Uri In My Very Old Guinea Pig

[Charlotte9320]

i have a guinea pig named Peppa and she was given to us due to children in their house and she is about 7 or 8. Very old I know. She is such a happy pig and doesn’t like to miss with others since her companion died. But she has recently being showing VERY clear signs of having URI eg- clicking noises, crusty eyes, crusty nose, no poo or wee etc. And as she is extremely old we don’t think it is the right decision to take her to the vets and have them give her antibiotics. So we are thinking of just letting her go in her own time. It’s nothing to do with vets fees we just don’t think it is fair to drag it out any longer. Could I ask on opinions please? Also one question, is she in pain?

 

[Wiebke]

i have a guinea pig named Peppa and she was given to us due to children in their house and she is about 7 or 8. Very old I know. She is such a happy pig and doesn’t like to miss with others since her companion died. But she has recently being showing VERY clear signs of having URI eg- clicking noises, crusty eyes, crusty nose, no poo or wee etc. And as she is extremely old we don’t think it is the right decision to take her to the vets and have them give her antibiotics. So we are thinking of just letting her go in her own time. It’s nothing to do with vets fees we just don’t think it is fair to drag it out any longer. Could I ask on opinions please? Also one question, is she in pain?

Hi! It is always a very difficult question when the time has come and how much to put an old piggy through.

Your girl is not in acute pain, however, she is in serious discomfort; the stress of drawing every single breath is killing her appetite and her ability to eat. She will die as much from pneumonia as she will die from her guts gradually closing down.The fact that she is no longer pooing and weeing is testament to that already happening.

You may dread a vet visit, but if you do not want to put your girl through a long fight with illness, please consider having her put to sleep to cut short any unnecessary suffering. It is the most difficult and heart-breaking decision we can make, but it is also the last and the kindest gift we can make our beloved ones. There is no right or wrong about where you call the line, as long as your girl's welfare is upmost in your mind and as long your decision is made to keep any suffering as minimal as possible.

 

[Lady Kelly]

Hi, so sorry to hear your piggy is ill. As stated above she will be suffering and to allow her to die from the URI will be such a horrible way for her to pass both for your piggy and for you to witness. I would seek a vets opinion and proceed with either medication or with helping to end her suffering depending on her overall health and how likely the treatment is to be effective.

There have been members on this forum that have had piggies live to be 10 years old so whilst 7-8 years is considered elderly it is by no means defining her as having lived all her life and ready to go. It's a difficult decision and I would always lean on a vet for an examination and information to guide the decision

 

[Charlotte9320]

Hi,
Thank you for the reply’s. The plan was to take her to the vets and have her put to sleep today (Tuesday) because it was a band holiday yesterday but it very much saddens me to say that she did pass away last night and is not longer with us.

Thank you again for he quick reply x

 

[Lady Kelly]

Hi,
Thank you for the reply’s. The plan was to take her to the vets and have her put to sleep today (Tuesday) because it was a band holiday yesterday but it very much saddens me to say that she did pass away last night and is not longer with us.

Thank you again for he quick reply x

Sorry to hear that, at least Peppa is at peace now. Hope you are ok x

 

[VickiA]

Sorry for your loss. popcorn free Peppa.