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When pigs pass over...

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Hi All,

This is a horrid question to ask so I appologise now but something we have thought about here. I've read about the running to the bridge leg movements a pig gets when leaving us but in both Cuzzy and Pearl who we were able to sit with as they crossed over they didn't have that movement in the legs but a more wanting to get up and run for it!

Is this right? I am asking because I'm obviously going to face this again as we all are at some point and I understand they are out of it at this stage so would rather make them comfortable but in Pearl's case I continued trying to syringe her until her last hour. Because she was trying to get up and run I took it for her feeling better but obviously it was much worse.

Sorry for a depressing topic!

Louise
x
 
It was exactly like that with Lennie Lou. He was on my lap in a blankey and I knew he was going. He was quiet for quite a while and I talked gently to him and stroked him and all of a sudden seemed to make a run for it, I had a job holding him 8... then he gasped several times and just flopped :(
 
Thanks Fi. Poor Lenny. :( I just had this vision it was more of a case of pig on their side and doing a running motion with their legs. But it isn't like that they physically want to run.

At least I know now and as Peter Guerney said they don't know much about it, far more distressing for us to see them like that.
 
It is known as "the running reflex", it occurs in many/most species including humans.
It is a reflex action and occurs when the animal is unconscious.
 
I have never been with my pigs as they passed but have heard about these movements. It must be so distressing to watch them go through that, even though you know they are pretty much gone by the time that reflex kicks in.
 
When Pinkie went over the bridge a few weeks ago, she did this in her cage a while before, as though she didn't know where to put herself. So distressing as you say. We got her out and lay with her on the sofa just stroking her and talking to her, she seemed to settle down, I think they get to a stage where they don't know what is going on around them. I think this is when they are taking their last few breaths. Why can't they all just fall asleep and just not wake up.8...8...
 
I must admit Pearl did go peacefully we wrapped her in a blanket and it was only ocassionally she had the urge to run so it wasn't too bad for us. I am so pleased we were with her. I was talking to her telling she had to get well so she could give Mr Twinks a run for his money as they used to have wheeking competitions and Pearl always won!

What I found more distressing was when she passed she had her eyes open, Cuzzy, Elora and foster baby Zack all had their eyes closed so it was like she didn't want to let go. But still she is free from pain now.

I am the biggest coward when it comes to seeing animals ill but I do think it gets easier, obviously the grief doesn't but dealing with it and knowing what to do gets easier as you face the sad passing of an animal you love.
 
I am really bad. I can't stand to see 'dead' animals. For some reason it just gives me the creeps. I dread coming downstairs each morning as I know that Grace the hamster is coming to the end of her life now. I have to get Chris to check her as I don't want to be the one to see her when she dies. A coward I know :(
 
I think being with your pet when they are passing (if possible) makes it easier both for you and your pet. When Lennie did pass, he was warm for ages and it was like he was sleeping in my arms. I kept him like that for over an hour before putting him in his favourite cushion..it was a comfort for me. It must be horrid to find your pet has died and rigamortis has already set in :(
 
I am the same Claire, and it is very understandable. I dreaded when I would see dead animals. Having had two pass at home recently, each experience was different but I could not be in the room with their bodies on my own, my mum had to be with me. Both pigs had their eyes half open, Lottie had been gone for some time through the night so was very cold, but Tuppy had only been gone for up to an hour and was still a little warm. It is hard to deal with and you can only do what you can do. It's not cowardice, it's normal and the animal knows you are with them in spirit.
 
I can cope being with them as they are passing as I like the idea of being there until the end but not when they are actually dead. I'm glad I'm not the only one. When we had to my rabbit (RIP Casper) put to sleep, my mum stayed in the room with him and I had to wait outside. The vet asked if we wanted to take him home but I couldn't bear the thought of seeing him :( x
 
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My two lay in state in their coffins overnight in my room. It was lovely to have them near. I could stroke them whenever I wanted to, and talk to them.

Personally I find the dead much more restful than the dying.
 
We can only do the best possible to give them a good death. If they are showing signs of distress, sometime before the inevitable, then do not spare giving pain relief. Multiple pain relief if need be ie Buscopan and Calpol etc. In any combination that you have available.
I will often carry them round the garden so they have one last chance to sniff the outside world, or, if that is not possible, then put some freshly picked grass under their nose, a gp that is close to death will appreciate that, even if they cannot eat.
 
Oh this is so sad, it nearly brings me to tears. What will you do Claire when one does pass away. Do you think you will be able to bury them?
 
sharonS said:
Oh this is so sad, it nearly brings me to tears. What will you do Claire when one does pass away. Do you think you will be able to bury them?
Click to expand...

Yes I will either bury them or have them cremated and bury the ashes. It depends on the circumstances I suppose on how they die. I am of course hoping that they die of old age x
 
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