So sad - R.I.P. Redemption

[Pat Shields]

I had to "stealth" log in to tell you this, so I will be as quick as I can before the library boots me off; they don't allow "social networking site" access. Today, Thursday April 18, 2013, at approximately 9 a.m. Missouri, USA time, dear little Redemption had to leave us. Even though I never put him on wire or rough surfaces, and I kept his cage or other enclosure clean, and I fed him all the right stuff, he managed to develop "bumblefoot" on all four of his feet, and I am quite certain the right front footsie was gangrenous. He was treated by my regular vet, but he didn't get better, so they tried a different angle involving a cleansing soak and antibiotic for 10 days, but that one foot, all black and swollen, got worse and broke open. It would develop an eschar (a scab-like covering), but that would soak off, leaving a larger and larger hole in his foot. He also developed some sort of skin disorder; he was examined for mites, etc., but nothing ever showed up, but I had to keep treating him and lately have had to keep the little sock shirt on him to keep him from wounding himself. Two days ago he lost enough blood that I am sure he was anemic, and he also began having those fits where he would turn upside down and freeze with his mouth open. He was still eating and drinking well (a sprig of parsley didn't stand a chance), but he was not thriving. After the episode of bleeding from the foot, that was accompanied by a foul odor, I went to the Internet to find an exotic pet dr. to take Red there no matter how far it was. I found one in Kansas City, and I found one in St. Louis, and I have been on the road since 5 this morning to get him to St. Louis. After a thorough examination by a doctor who not only specialized in exotics but was partial to GPs and had their pictures on the walls of the GP examining room, the doctor laid out the options for me. He said that poor little Red probably had infection in all the bones of that foot and leg which is why it was swollen and black, and that even with treatment he might not and probably would not get better, and that he might be able to get by with the rest of his life on antibiotics and other therapy but would probably be in pain all the time. I cannot adequately describe how awful his little foot looked, but I will say I have seen it in people before, and it never had a happy ending. So I told the doctor that I knew how awful it is to subject an animal to heroic measures only to keep it with me for a while, and I just would not do that to Red, so I agreed to have him PTS.

I asked if maybe I had caused this horrible wound to happen by trimming his toenails incorrectly, and I was assured that even if that were true that this would not have happened. I explained that I kept Red and Salvatore side by side, treating them exactly the same, and Sal was healthy and happy and actually getting fat (he weighs between 3 and 4 pounds). The doctor said that it is possible that Redemption was immunocompromised for some reason, but that we would never know, even if by some miracle he had managed to heal, which wasn't very likely.

Anyway, since you have all been a part of this journey, and have gotten to know Red, I thought I should do what I could to let you all know that he is now over the Rainbow Bridge. I told the doctor that I felt like a real jerk, and he told me not to worry, that I had given Red the best chance anyone could have, especially considering how I got him. I sure hope that's true.

I'm not gone, it's just that I can't log in here because I don't have Internet at home and they won't let me here at the library. I will keep everybody posted as I can, which probably won't be often, about Salvatore and how he gets along.

 

[piggyfan]

Oh Pat I am so so sorry and upset to hear you have lost Red. I was thinking about you all a few days ago and wondering how you were. It must have been so awful for Red to have been so unwell and you really must not blame yourself in any way. You have done all you could and rescued this little one from a very uncertain future. You gave him a wonderful life and have cared for him so well despite not being too well yourself. I know you are hurting but rest assured you have been a wonderful mother to Red. I really am so sorry for your loss.

 

[Midge&Panda]

So very sorry to read this, Run free little one. x

 

[Wiebke]

I am so sorry that you have lost your special boy! You have done what you could for him, and given him the best of lives.

Bumblefoot can return if a piggy had it once, or if it has an underlying issue. It can be very hard and sometimes impossible to fight.

Letting a piggy go is the most heart-breaking decision you can ever make, but you have done right by Red. It may take some time until your heart has fully accepted it.

 

[sharonS]

Poor Red, so sorry you had to leave, RIP now little guy, another twinkling star in the sky tonight.
He had such a wonderful life with you Pat after you saved him, you could say it was feat. So glad he had the pleasure of such a loving family.:rose

 

[Pat Shields]

I know you are hurting but rest assured you have been a wonderful mother to Red. I really am so sorry for your loss.

I am so sorry that you have lost your special boy! You have done what you could for him, and given him the best of lives.

Thank you so much; I sure hope you are right and that he had a good life with me. I just never had a piggy before as you know, and you have helped me do what I was able to do for him. I just feel that somehow I caused this, but maybe that's natural to feel, I don't know.

Bumblefoot can return if a piggy had it once, or if it has an underlying issue. It can be very hard and sometimes impossible to fight.

It was really, really difficult. One of his back feet had been red for the longest time. I rubbed it with antibiotic ointment to soothe it and maybe massage some of the blood into it, and the vet gave us medicine, and I kept changing the type of bedding, and finally what seemed to work was a couple of layers of hospital pad under a towel. The redness went away and his foot looked normal. Then one day about a month ago I gave him two extra baths because he just could not stop itching, and on the second bath I saw that all four of his feet were red with hard spots and that one foot was swollen like it had a glove on it. I could not even see one of the nails, it was swollen so bad. That's when I rushed him to the local vet, and you know the rest of the story. It just got worse and worse.

Letting a piggy go is the most heart-breaking decision you can ever make, but you have done right by Red. It may take some time until your heart has fully accepted it.

It really was a hard decision to let him go, but after my agonizing experience trying to keep my doggie with me last year, I swore I would never do that again to another animal. Of course I was sitting in that doctor's office thinking, well, MAYBE if we try this or that we'd have a miracle, and then I finally heard the doc saying to me that he would probably always be in pain, even if we did an amputation, and I just said, "No more." I couldn't hurt the little animal any more. He seemed to enjoy the foot soaks, because I made it like a warm little guinea pig boat rocking in the water, but I know that everything else I did hurt him, and then there was what the doctor said were probably little seizures. . . .

 

[helen105281]

I'm so so sorry, this is such sad news but you did right by Red, it's never any easy decision to make but was 100% the right one. Night night little Red, a lot of people followed your story and we will never forget you.

 

[sharonS]

We learn through these experiences Pat and it makes us stronger and more knowledgable too, Red wouldn't have had such a loving family if you hadn't have rescued him, remember all the good that you have done in his little life and the love you shared with him.
You were there for him even at the end and you did what you thought was best for him, he couldn't ask for a better Mum.

 

[piggyfan]

You did all you could for him and you made the right choice. He would have been so unhappy to live a life of such pain. You helped him out of his misery and that was such a brave thing you did. Take comfort from the fact you gave him a wonderful life. Pat you are always welcome to PM me if you ever need to talk.

 

[sport_billy]

Oh Pat, I am so sorry. Red was a real forum piggie and many of us followed his amazing story with you.

You have been the most perfect piggie mummy to him and he couldn't have had a better life anywhere else. You did everything you could have done for him and made the kindest decision that any of us can ever make for our little ones to help him across the bridge. You have always been there for him and were once again. You should be proud of yourself for what you have done for Redemption, throughout his life.

I am so sorry once again, lots of love to you.

Sleep well beautiful boy.

RIP Redemption
x x

 

[Pat Shields]

We learn through these experiences Pat and it makes us stronger and more knowledgable too, Red wouldn't have had such a loving family if you hadn't have rescued him, remember all the good that you have done in his little life and the love you shared with him.
You were there for him even at the end and you did what you thought was best for him, he couldn't ask for a better Mum.

I remember the little story you told about your little one poking his head through the hole in the top of the box, and I thought that maybe he would feel better if I made him a toy like that. But I didn't; even though he was eating well and coming up to the front for a snack from my fingers, he wasn't walking well and I just knew he was in pain.

You did all you could for him and you made the right choice. He would have been so unhappy to live a life of such pain. You helped him out of his misery and that was such a brave thing you did. Take comfort from the fact you gave him a wonderful life. Pat you are always welcome to PM me if you ever need to talk.

Thank you, I just might do that if I can ever get back on here again.

I've got to go now, they've looked the other way for a while. I hope to be able to see you all again soon, I'll tell them I need to say thank you for the condolences. If I can't get back, please know that I appreciate all the words of comfort, even if I haven't read them yet.

 

[katiepops]

Oh Pat I'm so sorry to hear this sad news. I remember following his story when he came into your life. He was a very lucky pig to have you as his slave. Popcorn free little one x

 

[AudioHeart]

Ohhh pat hunny, I'm so sad and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family tonight. Red was a special little piggy here on the forum too, and he'll be missed. Goodnight little one rest in peace x

 

[doglovinpiggylover]

Pat, I'm so sorry to read this, we have all followed this story from the start.

Rip little Red, sleep well beautiful.

Hope you are ok x

 

[gogoguineas]

Pat I'm so sorry to hear this, Red was well loved by us all. His story stuck with me so much,and your dedication to him, you really worked wonders in turning him around, so please don't ever beat yourself up over it. He had a good life once he found you, he was a lucky boy and you did all you could.
Rip Red, have fun at the bridge, we'll miss you xx

 

[vabh57]

I am very sorry for your losss.
RIP Red. Run free x

 

[Dindypig]

I'm so sorry for your loss, run free Redemption. As Wiebke said, Bumble foot is almost impossible to get rid of. Dindy had persistent bumblefoot that would wax and wane with treatment, always with a scab. The massive spread of infection that Redemption had would not have given him a comfortable life. Console yourself with the thought that he now runs pain free over the bridge.

 

[Guinea pig slave]

I'm so very sorry Pat - we all feel the pain when forum buddies lose their loved ones
He had a fantastic life with you and we followed his tales on here.
Run free little man, play safe at The Bridge x>>
Massive hugs sent to you x

 

[Hanwombat]

Oh no Red was certainly a legend on this forum and we will all miss him x

 

[CandyFloss]

Aww so sorry to hear about Red - he was a forum favourite to lots of us,
Run free little one
hugs
xx

 

[Pat Shields]

Dindy had persistent bumblefoot that would wax and wane with treatment, always with a scab.

Now that I know that even some of the "forum" pigs have had bumblefoot even though they are cared for properly, I will keep a closer eye on Salvatore and any other guinea pig I may ever have. The daily soaks really did seem to improve the condition of the three feet not swollen, so if there is even a hint of a problem I'll start that. Redemption really seemed to enjoy the warmth of the soak and was content to stay put in it.

I buried Red two days later on the side of the hill that leads down to the creek. I doubt there will be any other people here needing to perform a burial in Missouri, but I will warn that you might need dynamite to make an adequate hole in the ground. Missouri soil, if previously untilled, is nearly impossible to penetrate. It took most of the afternoon to go deep and wide enough with a railroad pick (mattock), a spade, and my hands. I wrapped him in pure white paper towels for a shroud and laid him in. After his little grave was filled I covered it with leaves and other brush so that other animals would not notice it. I was too exhausted to perform a service, but I did request that he rest in peace.

Salvatore and Redemption weren't really buddies or pals, but I do think at some level that Sal wonders where Red is. For what it's worth, I explained to him what had happened. Whether a guinea pig can understand, I don't know, but I do believe all creatures can sense things about and through others. Lately when I tell Sal to let me pet him, most of the time he will stand still and allow me to do that instead of immediately scurrying away from my hand.

What I miss the most is Redemption's cute little face and upturned nose pressed against the cage bars when he thought I might have something he especially liked to eat. Thank you all for caring; I appreciate it very much.

 

[TAN]

I am so sorry Pat - sending you big hugs xx

 

[Tbag]

Ohhh poor little Redemption! What a sad end to his story. You did absolutely everything you could for him though, and now at least he is no longer suffering, and probably smiling down on you thanking you for all the care and love you gave him.