Some sad news about Toffee

[Abisquartet]

I haven’t been on the forum for some time. In recent weeks we’ve had some bad news about my little boy Toffee.

The vets have discovered some abnormal tissue in his bladder walls, likely mutations related to cancer. He also has some calcium deposits in his bladder and left kidney. Long story short, we don’t know how long he has. He’s only 2.5 years old. Even though I got him and Domino at the same time, I consider Toffee my first piggy. He was the first one to the glass at the adoption centre, whilst Dommy hid in a tunnel… he jumped into my lap when I sat on the floor with them when I brought them both home, making himself at home with a poo and wee on me

I’m only writing this now because he seems a bit off tonight. I tried his favourite treats, watermelon and others, he barely touched anything, only two small pieces of Protexin pellets. Annoyingly that’s how I give him his medication so I feel a bit helpless. I have a horrid feeling that tonight could be the night. I gave him kisses and told him I loved him just in case it is.

I could really do with some support on this, he’s my first boy, my tiny baby and I love him more than anything. I’m just at a loss.

 

[Wiebke]

I haven’t been on the forum for some time. In recent weeks we’ve had some bad news about my little boy Toffee.

The vets have discovered some abnormal tissue in his bladder walls, likely mutations related to cancer. He also has some calcium deposits in his bladder and left kidney. Long story short, we don’t know how long he has. He’s only 2.5 years old. Even though I got him and Domino at the same time, I consider Toffee my first piggy. He was the first one to the glass at the adoption centre, whilst Dommy hid in a tunnel… he jumped into my lap when I sat on the floor with them when I brought them both home, making himself at home with a poo and wee on me

I’m only writing this now because he seems a bit off tonight. I tried his favourite treats, watermelon and others, he barely touched anything, only two small pieces of Protexin pellets. Annoyingly that’s how I give him his medication so I feel a bit helpless. I have a horrid feeling that tonight could be the night. I gave him kisses and told him I loved him just in case it is.

I could really do with some support on this, he’s my first boy, my tiny baby and I love him more than anything. I’m just at a loss.

Hi

BIG HUGS

I am very sorry for the kind of bad news that we all dread.

Bladder cancer is thankfully rare but it does happen; as can other life-shortening medical issues at a younger age. It is just what I call 'a short straw in the cosmic bad luck stakes' - something you can never predict or prevent as there is often a genetic predisposition in play at that young age. It always comes as a devastating blow out of nowhere that you cannot brace for.

Please try to take consolation in the fact that guinea pigs don't have a concept for life expectancy; they measure their lives in happy today. As long has you have given Toffee plenty of those, he is getting out of his life what he wants, no matter how short or long. It is the quality of life that counts, not the quantity. For us humans, the end for any pet life always comes far too soon.

I know that these guide links here do not make cheerful reading but you will hopefully find them helpful to navigate his end of life care and making the difficult decision when to call it shots. They are as practical, precise but sensitive as I could make them to help you grapple with both the practical issues as well as the emotional and ethical aspects you will come up against and be able to navigate them a bit better:
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs

My thoughts are with Toffee and you. He will always remain a very special piggy for you; no matter how many come after. First piggies always are!

PS: Make sure that you check with your vet pain support.

 

[piggieminder]

I am so sorry you have had such bad news about Toffee. I lost a boar of a similar age to kidney stones a few years ago, it is heart breaking. Toffee has had a lovely life with you and his brother, it will be hard to say good bye but I hope that soon you will remember the good times with him and be able to look back with a smile.

 

[weepweeps]

I hope Toffee perks up and has lots more happy days with you. Take care

 

[Claire W]

I am so sorry for the diagnosis and that Toffee isn’t well I hope he’s just having an off day and that he perks up

Take good care of yourself. The grieving process is very personal but starts the moment we are given a terminal prognosis for our piggies xx

 

[SallyM79]

Hope toffee had a comfortable night and perks up today

 

[Bill & Ted]

I’m so sorry to read of your sad about Toffee, I hope he is still with you and has rallied today
I lost my Ted to a large kidney stone or tumour a few years back now.

 

[Freela]

I'm so sorry for the news you got about Toffee. I hope he is just a bit off today, rallies for you, and has a lot more happy days with his family. ((HUGS.))

 

[VickiA]

Huge hugs to you. I hope that he has many more happy days with you, yet.

 

[Merab]

So sorry for your bad news.
Enjoy the time you have with Toffee, make lots of good memories and take lots of photos.

Grieving begins when you get news like this so be gentle with yourself.

 

[Abisquartet]

Thank you all for your kind words

Toffee did what Toffee does best and completely defied me my little boy is still going strong and is actually back close to his heaviest weight at 862g! Whilst still much smaller than his bouncy companion Simba, I’m so proud of him for putting much more weight on and attacking his hay and veggies every day

I know that, as with humans, guineas can often seem like they’re hugely improving before taking a turn for the worse and not recovering, but I’m just crossing my fingers that isn’t the case for my little boy.

Keep fighting little man! It seems neither of us are ready to say goodbye just yet

 

[Roselina]

Ah…..come on Toffee keep going
It’s lovely to hear Toffee has perked up and I hope he’ll be about for quite a while.
He’s living his best life with you and his brother and that’s all we can wish for our piggies
Take care

 

[Bill & Ted]

Oh Toffee you are a star Keep on chomping little man x

 

[Merab]

Lovely news.
Will continue to hold you in my thoughts.

 

[sunshine1981]

I haven’t been on the forum for some time. In recent weeks we’ve had some bad news about my little boy Toffee.

The vets have discovered some abnormal tissue in his bladder walls, likely mutations related to cancer. He also has some calcium deposits in his bladder and left kidney. Long story short, we don’t know how long he has. He’s only 2.5 years old. Even though I got him and Domino at the same time, I consider Toffee my first piggy. He was the first one to the glass at the adoption centre, whilst Dommy hid in a tunnel… he jumped into my lap when I sat on the floor with them when I brought them both home, making himself at home with a poo and wee on me

I’m only writing this now because he seems a bit off tonight. I tried his favourite treats, watermelon and others, he barely touched anything, only two small pieces of Protexin pellets. Annoyingly that’s how I give him his medication so I feel a bit helpless. I have a horrid feeling that tonight could be the night. I gave him kisses and told him I loved him just in case it is.

I could really do with some support on this, he’s my first boy, my tiny baby and I love him more than anything. I’m just at a loss.

I am so very sorry for your losses, I just lost one of my precious girls. It's so hard they are definitely part of your family. I pray that one day we will all be reunited with our fur babies! And that our lil piggies will be popcorning and zooming all over the place. Big hugs!