Hello, from the US 🙂 - Terminally ill oldie

[Nerdy_Stormy]

Hello!
I have used this site for ALOT advice when it came to my piggies but was always too shy to join.
Recently, my 7 year old has fell sick and it has made me very depressed, almost crying everyday and it's very awkward to explain this to people who don't own them. Please be gentle! Haha.

 

[Homestead Mom]

We do understand, we will be gentle, and we are happy that you are here.

 

[Popcorns & Wheeks]

Hello and welcome! I too was like you, lurked behind the scenes for advice until September and joining the forum was the best thing I ever did.

I'm so sorry to hear your piggie is unwell and that you are suffering from depression due to this. What seems to be the problem with your piggie?

 

[Homestead Mom]

Soooo… The pigs are very cute. Which is sick? What are their names? How are they sick? Have they seen a veterinarian?

 

[Nerdy_Stormy]

Soooo… The pigs are very cute. Which is sick? What are their names? How are they sick? Have they seen a veterinarian?

I have two Piggies named Rambo And Butter!
Rambo, the darker fur one, is quite sick, sadly.

When I gave them their monthly cleaning, (warm bath, boar cleaning, nails..etc) I noticed his pp was very dirty! Thankfully I was able to clean it our and put little lubricant on it. It became better but he has been breathing very hard. After a few days, he was also getting little skinny too, so I rushed him to the vet. (Nearest exotic Vet was an Hour and half away)

Due to not having pet insurance, no job ( I'm pregnant, atm) and just a strict income, I could only afford to get the certain medications and not all of the Xrays, blood works and extra things they recommended for a FULL diagnosis. It makes me sad that I feel like a failure to not fully know what's wrong but they are guessing he has a upper respiratory infection, maybe Liver and Heart issues but overall I know it's because he is old. I'm slowly trying prepare myself that he might be on his last days and I'm going do everything I can to make him comfortable.

 

[Homestead Mom]

Congratulations on your child.
You’re doing your best, and that is to be commended. At seven, it’s clear you have been a good hooman.
Is there a chance of kidney stones?
Keep loving him, and making him comfortable. In the end, you can know that he had a good life.

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your pregnancy.

Sorry to hear that Rambo is unwell but 7 is a good age for a piggy.

I will tag a couple of the health experts for you. @Wiebke @Piggies&buns

 

[Wiebke]

I have two Piggies named Rambo And Butter!
Rambo, the darker fur one, is quite sick, sadly.

When I gave them their monthly cleaning, (warm bath, boar cleaning, nails..etc) I noticed his pp was very dirty! Thankfully I was able to clean it our and put little lubricant on it. It became better but he has been breathing very hard. After a few days, he was also getting little skinny too, so I rushed him to the vet. (Nearest exotic Vet was an Hour and half away)

Due to not having pet insurance, no job ( I'm pregnant, atm) and just a strict income, I could only afford to get the certain medications and not all of the Xrays, blood works and extra things they recommended for a FULL diagnosis. It makes me sad that I feel like a failure to not fully know what's wrong but they are guessing he has a upper respiratory infection, maybe Liver and Heart issues but overall I know it's because he is old. I'm slowly trying prepare myself that he might be on his last days and I'm going do everything I can to make him comfortable.

Hi and welcome

All the best for a smooth pregnancy.

I am very sorry about the pickle you are in - you are not a failure because of developments out of your control.
7 years is the upper end of the average life span although a few piggies can live longer. You can take pride in that your clearly beloved boy has outlived the majority of pet piggies, and that is down to your good care throughout his life time.

Please take the time to read these guide links here. They are very detailed and practical and take you through everything you can do at any stage of the process. We cannot repeat them all with all the little how-to tips or we wouldn't have any time left for our own piggies.
Caring for Older Piggies and Facing the End - A practical and supportive information collection
Looking After Guinea Pigs With Limited or No Mobility
A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs (see also the chapter terminal illness re. feeding support guidelines).
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures (including how you can improvise with what you have got at home)
For yourself of you have any concerns: Contagion - Inter-species transmission and pet care during owner illness/pregnancy (incl. Covid)

I am moving this guide to our specially monitored Health/Illness section for ongoing support. Please continue to use this thread for any questions, concerns and updates for as long as needed. You may want to bookmark it so you can find it quickly again; otherwise you can find it via the search or find thread/your threads buttons when you expand the top bar (via the three horizontal lines icon).

 

[Bill & Ted]

Hello and welcome to the forum

I am so sorry one if your beautiful piggie Rambo is poorly and reaching the end of his life. It’s a very sad time for you so please take great care of yourself X

 

[Freela]

((HUGS.)) I am so sorry Rambo is unwell. It is so hard having aging pets, knowing that the time with them is growing shorter. I really recommend the articles that Wiebke has posted above, they have helped me in similar situations. Be kind to yourself and enjoy the time you have. Living to be 7 is a great age for a pig... my son told me when we lost our last pet that living to old age is the win state of life, and I try to keep that in mind now.

 

[weepweeps]

Hello and welcome to the forum. We all totally understand what you are going through. Sick piggies are so stressful. You are doing a great job. You noticed a problem and have seen a vet. 7 is an amazing age. Rambo is obviously a much loved piggy with a fantastic owner. I hope Rambo has lots more happy days with you. Sending healing vibes his way.

 

[Pound Shilling & Pig]

Welcome to the forum. Please don't feel that you are in any way a failure. Seven is a great age and most piggies don't make it that far, not that that makes the pain of saying goodbye any less. In an ideal world a full work up would be lovely but is often not affordable and still may not give a clear answer or if it did there is still no guarantee that anything could be done, many things simply wear out with age. If your vet suspects he has a respiratory issue and that is what he is being treated for he may well rexover and be around for a while yet.
I know well the pain of watching an elderly pet coming to the end of their days. Sending hugs x