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Kidney Failure - Snicker's Last 6 Months

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EmmaNorth

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Hi everyone.
Today I lost my beloved 4 year old rescue Guinea pig Snicker's to kidney failure.
I wanted to post about her last 6 months in the hope that it might help someone else identify/cope with kidney failure.

In December 2014 Snicker's weighed a hefty 1200g. So my new year resolution for her was to loose some weight. She gradually lost weight and in February we were all thinking wow doesn't Snicker's look more healthy. She was no more active, just less heavy. By April she was 1000g so I said target reached well done pig. Shortly into May I worried that she was still losing weight yet eating most of the time and aggressively squeaking/chasing me around the living room for food. She was always waiting for me for breakfast and soon became constantly hungry. By the end of May (5 months of gradual weight loss hardly noticeable unless you weigh regularly) she had gone from 1200 to 950g. At the start of June she went to the vets and was sedated for teeth examination and blood work. Her blood test indicated to the Vet that Snicker's had kidney failure and a urine sample confirmed his diagnosis. There is/was nothing we could do for her but syringe feed and love her. Since June she has lost a little weight each week. She was so active, almost hyperactive, until a week ago eating lots and drinking normal. As she deteriorated she didn't want to eat hay or "boring veg" by July. Only wagg, grass, carrot and brocoli. She lost the hair on her tummy. She did messy poos. In her last week she made less effort to source food and knowing what I do now I should have taken her to be put to rest then but I hoped she could keep going and she was enjoying going in the run and was still running around. Last night she was off her food but this morning she ate her brocoli. I left for work at 7 and got home at 11.30 to find she had died in her sleep.
If anyone has a pig who mysteriously drops weight even by a little each week or suddenly starts to really persue food more than normal please go see a Vet as this was our biggest indicator for kidney failure.
It is a terrible thing to experience a loved pet die slowly from a wasting disease and I am devastated. It has helped writing this but I already feel lost without her. My heart goes out to anyone else who suffers such a loss.
 
Hi everyone.
Today I lost my beloved 4 year old rescue Guinea pig Snicker's to kidney failure.
I wanted to post about her last 6 months in the hope that it might help someone else identify/cope with kidney failure.

In December 2014 Snicker's weighed a hefty 1200g. So my new year resolution for her was to loose some weight. She gradually lost weight and in February we were all thinking wow doesn't Snicker's look more healthy. She was no more active, just less heavy. By April she was 1000g so I said target reached well done pig. Shortly into May I worried that she was still losing weight yet eating most of the time and aggressively squeaking/chasing me around the living room for food. She was always waiting for me for breakfast and soon became constantly hungry. By the end of May (5 months of gradual weight loss hardly noticeable unless you weigh regularly) she had gone from 1200 to 950g. At the start of June she went to the vets and was sedated for teeth examination and blood work. Her blood test indicated to the Vet that Snicker's had kidney failure and a urine sample confirmed his diagnosis. There is/was nothing we could do for her but syringe feed and love her. Since June she has lost a little weight each week. She was so active, almost hyperactive, until a week ago eating lots and drinking normal. As she deteriorated she didn't want to eat hay or "boring veg" by July. Only wagg, grass, carrot and brocoli. She lost the hair on her tummy. She did messy poos. In her last week she made less effort to source food and knowing what I do now I should have taken her to be put to rest then but I hoped she could keep going and she was enjoying going in the run and was still running around. Last night she was off her food but this morning she ate her brocoli. I left for work at 7 and got home at 11.30 to find she had died in her sleep.
If anyone has a pig who mysteriously drops weight even by a little each week or suddenly starts to really persue food more than normal please go see a Vet as this was our biggest indicator for kidney failure.
It is a terrible thing to experience a loved pet die slowly from a wasting disease and I am devastated. It has helped writing this but I already feel lost without her. My heart goes out to anyone else who suffers such a loss.

I am very sorry for your loss! So sad that it was such a horrible experience for you and Snickers.:(

Kidney failure is not a nice diagnosis and yes, it comes into play with sudden weight loss and usually increased or long term heavy drinking together with diabetes, which can present with similar symptoms. Any sudden or gradual weight loss over 50-100g needs to be seen by a preferably piggy savvy vet. Please step in with top-up syringe feeding asap as soon as you notice weight loss and/or erratic feeding, apart from seeing a vet promptly.

I have had to pts my Nia when one of her kidneys went massively wrong last year and she was in real agony and deteriorating quickly. So I really feel for you!

It is very difficult for you when you are going through this for the first time to spot and understand all the mostly very subtle signs. It is also not at all easy to judge when to draw the line at the end if it is not quite clear cut and you are focusing on a recovery. Pts is always a decision that you make with a breaking heart and usually after quite some soul searching.

Your upset about possibly having overlooked things in Snicker's diagnosis or care is typical for the onset of your grieving process; it only shows what a loving piggy mummy you are! Take consolation that you have given Snickers all your love and the best of care that you could provide her with. We can never choose what our piggies (or at that, we ourselves or our beloved ones) die from. All we can do is to be there for them and look after them to best of our current knowledge and ability.

HUGS

You are welcome to post a tribute to Snicker in your Rainbow Bridge section if and whenever it feels right for you.

Here are tips on what you can do for Snicker's companion: https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/forums/rainbow-bridge-pets.16/
 
I am very sorry for your loss! So sad that it was such a horrible experience for you and Snickers.

Kidney failure is not a nice diagnosis and yes, it comes into play with sudden weight loss and usually increased or long term heavy drinking together with diabetes, which can present with similar symptoms. Any sudden or gradual weight loss over 50-100g needs to be seen by a preferably piggy savvy vet. Please step in with top-up syringe feeding asap as soon as you notice weight loss and/or erratic feeding, apart from seeing a vet promptly.

I have had to pts my Nia when one of her kidneys went massively wrong last year and she was in real agony and deteriorating quickly. So I really feel for you!

It is very difficult for you when you are going through this for the first time to spot and understand all the mostly very subtle signs. It is also not at all easy to judge when to draw the line at the end if it is not quite clear cut and you are focusing on a recovery. Pts is always a decision that you make with a breaking heart and usually after quite some soul searching.

Your upset about possibly having overlooked things in her diagnosis or care is typical for the onset of your grieving process; it only shows what a loving piggy mummy you are! Take consolation that you have given Snickers all your love and the best of care that you could provide her with. We can never choose what our piggies (or at that, we ourselves or our beloved ones) die from. All we can do is to be there for them and look after them to best of our current knowledge and ability.

HUGS

You are welcome to post a tribute to Snicker in your Rainbow Bridge section if and whenever it feels right for you.

Here are tips on what you can do for Snicker's companion: https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/forums/rainbow-bridge-pets.16/

Thanks for being so supportive and understanding. I know things will get easier in time and I will enjoy making a tribute to her when I feel less emotional as she was a fantastic pig with so much personality. She was free range with 4 others in our living room and she would sit on my feet when I was sat down wanting treats : )
 
Hello and welcome to the forum! I'm so sorry for your loss :( *huge hugs* It's horrible when you loose them. This forum is great for support from other like minded people with tonnes of information x
 
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