Hi. I have 3 girl guinea pigs. I have had six 2 of them boys but sadly over time and sad losses have the 3 girls. Previous losses have been sudden and without options or cause for concern for the others. I am posting about a very special lady of just over 4 years old. They live indoors and have loads of handling. About 3 weeks ago we noticed a lump low down on her belly near her nipple. Took her to the vets and was told it was probably a breast tumour. The lump had already seemed to have grown in the short time between noticing it and seeing the vet. We were advised of 2 options. Either remove the lump and hope it hadn't spread or not put her through surgery and enjoy our time until it came. After sleepless nights we decided to get her the surgery and at the very least make her more comfortable long term. Surgery day came too quickly but we were optimistic of the outcome. Then I had a call from the vet. They had to abandon the surgery as once under anaesthetic and laid on her back her chest was making awful noises. Despite her breathing returning to normal once on her front a second attempt was just as awful. Now we are faced with the do I try again? The vet isnt sure why this happened. Might happen again or might be ok. This was 2 days ago. The lump has grown so much. She is constantly wet like she is incontinent and I am broken. She is so good in herself. Eating, drinking and giving kisses. The vet has said she will try again if we want but I see changes by the day. It's that or quality of life judgement. I think I know that no surgery is the right thing but I dont know when it's time to let her go. God I want to fight and do anything to make her ok but that seems unlikely but by the time she shows me she is done she will already be suffering which is the last thing I want. I also dont want to loose her a moment before I have to
Hi and welcome!
I am very sorry that your girl had such a bad reaction to either the GA drug or to be laid back flat on her back.
Guinea pigs have a very small respiratory system. The head should always be above the chest; otherwise the strain on the heart can get to
big. It is likely one of the two that is the problem.
Very sorry about the mammary tumour. They can be very fast growing. My Rhosyn had one of them; sadly she was found to have a very irregular heartbeat during the pre-emergency operation check, which turned it from a tricky into a high risk operation. I decided to go though with the operation as the alternative would have been putting her to sleep. The tumour was a blood filled one; it would have turned septic within 2 weeks, which would have been a much nastier death.
The vet did manage to get the full tumour out, but sadly Rhosyn's bad heart suddenly stopped. She was even younger that your girl.
Unfortunately it sounds like the tumour is now pressing on the bladder and likely increasingly on the gut as well. You will know the point when it gets too much for your girl or when she is in visible discomfort. The most difficult stage is when you are coming close and it becomes a constant weighing up.
It is what I call one of these 'between a rock and a hard place' decisions. There is essentially no right or wrong as long as you make any decision with her wellbeing upmost in mind and not your fear of letting go. We all hate it from the bottom of the heart when we are forced to call the shots; it is a constant soul searching act characterised by very strong emotions.
You may find the chapter on looking after terminally ill guinea pigs in this link below helpful. Please be aware that your grieving process starts the moment you realise that your piggy or a close person's life is very limited. The actual realisation is the lowest and most upsetting point, apart from the actual loss. That is the phase you are currently in.
Here is the link to the grieving guide:
Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children
