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Unwell piggy and boarding, need advice

Megann120

Megann120

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Dec 27, 2021
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Location
Glasgow
Hi All.
We have three piggies, and like every year we booked them months ago for boarding when we go on our usual month long trip to visit family abroad.
Few weeks ago one of our piggies got unwell, she was loosing hair and weight, her higiene got bad and we think she stopped eating poops. (She is 4.5 yo and had an operation for cysts last year and never got back to her full weight and her hair never grew back) After a few vets visits, assessments and a scan (that showed a mass on her bladder) she got an antibiotics and a antinflamatory, she got a little better. We were told that most likely her condition will worsen drastically in a three, four weeks and we will have to say goodbye. That was 5 weeks ago, Her condition is still the same, maybe a touch better, she in on the inflamatory all the time. Her weight is steady. Her higiene is not much better, we are washing her butt every other day.
We are leaving next week and I have no idea what to do with the boarding. We were prepared for the worst and after what vet told us we never considered her actually going to the piggy hotel. (Please keep in mind that it is heartbreaking for us, we know we are going to lose her any day and we are grieving)
The boarding has an option for giving medicine but she might get really bad any day now. We have no idea what to do, cancelling our trip is not an option, but we do not know anyone who could take care of a piggy in paliative care.
Any advice or support will be much, much appeciated.
 
Sorry to hear your piggie is unwell.
Have you talked to the boarding place about your/her circumstances?

Whenever we have had ongoing medical problems with our guinea pigs I have discussed them fully with our boarding places, all of whom at the time were happy to continue our care routine while our guinea pigs were with them.
I would also leave written/email permission with our vets for the boarding place to make decisions on our behalf, or to access vet records for their own vets.
 
i really sympathise, we recently went away whilst girls in boarders after bladder surgery and was back the next morning due to her taking a turn. personally i couldn’t go and enjoy my holiday knowing i had a poorly baby at home..
 
Megann120 said:
We have no idea what to do, cancelling our trip is not an option, but we do not know anyone who could take care of a piggy in paliative care.
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There might be someone on the forum willing to do it, worth asking I imagine even though slim chance. But I think I've seen the odd member before from Ayrshire maybe plus just Scotland so could be within driving distance of you.

I had a similar problem years ago. I was meant to go into inpatient treatment but I just couldn't while my piggie was ailing. I also hear you on not being able to cancel your holiday due to it being to family members abroad. Any possibility that one of you (you talk about 'we') could stay home with the piggies?
 
I have had to leave sick piggies when we go on holiday, sometimes we have no choice. I would normally discuss it with both the person who is going to care for my piggies and my vet ( i always get a sick piggy an appointment with them just before i travel). I also give permission by email to the person boarding my piggies to make decisions on our behalf regarding their welfare and inform the vet of this too.

Some vets will provide board for sick piggies, so always worth asking if that is an option.

Sadly, over the years we have had two piggies pass away while we have been on holiday. It isn't ideal but cancelling our holiday would not have made any difference to the outcome and holidays are good for both our mental and physical health. I place a lot of trust in the people who board our piggies and know that they will always make the right decisions for them.
 
CTWC said:
My heart goes out to you what an awful situation to be in 😥
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it really is and i feel her pain! it’s always hard when your pets are ill.

(apologies for this weird response i thought you commented on my post lol and i cant delete the comment)
 
Thank you so much for your kind replies. You gave me the boost to contact the boarding, and they were amazing. They had similar situations before and have experience with unwell pets. The conversation really put my mind at rest, we discussed our piggies needs, and what they will do if she takes turn for the worse. They are happy to have her and we are confident she and other two piggies will be in good hands.
Thank you again!
 
Glad to hear that your piggy will be getting the best of care while you are on holiday and you can relax and enjoy your time away.
 
I am so glad you discussed your concerns with the boarders, they will take good care of her. Now go off and enjoy your holiday
 
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