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Just A Long Old Moan Re My Poorly Piggies

LozzyBee

LozzyBee

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Jan 17, 2016
Messages
199
Reaction score
225
Points
305
Location
London
Hi,

I hope this is the right place, just need to let off some steam really. I don't really have any questions as I'm certain that everything that can be done, is being done for my piggies...

I won't bore you with the history, but our piggie Elvis has dental issues. He has had three dentals up in Northampton and Kim believes it's looking likely that he won't ever be able to go longer than 2-3 weeks maximum without a dental. I'll be honest, cost wise and time wise (it's 2.5 hours one way driving for me - and every time I go up, my husband has to take time off to deal with the children) I know eventually it may take its toll.

Added to this, last weekend, our little Barlo developed a head tilt overnight. Took him to the vets that day where they believed it was an abscess...they went to operate on him the next day and found it wasn't an abscess. We are currently waiting for the results of a biopsy, and whilst we are waiting he is on 2 types of antibiotics and Zydol. He hasn't ever been as bad as he was that first day he developed the head tilt, but he's still not himself. He's not eating much, and as a result has lost an awful lot of weight (from 1200g to 920g. I'm hoping to get his weight up a little, they have just had a little weekend stay at the vets while we were away and he was 1000g before I left).

I absolutely HATE that I'm going to mention money, but I'm going to mention money....it's been a lot, all in one go, and it's only going to continue. At the moment we're just closing our eyes and hoping for the best when we hand over the payment card :-/

I don't really have any questions...I can't do any more than I'm doing, and it is what it is. I just feel very frustrated to be honest and I'm not even sure what with! I feel very daunted by the prospect of fortnightly drives up to Northampton, and obviously I'm currently not sure what on earth is going on with Barlo. They are concerned it is some sort of tumour, results should be in this afternoon or tomorrow. If it is, I'm wondering how long I keep him going/how long he has/what's right and what's wrong....I said I didn't have any questions didn't I?! They're more thinking out loud things I guess.


Sorry for such a depressing post. I'm not even sure the point of it, I just thought someone here may understand and be able to point some soothing noises in my direction.


Thank you for listening x
 
I'm sorry your having such a bad time at the moment with Piggies health,

Sometimes it does seem like everything goes wrong at once, and at the worst possible time.

I know how hard it is with money when you have on going vet treatments, it is hard, and it's understandable to be worried about money in all of this, you want to treat the pets as best as you can but you also have to worry about the mounting costs of treatment, it's very stressful when you go into a vet appointment not knowing what the cost may be at the end.
And I personally think that can be a little unfair to the owners, it could be £20 or it could be a couple of hundred, and it has to be paid up front most of the time. That's very stressful.

I'm sending good vibes the Piggies way, hopefully they get better soon and I'm also sending good vibes your way, because it will be taking its tole on you too.
 
I am so sorry you are having all this to deal with. Sending healing vibes to your piggys and hugs to you.
 
Huge hugs. I have had times where I have seldom been away from the vets or dealing with poorly piggies. It takes its toll with trying to fit in their needs around work; it takes its toll travelling; generally looking after them and then there is the cost. I don't have a magic wand. But these situations don't usually last for long in the scope of things. Try to take each day as it comes. I try to worry each day only about the things I can do/change that day. Hugs x
 
Huge hugs! I feel for you, I was in a similar position over Christmas and the first couple months of the year. Its exhausting, draining both mentally and finacially.. I hope you find some answers. My head tilt piggy turned out to have e.cuniculi. Not common for piggies (just my luck!) But she has it anyway. If your biopsy comes back with no answers maybe ask to try a course of panacur. I know you said you didnt have questions so sorry to provide an answer, but id never heard of it before Bramble and apparently not all vets know piggies can get it!

Do remember to take time out for yourself too when/if you can, just knowing I had an hour to do anything I liked without having to do a syringe feed took a lot of pressure off! I hope you get a happy outcome for your piggies. Xx
 
Eriathwen said:
Huge hugs! I feel for you, I was in a similar position over Christmas and the first couple months of the year. Its exhausting, draining both mentally and finacially.. I hope you find some answers. My head tilt piggy turned out to have e.cuniculi. Not common for piggies (just my luck!) But she has it anyway. If your biopsy comes back with no answers maybe ask to try a course of panacur. I know you said you didnt have questions so sorry to provide an answer, but id never heard of it before Bramble and apparently not all vets know piggies can get it!

Do remember to take time out for yourself too when/if you can, just knowing I had an hour to do anything I liked without having to do a syringe feed took a lot of pressure off! I hope you get a happy outcome for your piggies. Xx
Click to expand...

I have never heard of that - I'll have to look it up, thank you. His biopsy came back clear, so they shifted around the meds a little and he does seem to be improving.

I'm so glad you said about taking time out for myself - I did exactly that this morning, and it felt great. It's very time consuming looking after poorly piggies! Yesterday I had to pop out in the evening and texted my husband to tell him not to worry - we haven't been burgled! I feel like I'm spending all my time sitting on the sofa syringe feeding one or other guinea pig right now. They can't help it though bless them, and I'm fortunate that I have the time to do it for them, so as long as I can, I will!
 
I'm glad you've had time to look after yourself a little as well, you've deserved it after all the hard work you've put in looking after the Piggies :)
 
so sorry to hear this sweets
hope things can be a little less costly for you.
people think that because guineapigs are small animals they don't cost much
well i've got news for them, they can often cost more than a cat or a dog...
 
only you can do what's right for you and your family as well as your piggie ones also...
 
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