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Older boar, multiple health problems. Any advice?

L

Lucy1991

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
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Location
Wordsley
hi everyone.

So my 5 year old boy, Leroy has had a bit of a rough time lately.

Long story short, he was diagnosed with heart disease 5 months ago. Last week he had a big impaction followed by a suspected URI and possible worsening of the fluid. ( I took him to the vets as he was off his wet food and I could hear wheezing! He also has arthritis in his front leg.

He went to the vets who were very concerned and prepared me for the worst , However, just like the last time when he was diagnosed with heart failure.. he completely shocked us all and after having the right treatment he’s back to his sassy greedy chutty little self. His eating and drinking habits are back and he’s been doing lots of fabulous poops!


He’s now taking-
Baytril
Emiprid
Metacam
Furosemide. (Long term)


He’s doing amazing. He’s back on his feet, enjoying his floor and lap time and back to chutting around his cage. Even popcorning at his big senior age 🥰

My question is- what can I do to give him the best chance with all of these health problems?
I’ve read through the forums and there’s so much information and it got a bit overwhelming.

-He currently has burgess excel senior crandberry and mint pellets
-He has Timothy hay, some coarse and some soft cut. He also has a little hay box to climb into with the soft cut and some meadow/orchid hay. ( I get all of my hay from “hay box “. It’s all fresh and green.
- his bedding is fleece with lots of layers so it’s all soft
- he has a tunnel and blanket which is his main bed.. I change the blankets 2-3 times a day.
- he has another soft tunnel hidey
- he has a forage mat with bunny bistro complete mix (with the rabbit pellets removed) some probiotic and vitamin c treats
- the vet advised me to reduce calcium in his diet so I’ve swapped parsley for corriander (which he didn’t like before) gem lettuce or cos lettuce, cucumber, celery and try to give him some bell pepper but he’s not a fan
- c and c cage is 5x2 and he has regular free roam of the living room.


Is there anything else I can do to help him? Or change any of his current diet? He’s been amazing since having some treatment however I want to do my best to avoid things getting to this point again. From looking at the forums I can see just how important is to tailor his diet.

I’ve also ordered some pro c as I’ve seen that can be beneficial.

Any advice at all will be welcomed. He’s such a happy, loving and sassy boy and I want to do the best I possibly can for him.

Thanks everyone.
 
Thanks so much for the reply. It’s got no museli or cereals in,, just dried herbs,grass, pea flakes, dried flowers. And then the rabbit pellets of course are made up of museli etc … which I will pick out ( it takes ages.. but he loves it). I will have a read through that link. Thank you :)
 
Leroy is clearly in excellent hands with you.
I can’t add to the advice @Piggies&buns has given but I do want to offer support.

Look after yourself too.
Caring for a piggy with health issues is emotionally draining
 
Aww thank you. I have double checked the ingredients in that mix and it’s all good stuff. - it’s worth picking the pellets out because he loves it so much.

I'm glad I'm doing the right things - but when he’s poorly I doubt myself. And we all just want to do everything we can to help our little friends.

It has been so hard. He hates being syringe fed but I think I’ve mastered the burrito trick- and his sass is certainly back. After him going from his content, affectionate and excited self seeing him gasping for breath and not wanting to eat was heart breaking.

But I can confirm he’s doing amazing now. It’s hard when the vets say,, he’s old, he might not be able to fight it etc. ( I know they have to go by what they see on the day and he didn’t look well at all) it’s just because I know he has so much zest for life! He’s such a trooper. He certainly doesn’t act like a senior boy.. still popcorning with his little arthritis limp 😫🥰

Fingers crossed with the change in diet he will continue to enjoy life 🥰

Thanks again so much for responding and for the support and reassurance.
 
so this morning. ( the third morning of meds). Leroy was hiding rather than coming out to me for his breakfast- I think he’s learned that first thing in the morning is med time..

But I always have a small piece of strawberry ready with his furosemide tablet smushed in, to give him straight after his last syringe.,, but he didn’t eat it today.

I popped him back in his pen and gave it to him in there but he’s just sniffed it and wasn’t interested… he also didn’t want his lettuce or corriander.. I don’t know if he’s just being moody.. he’s still eating his hay so that’s good.

He’s back in at the vets Wednesday anyway… but I’m just a bit concerned because he was doing so well 😫.

I’ll keep an eye on him of course.. but could it be that he’s just in a huff? He is a sassy boy.. or maybe the meds make him feel a bit iffy? Just strange that it’s only today after he’s had them for a few days and been fine.
 
Lucy1991 said:
so this morning. ( the third morning of meds). Leroy was hiding rather than coming out to me for his breakfast- I think he’s learned that first thing in the morning is med time..

But I always have a small piece of strawberry ready with his furosemide tablet smushed in, to give him straight after his last syringe.,, but he didn’t eat it today.

I popped him back in his pen and gave it to him in there but he’s just sniffed it and wasn’t interested… he also didn’t want his lettuce or corriander.. I don’t know if he’s just being moody.. he’s still eating his hay so that’s good.

He’s back in at the vets Wednesday anyway… but I’m just a bit concerned because he was doing so well 😫.

I’ll keep an eye on him of course.. but could it be that he’s just in a huff? He is a sassy boy.. or maybe the meds make him feel a bit iffy? Just strange that it’s only today after he’s had them for a few days and been fine.
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Hi

With oldies it can be very much up and down; it's management and not healing so it is never quite as straight forward as you'd think; the closer you look the more you'll pick up on.

You can discuss your metacam dose with your vet in case his pain issues are gradually getting worse when you see him next if the pickiness is connected to weight loss.

We recommend to weigh daily first thing in the morning for best day to day comparison since the weight swings roughly in a 30g band over the course of a day. This will help you pick up on gradually developing trends as well.
You may find this link here very helpful: Weight and Weight Loss Explained: BMI, Weighing, Poos and Feeding Support Levels
 
Okay. Thank you so much. I managed to get about 5ml of crital care in him and managed to syringe feed his furosemide.. he’s under the sofa now fuming! I’ve left him alone to try and relax.

I’ll have a look through those links. Thanks you.
 
I took him to the emergency vet and he’s had a furosemide injection .. his breathing is still a bit fast. When we got home I gave him 1ml of crital care to keep him moving. He’s just resting now.. he still doesn’t have an interest in food. Even his favourites. The vet suggested to keep him
I’m on oxygen but it was £900. I couldn’t afford it. I’m hoping the injection alone helps- I’m going to take him back to the normal vets tomorrow. I just feel so hopeless. It’s awful seeing him like this.
 
HUGS

I am so very sorry. Fingers crossed.
 
Good morning all. Leroy sadly didn’t make it through the night. I checked his breathing at about 3.30 am.. after all his medicines and his injection I let him rest. His breathing was steady.. I’m just here now thinking.. maybe I should have woke him up to syringe feed him again.. I should have stayed up with him etc. I really thought he was going to make it through. I just hope he didn’t suffer. At least he’s at peace now and no longer in pain. I’m so heartbroken.
 
💔
I am so very sorry that Leroy had to cross The Rainbow Bridge 🌈
 
Please try to be kind to yourself I know when we lose someone we love it breaks our hearts and we are left with the questions of what ifs and if onlys it is only natural but you gave your boy love every day of his life and in his eyes that's what matters 🌈
 
Lucy1991 said:
Good morning all. Leroy sadly didn’t make it through the night. I checked his breathing at about 3.30 am.. after all his medicines and his injection I let him rest. His breathing was steady.. I’m just here now thinking.. maybe I should have woke him up to syringe feed him again.. I should have stayed up with him etc. I really thought he was going to make it through. I just hope he didn’t suffer. At least he’s at peace now and no longer in pain. I’m so heartbroken.
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BIG HUGS

I am so very sorry that Leroy's little body has taken all it could and that his time for making it to the Rainbow Bridge had come. He will have had a peaceful and quick journey; it always is when the tower of cards that a frail oldie has become starts caving in.

You can take a beloved pet with their much faster metabolism and shorter lifespan only so far - and the fact that Leroy has made it so far is a testament of your love and good care. But then you need to let them make their journey as their biology dictates.

One more feed once this process was under way would not have helped and in fact would have caused him discomfort because he would not have been able to process it and it would have just sat there if you had forced it in. It is just the instinctive drive of our own human wiring that we will always seek fault with us, even when - as in your case - there is absolutely no reason for it.

Your acute distress sitting by him when he was drifting gently away may have actually made his journey more difficult for him. He knew that he was loved but he was just so very, very tired...
Leroy left in the way he wanted; it was something only he could do. The end will have come peacefully and quickly. Please try to take comfort from that. As natural deaths go, his must have been one of the easy and least physical ones.

Please be kind with yourself. It is OK to not be OK for a little while, especially when you focus so strongly on keeping a pet going and are then drowned by all the emotions you have held back for so long.
But please seek help if you find that you cannot sleep, function in daily life for longer than just a few days of if you get trapped in one of the nasty guilt/failure mind loops at the onset of the grieving process.

The Blue Cross (UK only charity) offer free pet bereavement services. Talking is the best thing you can do: Pet Loss Support
More about the grieving process and what you can do at home for yourself: Human Bereavement: Grieving, Processing and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

You couldn't have done any more for Leroy and you have given him a life filled with loads of happy todays, which is how guinea pigs measure a good life by. As much as he was blessed to have found you, you were blessed to have him.

He leaves you with lots of special memories which stay forever in the nest in your heart where he used to den. You will discover his treasure trove when the time is right for you to go there and it doesn't hurt too much anymore. But he will never leave you completely because he has been such a part of your life and has he has shaped you as much as you have shaped him during your time together. That is the miracle of love and that is the golden pot at the bottom of the Rainbow Bridge once you are ready for it.

In case you need it: Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig
 
Thank you so much. I really thought he would pull through.. I loved him so so much. I’ve just taken him to the vets- he’s going to be cremated and I will have the ashes in a nice wooden box with his name on.. he was a great boy.. and I’ll always remember him.

This forum has been amazing.. and I'm
So glad we’ve all got this space for support and guidance.
 
Wiebke said:
BIG HUGS

I am so very sorry that Leroy's little body has taken all it could and that his time for making it to the Rainbow Bridge had come. He will have had a peaceful and quick journey; it always is when the tower of cards that a frail oldie has become starts caving in.

You can take a beloved pet with their much faster metabolism and shorter lifespan only so far - and the fact that Leroy has made it so far is a testament of your love and good care. But then you need to let them make their journey as their biology dictates.

One more feed once this process was under way would not have helped and in fact would have caused him discomfort because he would not have been able to process it and it would have just sat there if you had forced it in. It is just the instinctive drive of our own human wiring that we will always seek fault with us, even when - as in your case - there is absolutely no reason for it.

Your acute distress sitting by him when he was drifting gently away may have actually made his journey more difficult for him. He knew that he was loved but he was just so very, very tired...
Leroy left in the way he wanted; it was something only he could do. The end will have come peacefully and quickly. Please try to take comfort from that. As natural deaths go, his must have been one of the easy and least physical ones.

Please be kind with yourself. It is OK to not be OK for a little while, especially when you focus so strongly on keeping a pet going and are then drowned by all the emotions you have held back for so long.
But please seek help if you find that you cannot sleep, function in daily life for longer than just a few days of if you get trapped in one of the nasty guilt/failure mind loops at the onset of the grieving process.

The Blue Cross (UK only charity) offer free pet bereavement services. Talking is the best thing you can do: Pet Loss Support
More about the grieving process and what you can do at home for yourself: Human Bereavement: Grieving, Processing and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children

You couldn't have done any more for Leroy and you have given him a life filled with loads of happy todays, which is how guinea pigs measure a good life by. As much as he was blessed to have found you, you were blessed to have him.

He leaves you with lots of special memories which stay forever in the nest in your heart where he used to den. You will discover his treasure trove when the time is right for you to go there and it doesn't hurt too much anymore. But he will never leave you completely because he has been such a part of your life and has he has shaped you as much as you have shaped him during your time together. That is the miracle of love and that is the golden pot at the bottom of the Rainbow Bridge once you are ready for it.

In case you need it: Looking After a Bereaved Guinea Pig
Click to expand...
Thank you so much ❤️❤️. It does bring me
Comfort that he would have just drifted off naturally. He went on his own terms- I wouldn’t have expected anything different from my sassy boy. Thank you for your kind words. ❤️
 
Lucy1991 said:
Thank you so much ❤️❤️. It does bring me
Comfort that he would have just drifted off naturally. He went on his own terms- I wouldn’t have expected anything different from my sassy boy. Thank you for your kind words. ❤️
Click to expand...

I am glad that we could help support you during Leroy's illness and now his final journey.

We now have a dedicated End of Life and Bereavement Support section where we provide ongoing community support for owners for the emotional ups and downs as well as help with practical issues during a very difficult time, so you are welcome to open a thread there or have this thread moved to that section if you find that you struggle. You don't have fight your fight alone and in silence. ;)

As a community we help each other and have all together created a space where you can come whenever you need somebody who totally gets you and understands where you are coming from We are also still here whenever you want help or advice with the practical little issues from people who have had to find comparable solutions for themselves or when an anniversary really mugs you.

There is sadly not enough kindness and respect on social media. We are making the most of not being part of it (in fact we pre-date it) and have created this special little corner where are looking after each other as much as after our guinea pigs - our pets profit from having happier owners, after all and our humans profit from having constructive help with all the little things or just some friendly company to have a giggle with.
You are welcome to stay on if you wish to. Not everybody on here still has guinea pigs, but they have friends. :)

We are not necessarily for the mainstream but we provide a haven for everybody who is looking for one and is willing to contribute to our forum ethos.
 
Lucy1991 said:
Thank you so much ❤️❤️. It does bring me
Comfort that he would have just drifted off naturally. He went on his own terms- I wouldn’t have expected anything different from my sassy boy. Thank you for your kind words. ❤️
Click to expand...

It's important for you to hear. ;)

Take care of yourself now as best as you can and give yourself space to not be OK and to have all those feelings instead of bottling them up and then having them come up again at the worst time possible. We are here for you to provide that emotional safety net.
 
I will post in the bereavement thread.. There isn’t enough kindness in the world you’re absolutely right. It’s so comforting speaking to people who know exactly what you’re going through, and being able to share our experiences with others and all helping each other get through the tough times and celebrate the wins. ❤️. Thank you again for all of your kind words and support. It really really means a lot
 
Wiebke said:
It's important for you to hear. ;)

Take care of yourself now as best as you can and give yourself space to not be OK and to have all those feelings instead of bottling them down and then having them come up again at the worst time possible. We are here for you to provide that emotional safety net.
Click to expand...
Thank you.. and if I could support even just one person the way that you’ve all supported me then I would see that as a win. I’m just reassuring myself that I did the best that I possibly could. And Leroy was extremely spoilt and had the best care I could possibly give. And he was the best piggy I could have asked for 🥰
 
Lucy1991 said:
Thank you.. and if I could support even just one person the way that you’ve all supported me then I would see that as a win. I’m just reassuring myself that I did the best that I possibly could. And Leroy was extremely spoilt and had the best care I could possibly give. And he was the best piggy I could have asked for 🥰
Click to expand...

It is your human species mindtrap at the start of the grieving process that urges you to question yourself. :(
The fact that Leroy has slipped away so quickly and easily means that you have definitely taken him as far as you could and as his ageing little body could support. :tu:

We all can find kindness in ourselves. The secret in our community lies in the fact that having a kind word for somebody else also makes you feel that little better about yourself, even when you are not feeling great; so it is a self-reinforcing process that benefits all. And that sharing experiences and giving others your understanding also makes you feel less isolated, alone or ashamed in your own experience. ;)

So thank you for making my day with your thanks. :tu:
 
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