• 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

Quality of life - no use of hind legs

Liz47

Liz47

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Aug 20, 2014
Messages
78
Reaction score
30
Points
195
Location
Leeds, West Yorkshire
Arnie has a thread in health & illness about his illness, we have been to our usual vets a few times about a month ago when he first became ill but we were advised to travel to a guinea pig savvy vet who we have seen a few times and our next appt is this Thursday. He has been on various medication and remains on 3 medications alongside syringe feeding but keeps getting worse and we have done all we can vet wise to get to the bottom/try and treat his illness.

He has no use of his hind legs, a slight head tilt and is unable to drag himself at all so has no movement, all he can do is sit up and lie down. He has very little/no sight out of his right eye and often doesn't react out of his other eye either. He is incontinent and as a result of not being able to move is often soaked with urine so needs regular moving around/cleaning to ensure he doesn't get urine scald, he is often impacted several times a day so we need to gently massage clumps of poo from him often. This all sounds very grim for him writing it down :(

The positives are is doesn't appear to be in any pain (he is on pain relief) and is bright, he is very keen to eat and is not losing weight anymore. He is unable to move for his food though so we do have to ensure it is within his reach, he is also unable to drink as can't reach the water bottle/has no interest in using it when we offer it. We make sure he gets water through veg and through a syringe various times a day. He is indoors but you can see he still enjoys going outside for grass time.

He does have a younger cage mate, Ellie, she does occasionally lie next to him but is often separate and she gets a bit rough licking his eyes (he has eye discharge) and we've seen her hump him recently which we've never seen before. In response to this Arnie gives out a loud squeak bless him!

We are thinking his vet visit on Thursday will sadly be his last, it's very difficult as he is still bright but it must be uncomfortable/frustrating for him. I have been off work following an operation but am due to return part time by the end of the week, I am worried he will get thirsty and sore as there will be no one in to move him/care for him for about 6 hours or more. I know ultimately only we can make this decision, but would anyone else think it's a reasonable quality of life? Arnie is the black piggy below/in my avatar.
 

Attachments

  • 31960153_1645646785532304_7475890096269426688_n.webp
    31960153_1645646785532304_7475890096269426688_n.webp
    85 KB · Views: 3
Oh guys. My heart is sad for you and piggie. I'm a coward and can't offer advise at this moment. Dig deep. xx
 
I am so sorry - it's hard to face this kind of a decision.
I know that whatever happens you will act out of love for Arnie.
Holding you in thoughts, especially for Thursday
 
@Liz47 I'm so sorry, it's such an awful decision to make.

I had to do the same with my pig Arnold. He'd lost the use of his legs and he couldn't see either but he was still perky and loved his food. I made the decision when he was starting to get an infection in his leg.

I felt awful as he was eating veg in the waiting room at the vet when we took him in for the last time.

It is awful but we have to make sure they're not suffering and able to enjoy their time with us.

Personally I think it would be kind to say goodbye to him. I'd spoil him rotten over the next few days. But the decision is only yours to make. You're not going to wait until he's suffering so I understand if you want more time with him.
 
What an awful situation you are in. You clearly love your piggy and want to do the best for him. Only you can make that decision. If you are still unsure on Thursday, have a chat with the vet who will be able to advise.
 
Thank you all x

It is Arnie's 5th birthday this month so we brought it forward to yesterday, growing up when me and my sister had piggies we would also look in the garden for the biggest dandelion leaf we could find and called it 'the birthday dandelion' and give it to the birthday pig. Arnie enjoyed his 'birthday dandelion' yesterday and lot's of veggies. We will be saying goodbye to him tomorrow, very sad but save him from suffering hopefully. :(
 
I'm so sorry @Liz47, it's such a hard decision but from the sounds of it you have made the same choice I would have in the circumstances. As they say, "better a day too early than a moment too late".
 
So sorry to hear what you are going to have to do.
Having a special day today will give you a good memory to hold onto.
Hope all goes well tomorrow when you give him your last gift and let him go
 
I'm so sorry. I had to make the same decision with my Ellie a couple of years ago. She had no use of her back legs either but was eating well and seemed happy. The vet said she was getting sore despite us changing her vetbed constantly and giving her bum baths. It is so hard to make the decision when they seem bright in themselves.
 
You have made the decision out of love for Arnie. Take time to grieve and look after yourself. Have a cuddle cos you need one.:hug:
 
I'm so sorry for your loss. I agree with the others, you made the decision as it was the best for him, he is now at peace and no longer struggling. Sleep tight little one xx :hug:
 
So sorry for your loss. You saved him a lot of pain. Small animals are good at hiding illness./,pain
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top