm really at a loss of what to do........why is life so cruel
 
You're not giving up on her, if it's time to let her go then you're being strong for her and helping her. You've done everything you can and given the antibiotics a chance to work, you've kept in touch with the vet as well. I don't think you could have done anything more, if it's her time and she needs a hand to get over the bridge then that's what you and the vet are there for. I know how hard this can be and how upsetting, and that there is never an easy option. (((((hugs)))))
 
Ive just sat with her, fed her , given her a clean bed, cuddled her and chatted to her,& cried on her. I'm praying tonight for a miracle.........she so strong in herself is only she knew what it was all about and what tomoro will bring. Bless you little girl x
 
I am so so sorry you are going through this. My thoughts are with you. I wish she can recover. She seems to be fighting and so strong otherwise. I am so sorry you are hurting. I hope you have support.
 
We are all thinking of you both tonight. x
 
HUGE HUGS FOR YOU AND BROWNIE XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


The girls send Brownie some special little kisses too XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
 
I am sure I am not alone in thinking that we feel we are all going through this with you. As I look at my boys tonight still with me , I think just how heartbreaking it was when we have lost one of our little family. Rest assured you have done all that you can and you never gave up on her. In these situations it is so much easier to handle if the decision is taken away from you and she decides herself when it is time to go, but it looks like she is such a fighter and does not want to give up. Whatever tomorrow brings you have many of us on here to offer you support .
 
Thinking of you and Brownie and your girls and Brownies cagemate today, whatever happens we are here for you xxxxx
 
piggyfan said:
I am so so sorry you are going through this. My thoughts are with you. I wish she can recover. She seems to be fighting and so strong otherwise. I am so sorry you are hurting. I hope you have support.
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No no support, me and my daughters thats it, I have the support of all you lovely people on here.... you have all been brilliant.... you all gave me support when I lost Piggy a while ago......... Its so so hard
 
(((((hugs)))))How is she this morning and what time is the vets appointment? x
 
Brownie is her bright usual self this morning apart from the fact that she still cant stand up! She's given me a few little squeaks when I gave her some pepper and carrott. She ate a mountain of food overnight and pooped for England! Ive given her a nice clean Bed again, cleaned her up, given her her AB and another fresh pile of food. Her time is running out now .... she has a few more hours to get on her feet but I know deep down its not going to happen......I know she cant live he rest of her life lying down, no matter how bright she seems........... I think we have all come to accept the fact that it is her time and its time we say goodbye to our special little girl..(still praying for that miracle before 4pm thou)
 
Thank you everyone. ........ Once again floods of tears.........I need to go now I have work shortly, I need to clean up my eyes and get myself sorted.... I have to be brave for Brownie..........I'm glad she doesnt know whats going on....poor girl would be terrified ......... I know I am:0
 
I am so sorry you have no support. That is so unfair. This is a really awful situation for you to be in. If there was a human in the same situation as Brownie who was fine apart from being able to stand nobody would ever think of allowing them to go. I wonder if she is happy despite not being able to stand.
 
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