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Wilma has cancer. May only have a few weeks left 😭

So sorry, Hannah. I have had to make a similar judgement call with a piggy in the past and it is heartbreaking. You just have to tell yourself that you will make the decision that feels right when the time comes and, as you say, make every day extra special until then.

Thinking of you all xx
 
Everyone’s so kind, Thank you all for your support

Wiebke said:
BIG HUGS

I am so sorry that you are having such a bad streak right now, @Hannah_xx !

Please concentrate on making the time she still has quality of life a special one; cherish every day she can enjoy her life and let her go when her time has come; whenever that feels right for both her and you.
There is a grey zone where there is no right or wrong; whether you want to spare her the sharp end and as much pain as possible or want to let her live for as long as she still has the will to eat and you have the time to support her around the clock - either argument holds up as long as they are made your girl's best interest in mind before your own fears of letting her go.

Make sure that you create some very special and comforting memories for yourself that can help you during the grieving process when you are struggling with the inevitable soul-searching. Being able to prove to yourself that you have made Wilma as happy and fulfilled as possible will go a long way towards your own healing.
Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

There is no shame in which way you want to ultimately decide, including you not having the time/strength to cope with caring for her right until the last possible moment or finding the stress from the daily ups and downs/wondering whether today is the day too much.
When the time comes, go with what you feel you can live with best in the long term because you have to make peace with your decision, whatever it is. And you will do that if you can find the balance that works for you in this specific case between Wilma's wellbeing, your own capabilities and which side of the argument you are personally coming down - for most of us it is somewhere in the middle between the two extremes.

As it is a terminal condition, long term serious side effect considerations do not apply, so you can ask your vet whether they may want to consider the use of steroids (which is otherwise not recommended in rodents) and of tramadol or a comparable opiate in the latter stages when totally maxed out dog metacam given every 12 hours doesn't work well enough anymore.
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Thank you for your ongoing help and support. I do feel that I might let her go sooner rather than later. I’m going to take each day as it comes and the second I see a downwards change in her I’ll let her go. Even the past 2 days she hasn’t eaten her pellets or had as much hay as she would usually. And she’s very tired, but has always been in the month that I’ve had her. I’ve always had a gut instinct that something is wrong with Wilma since the day I got her. :(
I still have her old food that her old owner gave to me, it’s full of oats, grass seeds and little bits of hay etc. I’d never dream of feeding this to any piggum. But I gave some to Wilma yesterday as she wasn’t eating her pellets, she seemed quite chuffed and had a good nibble. So I’ll continue giving her a small amount during her last weeks. I also cleaned her out (only done a few of days ago) as I wanted to make things nice and fresh for her. She was out on the grass for a short while as I did it and she did eat some grass. When I put her back she jumped in her hay box and had a good 5 minute munch of hay, before a much needed rest.
So she’s doing okay for now. But it will break my heart to see her really sick. So I will make the call, maybe in a couple of weeks.

The vet did offer a treatment of steroids, But we both decided it unnecessary as it’s only preventing the inevitable. And also Wilma absolutely HATES having medication so I don’t want to cause more stress in her last few weeks. I am however giving her metacam, luckily I got full bottle from the vet when I was there just to have on hand..
She was on a course of baytril as well, I forgot to ask the vet on the phone if I should continue this? We was giving it to her before the diagnosis, for a suspected UTI as she done one off coloured wee. She does also have a bit of a crusty nose in the mornings, which now I guess is because her immune system isn’t too good.

The past 2 nights one of the pigs have been chirping.. I’m unsure who.
 
I'm so sorry to hear your sad news, poor Wilma. Remember while you are caring for her, to care for yourself too. It's often a very draining and emotional process, caring for a palliative pig, it's easy to forget yourself. Remember we are all here for you, on every step of the journey ❤
 
Hannah_xx said:
Everyone’s so kind, Thank you all for your support



Thank you for your ongoing help and support. I do feel that I might let her go sooner rather than later. I’m going to take each day as it comes and the second I see a downwards change in her I’ll let her go. Even the past 2 days she hasn’t eaten her pellets or had as much hay as she would usually. And she’s very tired, but has always been in the month that I’ve had her. I’ve always had a gut instinct that something is wrong with Wilma since the day I got her. :(
I still have her old food that her old owner gave to me, it’s full of oats, grass seeds and little bits of hay etc. I’d never dream of feeding this to any piggum. But I gave some to Wilma yesterday as she wasn’t eating her pellets, she seemed quite chuffed and had a good nibble. So I’ll continue giving her a small amount during her last weeks. I also cleaned her out (only done a few of days ago) as I wanted to make things nice and fresh for her. She was out on the grass for a short while as I did it and she did eat some grass. When I put her back she jumped in her hay box and had a good 5 minute munch of hay, before a much needed rest.
So she’s doing okay for now. But it will break my heart to see her really sick. So I will make the call, maybe in a couple of weeks.

The vet did offer a treatment of steroids, But we both decided it unnecessary as it’s only preventing the inevitable. And also Wilma absolutely HATES having medication so I don’t want to cause more stress in her last few weeks. I am however giving her metacam, luckily I got full bottle from the vet when I was there just to have on hand..
She was on a course of baytril as well, I forgot to ask the vet on the phone if I should continue this? We was giving it to her before the diagnosis, for a suspected UTI as she done one off coloured wee. She does also have a bit of a crusty nose in the mornings, which now I guess is because her immune system isn’t too good.

The past 2 nights one of the pigs have been chirping.. I’m unsure who.
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Wilma couldn't have found a better home - even if it is not for as long as you'd like. :love:

Personally, I also prefer to send off piggies sooner rather than waiting to very last if possible - but it is a lot easier when it is not your first piggy or death you are dealing with.

I wanted to give you all possible options so you can think through them and can make any necessary difficult decisions with more confidence and feeling less overwhelmed when the time comes to make them.
 
Claire W said:
If it helps, I helped my Erika to the bridge as soon as her dewlap was twice the size it should have been due to the tumours but I firmly believe in the moral that it’s best to let them go a day to early than a day to late :( x
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Skys lumps in his neck, only got to the size of a conker each, and no bigger until he passed away. But he lost loads of weight.
 
Wiebke said:
Wilma couldn't have found a better home - even if it is not for as long as you'd like. :love:

Personally, I also prefer to send off piggies sooner rather than waiting to very last if possible - but it is a lot easier when it is not your first piggy or death you are dealing with.

I wanted to give you all possible options so you can think through them and can make any necessary difficult decisions with more confidence and feeling less overwhelmed when the time comes to make them.
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I can’t explain how much the support of this forum helps me through these difficult times. Thank you so much for all your advice.
Fortunately/unfortunately it’s not my first death. I remember losing my first piggies about 10 years ago. And I lost my precious Spike a few months ago very suddenly and very awfully. I’d hate to go through something like that again so in a way I’m thankful that I can help Wilma pass over the bridge peacefully and be there for her every step of the way.
I have her on my lap now to have her meds and some lettuce leaves. It doesn’t look like she ate any hay again last night. So I’m going to buy her some special hay today.

I have a lump in my throat constantly, I’m so sad. But I’m trying to be strong.
 
I'm so sorry for your devastating news.Wilma could not have chosen a better home.my late piggie Carlton had lymphoma and continued for 2 and a half years.pack as much happy times as you can,for whatever remaining time you both have.xx
 
Hannah_xx said:
I can’t explain how much the support of this forum helps me through these difficult times. Thank you so much for all your advice.
Fortunately/unfortunately it’s not my first death. I remember losing my first piggies about 10 years ago. And I lost my precious Spike a few months ago very suddenly and very awfully. I’d hate to go through something like that again so in a way I’m thankful that I can help Wilma pass over the bridge peacefully and be there for her every step of the way.
I have her on my lap now to have her meds and some lettuce leaves. It doesn’t look like she ate any hay again last night. So I’m going to buy her some special hay today.

I have a lump in my throat constantly, I’m so sad. But I’m trying to be strong.
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Please offer her some syringe feed or mushed up pellets on a spoon. This allows you to top up feed but gives Wilma the ultimate control over whether she wants to eat or not.
 
Really sorry to read your very sad news :( Definitely agree she was meant to be with you so she could be treated like a piggy princess in the final chapter of her life. She’s so beautiful, hope you can make some lovely memories with her and have lots more days with her to come xx
 
Wilma still has a huge appetite for her veggies! And she has been burying in her hay having a munch.
I also bought her some very expensive Timothy hay today ($34!). Which she’s enjoying picking through In small quantities.
She had a bit of floor time tonight, she wasn’t massively active ..until I scatter some salad leaves out! But she enjoyed herself. Then she had her meds, a big cuddle and then back to her house for dinner time. She’s had a nice evening :)
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Hannah_xx said:
Wilma still has a huge appetite for her veggies! And she has been burying in her hay having a munch.
I also bought her some very expensive Timothy hay today ($34!). Which she’s enjoying picking through In small quantities.
She had a bit of floor time tonight, she wasn’t massively active ..until I scatter some salad leaves out! But she enjoyed herself. Then she had her meds, a big cuddle and then back to her house for dinner time. She’s had a nice evening :)
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Continue to give her as many happy days filled with interest and excitement as she has left; guinea pigs don't have a concept for a long life span - they measure their life in happy days. And her happiness is also the best balm for your own aching heart.
 
Oh my how hard this is for you.
Least you know and be grateful that the vet has told you the truth.
Reason it pulls on the emotion heart is because you care and that comes across big time.
Piggie are very brave at times and you my dear will have to one day to show Wilma how brave you can be.
We only borrow piggies until rainbow world calls what we do until then is important for all.
Many of us have to make that call and yes it hurts but it's then we can tell piggies thank you and sleep well my love.
I can only add what a wonderful person told me about letting go and it's what I say to you "piggies live to eat not made to eat to live"
Wilma you munch away and we promise you that rainbow world has special hay that never fills you up. :luv:
 
So sorry Hannah. I truly believe that you and Wilma were destined to spend time together. Sick animals belong with kind caring people. You are both blessed to spend whatever time you have and we all know that you will give her the very best care x
 
Hannah_xx said:
Wilma still has a huge appetite for her veggies! And she has been burying in her hay having a munch.
I also bought her some very expensive Timothy hay today ($34!). Which she’s enjoying picking through In small quantities.
She had a bit of floor time tonight, she wasn’t massively active ..until I scatter some salad leaves out! But she enjoyed herself. Then she had her meds, a big cuddle and then back to her house for dinner time. She’s had a nice evening :)
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If ever I’m reincarnated as a guinea pig I hope I’d have someone like you as my mum x
 
Everyone’s so kind, thank you.

I posted this on my herd thread but I’m feeling so anxious about everything at the moment, I’m finding it hard to sleep thinking that all the pigs are dying or that Wilma is suffering.. My head is a bit of a mess lately even before Wilmas diagnosis.

So anyway has anyone got some advice for lonely Wilma?:
I’m feeling really guilty that Wilma hasn’t got any friends 😭
A week after I got Wilma I tried bonding her with the herd, I made a neutral, clean pen and put her and Mary in first to see how they go and then slowly add the others. However it stopped there as Wilma and Mary where very hostile to each other and it ended in a fight before I quickly separated them. I decided to wait 4 weeks until I tried again. But of course since then, Wilma has been diagnosed with incurable cancer . She’s possibly only got a few weeks left.
But when I have her out for floortime or the others out and she’s in. She chews on the bars as though she wants to be with them, And tries to scratch her way out. It’s making me feel really awful. Before the diagnosis I had already thought if she still didn’t get along with the herd I’d find her her own friend. But of course I can’t do that now. I don’t want her to die alone 😭😭😭. But I guess it’s not an option try bonding them now? It may stress her out and cause her to become sick(er). I can’t just try her with one of the others as that isn’t fair on them to take them away from their friends and then to loose their new friend and then go back to their old friends which may cause a fall out!
Poor Wilma, she’s so active tonight during her floortime, it would be lovely to watch her have fun with a piggy friend 😭
She can smell, talk and sniff the others through the grid but that’s not good enough 😭
 
Some members have piggies in a "can't live with and can't live without" relationship with stimulation through the bars. Can't give you any advice as have no experience of the situation you are in.
 
Wilma is doing okay. But there are a few concerns..
The past couple of weeks she’s hardly been eating any hay. I see her pick at a bit every now and then but she definitely isnt eating much hay at all. I even bought her some expensive Timothy hay but she doesn’t like it. Yesterday I bought her a bag of meadow hay from the pet shop (despite I have a barn FULL of hay!). She was in her hay box this morning with the new hay. So I hope she was eating it but I think she was more just resting lol.
I’ve been picking her grass twice a day, if I haven’t been able to get her outside. Which she gobbles up.

However her poops have become dark and soft, I guess due to lack of hay. She also loves her veggies still. But won’t eat pellets. She’s drinking fine.

Last night she produced lots of red/browny wee.

I started her up on baytril again 2 days ago as well as carrying on with metacam to keep her comfortable.

Her breathing has got a lot faster, I’m especially noticing it this morning. She’s tucking into her pile of grass but she’s breathing fast and heavy.
Thats causing me the most concern, that her heart is struggling now. I’d hate for her to have heart attack. But she’s still happy enough, she Wheeeeeeeks for her food, she’s getting about okay. It doesn’t feel right to put her down when she’s doing okay.. But I feel it’s fast approaching.
Knowing when’s the right time is so difficult.
Here she is right now..

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The love you have for your animals shines through all your posts :luv: I've no experience and no advice to offer, but I wanted you to know that even if you don't get many replies you're not alone :hug:

If I were to make a suggestion it would be to keep the line open with your vet and let them guide you. Its your job to love and care for your pets, and part of your vet's job to be just a little bit more removed and dispassionate - don't be afraid to lean on them if you need to. (I'm sure you already know that, but sometimes we all need reminding that its OK to ask for and accept help)
 
Tangle said:
The love you have for your animals shines through all your posts :luv: I've no experience and no advice to offer, but I wanted you to know that even if you don't get many replies you're not alone :hug:

If I were to make a suggestion it would be to keep the line open with your vet and let them guide you. Its your job to love and care for your pets, and part of your vet's job to be just a little bit more removed and dispassionate - don't be afraid to lean on them if you need to. (I'm sure you already know that, but sometimes we all need reminding that its OK to ask for and accept help)
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Thank you so much for your kind words. It means a lot xx
I will observe Wilma today, and perhaps call the vet for advice later this afternoon. Wilma just wheeked at me for more food :)
 
I’m sorry you’re having a hard time of it. But remember that you’re doing the very best for Wilma, which is all that you can do. I’ve yet to experience a terminally ill piggy (count myself lucky), but you know her best so you will know when the time is right.
💓 for you both.
 
It is such a tough situation to be in... with Gladys she had a brain tumour .. a iump literally popped up on her head Friday afternoon, sat morning she was at the vets for xrays..and sat afternoon she was gone 😥 we made the decision to have her pts as there was nothing to be done and I hated the thought of her suffering...

I think you will just ' know ' with Wilma.. you are so very caring and give so much love to your piggies.. big hugs x
 
Thank you very much for the replies.
Although her breathing is faster she seems to have developed a bit of an appetite this arvo, I’ve spotted her munching in her food bowl a couple of times and she’s also been in her hay box. And right now she’s having floortime and gone straight over to have a pick through the floortime hay box :)
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