• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

When to go to the vet- when to leave in peace?

Nic bee

Nic bee

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Nov 5, 2015
Messages
121
Reaction score
105
Points
300
Location
Leeds, west Yorkshire
Hi all, my 5 year old, healthy boar didn't come running for his food today. I got him out of his cage about an hour ago and he's hardly moved. He won't eat and keeps making whimpering noises, especially when you touch him. He's a very nervous pig & all the advice on here seems to suggest taking him to the vet. Which I can do and will if that's what's best, I just can't help thinking of it's his time for the rainbow, I'd rather him go in peace snuggled up under a blanket where he's happy, than bundled in a car and be prodded and poked at the vets?
Can anyone advise if there are occasions you sit back and wait rather than dash to the vets? I weigh him regularly and he's a steady 1250g
 
It might not be his time to go over the rainbow bridge - if the vet can diagnose a problem that’s fixable he could have a few more years yet. And if it’s something worse, you can make the decision to let him go peacefully, in less pain and without further suffering. It’s always a hard decision to make but I’d take him to the vet.
 
If he's whimpering he needs to see the vet. If it is his time for the rainbow it is kinder for him to be helped there. Guinea Pigs very rarely go peacefully and it can be very traumatic to witness. Take him to the vet who will be able to diagnose what is wrong and give you an informed choice of the options. If as you say he is healthy he may make a full recovery after a vet examination and treatment.
 
First they will do a hands on examination and source where the pain is and then take it from there. An x-ray may not be necessary but only a vet will be able to tell you
 
They can find a lot just by feeling different areas to see if they are painful. Let the doctor know any changes in appetite it behavior. Any information will be useful. Of they suspect bloat, stones, or something they may do an x-ray. Wishing you good luck! Keep us posted. I feel it's always better to go to a vet. Could be something simple and you could have a lot more time with your piggy. Plus, if he is in pain, you can help him.
 
Please don't rush to think it's his time. Healthy adult piggies can live 7-8 years and sometimes more. If it is a sudden change rather than gradual decline definitely go to the vet and let them guide you with what's best to do
 
Nic bee said:
Hi all, my 5 year old, healthy boar didn't come running for his food today. I got him out of his cage about an hour ago and he's hardly moved. He won't eat and keeps making whimpering noises, especially when you touch him. He's a very nervous pig & all the advice on here seems to suggest taking him to the vet. Which I can do and will if that's what's best, I just can't help thinking of it's his time for the rainbow, I'd rather him go in peace snuggled up under a blanket where he's happy, than bundled in a car and be prodded and poked at the vets?
Can anyone advise if there are occasions you sit back and wait rather than dash to the vets? I weigh him regularly and he's a steady 1250g
Click to expand...

Please see a vet promptly. A whimpering piggy is a piggy in pain!
 
Kath Thompson said:
It might not be his time to go over the rainbow bridge - if the vet can diagnose a problem that’s fixable he could have a few more years yet. And if it’s something worse, you can make the decision to let him go peacefully, in less pain and without further suffering. It’s always a hard decision to make but I’d take him to the vet.
Click to expand...
Sorry for your loss x
 
Thanks everyone, it's really nice to hear from other piggie mummys who understand how much you can love these furbabys.
So I took him to the vets at 12pm he wasn't doing very well, just really lethargic and his eyes looked sunken and dull, he hadn't moved all day apart from a bit of shuffling which made him whimper. The vet pointed out his purple feet, ears etc and said he had very poor circulation, which can be a sign of his body shutting down especially as he was so floppy. The vet said she'd try get fluids in him, warm him up (his temp was so low it didn't register), give him some pain medicine. Unfortunately nothing worked, he was still in the same condition by 4pm when I went back. By then he'd developed a horrid twitch. The vet gave me his advice that my poor SammyBubbles was dying and the kindest thing to do was PTS. I got to sit in a quiet room cuddling him for 10 minutes first, I thanked him for being amazing and told him it was ok to go to piggie heaven where he wouldn't be in pain... I'm obviously heart broken to lose my baby boy (& worried about my other piggie getting lonely now-have been reading the bereaved pig sections already) but glad he's not suffering and it was so so quick, he was fine yesterday! This was a photo I took of him in the vets, I thought he looked at peace.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20181204_160259.webp
    IMG_20181204_160259.webp
    45.5 KB · Views: 12
Well done for making the best decision for your boy and being with him to make sure his passing was peaceful.
as hard as it is for us, it really is the greatest gift we have to offer.
I think he looks beautifully peaceful in the photo, and I am glad you were able to be with him letting him know how special he was right up until the end.
 
So sorry to hear this still, you are a great pig mummy👍 with my experiences with having 2 old age boars pass away. When the eyes went dull and a bit sunken they were on their way over the bridge too. One passed in the car on the way to the vet and one at home when i was at work. I havnt had to have a gpig p.t.s yet but i have had a dog p.t.s and its so sad
 
So very sorry. He was beautiful and it sounds as if he lived a full life with you
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top