My sweet girl is at the end of her time, what is euthanasia like?

Jasmined

Jasmined

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi everyone,
I haven’t posted in some time but what a support the guinea pig forum has been to me throughout my life with Guinea pigs.

Sadly after months of pain management for my arthritic 8 year old girl, Teddy, we have had the nod from the vet that it is time to let her pass over the rainbow bridge.

She has developed a tumour in her stomach, perhaps it has been there a while, but hasn’t been found during various investigations over the last few months.

I’ve wanted to do right by her and make sure I’ve made her comfortable and let her go gently via euthanasia when it’s her time. Many times I haven’t caught my guinea pigs at the right time and they’ve passed at home. So I’ve not been into the room with them to be put to sleep, and it has given me guilt that I didn’t get there in time.

For those that have been there, in the room, when your beloved Guinea has been euthanised - what was it like?
Other than emotionally, is it distressing to watch? I want to comfort her & be beside her but I’m considering if I can handle it if there’s a lot of movement and it’s a bit violent, or do they literally drift away peacefully when they’re injected?

I’m aware I can ask my vets these questions, but at the time I made the appointment and just blankly left the office because I was a mess. I’m hoping I can get others outlooks on how it was ahead of my visit on Monday.

Thank you so much in advance.

Pictures of our lovely Teddy 🤍
 

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I’m sorry to hear you’re facing this, Teddy looks a lovely girl. I think it might help to ease your mind by having a chat with your vets beforehand, as it can vary a bit. In my own experience my vet takes the piggy out of the room to give a sedation injection, then returns her to me so I can hold her whilst she drifts away. Although emotionally draining, the physical process has been peaceful for my piggies.
 
I’m sorry to hear this.
My last experience of euthanasia was when I had my beloved rabbit Patch put to sleep.
I was allowed to stay in the room the whole time - I was there when he was given the sedative and was holding him the entire time on the table as the sedative took hold. The vet then returned and he was given the final injection during which I was able to have my hand on his head. The vet then left again and gave me a few minutes alone with him once he had passed.
It was a very peaceful experience.
 
It varies from vet to vet, and also what you want.
My last vet was a very small practice so when they had a pet in for pts they lit a candle and placed it on the receptionist’s desk so anyone who came in knew the situation.
I took Priscilla in and sat in the waiting room while the vet put her to sleep.
They brought her back all beautifully wrapped in a towel for me to take her home.
The whole process was less than 5 minutes.
Yes, it’s heartbreaking but can be the right decision for a beloved pet.
You choose how you want to deal with the situation.

Holding you in my heart ♥️ at this difficult time.
 
BIG HUGS

I am very sorry that you have to send your little beloved one on her journey to the Rainbow Bridge.

There is now quite a variety of ways and a major shift has happened in the years since the pandemic. Some clinics offer more personalised services and are more open to wishes than others but it is now much more acknowledged to respect the owner's feelings and wishes.

The two biggest differences are euthanising at the back (usually via sedation and gassing) and euthanising via sedation and lethal injection but with your piggy passing gently away in your arms. The injections and sedation can happen at the back if you are easily upset and find it distressing but you can still ask for having her brought out so she can pass away in your arms, which is usually very peaceful - unlike in the olden days.
Some clinics allow you to bring a closely bonded companion.

You are always welcome to give the clinic a call with a list of questions and unresolved issues ahead of bringing your poorly girl in so you can communicate better what your own wishes are. It also varies how payment is handled. You may also want to decide ahead what happens with the body afterwards (bringing it home or leaving it at the clinic for cremation) in order to keep your stress level down.

We also recommend that you come with a human companion to do the driving and to be with you if possible.

Personally, I have had around 30 or even more piggies put to sleep in all kinds of ways and circumstances over the last 20 years. When I have the choice I would go with any of my piggies being with me throughout the whole process as it can be very peaceful than a prolonged wait in a treatment room but I am aware that watching your piggy being injected in front of you can be rather distressing for other owners and that a mix of the two may be much more suitable for you.

You may find these two guides here helpful:
A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs

Pet Owners Anxiety - Practical Tips For Sufferers and For Supporters (also touches on end of life aspects)

My thoughts are with you and your little beauty. I have had quite a few of my oldies pts for arthritis taking over at end of a long, good life when none of the other organs would fail first. 8 years is a grand old age and a testament to your good care. But of course, it means that you have so many more memories that connect you... :(

PS: We continue to be here for you for moral support and practical advice for as long as needed, including your during your own grieving journey. Please bookmark this thread so you can easily pick it up again, which helps both sides if we can keep each case to just one thread so we have all information together and really personalise our support.
 
When I had The One and Only Thea pts last year, ( she was 8½) the vet signed the paperwork for me (so I wasn't distressed by signing her life away) she took Thea out the back to give her some sedation (so she wouldn't feel the injection) and then brought her back to me in her favourite hidey. I then brought her home. I took her friends Misty and Bramble with her so that they would understand what had happened to her. When I got home Misty had clearly said her goodbyes and was quite happy to come out of the carrier, Bramble clearly didn't want to so I put Thea in the run until Bramble had said her goodbyes and then I put Thea in the hutch and phoned the local pet cremation who came to collect her and brough back her ashes a few days later. We buried her in the guinea pig graveyard in the garden where all my Rainbow Piggies are.
 
Jasmined said:
Hi everyone,
I haven’t posted in some time but what a support the guinea pig forum has been to me throughout my life with Guinea pigs.

Sadly after months of pain management for my arthritic 8 year old girl, Teddy, we have had the nod from the vet that it is time to let her pass over the rainbow bridge.

She has developed a tumour in her stomach, perhaps it has been there a while, but hasn’t been found during various investigations over the last few months.

I’ve wanted to do right by her and make sure I’ve made her comfortable and let her go gently via euthanasia when it’s her time. Many times I haven’t caught my guinea pigs at the right time and they’ve passed at home. So I’ve not been into the room with them to be put to sleep, and it has given me guilt that I didn’t get there in time.

For those that have been there, in the room, when your beloved Guinea has been euthanised - what was it like?
Other than emotionally, is it distressing to watch? I want to comfort her & be beside her but I’m considering if I can handle it if there’s a lot of movement and it’s a bit violent, or do they literally drift away peacefully when they’re injected?

I’m aware I can ask my vets these questions, but at the time I made the appointment and just blankly left the office because I was a mess. I’m hoping I can get others outlooks on how it was ahead of my visit on Monday.

Thank you so much in advance.

Pictures of our lovely Teddy 🤍
Click to expand...
Thinking of you. ❤️❤️. It’s such an awful time.. it sound like it is very peaceful and smooth at the vets… it’s so heart breaking that you have to go through this. You’re clearly a very loving and thoughtful owner. And to get your girl to 8 years old just shows how much she was thriving and what good care you gave her. I have no advice.. but I’m thinking of you and sending lots of love xx
 
Sending lots of love. We have always had sedation out the back being Gas (so they don’t feel the needle) and then them being euthanised with us present.
I would always make sure the vet was going to sedate before the needle.
I am so sorry, euthanising is often the last act of love we can do for our loved little ones.
Massive hugs to you x
 
Hello, huge hugs for you. Teddy is beautiful and has clearly had an amazing 8 and half years. A couple of months ago we had to have our beautiful angel Flora pts, she was really struggling and vet advised it was her time. I personally couldn't be in the room as it happened as I don't think I could have handled it, so the vet sedated her whilst we were there so we saw her get sleepy and comfortable, and then they took her out the back during the actual procedure. I did feel guilty for not being with her, but was reminded by my loved ones that it was important for me to protect myself as well. I just wanted to say that it is okay if you feel you can't be in the room in the last moments if that is the right decision for you, Teddy will remember the years of moments she has had with you, and will be so sleepy by then she will just think she is drifting off into a good nap. It took me a while to feel okay with my decision, but ultimately I had to make sure I was okay, and I know Flora would have wanted me to be okay especially to make sure I could look after her surviving husboar Freddie. It is such a hard time, and my thoughts are with you 🥺
 
Jasmined said:
Thank you to each of you for commenting, it has bought me comfort that she will be in good hands. All the kind words, advice and guidance is very appreciated 💕
Click to expand...

Thinking of you and Teddy. We continue to be here for you for emotional support.
 
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