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Sudoku - Difficult Post Op Saga

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flintstones said:
It's very possible I seen a huge change in Penfold when he had it. Good he's eating grass, well he's eating and pottering I wouldn't say it's his time but only you know him and how he is acting.
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yes I agree that if he is pottering and drinking and eating a bit which he is today then I should keep trying - but he was so very poorly yesterday evening (you know eyes half closed and very still) so I am just worried I am conning myself and not helping him - so tricky
 
Sounds like it was perhaps a pain response. I had this with Penfold he was very up and down. I took him to be PTS twice and each time he came home. When the final time came there was no questioning so trust me when I say you will know when the time comes.
 
lauraboara,I'm sorry you are going through a difficult and emotional termoil.I have a dental pig ive been syringe feeding for 6 weeks.he has started eating,but his weight drops,he had bloat last week,after 5 weeks of constant feeding.ive found zantac and gripewater has helped his impaction and bloat.it is an emotional time and tiring..I feel for you.hugs to you and hope your boys get there digestive system and pain under control.
 
So sorry that poor Sudoku is still struggling. It does sound as if the Tramadol is having an effect, am just wondering where the pain is , gut I assume as his bladder seems to be sorted for the moment.
I am wondering how to make things seem a bit more positive for you and him.
If he is terminally ill then it would be good if his last days/ weeks were not filled with anxiety. Why not try thinking that he is terminally ill rather than trying to get him well, thinking this way will not mean you are giving up on him, but it might make is less stressful for you. Perhaps stop weighing him? Perhaps just decide to feed him enough to keep him comfortable rather than trying to get him to gain weight. Keep offering nice fresh grass and herbs etc. He is eating his hay so he will keep his teeth in check.
I rarely have piggies put to sleep as with correct pain relief and a comfortable familiar environment they can die a natural death with their friends nearby. I only consider euthanasia if they have uncontrollable symptoms. It doesn't sound as if Sudoku is 'suffering', he is miserable, but does have some quality of life?
You really have done everything possible Laura, so rather than keep tormenting yourself, allow yourself to just enjoy his presence and keep showing him all the love you feel for him. Thinking of you xx
 
pig in the city said:
So sorry that poor Sudoku is still struggling. It does sound as if the Tramadol is having an effect, am just wondering where the pain is , gut I assume as his bladder seems to be sorted for the moment.
I am wondering how to make things seem a bit more positive for you and him.
If he is terminally ill then it would be good if his last days/ weeks were not filled with anxiety. Why not try thinking that he is terminally ill rather than trying to get him well, thinking this way will not mean you are giving up on him, but it might make is less stressful for you. Perhaps stop weighing him? Perhaps just decide to feed him enough to keep him comfortable rather than trying to get him to gain weight. Keep offering nice fresh grass and herbs etc. He is eating his hay so he will keep his teeth in check.
I rarely have piggies put to sleep as with correct pain relief and a comfortable familiar environment they can die a natural death with their friends nearby. I only consider euthanasia if they have uncontrollable symptoms. It doesn't sound as if Sudoku is 'suffering', he is miserable, but does have some quality of life?
You really have done everything possible Laura, so rather than keep tormenting yourself, allow yourself to just enjoy his presence and keep showing him all the love you feel for him. Thinking of you xx
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Thanks for your thoughts and on going support - it is probably a very sensible approach but I am not sure I am strong enough - every time he gets wobbly I feed him up with syringe food and water. You have made me cry again B!
 
Oh heck I've just caught up Laura :(
I hand fed one of our piggies basically for 2 and a bit years. His last few months were syringe and hand feed only. So I'm just trying to say that you continue as long as you both can.
Sudoku sending you little chinnie rubs and kisses xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Have you tried a warm water bottle under him whils he's eating and afterwards. Not too hot but the warmth and movement can help with gut problems.
And big :hug::hug::hug: for you xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 
lauraboara said:
Thanks for your thoughts and on going support - it is probably a very sensible approach but I am not sure I am strong enough - every time he gets wobbly I feed him up with syringe food and water. You have made me cry again B!
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Oh sorry Laura, but crying is good, let all the rubbish out x
 
Laura I am so sorry to read what you are going through. It is a tough time nursing a sick guinea pig. I believe you get this really strong emotional attachment to them when you are treating them. I also believe they realise what you are trying to do to help them, especially if you are doing as much as you are. However that makes the situation for you much worse. You get this sinking feeling as you are doing all you can but things don't improve like you wish them to. Thinking of you. take care. Val
 
worried val of york said:
Laura I am so sorry to read what you are going through. It is a tough time nursing a sick guinea pig. I believe you get this really strong emotional attachment to them when you are treating them. I also believe they realise what you are trying to do to help them, especially if you are doing as much as you are. However that makes the situation for you much worse. You get this sinking feeling as you are doing all you can but things don't improve like you wish them to. Thinking of you. take care. Val
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Thanks Val - yes you are completely right about the intense attachment with the nursing and also the sinking feeling. He is not looking good but I am trying to relax for each cuddle and syringe feed and he is not hunched or fluffed up and is enjoying the warmth of the underfloor heating in the kitchen.
 
Thanks for asking Glynis, He is still here but not sure for how much more. He is flipping determined that boy! He is weak and looking awful but still pottering, drinking, eating some things himself but mainly relying on syringe feeds. We went to vet earlier in the week and I thought he would recommend PTS then and although that is on the cards, he was slightly brighter at vet so not yet. Guess would be kidney failure due to lack of appetite, drinking a lot, weakness.
he is not strong enough to have his cage mate in with him (S is in hospital pen in Kitchen) but they are having short cuddles on my knee together which he likes. His cagemate Barney bubbles is really missing him and as they are not rampaging around as normal (for nearly 5 yrs olds anyway), he is slightly gassy and sore in his tummy - marvellous.So Barney is joining in the Zantac!
But overall, everything is just as it was for Sudoku - not recovering but not falling off a cliff yet either. Off to feed him now.
 
Aw it's so difficult Laura, for as long as he's fighting I would fight with him. I know just how stressful it is. Give the little man a cuddle from me, your doing an amazing job! X
 
I agree with @flintstones Laura. I hope Sudoku has put some weight on. When Rupert stopped eating I through everything at him (not literally), Science Recovery, Critical Care Fine Blend, I even got some Allen and Page Muesli (much to vet's disgust when I told him), but Rupert did put weight on.
 
I am afraid that however much I fed him he continued to lose weight and strength and he became weak and I have just had to let him go this afternoon. Yesterday was a very bad day for him and I could see it was time to go but he was resolutely clinging onto life and so me and vet had to help him.
I had a horrible long wait in the busy waiting room at the vets (ironically Sudoku didn't find in horrible and spent it mainly eating hay and celery having not eaten by himself yesterday) but then actually helping him let go was peaceful (apart from me crying at the start). He was in my arms for most of it and I could stroke his nose. Vet said I had tried really hard for him :( :(. Sleep well little man - I so wish you could have stayed with us but it was time.
 
worried val of york said:
So sorry. The one consolation that would help me is that he went peacefully and he was with someone who thought so much of him. Such a sad time for you.
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Thanks Val - I am completely wiped this evening but bit lost without the regular syringe feeds etc. Telling the children was pretty grim - he was a favourite with my son. His cage mate is quiet - they were very good friends but I will keep a close eye on him. thanks for your support when he was poorly.
 
I feel for you Laura, what a traumatic time for you. But dear Sudoku is now at peace, he was obviously not stressed at the vets and he had a peaceful end, you were so brave to be able to do that for him. Bye bye brave little man, you are much loved x
 
pig in the city said:
I feel for you Laura, what a traumatic time for you. But dear Sudoku is now at peace, he was obviously not stressed at the vets and he had a peaceful end, you were so brave to be able to do that for him. Bye bye brave little man, you are much loved x
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It was so strange not to get up in the night to feed him - I still got up! Thanks for your ideas and help through his illness. I am just sad that we seem to have fixed the difficult bladder issue (weeing well recently and bladder comfortable on palpation etc) and probably an underlying kidney issue accelerated with the GA and meds? Oh yes the What Ifs are happening....
However, he just had that one bad illness in his life - 5 years of never going to the vet before which I need to remember. x
 
piglette said:
Hi @lauraboara

I am also a Laura with boars :) - including one, much loved, who seems to be coming to the end of an epic ten-week post-op battle in a similar way to Sodoku.
I just wanted to send thoughts and hugs.
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Hi Laura with boars across the planet. Sorry you are having a difficult time with one of your boys - Theo. Flipping exhausting isnt it when they don't rally. I have a Theo also! We are clearly living parallel lives with guinea pigs....Hugs coming back your way.
 
So sorry to read this update, having been in a similar position with Penfold I can relate to how difficult it is to say goodbye. I'm so sorry, You and Sudoku fought a hard battle. Little Sudoku will be sadly missed, please don't think 'what if' you did everything you possibly could and Sudoku passed peacefully. Sleep well little man.

Hugs to you Laura. X
 
lauraboara said:
Hi Laura with boars across the planet. Sorry you are having a difficult time with one of your boys - Theo. Flipping exhausting isnt it when they don't rally. I have a Theo also! We are clearly living parallel lives with guinea pigs....Hugs coming back your way.
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Thank-you - I appreciate it.
Yes, parallel guinea pig lives - that's actually quite a nice thought. :)
All the best x
 
Oh noooo :(:(:(
I'm so very sorry to see this update. It's gut wrenching making the decision but you've made the right one for Sudoko :hug:
Huge hugs Laura xxxxxxxxxx

It took me months to not wake up during the night thinking I'd forgotten to get up and feed.
You formed a forever bond he will always be with you xxxxxxx
 
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