Having an aged GP Pts

[Palomb]

I have an ancient Abyssinian Guinea pig that I got from the RSPCA almost 4 years ago. I think he's 5 or 6. He's always had issues as he has a prolapsed penis from his nurturing surgery so needs a lot of extra washing. He had an eye injury a couple of years ago so was blind in that eye but he's slowly developed cataracts in the other eye and I think he's almost blind now, he's also very very thin under all the fur. He's still bright and eating and toilets my well and he loves company but I think he's reaching the end.

Has anyone ever had a GP put to sleep instead of letting them gradually fade away? I don't know what's for the best.

[FernieB]

It's difficult. I have an older Abby too. He's 5.5 and can't see very well, fortunately his much younger companion dotes on him and often takes food to him. He's a bit doddery and a lot slower and definitely thinner than he was. He used to run to greet me in the morning but now he stays in bed a bit longer.

As long as he's happy in himself, eating well, toileting properly, and not in pain, I'm happy to leave him to enjoy his life. If I felt he was suffering, I wouldn't hesitate to take him to the vet, but at his age I wouldn't allow them to mess about with endless treatments. It would be too stressful for him and unfair.

You know your pig, so you'll know when it's time and he's suffering.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

It's a tough decision

The fact he's thinner probably helps a bit with his prolapsed bits, if he was a lardy saggy arsed hog he'd be dragging his bits more.

The eyesight he's probably adapted to- he'll use his sense of smell more and provided you don't move his furniture round too much,, he'll cope.

Are his teeth an issue? Eye'n'teeth in piggies can often manifest in problems with each other. And might explain his slim frame.
If it is teeth then you'd have to weigh up if he's safe to treat, you might not want him stressed and sedated.

Piggies don't tend to fade though, they can go out with a bang . One minute 'well ', next minute dead.
If he was mine, I'd cherish him while he was happily enjoying his life but the minute he showed signs he wasn;t , I'd make the toughest choice .

[Palomb]

I think he might well be starting to suffer TBH. He is so unbelieveably thin :(

Will make an appointment.

[Palomb]

X post. I've checked his teeth and they seem OK and he's still eating his pellets. He's definitely fading away. We've had to seperate him from his wives as they were starting to bully him. That's what what pray animals do when one of their herd becomes vulnerable isn't it?

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Was he a big chap in his younger days (my Abbys have always been slighter than the smooths)
If he's going downhill then yes, see what the vet says, but if you feel that he's suffering then you need to call time.

Your pig sounds like a true character, (though I think you'll get the Evil Glare for calling him 'ancient' . Venerable is the choice of older hogs)
It's the sad part of taking these little animals into your life, at some point, they go.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Might just be that the hierarchy subtly changed in the group.
My sows are far far stroppier than our boar- they bully each other if one steps out of line.
Its difficult with a group to see how much each one is eating (and poohing)

[Palomb]

He's always been petite so he probably hasn't had to lose a lot To get as thin as he feels now but there's literally nothing of him now.

Venerable! I like it

[FernieB]

My Scruffypig is usually described as 'mature', I love 'venerable'. He, like other Abby's, never reached the impressive stature of his more solidly built smooth companions. I think they're just slimmer as a breed - I'm thinking of asking him for diet tips.

If you're concerned, definitely make an appointment. A good vet can advise one way or another regarding quality of life etc. If I'm unsure (with doctors too), I always ask 'what would you do if it was yours?'

[Millimat]

I asked that of the vet too, and that's when we decided that gp3 needed to be pts. If the vet thinks that I'd go with it.

[Palomb]

Alberto died this evening. He was just about hanging on when I got in from work at 6 but had gone shortly afterwards. I'm glad I didn't have to take him to the vets.

The first Guinea pig grave in our new garden 🙁

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Oh very - I'm always amazed just how quickly they go.
At least you can be re-assured they're not lingering and in pain, if he was eating to the end then at least he was indulging in a Guinea-Pigs' First Love : Food!.

It is more comforting that he went quietly at home, in his own surroundings.

BTW - when you do bury him don't underestimate foxes. The buggers will dig up a fresh grave given the chance (my 3 boars are in a selection of waterproof toiletry bag/Lock'n'Lock box and a cardboard+ducktape effort to keep them safe)
Put something heavy on the soil till it compacts down , our GP2 was dug up twice .

Have you put him in with his cagemates (the body) so they know he's gone?

< clover

[Palomb]

No, he's been out of their run a week or so so I think to out him back in now would be confusing for them. We do have foxes and if planned to bury him and the out a spring planter on top, hopefully to dissuade them. Dd would be devastated to see him dug up :(

[FernieB]

Sorry to hear about Alberto (great name). It's good that he went quietly at home and didn't have to go through vet stress. Hope the burial goes well.