Staying sane treating multiple sick piggies

Fluffbabies

Fluffbabies

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi everyone,

I apologise that I've been posting in the forums quite a lot lately.

I'm really struggling with a mix of apathy and anxiety after losing one of our pigs and starting treatment for the other five all with URIs. They have seen the vet and we started antibiotics and probiotics last night. One is older and fighting a UTI on top. I am in shock that it has all happened and devastated but I can't cry anymore to let it out because I am so worried about the five which are sick.

I'm currently off work because I can't focus on anything. I find myself watching them and analysing them constantly all day every day. I know it's not healthy and it makes me feel worse when they're all sleeping for like an hour or more because I worry they're not eating even though their daily weigh ins are stable so far.

I know logically it's because the one that died deteriorated so fast that she did not lose any weight and she seemed to be eating, just slower. It was so subtle I didn't catch it and so when I tried to syringe feed, she would not have anything and I think she had already started shutting down. I'm trying not to torture myself with those what ifs. I took her to two specialists and they didn't catch it.

I know I'm giving them their medications but I am so paranoid they will deteriorate and I won't catch it and lose more of them. How do all six indoor piggies get a URI?! Especially the four young ones. Where did it come from? I must have done something wrong?

I have spoken to my counsellor twice about it and she's suggested I do what I need to for them then try and step away for an hour or two at a time because it's not realistic for me to do more. But I have no want to do anything. I can't eat. I can't sleep. I feel sick to my stomach. I know I'm behind on work but I can't bring myself to turn my laptop on to see what the situation is. I can't focus on anything to watch or listen to. I can't listen to music because it just makes me cry. I'm meant to be at work Saturday and Sunday but I can't face anything. I just feel empty.

I've only just managed to get off the sofa and have a shower. I probably should go for a walk but it's like I can't be alone right now. My partner went back to work today and I'm struggling being by myself. I don't have anyone else to talk to. I'm just so overwhelmed I can't do one thing to look after myself.

Does anyone have any tips how to cope with five sick piggies at once? How do you look after yourself? Is weighing them in the mornings only enough to see deterioration?

I just want to feel better. I just want to rewind to a week or two ago when all six were happy and healthy and life was normal! How's it gone so wrong?
 
I am so sorry this is happening.
Mostly I just wanted to offer you lots of support. We are here and know how hard it is dealing with poorly piggies.

In terms of weighing only in the morning - yes it is enough. You do not want to weigh more than that because you will pick up too much fluctuation. It won’t be helpful to do it.
You certainly did not do anything wrong. You did not cause this. You have got them help and now all you can do is look after them and give medications as instructed.
You absolutely must look after yourself as well. I know it’s hard, but you won’t be any good to them if you don’t look after yourself.
Cup of tea, read a book, watch a movie, go for a walk - anything to give yourself a break.
 
Ok, take a deep breath.

Firstly, you need only weigh them once each day at the same time. Additional weighing is fruitless.

You need only step in with syringe feeding if they are losing weight. By weighing once at the same time each day you will recognise if anyone isn’t eating enough and needs a top up.

Set a schedule for the meds you need to give. Get a piece of paper, work our the timings and then have columns for each pig. Once you’ve given the meds to a particular pig, tick it off. There’s some reassurance seeing ticks in the columns and while you are so stressed it will offer you comfort that you have tended to each of their needs.

For the moment I wouldn’t be looking too hard into where it came from. I would just be focussing in treating the survivors. I haven’t read you other threads I’ll be honest. But in a herd situation, some infections can spread quickly through a herd. Sometimes the first will be a mysterious loss. But by promptly treating all the others as you are currently doing, you are doing the very best you can.

Try not to spend all your time with them. Stick to regular times for feeding, medicating, weighing etc and then leave them alone. Your constant watching will only exacerbate any anxiety you are feeling.

I fully recognise what a stressful situation you are in. But you need to take care of yourself as otherwise you will not be able to care for them. Eat regularly. Get sleep. And take a few minutes outside as often as you can. Your self care is as important as their care.

When it feels overwhelming, just reassure yourself that you are doing everything on the list that is required for them and practise some deep breathing to help reset your nervous system.
 
Thank you both for your kind words and advice. ❤️

I am reminding myself that the one we lost had multiple things going on, which combined probably were too much for her. The vet had just told us the day before that she was doing really well for her age (5) but that she had several things happening that we could not do anything about and her prognosis might be "longer or bit shorter" so we were thinking weeks, maybe a month or two if we were lucky. We were sad (I certainly had a big cry) but happy that we had supports to put in place for her and she was okay right now.

So when she suddenly deteriorated the next day, it was our first shock like that. Our two previous losses were due to cancer and we had a couple of weeks notice for one and a few months for the other in which we prepared ourselves and planned PTS. I know they all had lovely long lives with us though and are now at peace and that gives me comfort. I imagine them with little guardian angel wings looking after the herd. I really hope they're there to greet our last old girl when it's her time. The first two we lost almost two years ago. It makes me happy to think they will all be reunited and one day the young ones will meet our OG ones.

I'm dreading the day we find one passed in the cage but I know it's likely to happen at some point. It's the nature of having animals. I had lots of animals growing up but the majority we had warning they were unwell or very old and planned pts. Once or twice they didn't come home from the vet with us or we found them in distress and did emergency pts.

I've seen our last old girl eating more nuggets today so that's good. And I'm hoping the four young ones don't have anything else going so hopefully the antibiotics and probiotics are all they need to get healthy again. How dare the fluffy potatoes get sick and worry us so!

I will take some deep breaths. I am going to force myself to eat something and watch a movie. My boyfriend is going to go for a walk with me when he finishes work.
 
I think it's just because it's the first time we've had so many sick at once and first experience with URIs and UTIs. When the other two had cancer at the same time there was nothing to do but keep them comfortable and recognise when it was time. When we had one that would not eat for anything after an operation I worked splits so it was easier. It's been a long time since having 'high stakes' sickness to treat.
 
I am so sorry you are going through this.
The first few days are hard, once you get your list sorted and you are into a routine the feeling of panic is not so strong. When I had 5 with a URI last year I was convinced I'd done something wrong, the vet assured me it wasn't my fault. I am really sure this is not your fault either. Once I'd got over the shock and into the swing of caring for them I made sure I got a quick walk in in the afternoon whenever I could, especially if the sun was shinning. It really helped my mood to get out in the fresh air and have a change of scene.
Sending you support and my good wishes.
 
piggieminder said:
I am so sorry you are going through this.
The first few days are hard, once you get your list sorted and you are into a routine the feeling of panic is not so strong. When I had 5 with a URI last year I was convinced I'd done something wrong, the vet assured me it wasn't my fault. I am really sure this is not your fault either. Once I'd got over the shock and into the swing of caring for them I made sure I got a quick walk in in the afternoon whenever I could, especially if the sun was shinning. It really helped my mood to get out in the fresh air and have a change of scene.
Sending you support and my good wishes.
Click to expand...

Thank you piggieminder. Did you have to syringe feed yours too or was it just giving them the medications? We both shift work full time but luckily I'm off for two weeks so I hope we can have them clear of it by then but I know it isn't guaranteed. I booked the time off because I really needed a break from everything. But life doesn't always pan out that way!
 
Fluffbabies said:
Thank you piggieminder. Did you have to syringe feed yours too or was it just giving them the medications? We both shift work full time but luckily I'm off for two weeks so I hope we can have them clear of it by then but I know it isn't guaranteed. I booked the time off because I really needed a break from everything. But life doesn't always pan out that way!
Click to expand...
Some of mine needed syringe feeding, they had other various things going on as well as the URI. The URI had become pneumonia in the worst 3 they were all on multiple meds as well as the Baytril which was a very high dose. They needed syringe feeding.
Nugget went on to have stasis and bloat so needed little and often syringe feeds but we later concluded that was not down to the meds, he actually had an internal growth (most likely cancer) which we lost him to 2 months later. He got over the infection in 2 weeks and only needed syringe feed top ups for the last few days.
My young boar (14 months) had a 2 week course of Baytril. He didn't need syringe feeding. He made a quick recovery and other than a weepy eye didn't show any sign of being ill. His young cage mate didn't catch the infection.
Young ones have much better immune systems than the oldies who are already battling health problems.
Try not to worry, because I had to syringe feed my oldies it doesn't mean your girls will need it.
My old boys are running around popcorning and zooming now, despite having arthritis in their spines and legs.
Take one day at a time, don't worry about things that probably won't happen.
 
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