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Help - piggy dying

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Domwe30

Domwe30

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Nov 25, 2009
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Location
Newcastle
Hi All, I am new to this so please forgive me if I make any errors. But I am so upset. I have had piggies all my life and currently have 2. Bentley is nearly 4 and has gotten so ill over the past 1/2 weeks. He has gradually stopped eating, lost weight, very lifeless as each day went on. I took him to the vet as soon as I noticed (over a week ago) and they couldnt diagnose so gave him antibiotics which worried me a bit.

I took him back this monday 5 x days into the antibiotics as he seemed to pick up on day 2/3 but then went downhill again. Now he is not eating at all (or drinking water). Vet has no idea. They suggested putting him under anaesthetic to try and diagnose but he is too weak and they said he **** wont survive it.

He doesnt seem to be in any pain (no squealing, no URI) but he is so sad. I am giving him lots of love but it is breaking my heart. I've tried syringe type feeding with vitamins & water but he wont even take those now. He can barely lift his head. I know I am about to lose him and am trying to make him as comfortable, warm and cuddled as possible but I am so sad and dont know how he is hanging on.

I am so upset is there anything I can do? Or does anyone have any idea what has happened? I have lost (and saved) piggies before, but Ive never seen one go nearly 2 weeks so ill without picking up (or leaving me).

Thanks for any help/support

PS - Other piggy is ok, full of health and greedy as always but is obviously fretting without his friend in the pen
 
I am so so so so sorry you are going through this, if the vet can't do anything then all you can do is keep your little piggy cosy and warm and show how much you love him, it is the most dignified and nicest way to pass...you are with him and that is the most important thing.

I really am sorry and my thoughts are with you, even my bf has converted to the pig world and I have upset him. It is so sad but you are with him, he will be happy passing over if he is with his mum. Lots of love and cuddles and warmth, that is all they want. :)

I am sorry if that has upset you more. :(

x
 
So sorry that your pig is going through this. I'm guessing that you've checked his back teeth? and his throat - i've had a pig stop eating as he had really bad oral thrush!

I think that as your pig has not been eating or drinking his whole digestive system is in danger of packing up completely. Is there no way that you can get some critical care or similar into him?

Sorry i can't be more help.

Fingers crossed for him (sending ((hugs)) to you too)

Ali
 
I am so very sorry for you. Weight loss can have many reasons. Has your vet checked his teeth (especially the molars at the back)? He can have heart trouble or an infection in his guts.

Sadly, when the signs are pretty vague, it's not easy to diagnose.

You are doing your best for Bentley, and he knows that he is very much loved! Sometimes, a guinea pig can down frighteningly quickly. I saw that with my Dizzy last summer - all I could do was making her as comfy as possible and being there for her as much as I could.
 
I'm so sorry, I can only imagine what you must be going through. I wish you and Bentley all the best.
 
Thank you all so so much. I've tried with feeding critical care vits etc to try build him back up but he is just gradually giving up and now refuses to take my syringe feeding (the only fight he seems to have left). Back teeth & mouth have been checked & vet said fine, respiration/breathing fine, and his temp is fine etc. He was so full of life (and fat!) just 2 weeks ago. I'm just devastated. Dont want to put him under so they can x-ray especially if they feel he wont survive it. I think it is best for him to spend his last hours comfortable, warm and loved but I feel so sad like I've failed him for not knowing whats wrong.

I guess I just wanted to hear from someone who would understand so thank you so much. He is such a big part of my life and squeaks for me everytime I get home. Its upsetting to see him so sad and tired, I feel like Ive cried non-stop for 2 days now. I wonder if perhaps its been a tumour but found no external lumps or bumps. Ive had one pig surive this before with surgery but also lost two.

Thanks again for your support - I know I have given him the best life a piggy could have & all the love in the world.

Thanks everyone xx
 
photo (hopefully attached) of my little man in his prime x
 

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oh hun....i am so sorry 8... you have done your best and i am sure he knows just how much you love him. x
 
He is so beautiful.

You haven't failed him, you sound like a very good mum, I know it is easy to blame yourself but the poor little man isn't well and even the vet can't control that, let alone you - please don't blame yourself, we all know piggies hide their illnesses until it can sadly be too late, just make the rest of his days the best you can. He knows he is loved. Even we know that. :)

x
 
I'm so sorry about your boy:(,i think you need to get to another more experienced vet,in our health and illness section there is a sticky with vets on it,maybe also call Vedra from CCT someone on here will have her number and she may be able to help,
sorry to put a downer on it but your boy may have what my sisters piggy sprite had, a complete organ shutdown(no real explanation he was 6 months old),
i hope he is ok,please try different vets as the last one doesnt sound to experienced,he also doesnt need GA to be Xrayed especially if he is that still,goodlcuk xxxxxxx
 
I'm so very sorry to hear about poor Bentley :(

As has been said before, you have NOT failed him at all. You have given him all the love, care and cuddles he has ever needed.

Big hugs to you
 
AWWW that's sad. You can of course contact Vedra at the CCT.

I wish you and your gorgeous piggy all the best.
 
Hi everyone, thanks again so much for your kind words.

As for Bentley, he is still hanging on, I have no idea how (although he was a very greedy piggy and totally manipulated me with his squeaks so he probably had a lot of fat reserve!). I sat up with him till 4am giving him lots of cuddles - he tucked his head under my chin and in my hair and his breathing got rapid, so I thought that was it. But somehow he's still survived the rest of the night and day. He wont accept any syringe feeding (and its probably cruel at this stage?) but as I marked his water I know hes had no food or drink at all. He's obviously tougher than I thought.

He still doesnt seem to be in pain but cant lift his head at all and is very very weak. Two questions I guess:

1. I checked the Vet list and my vets are actually registered on there. What is the CCT please and who is Verda? Sorry...just cant tell being a newbie & cant find the details.

2. My mum suggested perhaps getting him put down in the morning if he still survives. I am scared to do this as I want him to be where he is comfortable, but perhaps now its the best option. Should I be seriously considering it at this point? x
 
You are such a good mum. :)

If you believe he isn't in pain, then don't put him to sleep. Are there any further investigations he can go through? Any vet in your area is still a 2nd opinion. I have had hideous vets in the past but my current one is a total legend...it just takes some looking around, call an emergency vet if you think it is necessary, I was dreading opening this thread when I saw your name but he is hanging on, do your best for him and call the vet. :)

x
 
Hi Domwe,

So sorry to hear about Bentley, My piggie Jack had exactly the same type symptoms in March and he was thoroughly checked out but noone could find anything wrong. Unfortunately my pig Carrot died of the same thing 4 years earlier and it was heartbreaking to se ehim get so thin and weak. I took Jack to the vets to put him to sleep in the end as I couldn't bear for him to be in pain any longer. It's your choice, but I know that if I hadn't eaten or drunk anything for a couple of weeks then I'd be feeling pretty bad. Whatever you do he knows you love him and are doing the best for him in his hour of need. Lots of love and hugs for Bentley xx
 
Vedra is at the Cambridge cavy trust and you can pm alcesterpigs or lauraCCC4 for medical help and they can also give you vedra's contact number,i have heard f many GP's in your piggys situation to survivem,i dont want to get your hopes up but if he has hung on this long there is a chance so please contact them,he needs metacam or some form of pain relief in the meantime just to make sure he is comfy xxxxx
 
my guinea went through a neutering op 5wks ago had many absesses which was drainned all fine now but he was put on antibiotics for a month which has resulted in his stomach to stop working the last week he has ate nothing or drank nothing i was sringe feeding him science recovery every 2 hours along with pushing bits or cabage into his cheeks needs to be past his front teeth and behinde his cheeks before he will take it,also give probiotic yogurt twice a day i have been giving 1 ml twice a day also ask for injection to help his tummy to start working and the syrup which you need to give 3 times a day also give metacam 0.2mls once a day you really need to keep trying with the recovery food via sringe and pushing food into his back mouth also veg baby food is good i was also using porage mixed with warm water with mashed banna also mashed poo know it sounds gross but its full of vitamins my guinea has lost 500g in 4 wks but i put a friend in for him and after 1 week he has just started to eat and drink on his own i know you feel like whats the point but really every 2 hours keep trying ive had many guineas in my rescue close to death just lying on there side and tried and tried and most paid off even though i lost 2 but i knew i tried and couldnt try knowmore,go on health and illness thread and look up (think i know whats up with ralphie) and all the treatment he is one is on here and ask your vet to try these,but at times know matter how hard we try they dont allways want to be saved has the vet sez they can just shut down there own system for a reason we dont know just like they can switch it back on,but please really keep tring with the feeding even if you think he just dont want it my guinea gagged his head off for days but now he seems to be 60% therexx
also does he have the runs?
 
Last edited:
clairelove said:
my guinea went through a neutering op 5wks ago had many absesses which was drainned all fine now but he was put on antibiotics for a month which has resulted in his stomach to stop working the last week he has ate nothing or drank nothing i was sringe feeding him science recovery every 2 hours along with pushing bits or cabage into his cheeks needs to be past his front teeth and behinde his cheeks before he will take it,also give probiotic yogurt twice a day i have been giving 1 ml twice a day also ask for injection to help his tummy to start working and the syrup which you need to give 3 times a day also give metacam 0.2mls once a day you really need to keep trying with the recovery food via sringe and pushing food into his back mouth also veg baby food is good i was also using porage mixed with warm water with mashed banna also mashed poo know it sounds gross but its full of vitamins my guinea has lost 500g in 4 wks but i put a friend in for him and after 1 week he has just started to eat and drink on his own i know you feel like whats the point but really every 2 hours keep trying ive had many guineas in my rescue close to death just lying on there side and tried and tried and most paid off even though i lost 2 but i knew i tried and couldnt try knowmore,go on health and illness thread and look up (think i know whats up with ralphie) and all the treatment he is one is on here and ask your vet to try these,but at times know matter how hard we try they dont allways want to be saved has the vet sez they can just shut down there own system for a reason we dont know just like they can switch it back on,but please really keep tring with the feeding even if you think he just dont want it my guinea gagged his head off for days but now he seems to be 60% therexx
Click to expand...

Clare guinea lynx does say never to give piggies yogurt even as a probiotic:{
 
dear me poor guins
glad yours is 60% improved king boris
if only we talked the same language and could tell them what we wanted

venice

with positive thoughts to your guins
 
Hi everyone, once again thank you so much for your words of support. Bentley passed away at 7am today - nice and snug with me in bed, wrapped up in his favourite towel. I am absolutely devastated but at least I know he is at peace now - and hopefully he's found a world of dandelions wherever he has gone. xx
 
Domwe30 said:
Hi everyone, once again thank you so much for your words of support. Bentley passed away at 7am today - nice and snug with me in bed, wrapped up in his favourite towel. I am absolutely devastated but at least I know he is at peace now - and hopefully he's found a world of dandelions wherever he has gone. xx
Click to expand...

I am sorry. :( It is a bit of a bittersweet moment, although he has gone, he went in the best possible way, with his mummy nice and snuggled. Must have been so hard watching it, bet you never slept. :(

RIP Bentley x
 
RIP little man... He put up a brave fight and adleast you can be rest assured that you did everything you could and he is no longer in pain!

Big hugs too you! It is so hard when our wee friends leave us :(!
 
RIP Bentley he was lucky to have such a caring mummy as you, and you being with him will have helped him passed over to rainbow bridge.
 
Run free Bentley - you were very loved.

Sending (((hugs))) to you today matey - chin up - i know how hard it is when we lose the special ones.

Ali
 
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