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I think my guinea pig is giving up the fight

Ure97

Ure97

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi

I sent a post a week ago about my piggy (nibbles) who I put through stone surgery, 10 days ago, and then 3 days later they had to do surgery again to repair a hernia which occurred from the wound site. She hasn’t been interested in food really since the first lot of surgery, and I’ve fed her round the clock with critical care, probiotics, gut stimulants, metacam 1ml, and baytril. I thought maybe the baytril was affecting her appetite, but she’s been off baytril 3 days now, so then I thought maybe the metacam is too high a dose, (which is 1ml) so I didn’t give her any yesterday, as apparently it can cause lethargy.

However she is still very lethargic with eyes that just want to keep shutting, dosent want to eat much, sleeps all the time. Everything else is fine, her weight has remained stable, because I’m feeding her, she dosent seem in pain, as she looks relaxed, it’s just the extreme lethargic behaviour with no spark in her eyes, and no eating that makes me think she has given up the fight to recover. I’m even starting to find it difficult to feed and water her, as she is so lethargic she forgets to chew sometimes. This happened with my last piggy who died a week after surgery, and I swore I wouldn’t put another piggy through this, but I have because the vet convinced me, and I’m regretting it again. I’m going to phone vet at 10am, as I think she needs put to sleep sadly. Surely she is telling me she has given up, or has anyone had a turnaround?
 
@Swissgreys had a hard time with Ruby and she rallied. Have you tried splitting the metacam dose so you give her a half dose in the morning and the rest in the evening? Piggies have a fast metabolism so if you give it all in one dose then the effects tend to wear off.
 
Betsy said:
@Swissgreys had a hard time with Ruby and she rallied. Have you tried splitting the metacam dose so you give her a half dose in the morning and the rest in the evening? Piggies have a fast metabolism so if you give it all in one dose then the effects tend to wear off.
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@Ure97 How is her poop and pee output? That's usually a good sign on how they're doing and what chance of recovery they have.

It's an awful decision to make and we can't decide for you but in my experience I usually decide that when they no longer swallow when being fed is the time when I have to say goodbye. I don't want a pig to suffer unnecessarily and if I can't feed them effectively then they will suffer.
 
I was going to give her half dose yesterday, but I thought she has maybe had too much, and it’s maybe making her lethargic possibly too much in her system, so didn’t give her any.
 
Jaycey said:
@Ure97 How is her poop and pee output? That's usually a good sign on how they're doing and what chance of recovery they have.

It's an awful decision to make and we can't decide for you but in my experience I usually decide that when they no longer swallow when being fed is the time when I have to say goodbye. I don't want a pig to suffer unnecessarily and if I can't feed them effectively then they will suffer.
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Jaycey said:
@Ure97 How is her poop and pee output? That's usually a good sign on how they're doing and what chance of recovery they have.

It's an awful decision to make and we can't decide for you but in my experience I usually decide that when they no longer swallow when being fed is the time when I have to say goodbye. I don't want a pig to suffer unnecessarily and if I can't feed them effectively then they will suffer.
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She seems to be pooping and weeing ok. The feeding is becoming harder, as she is now just so lethargic that she dosent want to chew much.
 
Has the vet checked her teeth, it might be that, the back teeth may be trapping the tongue. Sorry I'm not an expert,
At the end of the day only you can decide the outcome.
 
This is how she looks all the time.571D0AAD-4A9C-4366-A54D-FBEDA21A8BF5.webp
 
Just an update to let you know I had to put nibbles to sleep this morning. I’m devastated but I had a gut instinct she had given up unfortunately. I’m so upset, but I think it was the right thing to do.
 
Oh I'm so so sorry for your loss, I think you have to go with your gut feeling with these things.
Please don't feel guilty you did your best.
Sleep little one.
 
Ure97 said:
Just an update to let you know I had to put nibbles to sleep this morning. I’m devastated but I had a gut instinct she had given up unfortunately. I’m so upset, but I think it was the right thing to do.
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I’m so sorry, looking by that photo she really didn’t seem happy so I think you made the right choice even though it’s the hardest one.

Big hugs xx
 
So sorry for your loss. It's heartbreaking to lose a piggy. You tried so hard for her and gave her the best care you could.
Sleep tight little Nibbles.xx
 
Oh my heart sank when I read the devastating news. Don't blame yourself you did all you can for Nibbles. Take time to grieve.
 
Thank you for all your messages. It means a lot when I’m feeling so sad. You always question if you did the right thing, but I know my guinea pigs better than a vet does sometimes, and I’m usually always right. The vet suggested maybe putting more fluids in and try force feeding her more, and more painkiller, but she was already on 1ml of painkiller, and seemed no better. There comes a time when enough is enough. I feel she was showing me she had had enough. So the last act of love I could give her was a peaceful end.
 
I’m so sorry for your loss, massive hugs :hug: xx
 
Please accept my condolences. Doing what is best for them is difficult sometimes. Wishing you well from across the pond
 
So sorry for your loss.
That was such a hard decision to make after you had done so much for Nibbles.
You gave the gift of peace so now you have to look after yourself and take time to grieve.
 
Ahhh... sleep tight little one you’re free of any pain now little Nibbles :wub:
You did everything you could to help Nibbles & I’m sorry you had to make the ultimate decision. Please don’t feel guilty sometimes these little animals are more poorly than their furry bodies make them look.
Huge hugs x
 
@Ure97 I'm so very sorry that you had to make the awful decision. It truly is the greatest act of love that we can show them.

I hope you're feeling okay.

We always think 'what if' no matter what the decision was, whether we helped them on their way, or they passed naturally. But, we always do the right thing.
 
Thank you all for your kind words of support. It really does help when you are constantly questioning your decision afterwards. I just couldn’t see her be miserable and so unlike herself any longer. She just never improved after surgery and I felt she was declining. My heart is breaking because not only do I miss her, but she was the last of my rescue piggies I had. I absolutely love piggies more than people sometimes, and they provided me such comfort through a difficult childhood. Most people just don’t get it, why I’m stil obsessed with them, but I honestly feel I don’t know if I can take any more heartbreak every 3 or more years when they get ill, or die, as it spirals me in to depression. I feel like a little part of me dies every time, and I’ve lost another little friend.
 
Those feelings are a normal part of grief - part of our humanity.
It’s because we love them that losing our piggies hurts so much.
I understand perfectly why you are obsessed with guinea pigs. They have a way of getting into our hearts and staying there forever.
Be patient and gentle with yourself as you grieve.
 
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