Senior piggy going bald!

[Lazw]

So she's home.....she's had 3x punch biopsies and what looks like a couple of skin scrapes too bless her, she must be so sore! I wasn't sure about pain relief, she wasn't discharged with anything so I've called and asked for metacam which I'm going to collect now but she's had an injection of metacam already today so they've said not to give her any more until tomorrow.

She's quieter than usual but to be expected I think after anaesthetic and what she's been through today! I've managed to tempt her to eat with some dill and some of her fave dried forage. She's also starting another course of baytril tonight but for 3 weeks this time. The biopsies can take time to get results for so I will update as soon as I know what's what.

 

[Lazw]

Another update! So bramble is still quieter than usual this morning, the water bottles are untouched overnight and she's not really eating her pellets or much hay which has me worried- I've just hand fed her dill and blueberries though and they've gone down very well. I've just ordered emeraid and critical care to start syringe feed if necessary, will arrive tomorrow. I'll have to mush her pellets up and syringe her those until then if necessary but relieved she's taking fresh food.

She's been prescribed metacam cat 0.6mls once a day, and baytril 0.1mls twice daily, does anyone know if I can safely up the metacam dose so I can give her it twice daily too? I don't want her in pain overnight when it wears off if possible, her back really is very sore looking with the biopsies bless her.

 

[Lazw]

Another update! So bramble is still quieter than usual this morning, the water bottles are untouched overnight and she's not really eating her pellets or much hay which has me worried- I've just hand fed her dill and blueberries though and they've gone down very well. I've just ordered emeraid and critical care to start syringe feed if necessary, will arrive tomorrow. I'll have to mush her pellets up and syringe her those until then if necessary but relieved she's taking fresh food.

She's been prescribed metacam cat 0.6mls once a day, and baytril 0.1mls twice daily, does anyone know if I can safely up the metacam dose so I can give her it twice daily too? I don't want her in pain overnight when it wears off if possible, her back really is very sore looking with the biopsies bless her.

Just for ref she weighs 970g

 

[CTWC]

Poor Bramble

 

[Lazw]

Another Bramble update...... Her biopsy results have come back showing elevated lymphocytes in the skin which the vet says indicates inflammation, but it's not clear what is causing this. Unfortunately t cell lymphoma is now a possibility as she has been treated for fungal and bacterial causes for a number of weeks at this stage. She has also developed a lump in her dewlap over the last few days which the vet thinks is an enlarged lymph node. The vet is going to call pathology to discuss the results and also speak to a couple of exotic specialists about the case too. If it is t cell lymphoma, obviously the long term prognosis isn't good but the vet has said she would treat with steroids as long as brambles quality of life remains good. I'm not sure what to do at this point. I'll update again when I hear back from the vet.

 

[CTWC]

Thank you for the update I'm sorry it wasn't a better one for you both. So has Bramble started on the steroids?

 

[Freela]

((HUGS)), I'm pulling for you and Bramble! You've truly done everything possible and quality of life is the most important thing, the steroids may make her feel much perkier for at least awhile.

Thinking of you!

 

[Lazw]

Thank you for the update I'm sorry it wasn't a better one for you both. So has Bramble started on the steroids?

Hi, so she hasn't started them just yet. The vets are going to call pathology at the lab they use to discuss the results further and they also have an exotics referrals service they use that they were going to discuss the case with too, then get back to me with an action plan which is likely to be topical steroids.

The fungal cultures aren't ready yet but the bacterial cultures are back and are negative, I think it's unlikely the fungal cultures will come back with anything either given she's been treated with topical creams, then itrafungol, then imaverol and there's been no improvement in this time. She has a new scaly bald patch now too despite all the treatment she's had so it's pointing towards t cell lymphoma. They said they're more used to seeing it in dogs and cats at the practice which I think is why they want to have all these discussions first to be absolutely sure. They really have been absolutely amazing, they spent 45 minutes with Bramble and me this morning discussing results and what to do next- another vet came in too to discuss the results and bramble got lots of cuddles from everyone which she loved

 

[Lazw]

((HUGS)), I'm pulling for you and Bramble! You've truly done everything possible and quality of life is the most important thing, the steroids may make her feel much perkier for at least awhile.

Thinking of you!

Thanks, I really hope so. She's doing really well at the moment so if the steroids help her feel more comfortable then we will go down that route. I just want her to be happy with whatever time she has left. She's such a lovely gentle piggy.

 

[Lazw]

Hi everyone who might still be following along.... Bramble had bloods last week and a biopsy of an enlarged lymph node under her chin which has appeared recently, and sadly has now been diagnosed with lymphoma following abnormal biopsy results and significant worsening of her skin in recent weeks.

I'm really at a loss as to what to do. I know the inevitable is coming, our vet has spoken to our previous exotics vet who has moved down south on the phone about Bramble which I really appreciate, she has advised against the use of steroids which our current vet was considering beforehand, and having read a lot on this it appears not using them is probably the best option. So at the moment bramble is home with her friend, eating and drinking as normal and generally happy I think, but I've noticed what looks like ulceration now on her skin. It looks incredibly uncomfortable . So I don't know whether to book her in to PTS sooner rather than leaving it a little longer. I don't want her to suffer and I've had a previous piggy become very unwell very quickly with cancer- it was horrendous at the end. I will not let her go through that. I've added a photo of her skin. Any advice welcome, I feel lost.

 

[Freela]

I'm really sorry you are facing this decision with Bramble. I know how hard it is to try to pick the right time to make a decision for a pet we know isn't going to get better. I've been there myself and I know it's HARD and easy to second-guess yourself no matter what time you choose.

I think that if Bramble is eating and drinking and behaving normally, you can take a bit more time if you want to. I also think that, if you chose to PTS tomorrow, while she is still herself and having a good quality of life, that would also be a compassionate and loving decision, because, like you said, you never know how things are going to progress and you don't want her to suffer or be uncomfortable. I know people say that it's better a week early than a day too late, and that's probably true when it comes down to quality of life and preventing suffering. I would talk to your vet and have a plan in place in case things get worse after hours or at another inconvenient time. The last time I was faced with this decision was for one our our hamsters who also had cancer... we decided on Saturday that it was time because she was snappy and not herself and seemed uncomfortable. Our vet isn't open on Saturday but they have a sister clinic that is- so we called them only to find that the sister clinic wouldn't see hamsters, even for a euthanasia. So we had to wait until Sunday morning and I think she was uncomfortable that last day. I wish I had planned ahead so that I knew what my options were based on days of the week and night hours and things like that.

Again, ((HUGS)) and I'm so sorry. I know any decision you make is going to be hard, but you're making it out of love and compassion and wanting her to go peacefully, and that's a beautiful gift to give her.

 

[Truffolo]

Wishing you comfort and peace with your decision

 

[CTWC]

I am so sorry the outcome wasn't better and what an awful situation to be in and a heartbreaking decision for you. Any decision you make will be with Bramble's best interests at the heart and they will be made with love that is clear

 

[Dwarfpotato]

Last November my Tico was diagnosed with lymphoma. She'd already had cervical cancer so it was an instant decision - we wouldn't try to treat it, and it would be palliative care from then on. She was on gabapentin and metacam for the rest of her time, plus daily emeraid to help her weight, and she was allowed every single treat she asked for. I was very lucky that we just happened to spot it early and I actually had several months more with her.

I have two bits of advice, and both of them are advice you can get from anyone here, but I feel it's worth hearing them again.
One: you will know when it's time. I kept hearing this. Tico was my first slow decline sort of pig and I just couldn't understand - she can't tell me how she feels? How can I know that she's had enough, or if she's happy to carry on? But now I've been through it I understand. Just two or three days before she was put to sleep she was happy and curious, coming over to see me. Then on her last day I could see. She was done. You will know.
Two: this one feels a bit more selfish, but think of all the things you've always wanted to do with Bramble, and do them. I'd always called her Queen Tico, so I made her a little crown and took photos of her looking regal (and fed her lots of pea flakes). She'd previously been fascinated by running water, so I went for a walk to a local river so she could experience it again. Even though it was February, I found a patch of long grass to trim and I sat in the sunshine while she ate it and enjoyed the warmth. All those little things, spending time with your pig and showering them with love, mean that when the time comes you can feel at peace knowing you gave them the very best time.

(A third, more pragmatic piece of advice. I only had two pigs, so I contacted some rescues in advance so that when Tico did toddle on to the grassy field on the other side, I only had minimal admin to sort out getting Cookie new friends.)

I can tell reading this thread that you are an incredibly caring owner, and whatever decisions you make will be the right ones.

 

[Lazw]

Thanks everyone, it's really helped to read others advice and responses. It is truly rubbish, however I do think I'll know when it's time. I've just contacted a guinea pig rescue relatively nearby to see what their process is for pairing up my other piggy with a friend. Unfortunately my husband is quite keen for these to be our last piggies so I have enquired about a "loan" piggy to see if that is something they might offer. I've offered to continue to pay upkeep of any loan piggy once returned to them if they will consider this so fingers crossed. Bramble is still cheerful at the moment so I'm hoping to have her a little while longer yet, but it's just so unpredictable

 

[exia]

I'm so sorry
My Bob had lymphoma. He didnt show us any signs until it was too late. At first I was so sad about that because I would have done anything to have him with us for as long as possible, but now I'm sure he took care of that by his own in the best way for him without suffering and he counted in me to give him that terrible shot of blessing to go to the bridge when he decided it was the time. Its such a brutal diagnosis, and I'm so sad for you and Bramble. Enjoy your time together, cuddle and kiss her alot

 

[Lazw]

Hello to anyone who might still be following along! Bramble is still very much with us and is doing well considering her diagnosis. Her fur continues to scab up and fall out but is not sore looking and doesn't appear to bother her at all. She has yet to lose any weight and is still very interested in food. I have recently started the isaderm steroid cream prescribed by the vet who hopes this may just slow down the turnover of skin cells, but I don't think the fur loss is bothering her anyway. The lump in her dewlap is bigger, which I expected but she continues to be a happy little piggy. I can't believe it's over 4 months since this all began and she's still with us. The lovely vet we've been seeing called me a couple of weeks ago just to see how Bramble was getting on and said she was puzzled by the slow growing nature of her lymphoma and said she believed it must be indolent lymphoma, a slow growing variant she said is seen in dogs and cats but not yet identified in guineas. I've attached a photo of her from a couple of days ago enjoying the lawn with her friend Holly

 

[CTWC]

Hi to you both and so glad it's a lovely update