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Should I Put My Piggy Down?

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Kuraudokoneko

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My piggy Toffee is just about 2 years old. about 2 or 3 months ago we took him to the vet for a mass growing on him. it's gotten really bad now and he's going to the vet tonightmy my mom thinks he should be put down but this is very hard for me. can I get your personal opinions please
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We're not medical people here so can't make the decision for you, sorry.

However, I can say that a good, competent vet wouldn't have let it get like this. A guinea pig savvy vet will do their best to help your piggy recover. I would suggesr looking for a guine pig vet, or exotics vet as they're sometimes called.

The choice is completely up to you. I don't know anything else about him, whether he is in pain because of it, whether it is infected, if he is still acting normally otherwise...
 
I agree with @Jaycey
The first step is to take him to a good guinea pig specialist vet.
The wound looks really nasty - poor piggie - so hopefully a vet can make him more comfortable.
Whether he should be put to sleep or not is a personal decision.
Even when an animal can be saved sometimes due to personal circumstances (time, money, knowledge) this is not feasible.
I hope you can make a good decision for your piggie that ensures he doesn't suffer.
 
Animals can get over the most horrific looking things, they can be pretty tough! That looks like a really nasty cyst/abscess that needs removing and cleaning up. Toffee will then need after care and be on antibiotics. A Guinea savvy vet will be a must to decide the next course of action but (and I am not a vet nor do I have the full details) I see no reason to put Toffee to sleep just yet if he is still eating and happy.

If this is recoverable but you are not able to look after toffee, then would you consider handing over to a rescue rather than putting to sleep?

Where are you located? If you let us know we could help you locate a good vet or rescue.
 
I agree about taking him to a good piggy vet. Check out our tabs for recommended vets in your area. As for whether to put to sleep, you know your Guinea pig best and you can tell when they've had enough - not eating, fluffing up, looking miserable in the corner - it's always a horrible decision, but it is the last act of love we can do for our suffering piggies. I really hope this isn't the end for your boy, but trust your instincts and a good vet and you won't go far wrong. Xx
 
It may be that, as your mum doesn't understand what's wrong with him (especially as your vet hasn't been able to solve the problem), she may well just be preparing you for the worst case scenario. There needs to be the opinion of a competent guinea pig vet who can assess the chances of recovery and let you know how much he is suffering. Only then can you make a confident and informed decision based on what is best for you all
 
Sorry to hear your handsome piggy is ill. I have been looking but can't seem to find a similar thread to yours. The guinea had a nasty looking mass the same as yours. But I'm pretty sure the mass was removed by a savvy vet &now the guinea is doing well.
I just can't remember who posted it or the name of the thread.
It was in the last 2months though I'm sure. Have a look throug the health &illness section. See if u can find a pic similar -I think it was about half way down the thread on the first page or maybe the second.

I would make sure your guinea has painkillers to make sure he's not in pain. Quality of life is the most important right now.
I won't get home from work until 10pm but I'll see if I can find it again then.

See if u can find a piggy savvy vet on the recommended vets list on the top toolbar if you're not happy with the local vets experience.

T-care xx
 
When you originally saw the vet, was nothing suggested then about removing this? It should never have been allowed to get to this stage. It may still be operable, but would probably need treatment with a good antibiotic to hopefully shrink it somewhat, before surgery was attempted. My concern would be whether there is enough skin to close the wound.
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
When you originally saw the vet, was nothing suggested then about removing this? It should never have been allowed to get to this stage. It may still be operable, but would probably need treatment with a good antibiotic to hopefully shrink it somewhat, before surgery was attempted. My concern would be whether there is enough skin to close the wound.
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They suggested it but said it would be dangerous or would do nothing, plus we didn't have the expenses as they were asking for a bit.
 
What are you doing in the meantime then, until you make a decision? Is he getting any pain medication as it'll probably be very sore?
 
Guinea Slave said:
Animals can get over the most horrific looking things, they can be pretty tough! That looks like a really nasty cyst/abscess that needs removing and cleaning up. Toffee will then need after care and be on antibiotics. A Guinea savvy vet will be a must to decide the next course of action but (and I am not a vet nor do I have the full details) I see no reason to put Toffee to sleep just yet if he is still eating and happy.

If this is recoverable but you are not able to look after toffee, then would you consider handing over to a rescue rather than putting to sleep?

Where are you located? If you let us know we could help you locate a good vet or rescue.
Click to expand...


He actually is not eating, and has lost a lot of weight. We were told he had Sarcoma and it was grown to much to remove. I'm located in Phoenix Arizona.

We've had him on an antibiotic as it was infected, but lately he's just been sitting in his dome, not excited for food, and he's not eating his veggies either. His breathing has been really labored and slow. We are trying to make another appointment for him to get him help, but i would NOT want to put him down, i love him to much to do that.
 
Jaycey said:
We're not medical people here so can't make the decision for you, sorry.

However, I can say that a good, competent vet wouldn't have let it get like this. A guinea pig savvy vet will do their best to help your piggy recover. I would suggesr looking for a guine pig vet, or exotics vet as they're sometimes called.

The choice is completely up to you. I don't know anything else about him, whether he is in pain because of it, whether it is infected, if he is still acting normally otherwise...
Click to expand...


I've already taken him to the vet about 3-4 times, and he's been prescribed antibiotic pills, before he was prescribed some liquid, i forget what for. A vet finally told us he had a form of sarcoma and couldn't remove the mass. At this point he isn't eating, pellets or veggies, isn't drinking, and isn't moving. His breathing is heavy and slow, so we are going to take him to the vet asap, since we have to go refill his prescription anyway.
 
He doesn't sound like he's doing very well, and we don't want our beloved pets to suffer so sometimes we have to make the hard decision and stop them from suffering anymore.

Your pig really needs to see a guinea pig specialised vet as he sounds like he needs a good vet to give him any chance of survival.

If he's not eating then you need ro handfeed. If you can't do this then he needs to go to stay at a vet that will do it for you. Guinea pigs are different to cats and dogs and need to constantly eat. If they don't then their digestive system shuts down and they die of lack of food. If their digestive system slows down it can be a really difficult job to get it back on track.

Please seek out a good vet asap.
 
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It's because you love him that you have to make a decision on this. You obviously know he isn't happy with the fact he's lost all interest in anything.. Leaving him like this isn't fair on him. I know it's hard, but we have to put them first. Their quality of life should be the most important aspect when making a decision wether it's a 6 week old pig or a 6 year old one.
 
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