3-21-21 at 8:30am est my jellyroll passed in my arms after kidney failure. He was my emotional support animal and we had the money to pay for the surgery but the vet my wife took him to said she wouldn’t do it that a guinea pig wasn’t worth. He died before we could get him into another vet. He was cremated.
BIG HUGS
I am ever so sorry for your loss!
While the argumentation of the vet was totally inappropriate and entirely insensitive, finding another vet wouldn't have changed the outcome.
Kidney removal operations in guinea pigs are unfortunately right at the very limit and still in most cases beyond veterinary ability. I have not yet come across a successful kidney operation although they are being attempted now, and this only very recently.
Please keep in mind that veterinary experience in small animals has come a long way, but that compared to dogs and cats, veterinary knowledge and experience is lagging a long way behind. Guinea pigs and other pet rodents are classed as exotics and are sadly not featuring much, if at all, on a general vet's curriculum. And when they fall ill, their much faster metabolism does turn against them.
I would however complain to the clinic about the language and argumentation being used. That should not happen in this day and age. They can say rightly that they are not seeing guinea pigs because they are not trained to deal with them but not that guinea pigs or other small pets are not worth medical care in the first place.
The third Animal Welfare Freedom (which the USA as well as the UK have officially acknowledged) includes the right of every farm animal, pet or wild animal in captivity to be free from pain, injury and disease. Any vet clinic should act and speak in accordance with the most elementary animal welfare rights in their country and do so in a compassionate and respectful way with any worried animal owner seeking help.
Access to exotics vets with guinea pig experience is much more limited in the USA unfortunately; even more so in the current pandemic.
Here is a link to recommended US vets for guinea pig owners.
Guinea Lynx :: A Medical and Care Guide for Your Guinea Pig
Kidney failure is one of the more common causes of death in guinea pigs; especially older ones. In fact, one of my own is in the later stages of it right now and will sadly be making her own way to Rainbow Bridge in the rather near future; I am bracing for having to rush her to a vet for euthanasia if necessary. There is not a lot you can do about buying a significant amount of time medically, either, in the case of guinea pigs.
We can unfortunately never choose when and what from one of our beloved ones will pass away from. Kidney failure is one of the more common causes of the death. As long as your have given Jellyroll a happy life, you have done what he needed. Guinea pigs don't measure their lives in a set life expectancy, they measure their life in happy todays. When living with pets, we should strive to do the same in our relationship with them, so when their time comes - ALWAYS far too soon - we have lots of happy memories in our heart and will carry them with us forever through that.
Please take the time to read the information in this guide here. It helps you to make sense of your feelings and also contains links and recommendations where you can find support for several countries:
Human Bereavement: Grieving, Coping and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children
If you need more practical information about understanding and coping with the physical side of Jelly Roll's dying process (which can take owners by surprise and upset them badly), then you will find this link here helpful:
A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs
Here is what you can do for any companion of Jelly Roll's:
Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig
