• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Just had gp pts after sudden illness

Lazw

Lazw

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Dec 31, 2017
Messages
210
Reaction score
130
Points
390
Location
Yorkshire, UK
Hi all, I'm beyond devastated to have lost my beautiful piggy molly very suddenly and unexpectedly yesterday. She was only 2. About 5 weeks ago she had 3 days or so where she was producing bright orange wee, but other than that was her usual self and it passed and there weren't any more issues. She was her normal bubbly self. Then 3 days ago I noticed she was withdrawing to the back of the enclosure, not interested in food, lethargic etc. I called the vets that afternoon who said it sounded like bloat as her stomach was slightly swollen, they prescribed emeprid and critical care. She seemed to perk up with this plus metacam in Saturday. But yesterday morning I went in to syringe feed her and her eyes were crusty, she could barely move, her eyes were closed and she was hunched. I could now feel very distinct masses in her abdomen. I took her straight to the vets who advised that she actually had advanced cancer, not bloat and it was best to put her to sleep. It's all happened so fast and I can't stop crying, and my other piggy is so lonely. Has anyone any idea what this could have been? I keep wondering if I could have done something to save her. Thanks for reading.
 
Lazw said:
Hi all, I'm beyond devastated to have lost my beautiful piggy molly very suddenly and unexpectedly yesterday. She was only 2. About 5 weeks ago she had 3 days or so where she was producing bright orange wee, but other than that was her usual self and it passed and there weren't any more issues. She was her normal bubbly self. Then 3 days ago I noticed she was withdrawing to the back of the enclosure, not interested in food, lethargic etc. I called the vets that afternoon who said it sounded like bloat as her stomach was slightly swollen, they prescribed emeprid and critical care. She seemed to perk up with this plus metacam in Saturday. But yesterday morning I went in to syringe feed her and her eyes were crusty, she could barely move, her eyes were closed and she was hunched. I could now feel very distinct masses in her abdomen. I took her straight to the vets who advised that she actually had advanced cancer, not bloat and it was best to put her to sleep. It's all happened so fast and I can't stop crying, and my other piggy is so lonely. Has anyone any idea what this could have been? I keep wondering if I could have done something to save her. Thanks for reading.
Click to expand...
I'm so so sorry.

Sleep tight Molly ❤️
 
Hello.
Calm down if you can . . I'm sorry you had a terrible time with Molly. So many questions but they are so many different answers.
You done what you can and yes Molly died far too young. .
Pls take your time and keep postive for piggie left. .
I'm sorry your loved piggie died.
 
You took her to the vets when she was unwell and you did the best thing for her agreeing to put her to sleep. She had cancer and there is nothing that could have been done for that. You could not have saved her. It sounds like you gave her a lovely two years, it's so hard when we lose them early. Try not to worry that you didn't do enough and think about the care and happy life that you gave her. In time you will enjoy your lovely memories
 
Lazw said:
Hi all, I'm beyond devastated to have lost my beautiful piggy molly very suddenly and unexpectedly yesterday. She was only 2. About 5 weeks ago she had 3 days or so where she was producing bright orange wee, but other than that was her usual self and it passed and there weren't any more issues. She was her normal bubbly self. Then 3 days ago I noticed she was withdrawing to the back of the enclosure, not interested in food, lethargic etc. I called the vets that afternoon who said it sounded like bloat as her stomach was slightly swollen, they prescribed emeprid and critical care. She seemed to perk up with this plus metacam in Saturday. But yesterday morning I went in to syringe feed her and her eyes were crusty, she could barely move, her eyes were closed and she was hunched. I could now feel very distinct masses in her abdomen. I took her straight to the vets who advised that she actually had advanced cancer, not bloat and it was best to put her to sleep. It's all happened so fast and I can't stop crying, and my other piggy is so lonely. Has anyone any idea what this could have been? I keep wondering if I could have done something to save her. Thanks for reading.
Click to expand...

Hi!

I am very sorry for your loss! there is nothing you have done wrong; please be assured of that.

Cancer can be genetically determined. Internal ones are sadly generally mostly only picked up when it is too late unless they are accidentally discovered at an early stage; yours has happened unusually early. Unfortunately guinea pigs are small animals with a very fast metabolism; they are also prey animals that wired to suppress any symptoms until the very last, so the end will come very quickly and often seemingly out of the blue. Not anybody's fault just cosmic bad luck. :(
Unfortunately only a post mortem examination at the vet's (which is not quite cheap) will give you the answer as to what exactly has been going on.

The last symptoms are those of a body closing down. A natural death is much more physical than most people imagine when they have never been confronted with it.

Please take the time to read the three guides below; they will hopefully help to answer some of your other questions and help make you sense of your feelings as you go through your grieving process. The last guide is about what you can do for the bereaved companion right now and in the medium term.
- A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs
- Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children
- Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig
 
Aw, I’m so sorry you’ve lost her x
You did everything you could have done for her, sending you big hugs
Sleep tight little Molly 🌈
 
Wiebke said:
Hi!

I am very sorry for your loss! there is nothing you have done wrong; please be assured of that.

Cancer can be genetically determined. Internal ones are sadly generally mostly picked up when it is too late unless they are accidentally picked up at an early stage. Unfortunately guinea pigs are small animals with a very fast metabolism; they are also prey animals that wired to suppress any symptoms until the very last, so the end will come very quickly and often seemingly out of the blue. Not anybody's fault just cosmic bad luck. :(
Unfortunately only a post mortem examination at the vet's (which is not quite cheap) will give you the answer as to what exactly has been going on.

The last symptoms are those of a body closing down. A natural death is much more physical than most people imagine when they have never been confronted with it.

Please take the time to read the three guide below; they will hopefully help to answer some of your other questions and help make you sense of your feelings as you go through your grieving process. The last guide is about what you can do for the bereaved companion right now and in the medium term.
- A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs
- Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children
- Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig
Click to expand...
Thank you so, so much. I've just taken it really badly as she was such a sweet little girl and because she was relatively young I'd imagined I'd have her for a while yet. Thanks for your answer and the detail you give, it has really helped me. Xx
 
So very sorry for your loss.
Holding you in my heart.
Be gentle with yourself as you grieve
 
Guinea Pigs are prey animals and hide their symptoms until it is often too late. Don't beat yourself up. You took her to the vet as soon as you realised something was wrong. Look after yourself as you grieve.
 
Betsy said:
Guinea Pigs are prey animals and hide their symptoms until it is often too late. Don't beat yourself up. You took her to the vet as soon as you realised something was wrong. Look after yourself as you grieve.
Click to expand...
Thank you
 
Zanzan said:
You took her to the vets when she was unwell and you did the best thing for her agreeing to put her to sleep. She had cancer and there is nothing that could have been done for that. You could not have saved her. It sounds like you gave her a lovely two years, it's so hard when we lose them early. Try not to worry that you didn't do enough and think about the care and happy life that you gave her. In time you will enjoy your lovely memories
Click to expand...
Thank you, I really hope so x
 
David Piggie Lover said:
Hello.
Calm down if you can . . I'm sorry you had a terrible time with Molly. So many questions but they are so many different answers.
You done what you can and yes Molly died far too young. .
Pls take your time and keep postive for piggie left. .
I'm sorry your loved piggie died.
Click to expand...
Thank you x
 
Lazw said:
Thank you x
Click to expand...
I lost my Milly at the end of March. She was about 4. Like you, I felt I'd have her for longer than I did, but it wasn't to be. She had passed away one morning when I went outside to feed her. She hadn't even been poorly. She left behind her sister, Molly. No matter what age a piggy is when we lose them, they leave a huge hole in our hearts. You made a hard decision but the right one for her and you got to say goodbye.

You will have lots of lovely precious memories (and probably pictures too) of her. And although those memories might make you cry now, in time they will make you smile.

Take care x
 
Piggylove82 said:
I lost my Milly at the end of March. She was about 4. Like you, I felt I'd have her for longer than I did, but it wasn't to be. She had passed away one morning when I went outside to feed her. She hadn't even been poorly. She left behind her sister, Molly. No matter what age a piggy is when we lose them, they leave a huge hole in our hearts. You made a hard decision but the right one for her and you got to say goodbye.

You will have lots of lovely precious memories (and probably pictures too) of her. And although those memories might make you cry now, in time they will make you smile.

Take care x
Click to expand...
Thank you, you take care too. I'm so sorry to hear of your loss ❤️
 
Thank you to everyone who posted yesterday when I was feeling so low about my molly. In other news, I have just picked up a lovely 8 week old sow to live with my 3 year old milly who was left behind when molly passed. So far I think introductions are going OK!
 
Lazw said:
Thank you to everyone who posted yesterday when I was feeling so low about my molly. In other news, I have just picked up a lovely 8 week old sow to live with my 3 year old milly who was left behind when molly passed. So far I think introductions are going OK!
Click to expand...
That's lovely news ❤️
 
I am so sorry for your loss :( please be assured that you have done nothing wrong. Yes, Molly was young but sadly, it was her time and you made the right decision. Be kind to yourself as you grieve x
 
Oh lovely news, a new baby for you and Milly to focus on. You will keep Molly in your heart as you enjoy this new little lady!
 
Zanzan said:
Oh lovely news, a new baby for you and Milly to focus on. You will keep Molly in your heart as you enjoy this new little lady!
Click to expand...
Thank you 😊. I'm just hoping they get along, they've spent time together thisafternoon and there was a lot of milly chasing our new little girl, and rumblestrutting and lunging at her when she walks past her. Not sure if this is normal at the beginning! Going to head over to the bonding pages now. And you're right, I'll never forget molly 💔 xx
 
Yes definitely check out the pinned posts in the bonding section, they’re very useful! The behaviour you’ve stated sounds completely normal. I have everything crossed it works out for you.
I’m so sorry for your loss. The new pig won’t remove the love and sadness you felt and still feel however it will help you. My boy, Honey, died last year, leaving behind my other pig. It was only 3 days after Honey’s passing that we got another. It made such a difference in me, I was devastated at the loss and it was so present every time I went to the cage. That kind of silence and emptiness can be very hard. Upon getting the new boy, there was no longer the overwhelming presence of loss. I never forgot Honey, I would still cry (i still do at times) and look at videos and photos of him. However I wasn’t constantly reminded of the loss, but of the new love I had for the new pig. I hope you feel the same way.
 
Lazw said:
Thank you 😊. I'm just hoping they get along, they've spent time together thisafternoon and there was a lot of milly chasing our new little girl, and rumblestrutting and lunging at her when she walks past her. Not sure if this is normal at the beginning! Going to head over to the bonding pages now. And you're right, I'll never forget molly 💔 xx
Click to expand...
I think although we love with the same heart, each little (or big) piggy that comes into our life has a special part of our heart. No other piggy, past, present or future has that same part. It forever remains with just one pig.

Your heart never gets used up, it just swells and grows, nourished by all the love that you have and all that you give. It's like over time after you've lost a piggy, it begins to heal over and instead of so much pain, the love you experienced remains there, in that special place that was just for that pig.

Having a new baby piggy for Milly, you'll have a new part of your heart to love the newbie. And the part for Molly will always be Molly's

xx
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top