• 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

Koko Had To Be Put To Sleep

Status
Not open for further replies.
W

Wookey78

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Jan 7, 2017
Messages
130
Reaction score
41
Points
220
Location
Devon
hi

I have only posted a few times. One of our guineas that we only had for 10 days has been put to sleep today. I feel terrible and am dreading telling my daughter

She came to us with two syringes left of antibiotics the people we bought her off had kept them both for another two weeks to get her better before giving her to us.

However 5 days later she was still sneeZing and coughing and choking so I took her back and got baytril and metacam. Should have taken her back tomorrow but she weighed 10g less and I think the choking on the fresh veg was getting worse.

Anyway today the vet who's is a small animal one gave a few options which was an X-ray or endoscopy to see if just a piece of hay stuck when she could easily remove. I was torn in spending the £200 odd pound and my husband would not be happy. Anyway she met me half way and it was £104 . However unfortunately it was a very big abcess and her trachea was going over the top which would make it very hard to get too. She also said in small animals they encapsulate so you have to make sure you remove it all not just cut and drain. She was really lovely. Ashe even offered at first if I didn't want to pay that one of her nurses would take over her care etc so she had a chance. But I made the choice to pay and am glad I did. She called me and said she was still asleep but the outcome wouldn't probably be in her favour and she would not want her to suffer etc. So I made th decision to euthanise her. I am so upset and herbpoor sister Pumpkin is currently in the travel box an I am not sure whether to put her back in the cage.

Really sorry for the long essay but having only owned them 10 days or so I feel so bad

If I get her a companion how long should we wait etc. I don't want her getting depressed. I have just told the people we got her off and they said if we do go down this route we can have one free. Although it wasn't a big deal as they were only £15. I just want to do what right for Pumpkin x
 
I'm so sorry for your loss. :( Abscesses are terrible to deal with, and I can see how one so far down the throat would be extremely difficult to treat. ((HUGS)) to you.

As far as companions go, some pigs deal with bereavement better than others. I've had one pig seem okay but a little more subdued and one who was very visibly distressed. Getting a companion sooner is probably better than later, as guinea pigs really are happier with a companion. When you do get a companion for her, especially given that she has been on antibiotics, etc., it's important to do a quarantine period to make sure both Pumpkin and the new pig are not carrying any germs that could infect each other, since you don't want to be right back at the vet's with them. Also be sure about gender before putting them together, although that goes without saying! There is a link on the behavior page about introducing new pigs- introductions should be done on neutral ground and supervised to be sure that the pigs accept each other. It's also a good idea to wash down the cage thoroughly before placing both pigs inside, as this will make the cage seem like neutral territory and make Pumpkin less protective of the space and more likely to settle in with a new friend without a fuss.

Hope this helps, and again, so sorry about Koko and all you've been through.
 
Thank you. It was Koko that was on antibiotics not Pumpkin. Will it be ok to put her back in the hutch today without doing a full clean? They are only 10 weeks so hoping I can get another the same age. We have a run not been used yet as it's been too cold but I might set that up and look at getting her a friend in the next week or so?

I will look at the behaviours thread. Your reply has been helpful.
 
Wookey78 said:
hi

I have only posted a few times. One of our guineas that we only had for 10 days has been put to sleep today. I feel terrible and am dreading telling my daughter

She came to us with two syringes left of antibiotics the people we bought her off had kept them both for another two weeks to get her better before giving her to us.

However 5 days later she was still sneeZing and coughing and choking so I took her back and got baytril and metacam. Should have taken her back tomorrow but she weighed 10g less and I think the choking on the fresh veg was getting worse.

Anyway today the vet who's is a small animal one gave a few options which was an X-ray or endoscopy to see if just a piece of hay stuck when she could easily remove. I was torn in spending the £200 odd pound and my husband would not be happy. Anyway she met me half way and it was £104 . However unfortunately it was a very big abcess and her trachea was going over the top which would make it very hard to get too. She also said in small animals they encapsulate so you have to make sure you remove it all not just cut and drain. She was really lovely. Ashe even offered at first if I didn't want to pay that one of her nurses would take over her care etc so she had a chance. But I made the choice to pay and am glad I did. She called me and said she was still asleep but the outcome wouldn't probably be in her favour and she would not want her to suffer etc. So I made th decision to euthanise her. I am so upset and herbpoor sister Pumpkin is currently in the travel box an I am not sure whether to put her back in the cage.

Really sorry for the long essay but having only owned them 10 days or so I feel so bad

If I get her a companion how long should we wait etc. I don't want her getting depressed. I have just told the people we got her off and they said if we do go down this route we can have one free. Although it wasn't a big deal as they were only £15. I just want to do what right for Pumpkin x
Click to expand...

BIG HUGS

I am very sorry. If it is any consolation to you, you have made the right decision. Unless you can get an internal abscess out in one piece in its complete cpasule, you risk the infection going all over the body; that is very often fatal - even more so in youngsters that have a still developing immune system. Considering the sensitive area the abscess was located in, the chances would not have been good. :(
It is not your fault; the issue has very likely going on before you got her.

If it helps you and your daughter, you are welcome to post a tribute in our Rainbow Bridge section at any time.

Here are our tips for bereaved guinea pigs. If Pumpkin is still eating, you have the grace of being able to wait until she is coming out of deep mourning after a few days of being withdrawn and ideally conduct a 2 weeks quarantine if she is suspected of having an infectious disease. If she stops eating, you will need to get her a new asap. Acute pining is thankfully rare. The link also contains our rescue locator if you prefer to get a guaranteed healthy companion that can be character matched.
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
Importance Of Quarantine
 
Thankyou. That has made me feel better as you often worry if money was no object would she be ok but then the vet did explain everything too it's just so sad.

I have Pumpkin in a box just now with a fresh fleece and just offered her a piece of red pepper with no interest! However she did have a few pieces on the way home in the car.

My main question if you can or anyone can help is can I put her straight back in the hutch now without cleaning it? Thanks.
 
Wookey78 said:
Thankyou. That has made me feel better as you often worry if money was no object would she be ok but then the vet did explain everything too it's just so sad.

I have Pumpkin in a box just now with a fresh fleece and just offered her a piece of red pepper with no interest! However she did have a few pieces on the way home in the car.

My main question if you can or anyone can help is can I put her straight back in the hutch now without cleaning it? Thanks.
Click to expand...

So sorry for your loss - it sounds like you did everything possible and sometimes the kidest thing we can do is allow them to go peacefully.

It is fine to put Pumpkin back in the cage without cleaning it.
It might help her settle to be somewhere that is familiar, but if she does become distressed them you can always take her out while you do a quick clean.
 
I'm so desperately sorry. What a terribly sad start to keeping piggies. I'm sure that Pumpkin would be fine back in the cage, but she will be sad and a little lonely. I'm so sorry you've had to go through this.
The people who sold the piggies to you should help bear some if not all of the costs you have incurred. They clearly knew she was unwell when they handed her over to you, but perhaps not the extent of the illness.
You've had some great advice given by Wiebke above about quarantine and perhaps getting another companion for Pumpkin.
 
Wookey78 said:
Thankyou. That has made me feel better as you often worry if money was no object would she be ok but then the vet did explain everything too it's just so sad.

I have Pumpkin in a box just now with a fresh fleece and just offered her a piece of red pepper with no interest! However she did have a few pieces on the way home in the car.

My main question if you can or anyone can help is can I put her straight back in the hutch now without cleaning it? Thanks.
Click to expand...

I would keep her indoors for the time being. Please be aware that the current cold wave is tricky for youngsters that have not yet got the body mass. You will also have to take that into consideration when getting a new companion that is not used to the outdoors and that you need to accustom any guinea pig to the outdoors living.

What you can do, it get Pumpkin something from the soiled bedding that carries Koko's scent to snuggle up with for comfort and consolation. Make sure that she has plenty of hay and water.
 
I just quickly changed the main area by scooping out some sawdust and putting new in but kept the sleeping part and the fleece they had together in there. She was kind of teeth chattering when in the box so think she was getting annoyed. I popped her back in the hutch and she has just eaten some broccoli. Although it seemed she ran about for a bit maybe looking for her sister

I started reading the bereaved thread it said not to put back in the hutch but bring in for a few days. We don't have that capacity so I hope she will be ok. I will keep checking on her. Out of the two of them Pumpkin was always the more timid and skittish so will keep an eye on her. Thanks again everyone you have really helped me. I am sitting her holding back the tears. As I know I have to go through it all again when my 11 year old comes home. I have asked my hubby to collect the children as I don't think I could hold it in at the school. x
 
I'm so sorry - it's hard enough dealing with your own feelings, but then having to deal with your children's emotions is also difficult. Let it out. Don't bottle it up.
 
I only just seen your reply Wiebke. I kept the bedding area all the same and gave her the fleece they used last night. I have just ordered the snuggle pad as hadn't got around to it from last weeks suggestion.

Lots of hay water and crunch. I am going to leave her alone until the children come home then see if she wants to come in for a cuddle
 
Sorry for your loss, I'm afraid I am for piggies to be kept inside. I think it is far to cold for them to be outside. Especially for a little one. Also I think if your piggies came instead you & your piggie would benefit from the company. It would be OK if they were in a heated shed, although having said that there have been rat attacks.
But this is my personal view.
 
I understand your view. I know lots of people keep them inside but also lots keeps them outside. The people we got them off have a shed with cages inside just for gps. Currently we are having a new bathroom so everything is in the dining room so no room for a hutch in it
 
Would you suggest a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel until my snuggle pad arrives?
 
@VickiA or @Wiebke

The people we got them from have said they amhave another gp we can possible have if a family member doesn't want her. She was premature but has no health problems apart from her size and knows Pumpkin. Do gps actually 'know' each other?

Thanks in advance.
 
I'll be honest with you here. I wouldn't have another piggy from them. I would be worried about other health issues. But that's just my opinion. Also, even if from same litter they have been separated and will still have to go through acceptance and dominance of a reintroduction.

As for a hot water bottle you can use one but only if you can ensure that the piggy can't get to nibble on the bottle or burn herself on the bottle or contents. If you are going to use one, please be very careful and wrap it in a towel and bury it under fleece. Bottles lose their heat quite quickly. They are far from ideal for many reasons.
Are you able to get a microwaveable snuggle safe heat pad? They stay warm for 10 hours. You can buy in P@H or other big pet stores or online.
 
We've got snuggle pads from P@H & Pets Corner. Amazon postage Is from tomorrow to next month, unless you fast track it
 
It's not from the same litter. I would take it and get it vet checked straight away anyway. But I know what your saying. We might not even be able to get it yet.

The PAH one is 22.99 but on Amazon they are £13 I think. I won't be using a hot water bottle now! Thank you. I think I am just going to lift her whole hutch tonight and put it where the back door is. I will turn the radiator off in there. Should I open the lid. And I will have to put her back outside in the morning.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top