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Treacle Is Dying

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AlisonP

AlisonP

Junior Guinea Pig
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Our beautiful Treacle had an xray and her heart and one lung only showed in white. We have stopped syringe feeding her and know she hasn't long now. She became aunt to two little ones back in May (because her life partner died and she was lonely, I think we have been unlucky as they have both died very young). They adore her. If she becomes uncomfortable and has to be put down at the vets should we put her body back into the cage to help them? and if so for how long?
 
I am so sorry to hear about your lovely Treacle.
I can not even begin to imagine how difficult it must be to go through this again so soon.

However since you are no longer feeding her (and I am guessing she isn't really eating on her own), maybe you should think about helping her gently on her way rather than leaving nature to take it's course?
Obviously the choice is entirely up to you, and I am sure your vet will also be able to offer advice, but sometimes if there is no chance of recovery then helping her along can help to avoid prolonged suffering.

Whatever you decide, I wish you and Treacle peace in the coming days.
 
Yes I am happy to do that, I think you are probably right. I was Hopi g she would curl up with the babies and go to sleep but it's obviously taking rather too long. If she goes away and doesn't come back will it unduly affect them?
 
AlisonP said:
Yes I am happy to do that, I think you are probably right. I was Hopi g she would curl up with the babies and go to sleep but it's obviously taking rather too long. If she goes away and doesn't come back will it unduly affect them?
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I think since they have each other they should be fine. I agree with @Swissgreys that if you have realised she is at the end that taking her to the vet to end her suffering would be best. However i know this is one of the hardest decisions we have to make.. X
 
I have no advice,sorry, but thinking of you.
I can't imagine what you're going through.
Poor Treacle. I hope the babies do ok as they have each other.
 
Sadly I've had to have four of my guinea put to sleep (not all at the same time!), I never put them back in the cage, just laid them to rest. Everyone has their own experiences though.

Sorry you are having to make the decision of having your guinea put to sleep. *hugs to you both*.
 
AlisonP said:
Our beautiful Treacle had an xray and her heart and one lung only showed in white. We have stopped syringe feeding her and know she hasn't long now. She became aunt to two little ones back in May (because her life partner died and she was lonely, I think we have been unlucky as they have both died very young). They adore her. If she becomes uncomfortable and has to be put down at the vets should we put her body back into the cage to help them? and if so for how long?
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BIG HUGS!

If you wish to, put her back, but don't be surprised if nothing happens. Like humans, guinea pigs can react very differently. They will already be aware that she is not at all well. Many guinea pigs give a dead piggy a nuzzle around the eye if they have been close or even sit with it for a while, others stay away and simply ignore the dead piggy and a very few freak out. Remove the body as soon as it is being ignored, which usually doesn't take very long.

How long and whether or how leave is being taken often depends on the circumstances. I find that if a dead piggy had removed itself from the immediate company of its group when feeling ill, the presence of its body will generally be ignored. If pts or death in an operation comes as a shock to a seemingly healthy piggy, then reactions can be much stronger than when a piggy has already been very ill and the trip to the vets has been a kindness; the same goes for an unexpected death out of the blue, like a heart attack or a piggy not waking up from its forever sleep - that can lead to desperate tries to wake it up again.

If you yourself find it upsetting, then leave be. Your little ones will know what is up. There is no hard and fast rule.

It is good that you have two, so there should at least be no acute pining although your little ones will be very subdued for some days.
More tips here: Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig
 
I'm so sorry, I agree with Swissgreys and Adelle though that it may be kinder to ask the vet to help her over the bridge. It can be a long process as the body shuts down. It is the most difficult decision to make and never gets any easier but I have learnt over the years when to make it.

With regards to what to do with letting companions see, I have had mixed reactions when I have let them see, including a popcorn so I tend not to show them now. It does depend on the individual pigs though.
 
I'm ever so sorry that you are having to make this decision. I think it is kindest to have her pts so that her suffering is not prolonged. I know how hard it is to do but it really is the kindest thing you can do for her now.
I have always (on the advice of my first cavy savvy vet) shown the body to the survivors. Some have shown near total indifference but others have spent time washing and lying with the body of their companion. Personally I think they need to understand what has happened and to say their goodbyes. But I know that views are mixed. Huge hugs to you.
 
I'm really sorry you are going through this. :( I know it's heartbreaking. As to putting the body in the cage, it is something that I have done and it did seem to help the remaining pig understand that their friend was not coming back. When Frenzy died, she is in the cage with Linney and by the time I found her, Linney had already investigated and had moved away to another part of the cage. When Linney died, we let Sundae see the body (Sundae was really agitated when Linney was in her last hours and obviously knew something was up.) Sundae went and sniffed/nuzzled/groomed the body and we let her stay as long as she wanted. When she moved on, we took Linney away to bury her. It was hard to watch, but I do think it made it easier for Sundae, as she seemed to not be as desperately agitated afterwards (though she was obviously not coping well with being alone and we did introduce a new companion pretty soon.) Personally, when I'm next faced with the situation, I would let the remaining pig see the body if it's at all possible to do so.

((HUGS)) again. I know it's so hard. I've been there too.
 
So sorry that you've lost treacle, you have made the only choice for her.
My thoughts are with you. Run free treacle.
 
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