Knowing when to let go - Piggy with recurring stones

[EmmaH_91]

My piggy - Chuck, is only 2 years old.
Last July 2020 he developed his first UTI which was treated effectively. In March this year we spotted blood in his urine and him making squeaking noises when weeing, this was discovered to be a bladder stone. We put him through a cystotomy and he recovered really well and quickly... within about 4 weeks his squeaking systems and blood in urine had returned and it was discovered that another 4 stones had formed. We decided to give him another operation which he recovered well from again, but said this would be his last as we don’t want to keep putting him through surgery that often. This was May and now just a few weeks ago he was showing signs again so we had the vet confirm and it is indeed another stone We have said we are not going to put him through anymore operations as there is already scar tissue and lesions inside him from the last two ops (which must only be causing him more pain). So he is now on end of life care and strong pain relief, he is on meloxaid (metacam) 0.26ml twice daily, calpol 0.4ml twice daily, buprecare 0.8ml twice daily and gabapentin 0.8ml twice daily. He was given the burprecare as an addition on Friday just gone, we had been administering over the weekend but he is still showing signs of pain every time he wees, squeaking when weeing and hunching over. We don’t know what to do next, I believe he is on the strongest medication but it still doesn’t seem to be alleviating his pain. We don’t want him to live a life in pain but it’s a hard decision as in every other aspect he is still absolutely fine, still eating and drinking and his still his usual self. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[VickiA]

I am ever so sorry that you find yourself in this position. It’s one that none of us ever relishes. I have always taken the decision that if medication cannot alleviate the pain a piggy is in, then perhaps it is better to make the decision sooner rather than later. But there is no right or wrong decision here.

Please have a full and frank discussion with your vet about whether there is anything more that can be done to alleviate his pain and be guided by them.

We do understand how difficult this is for you.

Wiebke has written a guide about dealing with palliative care pets and euthanasia. A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs

 

[Swissgreys]

I can only echo what Vicki has said.
It is a deeply difficult and very personal decision, and you always know your own piggy best.
Be kind to yourself and any decision made with his best interests at heart will never be the wrong one.

 

[munchmonster]

What a terrible position to find yourself and your piggie in. My heart goes out to you and I can't give you a qualified answer, I send you love and best wishes as you make your decision. Love and healing vibes to your poor piggie too xx

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome

BIG HUGS

I hope that you will find my guide link in @VickiA 's post helpful; it explores the grey area in which there is no right or wrong in detail with all the factors that are in play to help you make a more informed decision that feels right for you and helps you ultimately make peace with it all sooner and more easily.

Since this is always a very personal decision, we cannot make it for you; it depends on your bond, your piggy, where you stand and also your experience. Long term owners tend to say goodbye a bit sooner rather than later as they have fought the battle you are currently fighting a few times already so they have answered some of the more general questions you are having for themselves already and only have to deal with the individual/situational stuff, and the experience itself - while never any less heart-breaking - is no longer quite as frightening. It is always most difficult when the decision is resting fully on just your judgment and outside factors are not making your decision clearer and easier.

My thoughts are with you.

 

[Sue and Smartie]

I had a pig who had recurring bladder stones, although mine was older when he had his first op. He also took longer to grow another stone but that was his second op. I said then there wouldn't be a third, and the vet said she agreed as his bladder was already scarred from the surgeries.
His time came when I found a pool of blood in the Piggy Palace, he'd just peed it out. He didn't appear to be in pain but we took him to the vet and he was x-rayed, he had another stone that appeared to be stuck to the wall of his bladder. He was pts there & then as we all agreed enough was enough.
It's a horrible decision to make at any age, but I think you will know when it's time x

 

[EmmaH_91]

Just to update you all, Chucky boy sadly took a turn for the worst on Friday 9th.
He wasn’t able to urinate that night and so we felt the stone must have been blocking his urethra. He got so weak in those last hours and was unable to eat, drink or walk properly. We made the decision to have him PTS on Saturday morning. It felt like the best thing for him. We had him cremated at a private pet crematorium just yesterday and he now has a place on our bookcase with a tribute to him. Our little black baby boy We are both feeling incredibly sad and missing him so much

 

[Two_Wheeks]

So very sorry for your loss. Chuck will be with you always. Sometimes the kindest decisions are the hardest.

Popcorn free, little Chuck

 

[Wiebke]

BIG HUGS

I am so sorry but you have made absolutely the right decision and cut short his suffering.

He will live forever in your heart and your precious memories.