When to euthanise?

[Jon880]

I've posted about our guinea pig Apricot a few times over recent months.

She's lost weight steadily since last summer, apart from a brief period of stabilisation with increasing doses of meloxicam around the turn of the year.

Her underlying problem appears to be ovarian cancer, with several masses which vets have been reluctant to operate on citing her age (she's four), low weight (now down to 840g from a peak of >1.1kg early last year).

I saw the exotics vet again just this morning who finally ruled out any surgical options or non-palliative treatments. I now have to face the dreadful reality of having her PTS, but the question is, when? She's still active, interacting with her two herdmates, eating and drinking. I don't want to end her time prematurely while she still seems to have some quality of life, but equally I don't want to see her waste away in front of us. What does everyone think?

 

[Wiebke]

I've posted about our guinea pig Apricot a few times over recent months.

She's lost weight steadily since last summer, apart from a brief period of stabilisation with increasing doses of meloxicam around the turn of the year.

Her underlying problem appears to be ovarian cancer, with several masses which vets have been reluctant to operate on citing her age (she's four), low weight (now down to 840g from a peak of >1.1kg early last year).

I saw the exotics vet again just this morning who finally ruled out any surgical options or non-palliative treatments. I now have to face the dreadful reality of having her PTS, but the question is, when? She's still active, interacting with her two herdmates, eating and drinking. I don't want to end her time prematurely while she still seems to have some quality of life, but equally I don't want to see her waste away in front of us. What does everyone think?

Hi

BIG HUGS

I am so very sorry. It always comes as a total blow to the gut.

Unfortunately, we cannot tell you what to do because this is not an area where there are any clear answers and where only you as the owner can find the ones that are right for you.
This is unfortunately the time when the privilege of having a pet is turning very much into a heavy burden.

Where we can help you is finding your own answers that are right for you.
Please take the time to read and work through this guide here. I have tried to compile a list of questions that help you find where your heart lies, so you can make any decisions with a clearer mind if not a less heavy heart: Operation, Terminal Care or Euthanasia? - Helpful Questions to Ask Ahead or in Hindsight

This guide here deals with terminal care and how to spot when it is time to call it shots. The most difficult time in my own experience is when you come close to it because of course you want to get absolutely right.
A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs

Please take the time to read through these guides. I hope that you find them helpful because I cannot write it all out in its full complexity in every post. We are here for any questions and discussions about points and aspects that you struggle with and would like more clarification.

It is unfortunately quite a lot to take in while you are in emotional turmoil because your grieving process doesn't start with the moment of death but with the moment you know that death is inevitable and on its way.

Please try not to push yourself too hard, take your time and - since you have the time - sleep on it. You are a loving owner and you will know in your heart when the time has come to let go. Pts (putting to sleep) is the most loving but also most heartbreaking gift we can make a beloved one who is in pain and distress. Vets are these days much more aware of the owners' needs and often a lot more accommodating to their requests.

You are welcome to discuss all this with our members and of course with the vet clinic. But I think you should best start with working out for yourself when the time has really come where you draw the line. It is going to make it that bit easier for you in a very stressful and emotional situation.
There is a kind of grey zone where there is no right or wrong but just a different weighing up the factors in play - but only you can work out how you weigh up those factors against each other. That is what the first link is for. The second link helps you with the practical and ethical aspects of terminal care and

We will support you morally and based on our personal experiences through this whole process, will support you in your personal choices and afterwards for as long as needed. But you do thankfully still have a little time left so please don't feel you have to push yourself and have to make any snap decisions.

PS: Please bookmark this your ongoing support thread so you can pick it up easily at any time again.

 

[KathT]

I have been in this situation many times and I always look at it from the piggies perspective. While they have quality of life and are active and not in pain, then let them live. You will notice when this changes and it’s time to let them go. You may notice a change in her cage mate too, they become quieter around a piggie in decline as if they know what’s happening (I’m sure they do!) My most recent pig to be pts was in decline with old age. She was active and eating happily and then suddenly started eating less veg and I noticed her puffed up obviously in pain. I took her to the vet and they couldn’t find anything wrong with her, so she was put on painkillers to see how she went. It only took a couple of days to realise the pain killers weren’t helping and the vet and I decided that it was time, and she was put to sleep. Sometimes it’s not so clear cut but usually you can tell when it’s time. I cannot bear them to suffer unnecessarily and would rather them be pts slightly earlier when they are in decline (knowing it’s terminal) than having them in pain, dragging it out to the bitter end. But that’s me. I’m sure you will do what’s best for your Apricot and I wish you all the strength to get through it when the time comes.

 

[Truffolo]

I think their ability to eat is a guide to how they feel. Once they are reduced to just eating veggies or only picking at critical care or mushed up pellets, and are sleeping most of the time, I think that is a signal that they have had enough and can be helped out of their pain and weariness. The advantage of an earlier PTS is that you can spend a day just spoiling and loving them if they are up to it before saying goodbye. If you have an idea of how quickly the cancer is developing that might help to see something of the way ahead. Wishing you comfort and strength

 

[Merab]

Go with your heart.
Your love for Apricot will ensure you make the right decision for her.
Offering support and hugs

 

[Jon880]

Thanks all.

I think this decision is one of those times when you need the wisdom of Solomon.

I'm mindful of the saying "better a week early than a day late", and I remember the horrible experience we had when we lost Mija - our first guinea pig bereavement - a couple of years ago.

In her case, illness came on suddenly and we went through two fruitless, traumatic weeks of medication and critical care. The last few days were horrible for Mija, for her human family, and in hindsight perhaps we should have ended things sooner.

But Apricot's decline is more gradual and I equally don't want to deprive her of life prematurely.

I hate this situation.

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks all.

I think this decision is one of those times when you need the wisdom of Solomon.

I'm mindful of the saying "better a week early than a day late", and I remember the horrible experience we had when we lost Mija - our first guinea pig bereavement - a couple of years ago.

In her case, illness came on suddenly and we went through two fruitless, traumatic weeks of medication and critical care. The last few days were horrible for Mija, for her human family, and in hindsight perhaps we should have ended things sooner.

But Apricot's decline is more gradual and I equally don't want to deprive her of life prematurely.

I hate this situation.

We all hate being in this situation - it's like a car crash on black ice in slow motion where the brakes can't get to work. You are already grieving and you feel very helpless at this stage.

However, please see every day she is still eating and still has a zest for life as the precious gift that it is. Make sure that there is some little appropriate enrichment where you can share a little moment of joy together and make that extra day count.
Enrichment can mean many different things: Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

If you want to understand your own grieving process better and feel a little less overwhelmed:
Human Bereavement: Grieving, Processing and Support Links for Guinea Pig Owners and Their Children (contains a chapter on grieving with terminally ill piggies as your grieving process has somewhat different dynamics. You don't grieve any less overall.)

My thoughts are with you and Apricot.