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What to do?

  • Thread starter Thread starter cuddles
  • Start date Start date

should i euthanise him?

  • euthanise

    Votes: 18 75.0%

  • attempt surgery and see what happens

    Votes: 5 20.8%

  • let him live as is for the rest of his life

    Votes: 1 4.2%
  • Total voters
    24
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C

cuddles

a 3yr old boar came to me today with a damaged spine.the family say he has been like that for the good part of 2yrs and has had no medical treatment.he has impaction and wets himself and is in pain all the time.he drags himself along and cant move 100%.he eats and acts normal apart from that.I took him to my vet and he said that the nerve damage is so great and so old that surgery might not work.the muscles are so wasted in his hindlegs i doubt he would regain full movement in them.Should i euthanise him and end his suffering or attempt surgery?
 
i think surgery is best because a least then he might have a chance of being a happier squeakypig
 
This is a difficult one! and you have my total sympathy and support for what ever you decide!
But if the pain and discomfort is causing too much discomfort in your opinion then i would say pts and let him sleep painfree But in the end its what you feel and with you what ever x
 
Jess, after talking to you in chat and knowing how much pain he is in and that surgery will probably not really do much, in my honest opinion and i know some people may disagree with me but i think it is unfair to put him through all that pain and grief and maybe it is best to have him PTS. Its not fair to leave him there in agony in my opinion, poor little fella.
 
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This is an awful situation to be in but in my opinion if he is in so much pain i think pts and let him go to sleep peacefully.

sending hugs to you and the little boar x
 
Sick little boar with spine problem

Sad as it is perhaps it is time to let him sleep quietly..... of course you are the only one who knows him so its totally up to you

sending hugs to you and your piggy

Frank
 
What a horrible position to be in, I'm so sorry you have to make this decision.
I think the first priority is pain control if he hasn't already had some. If his quality of life is improved when he is not in pain then surgery may be worthwhile, if there is no improvement even when he's not in pain then I think you need to let him go.
 
2 years without medical attention?? Oh my lord that poor little piggy. What a terrible thing to do to an animal. I really am appalled at the family involved. :(

Such a difficult decision I think it is very difficult to know what to do without seeing the poor little sweetheart. I'm sure you will make the right decision.
 
I also think that he should have the surgery because then at least he would have had the chance. However, you know more about his suffering and how he copes etc so it must be your own choice. Sorry that you're in this situation :(
 
moonie8404 said:
Jess, after talking to you in chat and knowing how much pain he is in and that surgery will probably not really do much, in my honest opinion and i know some people may disagree with me but i think it is unfair to put him through all that pain and grief and maybe it is best to have him PTS. Its not fair to leave him there in agony in my opinion, poor little fella.
Click to expand...

I agree with this post entirely.:) In my opinion when an animal has lost its quality of life then its the kinder option putting them to sleep rather than putting them through operations and letting them suffer.:(
 
I would have him put to sleep.

If you opt for surgery the recovery will be long and it may not work, it may cause him additional pain and suffering.

Give him a big cuddle and a pile of his fav food and make him comfy and then I would go to the vet.

Its sad, it may sound harsh but after seeing an animal ill and operated on to gain nothing but more pain I would just let him have a good night and then let him go.

If he is in pain now and the surgery is not a sure cure I would cut his losses. It would be such major surgery in such a small animals.

If the chances of him living pain free after the op were 80% or higher I would operate but this does not sound like the odds are as good as 80%.
 
only you will know what to do really...as you are the carer.
we have had vets tell us to pts a pet or two but only the carer knows how the pet is in itself..
i think if they are in constant pain ,have given up on fun ,eating etc then its time.
 
I'd say let him go - there's no guarantee that he'd have any improvement with the surgery and its not fair to put him through it all just on the off chance it might work.

It's a sad thing to do but better a day too soon than a day too late.
 
I don't think surgery would be the answer if the vet has also said that they didn't think it would work. I would try and manage his pain through metacam or something to see if he responds to it. Otherwise if the pain cannot be controlled then I would pts. I had a piggie who had spinal problems towards the end of her life. The vet wanted to pts but she was in no pain and she dragged herself around. I bathed her daily and gave her massages and swimming therapy. She still attempted to explore her room and environment which is a sign that she wasn't ready to leave me at that time. She had arthritis in her spine and back legs. I gave her Potters Tabritis daily which helped her stiffness and she lived another 6 months and was only in pain about two days before she went to rainbow bridge. You know your piggie better than anyone else and I'm sure in your heart you'll know what is best for him :)
 
i dont think its fair to put him through the op. i've voted for pts, but thats easy for me to say. go with what your heart tells you to do and we'll all support you cxxx
 
I agree with everyone Jess, you got to do what you feel is best. xx
 
Oh dear, what a traumatic decision to have to make! My thoughts go out to you. Going only on what you have said in your post and without knowing the piggy myself I would say the kindest thing is to PTS, if the vet is doubtful of an improvement from surgery nd with the wasting of the leg muscles it probably would not be fair for him to be put through the stress (and we all know how stressful a straightforward vet visit is for a small animal!) of a vet visit, injections, major spinal surgery and the necassary restraint whilst in recovery. I wouldnt do it. However if you think there is a strong possibility of the piggy regaining his motility and becoming healthy and happy after wards then do it. Its a tough decision. Good luck! :(
 
Hi Jess,

I did click try the op but having read the replies and seeing how bad he is I have reconsidered. I would now let him go. If he is in so much pain its kinder to let him go.

Perhaps if he were younger and had vet treatment from a young age the outcome would be different.

I support you whichever why you go.

(((Hugs)))

Louise
x
 
op?

What a terrible dilemna you are in, and there is no easy answer. However, bearing in mind the amount of suffering this poor little piggie has already endured, and that there is no guaranteed success if he has the op, if he were mine I would reluctantly have him pts. It sounds as though the op and recovery period would be painful and stressful to say the least, and he could still feel no better in the end. Ultimately the decision must be your own as you know the reality of the situation better than anyone. But from what you say, perhaps it is time to lovingly let him go. My thoughts are with you.
 
Personally i would have him pts.
I myself think that the most unselfish thing you can do for your pet is to decide when enough is enough and let them go with dignity.

But the decision is yours, and you will know what to do for the best.
 
Hi everyone.today I have observed him for a long time and after considering every option i know that it is best to have him put to sleep.he will have a good day tomorrow in the long grass and then he is going for his last journey to the vets on monday morning.He has got pain relief but he has no chance of ever having a good quality of life even after surgery as his kidneys are also not working properly:( very sad but it is for the best for him
 
What an awful decision to have to make, but at least you've considered all the options and you are good to be brave enough to do what's right for him, bless him.

Thinking of you

Sophie
x
 
cuddles said:
Hi everyone.today I have observed him for a long time and after considering every option i know that it is best to have him put to sleep.he will have a good day tomorrow in the long grass and then he is going for his last journey to the vets on monday morning.He has got pain relief but he has no chance of ever having a good quality of life even after surgery as his kidneys are also not working properly:( very sad but it is for the best for him
Click to expand...

So sorry but you are doing what you think is best for him. I sure he appreciates it and I'll be thinking of you xx
 
What a truly awful decision to be given to you. My heart really does go out to you and this little man. I have to agree what most of the others have said, assess how he is, and if any progress has occurred, if not i feel the kindest option would be to let him know you loved him, and let him rest in peace without pain. The family who let this poor piggy get into this state need dealing with, but at least he had someone kind at his end. I'm in tears now writing this so i cant imagine how you are feeling. Be there for him and stay brave.
 
This is such a sad situation its made me quite tearful! It takes a very strong person to deal with the awful realisation that keeping an animal alive is ultimately causing an animal suffering. You have done a very kind and humane thing. My heart really does go out to you because it is just the worst thing in the world to take an animal to the vet to be PTS. x
 
It must have been a heart breaking decision to make. I'll be thinking of you both on monday:(:(
 
You are doing the right thing i'm sure of it. Enjoy your day little man, I'll be thinking of you all on monday. Take care x
 
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