Pet anxiety

[weepweeps]

I’m not sure how I’m feeling. I think it’s pet anxiety / fatigue

In January Pebble had to have a dental which it took him two weeks to start eating again.

Then he started peeing blood and was diagnosed with a bladder stone. I opted for palliative care and he’s now over the bridge.

I very nearly gave Patrick away . But my husband convinced me to get him a friend instead.

Along came baby Pinky. I’d only had him 3 weeks when he got a really bad eye infection/hay poke. It took a lot of looking after but fortunately we managed to save his eye.

All the while Patrick has been losing weight. He’s lost a friend, gained a friend, the weather turned into a heat wave and then another. At the last weigh in he’d stopped losing. He’s probably lost 150g since Pebble passed.

But I’m not enjoying them as much as I should. I love them obviously. But I just keep checking on them.

Pinky’s eye, why is he dirty, is he sneezing, is Patrick sneezing now, should I book Patrick in for his cyst removal op. Why has Pinky only gained a little weight. Is he still poorly?

They are both eating well. Running around (Patrick is even popcorning ). Pooping and drinking fine.

How can I relax and enjoy them again?

 

[Ramia]

When Stripe was sick I would just cry in the car.

They are so fragile and require so much when they are sick.

But he made a recovery and now I can relax.

I hope you can relax after this. Stripe made me not want to continue the piggy cycle after the boys die. Cats are much easier.

Sending hugs.

 

[Merab]

Give yourself time to recover from all the stress and exhaustion.
Don’t worry about it.
Continue to give them the care you always give them but don’t feel you have to spend as much time with them just for now.

Pinky is fine now and Patrick is well.
Relax, don’t think about how you feel, or how you think you should feel and you will find everything seems to come right.

Hugs

 

[Truffolo]

They are adorable little animals with big personalities. Compared to cats and dogs, nature designed them to have a fast turn over to prevent rodents from potentially over populating an area and destroying all the vegetation. In captivity piggies can live for quite a long life compared to their wild relatives. Normal for guinea pigs would probably be herds of ten, twenty or perhaps more of these little animals. Of course, it would be difficult to keep large herds of them in ordinary circumstances, and we would miss out on the joy of one to one interaction with our piggies. The social rodents have all the charm of any other pet despite being a bit smaller. This makes guinea pig owners understandably a bit nervous. I try to tell myself that I have taken in two gorgeous piggies who found themselves alone in the world and they have enriched my life beyond measure. But certainty and reassurance are never part of the piggy plan. Just love from day to day. I have heard of dogs turning against their owners after the owner became disabled as a result of a stroke. Cats who have gone to live with someone else. But piggies stay with us and love the home they call their own and all things about it, if it is a good home

 

[weepweeps]

When Stripe was sick I would just cry in the car.

They are so fragile and require so much when they are sick.

But he made a recovery and now I can relax.

I hope you can relax after this. Stripe made me not want to continue the piggy cycle after the boys die. Cats are much easier.

Sending hugs.

Thanks @Ramia. Maybe it’s because they have such a short time with us?

I don’t know. It’s been a stressful year.

 

[weepweeps]

Give yourself time to recover from all the stress and exhaustion.
Don’t worry about it.
Continue to give them the care you always give them but don’t feel you have to spend as much time with them just for now.

Pinky is fine now and Patrick is well.
Relax, don’t think about how you feel, or how you think you should feel and you will find everything seems to come right.

Hugs

Thank you Heather

My mums health worries and trying to move house has added to the stress I’m sure.

 

[weepweeps]

They are adorable little animals with big personalities. Compared to cats and dogs, nature designed them to have a fast turn over to prevent rodents from potentially over populating an area and destroying all the vegetation. In captivity piggies can live for quite a long life compared to their wild relatives. Normal for guinea pigs would probably be herds of ten, twenty or perhaps more of these little animals. Of course, it would be difficult to keep large herds of them in ordinary circumstances, and we would miss out on the joy of one to one interaction with our piggies. The social rodents have all the charm of any other pet despite being a bit smaller. This makes guinea pig owners understandably a bit nervous. I try to tell myself that I have taken in two gorgeous piggies who found themselves alone in the world and they have enriched my life beyond measure. But certainty and reassurance are never part of the piggy plan. Just love from day to day. I have heard of dogs turning against their owners after the owner became disabled as a result of a stroke. Cats who have gone to live with someone else. But piggies stay with us and love the home they call their own and all things about it, if it is a good home

Thank you.

Yes they have a good home here with me. That’s what matters to them isn’t it?

 

[Truffolo]

Thank you.

Yes they have a good home here with me. That’s what matters to them isn’t it?

Definitely

 

[Betsy]

You've had a tough time @weepweeps. The stress of moving house, your Mum's illness, the piggies illnesses no wonder you are feeling as you are. Just relax and enjoy each day. Your piggies are fine just with the basics of being looked after if you feel you can't do anymore atm. They have each other for company.

 

[weepweeps]

You've had a tough time @weepweeps. The stress of moving house, your Mum's illness, the piggies illnesses no wonder you are feeling as you are. Just relax and enjoy each day. Your piggies are fine just with the basics of being looked after if you feel you can't do anymore atm. They have each other for company.

Thank you Jacky . I must try not to over think everything.

 

[piggieminder]

It's hard work and stressful when they are ill, on top of that you have a lot of extra stress in your life. You weren't ready to give up piggies yet, not by a long way. I could tell that, which is why as much as I would have loved to home Patrick I didn't want to push you. If Patrick's cyst isn't growing I would just keep an eye on it until you feel better, Duck's had one for a couple of years and it's not grown at all. Patrick and Pinky are fine I agree with Jacky, they have each other although if they are okay about it, taking a quiet moment to cuddle a piggy is relaxing.
I hope you feel better soon.
Sending you hugs.

 

[thewheakybeans]

I think every piggy owner has been at the point you are now and it sounds like you’ve been through so much. I’ve had a stressful year so far too and it’s about stepping back and doing the minimum care and then giving yourself some time and space. As others have said, the piggies can entertain themselves! The more pressure you put on yourself to feel a certain way, the worse you’ll feel. We could all do with being kinder to ourselves just as we care so much for our furry babies.

 

[AidaB]

My words keep getting jumbled trying to write you a message.
So instead I will just say, I can empathise & understand after going through similar phases, especially after caring for a sick piggy.
Thinking of you, take each day at a time, guinea pig style.

 

[weepweeps]

It's hard work and stressful when they are ill, on top of that you have a lot of extra stress in your life. You weren't ready to give up piggies yet, not by a long way. I could tell that, which is why as much as I would have loved to home Patrick I didn't want to push you. If Patrick's cyst isn't growing I would just keep an eye on it until you feel better, Duck's had one for a couple of years and it's not grown at all. Patrick and Pinky are fine I agree with Jacky, they have each other although if they are okay about it, taking a quiet moment to cuddle a piggy is relaxing.
I hope you feel better soon.
Sending you hugs.

Thank you.

Maybe that’s what I need more of. Cuddles without medication.

 

[weepweeps]

I think every piggy owner has been at the point you are now and it sounds like you’ve been through so much. I’ve had a stressful year so far too and it’s about stepping back and doing the minimum care and then giving yourself some time and space. As others have said, the piggies can entertain themselves! The more pressure you put on yourself to feel a certain way, the worse you’ll feel. We could all do with being kinder to ourselves just as we care so much for our furry babies.

Thank you

I’m sorry you have had some stresses too. Sending hugs.

Hopefully the rest of the year will be more positive

 

[weepweeps]

My words keep getting jumbled trying to write you a message.
So instead I will just say, I can empathise & understand after going through similar phases, especially after caring for a sick piggy.
Thinking of you, take each day at a time, guinea pig style.

Thank you

It helps to know everyone understands what it’s like.

 

[Viennese Furbabies]

I know how you feel.
I'm usually "pretty" relaxed and try to enjoy the happy times with my piggies when I don't have a dental patient or some other chronic condition.
But sometimes you get a phase when there is one illness, one emergency after the other. And you're only hanging in there and functioning.
On the bright side, these phases don't last forever and the bad luck will come to an end.
I hope you will be able to truely enjoy your gorgeous boys again soon.

 

[fluffysal]

Sorry rambling!
Similar to you, dealing with my dad dying, sorting the estate, waiting to move house and nursing Master Boris to his end, it's overwhelming. We knew Sir George needed company and had decided that the new pig would be rehomed after Sir George passes. Giving up Sir George was not an option as he's my soul pig and it would break me. I admit there have been too many days when their care has been minimal. However, his lordship will not have a day without lap time as he will nag us. Mr Bob has crept into our hearts now and watching him learn from the best is helping me more than I realised.
Pinky is already much better (and gorgeous) because of you even though you feel like you're not doing enough. Patrick is more than fine as he's loving being a dad.
I wish I could send Sir George over to you as he always seems to know when someone needs support and gives such marvellous advice (sqeak, squeak, purr, lick, lick) and hugs.
Give yourself permission to take time for you.
Rumbles and a loving look from Sir George

 

[weepweeps]

I know how you feel.
I'm usually "pretty" relaxed and try to enjoy the happy times with my piggies when I don't have a dental patient or some other chronic condition.
But sometimes you get a phase when there is one illness, one emergency after the other. And you're only hanging in there and functioning.
On the bright side, these phases don't last forever and the bad luck will come to an end.
I hope you will be able to truely enjoy your gorgeous boys again soon.

Thank you.

Yes you are right. I need to remember this is just a phase.

 

[weepweeps]

Sorry rambling!
Similar to you, dealing with my dad dying, sorting the estate, waiting to move house and nursing Master Boris to his end, it's overwhelming. We knew Sir George needed company and had decided that the new pig would be rehomed after Sir George passes. Giving up Sir George was not an option as he's my soul pig and it would break me. I admit there have been too many days when their care has been minimal. However, his lordship will not have a day without lap time as he will nag us. Mr Bob has crept into our hearts now and watching him learn from the best is helping me more than I realised.
Pinky is already much better (and gorgeous) because of you even though you feel like you're not doing enough. Patrick is more than fine as he's loving being a dad.
I wish I could send Sir George over to you as he always seems to know when someone needs support and gives such marvellous advice (sqeak, squeak, purr, lick, lick) and hugs.
Give yourself permission to take time for you.
Rumbles and a loving look View attachment 287508from Sir George

Thank you

You’ve had a lot to deal with lately. Sending you hugs too.

Think I just need to take a breath. Give myself some time.

 

[Janey]

I think it’s normal to go through these times of extra stress and feel rather overwhelmed with it all, especially when our piggies need a lot of extra care and time when they aren’t well themselves. It puts a lot of extra pressure on us because we love them and want the best for them. You’ve been coping with that and more too recently, so give yourself permission to breathe, take time to relax and rest too. Big hugs x

 

[weepweeps]

I think it’s normal to go through these times of extra stress and feel rather overwhelmed with it all, especially when our piggies need a lot of extra care and time when they aren’t well themselves. It puts a lot of extra pressure on us because we love them and want the best for them. You’ve been coping with that and more too recently, so give yourself permission to breathe, take time to relax and rest too. Big hugs x

Thank you

Yes there has been a lot going on recently. It definitely takes its toll.

 

[Wiebke]

BIG HUGS

Life happens to us all at some point or other. Crises never happen nicely spaced out but they come in bunches. It is normal to feel stressed out and overwhelmed, it just comes out in different ways and can take you by surprise.

Please take a step back and don't fixate on what you should do for the full service but write out priority list of what needs doing. Then look at where you can slimline and what can wait. pare it down to a manageable level and make sure that you do not overload and can deal with everything step by step.

Make sure that you put your own health at the top and reserve time for some rest and mental hygiene daily. Keep in mind that as the carer if you do not look after yourself first, who steps in if you wear yourself out? In a crisis, you being able to keep hanging on in there is your top priority if you have dependants (and that includes your pets).

Your piggies can for a little while do with just being fed regularly, if needed cleaned out in a longer cycle and poo patrol can happen every second day without them being at risk. They still have each other, are fed and can survive a youth hostel service instead of a of a 5 star hotel while you sort out yourself and get your own breath back - both physically and mentally.

Care for the Tribe was not ideal when I ended up in hospital in the middle of the night as an emergency with a broken hip and came out with stage 4 cancer and an inoperable brain tumour into the bargain. They were fed (whatever hub could remember and lay his hands on) and they were cleaned out at times in longer intervals than I would have liked and certainly not up to my usual standard; but they have survived. It's certainly not what I would have chosen. But they have forgiven me nevertheless, as your piggies will forgive you.

Wishing you all the best for getting through this one.

 

[fluffysal]

@Wiebke you are such an inspiration and put everything in perspective

 

[Wiebke]

@Wiebke you are such an inspiration and put everything in perspective

Thank you. I have found that putting things into perspective, prioritise and work out a step-by-step path through a crisis will a) reduce the stress load instantly, b) free up some of your own limited energy and time instantly and c) it gets you through the thick of it with the least damage to all involved.

Life is not about being perfect at all times. Life is about getting through a crisis without you crashing, so you can pick up the pieces on the other side. It's not about not being good enough, it's actually about surviving as best as you can when you are dealing with an unplanned overload situation.

I know that I am going to shock quite a few of you but your piggies can actually survive a dirty cage without poo patrol for a couple of weeks in a real crisis just fine, as long as they have enough food and water and are getting their medication - without it making you a bad owner. Just a very ill and/or majorly absent one during an unforeseeable emergency.

Mine had to when I had Covid badly and narrowly avoided ending up in hospital, but too weak to even have the strength to stand up in a shower for that time; never mind cage cleaning. And we had the odd occasion when the lady who kindly did the cage clean for us for half a year after I broke my hip was ill herself or dealing with a family emergency and we could only manage the hay trays and a change of fleece but not a proper clean.

There is a huge difference between regular care and crisis situations. We should never forget the fact that any of us can end up all of a sudden in a situation where we are physically and/or mentally unable to cope or be around for more than just feeding/can only find somebody who cannot do more than feed your piggies in a real pinch. Problems tend to come in bunches, they are not nicely spaced out.

You are doing much more damage to yourself and potentially to others, mentally as well as physically, if you do not admit to your limits and then find a way to work up from within those limits so you can push them gradually out again.
It's the same pernicious wiring - this inner 'I am not good enough and I cannot be anything else than perfect' - that does trip so many of us up when we lose a piggy.

Good and responsible ownership is not about being perfect at all times, it is about damage limitation, compromises and most effective management of limited resources so you can then go on to be the near-perfect owner you want to be again sooner...

See it as the choice between driving very slowly with a damaged car tire on a road without safe stopping spots with your piggies on board or driving on at full speed with and risking not only injuring yourself but also your piggies and other cars when you lose control. And you do not want to risk fainting at the wheel, either - that is why you always need to take care of yourself, first and foremost.
Crisis management works along the same principle. You may be late for your vet appointment but you will get there and everybody (including yourself) will be fine again eventually.

Plus, by learning to prioritise and manage scant resources (which include available time and you yourself) in a proficient and responsible way, you become actually stronger and more resilient as a person. Those are the life lessons that will tax you to the max but that you also can grow from as a human being.

Of course, you are not happy and feel bad/guilty but that is not a constructive place to wallow in and waste valuable time and energy on. Forget about the things you cannot undo, change or have control about.
Focus on where you want to be and how to best and quickest get there, so you can actually be proud of yourself for how you have handled the crisis afterwards and for being able to manage a crisis without killing yourself in the process, either.

Here ends Wiebke's sermon on perfectionism and crisis management...

 

[weepweeps]

Thank you @Wiebke as always. Wise words.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you @Wiebke as always. Wise words.

I sincerely hope that it helps you to ease your mind and give you some breathing space time-wise as well without feeling guilty about it and stressing yourself out.

 

[weepweeps]

I sincerely hope that it helps you to ease your mind and give you some breathing space time-wise as well without feeling guilty about it and stressing yourself out.

It really did

 

[Wiebke]

Come onto the forum for moral support, but look after yourself and your piggies' most urgent needs and managing your daily routine in a more sustainable way first and foremost.

We will be there for you whenever you need us for a thumbs up or a sympathetic ear, and as a forum only once you have enough reserves and wiggle room again.

But please prioritise yourself as a limited resource and then work down your list of things that really need to happen in order of urgency and importance.
Do that every day just for the day so the list not getting too long and daunting!