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Poorly Gracie

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Clare King

Clare King

Junior Guinea Pig
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Jul 12, 2014
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hi, I haven't posted here before but am a regular reader. I haven't come for advice really just some reassurance that we are doing the best for our gorgeous Gracie and a bit of a need to just put down everything I'm feeling . Gracie suddenly deteriorated last week and went off her food, she was doing the characteristic big chews with lots of ear movement so I thought dental and was able to get her in to see Simon Maddocks on Friday. He confirmed that her molars were too long and was able to file them down. She seemed well in herself and I brought her back home. She ate a bit Friday and Saturday but was tentative in her eating. By late Saturday she wasn't really eating much at all so we began to syringe feed her again. Sunday wasn't a good day for her and although she wasn't really eating she was still drinking for herself. We continued to syringe feed her and continued with her metacam 0.2 X a day and I also had some Marbocyl left so gave her a dose of that last night too. By this morning she was in a very bad way, breathing very noisy, eyes crusty and not wanting to eat or drink. We gave her frusemide, Zantac and sudafed as well as the metacam and fluids and syringe food. We took her to our vets first thing and saw Hannah Bould who was really good and said there was nothing more we could do but continue the regime we had. She gave us more Marbocyl and upped the dose to 0.8 which we gave to her today. Hannah also gave her a jab of vetagesic which has made Gracie very woozy today. Hannah was really good but we all knew Gracie that is in a bad way and it would be pretty much a miracle if we got her through this. We've continued to feed her every hour but it's getting to the point that what ever we try and put in comes out and we can only get fluids in her. She's not moving round the cage and when she tries to then she's very wobbly (she was like this pre Vetagesic). I think me and my husband both know where this is heading to and we will just try to keep her warm, calm and as pain free as possible. I don't know whether she'll make it through the night but if she does and is no better then we shall go to the vets in the morning. Unless she deteriorates dreadfully then I think I will try and keep her here tonight as the out of hours service is provided by Vets Now and is about a 30 minute drive away and if I can possibly avoid putting her through that then I will. We have got some more vetagesic to give her if required but seeing how zonked it made her then I don't know whether that would be a kind thing to do or cruel if it means it weakens her so we can't even get fluids in her. Apologies for the ridiculously long post, I think I just needed to write everything down as I just feel really awful and that I haven't done enough for my darling girl. Clare
 
Awwww I am so sorry :( This sounds just like how my Petal went last month :( In the end our vet did a conscious x-ray which showed so much fluid in her body we agreed to let her go. We had been syringe feeding her but in the end she just didn't want anything. If it's any consolation if she had already gone off her food it sounds like there was already an underlying problem, the teeth overgrowing would probably have been a response to pain elsewhere in her body. An x ray would determine what that problem is & maybe something to consider before you agree to the vet helping her on her way. I am very sorry x
 
it does sound like the teeth could have been a secondary issue to something more serious going on. does she seem in any pain? the metacam dose sounds very low.

it sounds like she needs admitting for more intensive care now. i don't think she will be getting the fluids she needs via syringe. if you really feel like she won't make it, then aslong as she is in no pain, then letting her pass comfortable and warm at home might be best. if there is any chance to stabilize her then she would need admitting as soon as possible. of course with that comes the chance that you won't be with her and she could pass anyway.

did the vet mention any possibility of her being sensitive to the marbocyl? it's uncommon but you can never say how an individual will react. if she became worse after starting that then it may be something to look into.

she does sound very poorly though but i will keep everything crossed for you. our eddie had a dental last year but this turned out to be a secondary issue to something else. he was admitted for further tests which showed us the 'real' problem. despite intensive care, we had to say goodbye but we felt (and on the vets advice) that we had to take that chance initially, however small. x

eta: sorry, just realised you have pain covered with the vetergesic aswell.
 
Big hugs to you, at such a difficult time. You are doing all the right things for Gracie and getting her vet treatment, you are obviously a very caring owner and Gracie knows she is loved. You are doing all you can, sending healing vibes for Gracie.
 
I too was thinking the dental issues are secondary. Am sorry she is so poorly. I haven't really got anything to add. If she is due more Vetergesic though then give it as it will help to keep her comfortable. I agree that the vet admitting her would be a good idea so she can have some IV fluids. If she deteriorates tonight though you may need to go to the emergency vets.
 
I'm so sorry that she is so poorly. Please do not doubt yourself. You have done the best for your piggie so far. Hugs.
 
Hello to you all,
My apologies for not replying to you any sooner. Unfortunately the news isn't good and we have had Gracie put to sleep. She continued to deteriorate so we took her to the out of hours vets who were very good but confirmed her gut had gone into statis and despite attempts to rehydrate her there was no change so we made the decision to let her go as there really was no more to be done and keeping her going really would have been for us rather than in her best interests. Thank you so much for all your kind words, when they go downhill it can be so sudden and I questioned myself as to what I had missed but I think we did the best we possibly could for her and sadly whatever she had was just too advanced. Thank you again for thoughts and messages.
 
i'm so sorry for your loss. it sounds like you did everything that you could, and in the end made the decision that was best for her. sweet dreams little one x
 
It sounded like you did an amazing job looking after her and she was lucky to have you as an owner! Sorry for your loss :(
 
I'm so sorry for your loss. It sounds like you did everything you could to help her and gave her a peaceful passing when there was nothing more left to do. ((HUGS)) to you. So sorry.
 
Freela said:
I'm so sorry for your loss. It sounds like you did everything you could to help her and gave her a peaceful passing when there was nothing more left to do. ((HUGS)) to you. So sorry.
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Thank you so much.
 
I am so sorry, rest in peace Gracie, popcorn free x Hope you are ok Clare you did absolutely the right thing for her, I know how hard that is to put them first xx
 
Thank you all again. Today is a better day and we do feel we made the right decision for her. We've also introduced Chester (who lived with Gracie) to our two older sows today and so far they seem to be getting on well so we're hoping they will form a settled group together. Thank you all again for your help and kind words.
 
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