old guineau pig stopped eating

[alemci]

Our lovely old boy pig is over 5 we think (given to us). He has done so well and was ill last year. He was fine until yesterday then he stopped eating.

As he is old we are thinking it is best to let nature take it's course. We cuddled him yesterday and he did go in the garden. we also gave him water.

I have to work today but my dh and ds are here. We all feel it is best just to let him go and not try and give him that liquid food or take him to the vet. he also has a bad leg and constipation (dh helps him with that).

None of us want him to go to the vet as it may be traumatic for him and tbh he is old. Upsetting

[dotty2]

I'm sorry to hear that. No expert, but it is a good age, and you're making sure he's comfortable, which is the main thing. Thinking of you - can't be easy.

[FernieB]

So sorry to hear this . I would do exactly the same as you in that situation as I think it can be kinder. Everyone knows their own pigs and I think you just know what's right for them at the time. You never know he may rally but if not I hope everything is peaceful and lovely for him (and you).

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Very and I agree.
My little boar died last year (he wasn't old though, maybe 2.10) but it was horrendously hot.
We gave him Critical Care and VitC water. Took him to the vet, got antibiotics+probiotics (there was nothing definitive wrong with him)
In retrospect, I wish I hadn't taken him, the journey was not fun for him or GP1 (though we had the Air Con on max) he died that night.

Keep a check on him, offer him nice things. If they don't eat , their digestive systems 'shut down' but IME guineas don't linger when they're ill.

I always say (repeatedly ) that the best place for an animal to die is in it's owners arms or it's own bed.
Obviously if piggie shows signs of distress you might need to push him across the Bridge but for now, let him have some peaceful days.
And over 5 yo is pretty good going for pigs.

[mercibucket]

poor piggy

i would still do vets tbh to rule out teeth or infection, but you know your pet best. am going thro similar so especially big hugs xx

[BertieBotts]

If you're sure it's not teeth... their teeth can get too long and need clipping. Tough call though. Do you take him and risk unsettling him for no reason.

Do vets do house calls for small pets?

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

You can see a pigs front teeth no trouble, it's the back ones that's the trouble , they need a retractor and a very obliging guinea-pig .

If he's suddenly gone from eating to not eating it's not a good sign with piggies.
Ours would take food if we literally pushed it into his mouth (either through a syringe or parsley/grass)
But all the time he was "Go away and leave me alone" not "Ooh I'm starving, feed me" type.
(Vet took a bit off his back teeth to see if that would help him. TBH he was too meh to care )

[alemci]

he did eat a little grass and my dh gave him critical care. he is wrapped in towel and looked up when I spoke to him.

don't think we want the vet because he is old unless he goes down rapidly but will keep an eye out

[mercibucket]

fresh grass and dandelions are doing it for my piggy, plus antibiotics. bit of sun perks him up too
come on piggies!!

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Paw Holding from the 70Boars
Come on alemcihog and mercihog eat up !

It is so gut wrenching when they are ill, you just want to hug them but at the same time give them quiet time,

(I've spent many evenings handing floppy dying guinea-pigs round various family members when we've known they were ill )
Doesn't get easier.

[guineapiglet]

Hello all,

Very sorry to hear about your poorly boy, it is so upsetting to watch them struggle. A nice cosy bed, keep a check on him, and possibly an igloo for him to hide comfortably in, bless him. Sending you kindest vibes and hugs. XX

[mercibucket]

Mine is perking up on his grass and dandelion diet. Fingers still x

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

I gave mine a huge plate of grass'n'lions for breakfast (they didn't go out Wed/Thurs) their little faces were lit up.

Keep eating mercipig (parsley too if you send her round to Sainburys)

Hows your boy alemci ?

[alemci]

Hi

He's hanging in there. My DH has been giving him the recovery food. He is drinking alot and he was out to see me this morning. He can't move well as his back leg is playing up. He has always had a bad leg.

He is eating a little and he is interacting with us.

I think he is just old

I suggested the vet but my dh says he doesn't want to traumatise him.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Ah , he sounds like a game old boy.
(Why do animals instinctively choose Bank Holidays to be unwell ? )

If he's eating, drinking and poohing,peeing that's a good sign, but as you say, they show their age, they slow down.

Unless he's in pain (and yes GPs hide it but you know when your own pet is in distress) just see how he goes.

[mercibucket]

Oh yes - always the bank holidays - sigh

[alemci]

well he brrrd at me today and he has started squeaking to go out and doing his famous paw raising like a dog.

His leg is bad though and he can't walk well but I think it is a bit like an old person having mobility issues.

Difficult as we have got to the stage where it puts us off going away this year as only we understand his needs.

[FernieB]

Good news that he's perking up .

Do you normally leave him with family/neighbour when you go away or does he go to a pet hotel? Lots of pet hotels are happy to accommodate older pigs with special requirements.

[alemci]

I'm afraid he died overnight. He wasn't good yesterday. We have tried our best to feed him and help him.

He couldn't walk and I am glad he died peacefully overnight.

I will miss him so much as he has been a wonderful pet but he was old and sometimes we want our pets to live for us but he wanted to go ITMS.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Ohh very news but it was good that he went quickly and peacefully .
From your threads where he wasn't eating, the writing is on the wall really.

Have you selected a nice spot in the garden for him?

Across The Bridge now little old pig , as quick as your little legs will carry you

[mercibucket]

Awww hugs

[mercibucket]

Awww hugs

[alemci]

have thoughts where to bury him. Not the day to do it though. I haven't moved him and ds won't either. Poor dh will have to do this later. He is devastated as he is a piggy lover too.

may get a plaque or stone for him. Any ideas. Do others do this.

We have had gps for the last 14 years' and they represent our dcs growing up ITMS. very hard for my ds as it was his pet.

I will rule out anymore but I will keep the cages in case one or 2 come and find us

[KatieKaye]

I have two almost lifesize ceramic piggies (in memory of two of our six piggies) in the garden. I think they were made by vividarts - we got them from Dobbies and there was a large range in all different colours. Ours sit merrily in the rockery, enjoying the sunshine!

Piggies are wonderful pets and give so many happy memories.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

My DD made a little headstone from a spare floor tile and a waterproof felt pen.

We put full planters over the top of where he was buried (we couldn't dig as far as we wanted because the ground was solid ) but he still got dug up (twice by foxes) they dug under the planters in the border.
And we was in a zip up cosmetic bag .

We do have evil foxes though.

I have no problems lifting their little bodies, they are so light and soft (until they get a bit bloaty and whiffy) it's like they've left behind their Earth Body and moved on.

[StarDustInTheWind]

It sounds a bit mawkish, but we buried ours a fortnight ago in the compost heap - we live in an active fox area, and they can't get into the compost bin - the vet advised this - he says they go down to bones VERY quickly that way

and he encouraged my girls to dig through in 6 weeks time to see what her skeleton looks like... I have weird children who can't wait.....!

We are currently waiting for our other piggy sister to go.... :( she is pining and not eating and has the same problems as her sibling... blind, slowing down, not wanting even her special dandelions .... and 7 years old...