I’ve just lost my beloved boar Albert.
We noticed a scab on his back and enlarged glands two days ago, he went in for surgery today to take the scab off, and the vet said the wound was so deep, the skin around it had died and was spreading down his leg. He said we would either biopsy it but that would mean leaving poor Albert with a gaping wound over the weekend, and it could either be bacterial or cancerous. He suggested we let him go over the bridge, which we did.
I’m beyond devastated. I feel like it’s all my fault, if I’d caught it earlier we may have had a chance if it wasn’t cancer. It wasn’t there on my last health check but I’m still so upset with myself.
I miss him so much, I feel broken in half
HUGE HUGS
I am so very sorry that poor Albert has pulled one of the shorter straws what I call the cosmic lottery of random bad luck. Nothing you could have done to prevent it as necrotic tissue often spreads along wounds or under the skin . The speed of it is for me rather pointing towards cancer but I can only guess.
Sadly, from what I have seen, battles with necrotic tissues don't end well in guinea pigs because you are up against a much faster metabolism. You have made absolutely the right decision for Albert and you haven't failed him in any way.
It's always such a huge shock when you come up against one of these 'out there' issues that you can never anticipate and therefore never prevent. The speed with which they develop is terrifying and always leaves you reeling but it doesn't have anything to do whether you are a good owner or not; these things can and do happen to anybody. They do happen to humans, too, and there is no rhyme or reason to them, either, as I know all too well myself.
Please give yourself time and space to not be OK for a few days. You have to deal with the shock and the loss all at the same time and it is overwhelming and all jumbled up for you right now.
Seek support if you get stuck in one of those nasty mind loops that your soul-searching or guilt trip can take you to or if you struggle to sleep or function for days on end. We are here for you to give you community support for as long as you need to. You may want to bookmark this your dedicated ongoing support thread so you can pick it up easily whenever you wish to.
If you need help with spotting certain stages of the grieving process, which is much more complex and unexpected than you'd imagine, as well as things you can do for yourself and Albert, then you may find this link here helpful:
Human Bereavement: Grieving, Processing and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children
If you need trained volunteers help, we can recommend the various free pet bereavement platforms of the Blue Cross (UK only animal charity). They will be open again after the weekend.
Pet Loss Support
Albert will always have a place in your heart that is filled with wonderful and special memories, which are there for you for the rest of your life once you are making a bit more peace with the traumatic events of today. Please take comfort that you have not left Albert suffer unnecessarily and that your heart is very much in the right place. Albert was lucky to find you but you have also been blessed to find such a wonderful furry friend. This blessing can never be taken away from you unless you throw it away yourself.
