Senior issues

[sophiepineapple]

Hi. I posted a while ago about another issue, and you folks were amazing- thank you.

I have a very precious old lady (we think she's 9)? Nuts (nutmeg) was given antibiotics by our vet for a suspected abscess on her face, which nearly finished her off, and made no difference to the lump. (Which never stopped her eating, and hasn't grown).

Last week I found 2 more lumps, one on her hip, one on her side. I had already decided I wouldn't put her through any ops due to her age, and am just keeping her comfortable with metacam, as she also has arthritis in most joints.
But I think the one on her hip has pressed on a nerve, and her back leg no longer has any movement. She drags it along now, but otherwise seems as active as before, free roaming the lawn, and eating everything she can get hold of.

My dilemma is... The specialist Piggie vet is an hour and a half round trip away, should I put her through the journey if it's uncomfortable? Possibly to be told an operation is recommended, or more risky antibiotics? Our local vet is pretty rubbish to be honest, last time I took her they really hurt her, Insisting to take her temperature, they took her out the back and I could hear her squealing so loudly! I get a regular prescription of metacam from them for her arthritis, which I've now upped the dose of myself to keep her more comfy.

I am so torn, I don't want her to be suffering, but when I see her enjoying her food so much, and seeming happy? I wish she could tell me.

If her quality of life goes further downhill, I will absolutely do the right thing. But

 

[Wiebke]

Hi. I posted a while ago about another issue, and you folks were amazing- thank you.

I have a very precious old lady (we think she's 9)? Nuts (nutmeg) was given antibiotics by our vet for a suspected abscess on her face, which nearly finished her off, and made no difference to the lump. (Which never stopped her eating, and hasn't grown).

Last week I found 2 more lumps, one on her hip, one on her side. I had already decided I wouldn't put her through any ops due to her age, and am just keeping her comfortable with metacam, as she also has arthritis in most joints.
But I think the one on her hip has pressed on a nerve, and her back leg no longer has any movement. She drags it along now, but otherwise seems as active as before, free roaming the lawn, and eating everything she can get hold of.

My dilemma is... The specialist Piggie vet is an hour and a half round trip away, should I put her through the journey if it's uncomfortable? Possibly to be told an operation is recommended, or more risky antibiotics? Our local vet is pretty rubbish to be honest, last time I took her they really hurt her, Insisting to take her temperature, they took her out the back and I could hear her squealing so loudly! I get a regular prescription of metacam from them for her arthritis, which I've now upped the dose of myself to keep her more comfy.

I am so torn, I don't want her to be suffering, but when I see her enjoying her food so much, and seeming happy? I wish she could tell me.

If her quality of life goes further downhill, I will absolutely do the right thing. But

Hi

HUGS

The screaming at the back was likely just that screaming because she was out of her comfort zone and not because she was hurt. I've had the same with some of my more nervous piggies with me holding them for a vet to examine.

However, I am very sorry about the lump causing mobility issues. You can book a phone conversation with your exotics vet to discuss your situation, including how far you can up the metacam.
Here is our guide for what you can do for her and what to look out for. If her quality of life continues to deteriorate and secondary problems start cropping up and pinging off each other, then you may want to rethink the situation.
See how she is with a little support first.
Looking After Guinea Pigs With Limited or No Mobility

We have these two guides here which may help you with working out where you stand re. end of life decisions in this case but I am feeling the same as you that since your old lady still has plenty of zest of life, it is not yet quite time.
A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs (see chapter terminal illness, which deals with the tricky issue of when it is the right time)
Operation or Terminal Care/Euthanasia? - Helpful Questions to Ask Ahead or in Hindsight

 

[sophiepineapple]

Thank you so, so much. I didn't know you could have a phone consultation, I do need to get more metacam anyway, so should be able to do that too.

I certainly won't keep her going any longer than I think is fair, no matter how much I wish she would love forever. If other issues crop up and she stops eating or moving about as much, I'll know it time.

Thank you so much again x

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you so, so much. I didn't know you could have a phone consultation, I do need to get more metacam anyway, so should be able to do that too.

I certainly won't keep her going any longer than I think is fair, no matter how much I wish she would love forever. If other issues crop up and she stops eating or moving about as much, I'll know it time.

Thank you so much again x

You will still have to pay a consultation fee but since the pandemic, many vets will offer the option. All you can do is ask.

 

[sophiepineapple]

Thank you again.

I've since been down to give her breakfast, and she had got stuck down the side of her bed in the night (she sleeps in a giant cat bed inside, with comfy blankets). She couldn't move and her bottom is caked in pee, I can't put her out with fear of fly strike and don't think it's fair to bathe her.

Very reluctantly I think we may be at the stage to take her to the vets for a last time now. Shes had a good dose of her meds and all her favourite things for breakfast.

Thank you so much again, to say I'm heartbroken is an understatement x

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you again.

I've since been down to give her breakfast, and she had got stuck down the side of her bed in the night (she sleeps in a giant cat bed inside, with comfy blankets). She couldn't move and her bottom is caked in pee, I can't put her out with fear of fly strike and don't think it's fair to bathe her.

Very reluctantly I think we may be at the stage to take her to the vets for a last time now. Shes had a good dose of her meds and all her favourite things for breakfast.

Thank you so much again, to say I'm heartbroken is an understatement x

BIG HUGS
I am so sorry. I've been keeping my fingers crossed that she would hang on in there but there is obviously something more going on.

It sounds that whatever is going on is progressing and that your beloved one is also feeling that. Sticking themselves in a cranny is usually the way a dying piggy will remove themselves instinctively from the group. I've had this happening a few times with piggies especially with neurological balance or mobiliity issues.

These are links that I am never happy to parse into a thread but they may hopefully help you find where your heart truly lies with all your current conflicting and overwhelming emotions as you are dealing with the shock and the onset of the grieving process as well as the need to make crucial decisions you do not feel ready for - but you can hopefully clear your mind that bit more to be able to act without having to question yourself too badly and without guilt afterwards because you are doing it consciously and deliberately.
A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs
Operation or Terminal Care/Euthanasia? - Helpful Questions to Ask Ahead or in Hindsight

My thoughts are with you and with your poorly little one.

 

[sophiepineapple]

Thank you so much. She's still happily munching, but she's certainly not right x

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you so much. She's still happily munching, but she's certainly not right x

It is great that she is still eating - so she still has the will to live. It's not going to make any decisions of yours easier, though. Please don't put her outside in this hot weather and rather cut her some grass, which she will enjoy.
Make sure that you offer her plenty of water, too, to drink voluntary from your syringe; as much as she likes.

Hot Weather Management, Heat Strokes and Fly Strike

 

[sophiepineapple]

There's no way she would go outside today anyway (she has her own parasol, choice of shelters, and cool mat when she has). I have a vets appointment just after lunch for her. She never drank water, so I've always given her extra juicy veg and she has a syringe of joint care with water too. She's currently sleeping in the cool lounge until our appointment. Thank you x

 

[Wiebke]

There's no way she would go outside today anyway (she has her own parasol, choice of shelters, and cool mat when she has). I have a vets appointment just after lunch for her. She never drank water, so I've always given her extra juicy veg and she has a syringe of joint care with water too. She's currently sleeping in the cool lounge until our appointment. Thank you x

In the current heatwave it is important to make sure; especially with the frailer piggies.

All the best for her vet trip. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[Betsy]

Let us know how you get on at the vets.

I have an 8 and a half year old piggy, Thea, who's had a few problems and has seen the vet 3 times in the last 6 weeks but has bounced back. I know that she is living on borrowed time so am making the most of having her still with me and her friends Misty and Bramble. It's so hard when they get old, frail and vulnerable. I'm hoping that when her time comes, she will make the decision to toddle off to The Rainbow Bridge, so I don't have to make it for her.

 

[sophiepineapple]

Let us know how you get on at the vets.

I have an 8 and a half year old piggy, Thea, who's had a few problems and has seen the vet 3 times in the last 6 weeks but has bounced back. I know that she is living on borrowed time so am making the most of having her still with me and her friends Misty and Bramble. It's so hard when they get old, frail and vulnerable. I'm hoping that when her time comes, she will make the decision to toddle off to The Rainbow Bridge, so I don't have to make it for her.

Sadly nuts didn't come back from the vets today. We decided it was her time, and the amount of metacam she was on was just masking the inevitable.
I miss her terribly, already. I spent all my time worrying about her and caring for her every need. It feels very strange not to have my little lady to have dinner with or chat too.

Give your babies a huge hug, they are so special xx

 

[Betsy]

So sorry to hear that you had to give your last act of love to Nuts. To get to her great age you must have looked after her really lovingly. It does feel strange at first and takes a while for your brain to catch up with the fact that there is no piggy to medicate or care for. Nuts is now at the Rainbow Bridge and in her prime once more enjoying everything she used to. Sleep well little one.

 

[sophiepineapple]

Thank you so much xx

 

[Truffolo]

Sleep softly at the bridge little Nutmeg

 

[Gem789]

I'm so sorry for your loss xx