To euthanise or let him die at home?

Jemima

Jemima

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hello.

I've just made an appointment for my 6.5 year old pig to be PTS at 5:15pm today.

Quick context - he's been slowly eating less - not accepting certain veggies, but still enjoying others. Left his corn completely last night and his apple. No longer eating pellets. But loved a few mini dandelions and some herb Robbert just now. Ate a little grass, but not all of it - very slow, hunched in corner all of yesterday. When he walked just now he was almost dragging his bag legs - just seemed wobbly. I felt underneath him and he was wet from urine having stayed in the same spot for so long.

I just know the end is near.

But as always I am struggling with what is the kinder choice.

TO take him out of his familiar home, drive 30 minutes in the car (my nearby vets doesn't have a vet there today!). And get him PTS.
OR - to give it another day to see if he passes naturally.

I let my other piggy pass naturally last year and it was very traumatic and I cried for a long time. I promised myself I wouldn't do that with Pap, which is why I have him booked in.

I suppose there is no 'kind' way. It's just the hardest choice, isn't it?

But I remember this: A day too early is kinder than a moment too late.
 
My thoughts are with you at this hard time. You know your piggie the best and if you feel he needs to be PTS to end his suffering then that is what you must do. 6 and a half years is a very good age for a piggie to get to and you have given him a life full of happy todays which is all a guinea pig wants and needs. Your last act of love is to help him on his way to the Rainbow Bridge. It's the worst feeling signing that paperwork just remember you are not ending his life on a whim, you know that it's his time to go. It's better a day early than a day late. He'll be reunited with his friend at the Rainbow Bridge and be in the prime of his life once more.
 
Betsy said:
My thoughts are with you at this hard time. You know your piggie the best and if you feel he needs to be PTS to end his suffering then that is what you must do. 6 and a half years is a very good age for a piggie to get to and you have given him a life full of happy todays which is all a guinea pig wants and needs. Your last act of love is to help him on his way to the Rainbow Bridge. It's the worst feeling signing that paperwork just remember you are not ending his life on a whim, you know that it's his time to go. It's better a day early than a day late. He'll be reunited with his friend at the Rainbow Bridge and be in the prime of his life once more.
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Yes, I know this is right. It's just hard. It's always me who has to make this choice. And it is also always me who has to suffer with the loss and grief. That's OK, but I had to suffer so much last year with his brother passing, then my 15 year old cat, then a kitten as well. It's just been awful. But I know that I wish my kitten had been PTS earlier - a day earlier in fact, as she suffered with her breathing. And my beautiful dear cat, I did the right thing by her and she didn't suffer but died in my arms. But of course I questioned if it was too soon! Because that is what we do. Those who LOVE animals so much. We never want them to suffer and I know in my heart he needs to go sooner rather than later. But the grief means I also experienced love too.
Thank you for your reply. I will ensure I take him with lots of his hay in the carrier and a blanket.💚
 
Always remember the more we love the more we grieve and grief is love with nowhere to go. We all know about having to let our furry potatoes go to the Rainbow Bridge either naturally or with help. We are here for you, we understand. Feel free to post in the Rainbow Bridge section all about your special boy Pap when you feel the time is right.
 
Jemima said:
Hello.

I've just made an appointment for my 6.5 year old pig to be PTS at 5:15pm today.

Quick context - he's been slowly eating less - not accepting certain veggies, but still enjoying others. Left his corn completely last night and his apple. No longer eating pellets. But loved a few mini dandelions and some herb Robbert just now. Ate a little grass, but not all of it - very slow, hunched in corner all of yesterday. When he walked just now he was almost dragging his bag legs - just seemed wobbly. I felt underneath him and he was wet from urine having stayed in the same spot for so long.

I just know the end is near.

But as always I am struggling with what is the kinder choice.

TO take him out of his familiar home, drive 30 minutes in the car (my nearby vets doesn't have a vet there today!). And get him PTS.
OR - to give it another day to see if he passes naturally.

I let my other piggy pass naturally last year and it was very traumatic and I cried for a long time. I promised myself I wouldn't do that with Pap, which is why I have him booked in.

I suppose there is no 'kind' way. It's just the hardest choice, isn't it?

But I remember this: A day too early is kinder than a moment too late.
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BIG HUGS

It is the hardest and the most heartbreaking choice; especially when the decision is not taken out of your hands by circumstances and it becomes a race to the vets because the suffering has become too great...

There is no kind way and there is no right way where you are right now; it is all about how you feel about it and that it feels right for you. I have made different decisions for different piggies in comparable situations where I had the vet access, had my personal experience a natural death is not always necessarily running smoothly. With some I felt that they were not quite there yet while for others I didn't want them to potentially get stuck at home suffering unnecessarily.
This is why it is so difficult; you feel so torn, having to make an executive decision while still walking the maze blindfolded and not in possession of all the data and the clear map you'll have in hindsight. But as long as you make that decision with your boy's welfare foremost in mind, you won't go wrong after giving him a lifetime's worth of love and good care.

You may find this guide here helpful for yourself, which I have specifically written for helping you to work out where you stand right now and what feels right for you right now.
But it also works for those who are struggling with their decision when they hit the big guilt/soul-searching loop at the onset of the grieving process.
Operation, Terminal Care or Euthanasia? - Helpful Questions to Ask Ahead or in Hindsight

Personally, I have my piggies on their last journey to the vets in a fleece bag or cave on my lap so they are secure but I can hold them and cuddle them so they are not making this journey alone while my hub kindly provides the driving.

If your vet allows you to bring a companion for the lethal injection on the examination table, which is becoming more common now, then this would be another option to consider; but you would need to enquire at your vet clinic what options they offer or what the treating vet would be OK with because that can differ individually.
For me personally, it also depends on the bond and its closeness and whether the companions have already taken their leave or not. Dying guinea pigs often remove themselves and the companions keep their respectiful distance after saying their own goodbye.

I hope that this will help you; I have driven for longer for pts during out-of-hours or when the dying process coincided with a major specialist vet appointment with some other piggies of mine.

My thoughts are with you and your clearly much loved old boy.
 
Wiebke said:
BIG HUGS

It is the hardest and the most heartbreaking choice; especially when the decision is not taken out of your hands by circumstances and it becomes a race to the vets because the suffering has become too great...

There is no kind way and there is no right way where you are right now; it is all about how you feel about it and that it feels right for you. I have made different decisions for different piggies in comparable situations where I had the vet access, knew that a natural death is not always necessarily smoothly but with some I felt that they were not quite there yet while for others I didn't want them to potentially get stuck at home suffering unnecessarily.

You may find this guide here helpful for yourself, which I have specifically written for helping you to work out where you stand right now and what feels right for you right now.
But it also works for those who are struggling with their decision when they hit the big guilt/soul-searching loop at the onset of the grieving process.
Operation, Terminal Care or Euthanasia? - Helpful Questions to Ask Ahead or in Hindsight

Personally, I have my piggies on their last journey to the vets in a fleece bag or cave on my lap so they are secure but I can hold them and cuddle them so they are not making this journey alone while my hub kindly provides the driving.

If your vet allows you to bring a companion for the lethal injection on the examination table, which is becoming more common now, then this would be another option to consider; but you would need to enquire at your vet clinic what options they offer or what the treating vet would be OK with because that can differ individually.
For me personally, it also depends on the bond and its closeness and whether the companions have already taken their leave or not. Dying guinea pigs often remove themselves and the companions keep their respectiful distance after saying their own goodbye.

I hope that this will help you; I have driven for longer for pts during out-of-hours or when the dying process coincided with a major specialist vet appointment with some other piggies of mine.

My thoughts are with you and your clearly much loved old boy.
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Thank you. I did read this article before I posted.
I think I tend to struggle with big decisions like this anyway.
I always only ever want to do the kindest thing for the animal, but of course because they cannot speak, it is so often hard to truly know - and sometimes, we never can know.
His mate died last year so he doesn't have a mate, other than me, sadly. He is in my office, and I will miss the calming, comforting sound of his hay munching.
I would rather he would just die very quickly at home, but after witnessing the demise of his mate, Pip, I saw that it was not peaceful.
So I suppose this is my last act of compassion for him.
I can choose a quicker, more painless passing for him. Because otherwise I have a feeling it would be rather long and drawn out.
So I will go with my gut instinct this time around. As hard at it is. And as unsure as I feel!
 
If you have other piggies at home, bring Pap back home and place him in the run with them so that they understand what has happened. When I had to have Thea PTS last year, Misty and Bramble went along with her, the vet took Thea out the back to PTS and then I popped Thea back in the basket with them for Thea's final journey back home.
 
Betsy said:
If you have other piggies at home, bring Pap back home and place him in the run with them so that they understand what has happened. When I had to have Thea PTS last year, Misty and Bramble went along with her, the vet took Thea out the back to PTS and then I popped Thea back in the basket with them for Thea's final journey back home.
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Also, the fact he is still eating a little bit confuses things! Either way, it sounds like the vet is the right place for him to be - to be checked over and then I can make an informed decision. Thank you for your words, everyone. They have helped me to realise I am doing the right thing by him.
 
So sorry that you are having to make such a difficult and painful decision for Pap.
Many of us have been in the same situation and the should I or shouldn’t I is always a tough choice.
Holding you in my heart today ♥️
 
Merab said:
So sorry that you are having to make such a difficult and painful decision for Pap.
Many of us have been in the same situation and the should I or shouldn’t I is always a tough choice.
Holding you in my heart today ♥️
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Thank you so much. It really helps. 💔
 
Jemima said:
Thank you. I did read this article before I posted.
I think I tend to struggle with big decisions like this anyway.
I always only ever want to do the kindest thing for the animal, but of course because they cannot speak, it is so often hard to truly know - and sometimes, we never can know.
His mate died last year so he doesn't have a mate, other than me, sadly. He is in my office, and I will miss the calming, comforting sound of his hay munching.
I would rather he would just die very quickly at home, but after witnessing the demise of his mate, Pip, I saw that it was not peaceful.
So I suppose this is my last act of compassion for him.
I can choose a quicker, more painless passing for him. Because otherwise I have a feeling it would be rather long and drawn out.
So I will go with my gut instinct this time around. As hard at it is. And as unsure as I feel!
Click to expand...

A decision like this is always a jump of faith over the edge of the cliff.

Would it help you if you put it into the big perspective? What it is about are just the last few hours of a long and happy life. Do you want to your piggy to make their own way to the Bridge under their own steam as long as they are not in visible discomfort and as long as you have access to an out-of-hours reach within comfortable distance or would you rather make sure that he has a smooth and quick journey if that little bit earlier?

Emotionally, they are both about the same - saying goodbye never gets any less heartbreaking, whichever way it happens. And the questioning yourself afterwards doesn't get any less; it's just the questions that differ and how well you can cope with the physicality of a natural death when the body doesn't necessarily break down that neatly and smoothly; there is never a guarantee for that.

Unfortunately, what we cannot do is make that decision for you. We can only give you our moral support that whichever way you decide is ultimately fine and that in your own current situation there is really very little in it. He will be carried by the wings of your love either way.
 
Thank you all.

I took him quietly this afternoon. He was sedated in his carrier surrounded by hay from his hutch and a soft blanket and heat pad. I stoked him while he drifted off to sleep, and a little while later he was put to sleep forever and it was so quick and peaceful.

I am truly at peace with the choice I made for him. I felt in my gut it was the best option for him. He died having eaten his favourite today - a strip of banana skin, some herb Robert, a few early Spring dandelions and a tiny bit of grass that he managed.

He had lost a lot of weight and I had known his end was near, but when he deteriorated and slowed significantly yesterday, and then again today, I felt that the way he left this world was the kindest I could have chosen for him.

We just buried him in the garden, surrounded by hay and herb Robert and grass.

Rest in Peace, Dearest Papa. 💔
 
Jemima said:
Thank you all.

I took him quietly this afternoon. He was sedated in his carrier surrounded by hay from his hutch and a soft blanket and heat pad. I stoked him while he drifted off to sleep, and a little while later he was put to sleep forever and it was so quick and peaceful.

I am truly at peace with the choice I made for him. I felt in my gut it was the best option for him. He died having eaten his favourite today - a strip of banana skin, some herb Robert, a few early Spring dandelions and a tiny bit of grass that he managed.

He had lost a lot of weight and I had known his end was near, but when he deteriorated and slowed significantly yesterday, and then again today, I felt that the way he left this world was the kindest I could have chosen for him.

We just buried him in the garden, surrounded by hay and herb Robert and grass.

Rest in Peace, Dearest Papa. 💔
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Its such a difficult decision to make, but its the last act of love that we can give them when its their time to go to the rainbow bridge. Papa will have taken all of your love and care with him on his journey ❤️ sending you lots of love and hugs 🤗 I'm so sorry for your loss
 
So brave and so very sorry - it sounds like it was a peaceful passing for your dear Papa and you are in my thoughts and prayers. A little bit of your heart has gone over the bridge with Papa today so he will always have you and he left behind a little bit of his with you so that you always remember him with love and happiness.
 
Jemima said:
Thank you all.

I took him quietly this afternoon. He was sedated in his carrier surrounded by hay from his hutch and a soft blanket and heat pad. I stoked him while he drifted off to sleep, and a little while later he was put to sleep forever and it was so quick and peaceful.

I am truly at peace with the choice I made for him. I felt in my gut it was the best option for him. He died having eaten his favourite today - a strip of banana skin, some herb Robert, a few early Spring dandelions and a tiny bit of grass that he managed.

He had lost a lot of weight and I had known his end was near, but when he deteriorated and slowed significantly yesterday, and then again today, I felt that the way he left this world was the kindest I could have chosen for him.

We just buried him in the garden, surrounded by hay and herb Robert and grass.

Rest in Peace, Dearest Papa. 💔
Click to expand...

BIG HUGS

I hope that you are also able to find some peace after being with your Papa during his peaceful last journey sending him off with your love so he can be reunited with his best friend again. You have not failed him in any way.

Papa was blessed to find such a loving home und are blessed to have found him. He will always live on in your heart and your memories.

I like to imagine my piggies as my little furry guardian angels that are looking out for me and my current piggies because they are always with me and what I have learned from them is helping me now. It's visualisation of them being still constantly in my thoughts and my emotions... and I way they are still within my reach when their absence is becoming too painful.

Please give yourself time and space to grieve. Your adrenaline can do funny things, and it has been such a stressful couple of days for you. It is going to take several days until it runs out and is leaving you with the dreaded hangover blues.

What is harder to cope with is Papa's absence. Whether you feel like wanting to put the cage away quickly or rather leave it in place with a picture of your two boys, make sure that you not leave the space empty. If you cannot stand the silence, play guinea pig videos with noises in the background on low volume.
Personally, I find it hard to adjust to a piggy's absence - now matter how many you have - but one of the hardest and most painful things is having to rearrange your daily life; especially if you are working from home. Be kind with yourself during that time, as there are so many subconscious little links we share with our beloved ones.

We are here for you for as long as you wish to with our moral support and practical tips and advice for all the questions and emotions that come up. Ideally you bookmark this thread so you can pick it up easily any time.
 
I am so sorry for our loss and send you hugs. He will always be with you in happy memories although it will be hard to think like that right now. You gave him a happy life full of love and gave him the kindest last gift of love. My heart goes out to you x
Live happy with your new friends at the bridge beautiful boy 🌈
 
Wiebke said:
BIG HUGS

I hope that you are also able to find some peace after being with your Papa during his peaceful last journey sending him off with your love so he can be reunited with his best friend again. You have not failed him in any way.

Papa was blessed to find such a loving home und are blessed to have found him. He will always live on in your heart and your memories.

I like to imagine my piggies as my little furry guardian angels that are looking out for me and my current piggies because they are always with me and what I have learned from them is helping me now. It's visualisation of them being still constantly in my thoughts and my emotions... and I way they are still within my reach when their absence is becoming too painful.

Please give yourself time and space to grieve. Your adrenaline can do funny things, and it has been such a stressful couple of days for you. It is going to take several days until it runs out and is leaving you with the dreaded hangover blues.

What is harder to cope with is Papa's absence. Whether you feel like wanting to put the cage away quickly or rather leave it in place with a picture of your two boys, make sure that you not leave the space empty. If you cannot stand the silence, play guinea pig videos with noises in the background on low volume.
Personally, I find it hard to adjust to a piggy's absence - now matter how many you have - but one of the hardest and most painful things is having to rearrange your daily life; especially if you are working from home. Be kind with yourself during that time, as there are so many subconscious little links we share with our beloved ones.

We are here for you for as long as you wish to with our moral support and practical tips and advice for all the questions and emotions that come up. Ideally you bookmark this thread so you can pick it up easily any time.
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Thank you for such kind and understanding words.
Last night I went to feed him automatically then my heart sank as I realised he ins't here anymore.
I will certainly miss the comforting noise of him munching hay.
I love the idea of putting a photo of him and Pip in my office - I am going to take down his C&C today, because I feel I will find the cleaning aspect therapeutic.
Lovely, Pap. 💜
 
Jemima said:
Thank you for such kind and understanding words.
Last night I went to feed him automatically then my heart sank as I realised he ins't here anymore.
I will certainly miss the comforting noise of him munching hay.
I love the idea of putting a photo of him and Pip in my office - I am going to take down his C&C today, because I feel I will find the cleaning aspect therapeutic.
Lovely, Pap. 💜
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My desk is also at the piggy end of our lounge so I totally understand what you mean. I find the piggy noises very soothing, too, and dread the day when my own last piggy goes after over 20 years without a break and our lounge falls totally silent... :(

What I and other members would recommend is to best put a small piece of furniture or a plant where the cage used to be so you are not met by this gaping, gut slamming void.

It is going to take you weeks to get used to it and to kind of retrain yourself to not automatically do all the routine and especially all the subconscious little looks and things that you cannot brace for. This is the hardest bit of the grieving process because it often hits you right of the blue. :(
 
Wiebke said:
My desk is also at the piggy end of our lounge so I totally understand what you mean. I find the piggy noises very soothing, too, and dread the day when my own last piggy goes after over 20 years without a break and our lounge falls totally silent... :(

What I and other members would recommend is to best put a small piece of furniture or a plant where the cage used to be so you are not met by this gaping, gut slamming void.

It is going to take you weeks to get used to it and to kind of retrain yourself to not automatically do all the routine and especially all the subconscious little looks and things that you cannot brace for. This is the hardest bit of the grieving process because it often hits you right of the blue. :(
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It is such a good idea - and maybe it is a coincidence, but a free piano came onto marketplace today, and I have wanted one for so long but there was no space, so what better way than to pay tribute to the love and calmness and joy those boys brought to my life? I can sit and play... and learn new skills.
Also, I drew a tarot card yesterday - it was a broken heart from grief. Can you believe it? It reminded of the temporary nature and the fact that it is part of life. ❤️
 
Sending you hugs. Such a hard decision to have to make but deep in our hearts we know when it's time.
The piano sounds like a lovely idea.
 
Jemima said:
Thank you all.

I took him quietly this afternoon. He was sedated in his carrier surrounded by hay from his hutch and a soft blanket and heat pad. I stoked him while he drifted off to sleep, and a little while later he was put to sleep forever and it was so quick and peaceful.

I am truly at peace with the choice I made for him. I felt in my gut it was the best option for him. He died having eaten his favourite today - a strip of banana skin, some herb Robert, a few early Spring dandelions and a tiny bit of grass that he managed.

He had lost a lot of weight and I had known his end was near, but when he deteriorated and slowed significantly yesterday, and then again today, I felt that the way he left this world was the kindest I could have chosen for him.

We just buried him in the garden, surrounded by hay and herb Robert and grass.

Rest in Peace, Dearest Papa. 💔
Click to expand...
Sorry for your loss x big hugs.
 
Jemima said:
Thank you all.

I took him quietly this afternoon. He was sedated in his carrier surrounded by hay from his hutch and a soft blanket and heat pad. I stoked him while he drifted off to sleep, and a little while later he was put to sleep forever and it was so quick and peaceful.

I am truly at peace with the choice I made for him. I felt in my gut it was the best option for him. He died having eaten his favourite today - a strip of banana skin, some herb Robert, a few early Spring dandelions and a tiny bit of grass that he managed.

He had lost a lot of weight and I had known his end was near, but when he deteriorated and slowed significantly yesterday, and then again today, I felt that the way he left this world was the kindest I could have chosen for him.

We just buried him in the garden, surrounded by hay and herb Robert and grass.

Rest in Peace, Dearest Papa. 💔
Click to expand...
I'm so sorry for your loss. You were extremely brave for making that decision and letting him go peacefully. I came here looking for advice as my 8 year old piggy is in a similar situation, but I think I might have my answer 💔 Its been about two days that he doesn't want to eat his hay and is uninterested in pellets, but will still eat veggies. I also noticed he's been grinding his teeth, so I'm thinking he's having dental issues. I'm stuck between letting him go or having him go through the whole process of getting his molars trimmed, because like I mentioned he's almost 8 1/2 yrs old and I'm not sure if he can handle it. I don't want him to suffer or be in pain, but he seemed otherwise healthy so I'm torn and don't know what to do. He's so loved and I don't want to make the wrong choice.
 
Jemima said:
It is such a good idea - and maybe it is a coincidence, but a free piano came onto marketplace today, and I have wanted one for so long but there was no space, so what better way than to pay tribute to the love and calmness and joy those boys brought to my life? I can sit and play... and learn new skills.
Also, I drew a tarot card yesterday - it was a broken heart from grief. Can you believe it? It reminded of the temporary nature and the fact that it is part of life. ❤️
Click to expand...

That is a great idea. ❤️

Often, when one door closes another opens and takes you into a new direction. You can still place a picture of your boys on the piano if or whenever it feels right for you. Your new path won't take anything away from your happy times and the love you have experienced with your boys. Music is also a great way of expressing and processing your emotions.

Grieving is an emotional journey that is very individual and always unique since your bond has been unique; the main rule is that whatever you do and in whatever new direction you take your life, it has to feel right for you and not that it is 'what one should do or feel'.

We continue to be here for you on your journey if you hit any sudden potholes but I hope that your piano and your progress on it is going to give you the outlet for expressing your emotions and also the joy and the sense of excitement that you are craving.
 
I'm so sorry for your loss. That sounds like the nicest possible way to pass on and hopefully that brings you some peace. It's the hardest decision to have to make. ((HUGS)) to you.
 
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