Should I have my piggy put down?

[ALB77]

I have a dilemma as indicated by the title of this post.A few months ago I noticed a lump on the underside of my daughters guinea pig, I decided to keep an eye on it to see how things would progress, which in hindsight was a big mistake, the lump did grow and the guinea pig gnawed at it creating an open wound. I took him to the vets where the choices I was provided with were 1. Put him on antibiotics to keep him going a bit longer, 2, Put him down or 3. Perform a £300 operation, but vet advised a low chance of survival due to his age (5 ½ yrs). I opted for the medication and that seemed to go ok, but of course the lump continued to grow.
Its now been approx 2 months since the visit to the vets, the lump is very large and the open wound has grown, it’s not nice at all; BUT, and this is my real dilemma, the piggy still seems to be ok, he eats fine, often out in his run (with a bit of a hobble it has to be said) and basically acts the same as when he was lump free, so the question I have is, should I have him put down? I know if I go to the vets that’s what will happen… Basically I don’t know what to do for the best… Any advice you can give would be appreciated – Thanks in advance

 

[doglovinpiggylover]

oh that sounds so sad. I can not offer any advice sorry just wanted to say i hope you get a miracle for your piggy x

 

[cat]

i am so sorry for you. its never an easy decision to make.

when i found out that Rita was ill with a tumor, they told me that as long as she was still happy then leave her be, but the moment she started going downhill it was time to say goodbye.

Rita just seemed to let me know that she had had enough and i had to make the heartbreaking decision to put her to sleep.

if your piggy is still eating and drinking and is happy in herself then maybe see how she goes. have you spoken to you daughter about it, as you mention that it is her pig.

 

[lauralucy]

could you try a different vet for a second opinion?

I personally think £300 is a lot.

I had a piggy with a lump grew to about the size of a golf ball on her side.
my vet operated on her and removed it with no problems.

she was 2 when she had the op and it only cost my £90.

whilst the piggy is happy i would let him be.

 

[Freela]

Was the vet able to tell you what the lump is? Some sources of lumps on guinea pigs, like cysts or abscesses, can be drained without a full surgical procedure. Is the vet knowledgeable about guinea pigs? Some of them aren't, and may give out inaccurate information. That seems like a high price for surgery, and I've had a couple guinea pigs have surgery before!

As for putting an animal to sleep, I always base this on quality of life. If the animal is still happy, eating, maintaining weight, and carrying on as normal, I will let them be. If the animal is failing, is in pain, or can no longer do the things that the animal would normally do and has poor quality of life, it would be time to consider euthanasia. While the piggie is behaving normally, I would leave him be... and perhaps get another opinion if the vet you've seen isn't very experienced with piggies.

 

[Katie Krafter]

Hi and welcome to the forum

Can you tell us where you are, so that we could perhaps recommend a guinea pig savvy vet? £300 sounds like a lot, although I do agree that the age would persuade me against a GA. However, there may be other options.

 

[Toffeewoffee]

I agree with a second opinion, £300 seems like a lot.

Also as freela said, if it is just a cyst or an abscess these can sometimes be lanced and drains without proper surgery.

 

[JayneG]

I also agree that a second opinion may be good. My last vet was extortionate and not as good as the vet I now go to who is much much cheaper (how does that work?!). I hope he will be ok x

 

[amylouise]

Its a really hard decision and one I had to make with my own 5 year old sow (cept her opp ONLY (lol) cost £150) and I'm now facing with my 5 year old boar. Its a really hard decision and i would suggest spending time with loved ones who also share him with you and talking it over. good luck with whatever you chose *hugs*

 

[flintstones]

Hi and welcome to the forum

Can you tell us where you are, so that we could perhaps recommend a guinea pig savvy vet? £300 sounds like a lot, although I do agree that the age would persuade me against a GA. However, there may be other options.

My Patrick is 5 and a half and with stained a 1 and a half hour GA, I don't think age should be a factor as many older piggies go through GA's successfully! x

 

[Guinea pigs <3]

sorry to hear about your piggy, what an awful decision to be faced with. I'm sure whichever one you choose will be the right one for both you and piggy x

 

[Squidge]

Sorry, but I'm going to be slightly controversial.

I think if the pig has an open wound which it gnaws at, and is on pain relief, then it's in pain. It's quality of life does come into question at that point. You either have to go ahead with an operation, or have it pts...because it can't really go on having the medication for the remainder of it's life.

It is a difficult decision, and I do feel for you, and I'm sure you'll do what is best. Good luck.

 

[ALB77]

Thank you very much for the replies. The vet diagnosed a 'benign mammory tumour'. My Daughter was with me at the time and was understandably upset when the vet suggested putting him to sleep; but it will get to a point when this is inevitable I think, until that time I will take your advice and when his quality of life starts to deteriorate then the decision will be made...

Thank you again.

 

[FrankstaH09]

I think it is a lot of money to pay, but if you can financially achieve this... then i would personally take the op.

Maybe get a second opinion on the price.

Sorry for your news

 

[wind1]

I had a piggie with this exact same problem a few years ago. She was nearly 6, her lump opened up and was dragging on the floor of the hutch. She was still eating and drinking and appeared to be without pain. I put her onto paper and towels so she didn't get any dirt, hay, etc in the wound. I only let her carry on like this for a couple of days but then decided to have her pts before it became a problem for her. Even though she showed no signs of discomfort I'm sure there must have been some with it dragging on the ground every time she moved. I would never consider operating on an animal of this age.

 

[fluff]

Sorry, but I'm going to be slightly controversial.

I think if the pig has an open wound which it gnaws at, and is on pain relief, then it's in pain. It's quality of life does come into question at that point. You either have to go ahead with an operation, or have it pts...because it can't really go on having the medication for the remainder of it's life.

It is a difficult decision, and I do feel for you, and I'm sure you'll do what is best. Good luck.

my words exactly, sometimes us humans can be selfish and keep animals alive when they know in their hearts the best thing to do is to pts.