From Bad To Worse

[Caviequeen]

My guinea pig Gilbert has been suffering for a while now from URI and I've taken him to the vet again and again trying a new different antibiotics and we found one that worked and he gets better then worse then better again it's like he's up one day then down the next, he dosent have a companion because he's a grumpy old guy, anyway today is another bad day, anyway I'm going to the vet later today to try to help him through this again but it wondering if I should just put him down and ease is pain and help him to pass peaceful he's around 5 and up until this year he's never had any health problems plus he lost like a lot of weight and my vet is one of the best I've been going to him for yeArs. I don't want to do this unless I have no other choice, he's remarkably chipper and happy considering how he's feeling, still eating, drinking and talking to me, but he sleeps a lot. Anyway tell me what you think. I love him and I just don't want him to suffer.

 

[Chief Guinea Pig]

I'm sending healing vibes xx

 

[Kerrie74]

Aww poor guy

 

[Wiebke]

HUGS

It is a very difficult one to judge when you feel you are coming closer to the line. I would make any decision based on:
- how is your piggy feeling in himself, is he still interested in life and getting quality out of it or is he in major discomfort and pain with no prospect of even short or medium term recovery?
- how much and how many more episodes are you prepared to put him through?
- can you pay for any further expensive treatments?

Each of us is drawing the line at a different point; there are no rights and wrongs as long as the decision is based with Gilbert's wellbeing and quality foremost in your mind.

Personally, I would let him live as long as he is chipper in himself and he has an interest in life. Older piggies sleep longer naturally.
But it is good that you are thinking about having to make a decision soon and what criteria you want to base it on. This is going to make it easier on you when the time is there, as you can then let him go with less of the inevitable feelings of guilts that usually come with having to make the ultimate decision.

 

[VickiA]

Oh how I feel for you. The burden of responsible pet ownership. Only you know when that time has come. I feel that our furries give us a subtle sign when they are ready. My old girl Mrs Fudge stopped cooperating with her meds and that was enough for me to know it was her time as she just couldn't be bothered any more. Heartbreaking for you. Big hugs. Treasure what time you have together xx

 

[Caviequeen]

thanx everyone, its hard because i just recently had to say goodbye to my dog and now i have to make another decision like this, i mean he seems super happy all things considering plus he still uses his liter box and he always greets me with a smile, but hes so skinny which is what worries me most, my parents are super suportive and help me out where they can and I'm not super rich but i have money in case my fur babies have to go to the vet but still I'm not sure, uhggg its always so hard especially when its you who has to decide, atleast when he dose go i have 4 other pigs to help me through cause i know its gonna be sooner then later for him, i dont put him outside cause of his shitty amune system and hes away from my other pigs and rabbit cause i dont want them catching it, but i always hold him because hes my oldest boy and one of my first pigs, i know ill miss him when he goes. anyway thanx for all the support i should go and clean out my cages so he has somewhere nice to curl up and sleep.

 

[Flutterby]

Sending lots of healing vibes x

 

[gizzy]

Hi , are you cleaning his willy , if not you can throw all the antibiotics at him , it may help the condition for a wile , but massive colonies of bacteria that build up around the willy (white deposits) , will always find there way back into the blader ,!,

Also remember that antibiotics weaken the immune system , leaving the pig vulnerable

 

[biscandmatt]

respiratory infections are a pain. the mix of bacteria's usually means you find an antibiotic that works for a while and it controls some, but then others get chance to multiply and you're going backwards again! just make sure the courses are long enough to reach the spores inside the nose. the infection can be deep in there and take longer to treat, even when it looks like symptoms are gone.

if he's bright then i'd continue for now. they're such trial and error when it comes to meds. my rabbit bisc had an initial three month course and that was enough to make him stable. he has some damage to his nasal passages from the infection so still needed long term metacam and nebulising, but over time the nebulising reduced alot. my other rabbit matt had a chronic infection, tests, xrays, nasal drainings, the works! it took 18 months for us to find a combination that worked for him. he was also on long term metacam, and twice daily nebulising aswell for life. at worst times he would need even extra help nebulising wise with different things, but remained comfortable enough to be happy. he did rest more during bad episodes aswell.

i guess my point is that it can take a long time to find what works for them and manage symptoms but aslong as they remain bright and seem comfortable then it's worth carrying on.

i don't know what meds have been used or what tests you have already done, but there are alot of things to try. nebulising is also brilliant. one of the major things with matt was nebulising. you can move onto nebulising stronger saline and even medication. and it works really well to keep their airways clear. long term metacam was a must though aswell to keep any inflammation and swelling in the nose down. but definitely consider mentioning nebulising to the vet if you don't already do it.

sorry i'm rambling and i know mainly about rabbits but the vet did mention that they have alot of piggies they see aswell with these problems so the above treatments and tests etc still apply

 

[Caviequeen]

I'm cleaning every part of him when he needs it.