Why Do I Feel So Guilty Having To Make The Decision To Put My Guinea Pig Down?

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Michaela

Michaela

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Today I had to put my baby Flossie down due to have a tumour behind her eye and it was causing her pain. I never felt so bad and upset in my life knowing I'm made this decision :( she was 6 years old by the way.
 
You feel guilty because you loved her. Six years is a pretty good age for a piggie, and she had a good, happy life with you. At six years,she would have been too old to have surgery, and so PTS would have been the only way to end her suffering. You did the right thing for your baby. Don't feel guilty. Be glad that she is in a better place now and not in pain any more.
 
Thank you, I guess it is why I feel so bad, I've had six guinea pigs and 4 died naturally in there sleep but Flossie was the first one I've had to make that decision to put her to sleep. I feel sorry for her sister as they have been together since birth :(
 
So very sorry for your loss, I've just had to make the same decision for Pixel (suffering from bloat). I've made it quite a few times before. It never gets any easier but just remember we do it because we love them and we have to do what's right for them. I also think that "What if" comes to mind quite a lot - it does for me anyway. Enjoy the memories. Love and hugs to you and your girl xx
 
Thank you and I'm sorry for your loss and the way I keep thinking at the moment is "if the animal is in pain it's not fair to prolong it and make them suffer" It was a horrible decision but she's no longer in pain. Love and hugs from myself and Fudge xx
 
I am very sorry for your loss! having to make the decision to pts is always very gutting and upsetting. Feelings of guilt and extensive soul-searching whether you missed something vital or could have done it better are totally normal for the onset of the grieving process, even more so when a death comes rather unexpected and without you being able to brace for it much.

These feelings are a sign that you are very caring and loving piggy mummy and they are an expression of the deep-rooted sense of responsilibity and love. We all go through this to some degree every time we lose one of our piggies. It usually takes a while for your heart to catch up with your head even though you know that you have made the right decision and spared your poor girl a lot of unnecessary suffering.
 
Thank you and there was two decisions, one was pts and the other one was giving her painkillers. I asked the veterinary if her would improve and he said no. So I thought to myself I can't let her suffer cause I want her around, so I had her suffering put to an end. Also I'm new to this page and so far everyone has been so welcoming and supportive and it means a lot! Before she was put to sleep I cuddled her and told her "I love you" and kissed her goodbye before she was pts.
 
i'm so sorry for your loss. i had to make the decision for my piggy eddie back in december and to be honest, it was one of the hardest things i've ever had to do, even though i knew it was the best thing for him as he wasn't going to get better. it was peaceful really and over very quickly but it has really affected me mentally. very very hard situation and painful to even think about. and yet i replay it over and over. sending you massive hugs x
 
Michaela said:
Thank you and there was two decisions, one was pts and the other one was giving her painkillers. I asked the veterinary if her would improve and he said no. So I thought to myself I can't let her suffer cause I want her around, so I had her suffering put to an end. Also I'm new to this page and so far everyone has been so welcoming and supportive and it means a lot! Before she was put to sleep I cuddled her and told her "I love you" and kissed her goodbye before she was pts.
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You have made the right decision, but it doesn't mean that it is any less heart-breaking for you. You have to come to grips with it and with your loss. It is not like you can just move on, whatever non-pet owners may tell you!

Just give yourself time to grieve properly; you can't hurry it on and there are no shortcuts. The grieving process is the other side of the love you have felt, and you have to grieve to the extent that you have loved. :(

You are welcome to post a tribute to your girl in our Rainbow Bridge section if and whenever it feels right for you; everbody feels and grieves differently.
 
Thank you both of you and yes it was a hard decision to make but I'm starting to come to the terms that I did do the right decision but I just feel like I've lost a small part of myself. Flossie will be deeply missed by family, friends and her sister Fudge. Xx
 
You never stop missing the piggies you have lost, no matter how many come after. Each piggy and each bond is unique!

Here are tips for what you can do for Fudge to help her cope with her own loss. Guinea pig grieve no less deeply, but at a different speed to us humans. https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/looking-after-a-bereaved-piggy.110463/

It would also help us with being able to give you recommendations if you please added your country, state or - for the UK - your county to your details. Just click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. We have got members from all over the world.
 
I love all my piggies equally and they all have something unique about them I can remember about all of them! And thank you for the link this will help to help Fudge and I've also added where I'm from.
 
Oh thats so sad and I do feel for you. Many forum members would have made similar decisions, its so hard and I think we all struggle with it. You made the right one, you would have hated to see her suffer.

I have two friends at the moment whose elderly parents are fading and suffering considerably over a long period of time. They won't recover but they are on all manner of drugs keeping them alive and in and out of hospital in miserable conditions. They are not happy and their last weeks/months will be miserable.

With animals we are fortunate that we can make that decision and avoid needless suffering. So know in you own heart you absolutely did the right thing, the only person hurting now is you sadly. So MASSIVE hugs. x

Sleep well little one x
 
((HUGS))! I'm so sorry for your loss! I've been in the position to have to choose to put a beloved pet to sleep, and it is a heartbreaking decision to have to make. Of course you feel bad... it's a decision no one wants to have to make. But in a situation where a pet is in pain and there is no hope of recovery and they are not going to pass on their own without pain and suffering, it's truly the last, kindest gift that you could give them, out of a place of love and compassion. I know when I've had to make those decisions, even in all my heartache and sorrow, I've known deep down inside that I did the right thing for my pet. I gave them a peaceful passing when the only alternative was a passing that was more prolonged and uncomfortable. The selfish thing would have been to make them go on, in pain and with no hope, so that I could have more time, or so that I wouldn't have to choose. The fact that it hurt so much was part of what made me know that I did the right thing for them. Because I loved them, I would rather made a decision that broke my heart than to see them suffer. It's so hard... but you gave her a beautiful life and a peaceful death where she didn't have to suffer. ((HUGS)) again.
 
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