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Original poster

Are we doing the right thing ? having guinea pig put to sleep.

27 replies

Beauregard · 26/09/2010 20:43

{\www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pets/1044145/AllOnOnePage#21376701/}

Following on from the above (hopefully linked )thread

We took one of our guinea pigs to the vets in the end as she was still squeaking in pain when she did a wee.The vet gave her shots of antibiotic and 2 types of antibiotic to take home.The vet said that if there was no improvement she would to x-ray and probably operate as it sounded like bladder stones.
We cannot afford to pay out for an op and x-ray when the guinea pig probably wont recover from the op and worse the stones,from what i have read,can reoccurr weeks after.
We do love her ,she is so sweet natured and gentle.But feel that the best thing would be to have her put downSad
What do you think ?
Yes i am trying to justify it to myselfSad

OP posts:
Original poster
Beauregard · 26/09/2010 20:44

/{http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pets/1044145/AllOnOnePage#21376701/trying again}

OP posts:
Original poster
Beauregard · 26/09/2010 20:44

arse i am out of practice

OP posts:
geordieminx · 26/09/2010 20:48

So sorry you are going through this.

I think you are doing the right thing, I don't think it's right to put small animals like guineas through general anaesthetics, it's too much stress for them.

((((((un-mn type hugs)))))))))

pinkbasket · 26/09/2010 20:48

How much is the op and treatment?

TheProfiteroleThief · 26/09/2010 20:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Beauregard · 26/09/2010 21:07

thanks for the replies

The treatment she has had so far has cost us £60 and that was just consult and antibiotics.My mom had our tortoise x-rayed not long ago and that was £90 so i figure it would be the roughly the same?
The op i imagine would be at least the same again.

OP posts:
Original poster
Beauregard · 26/09/2010 22:30

She has just been squealing with painSad

OP posts:
sanfairyann · 26/09/2010 22:41

poor piggie. did you check the peter gurney page on bladder stones? he suggests that small stones can be eased out with a bit of ky jelly if you can see them - worth a try before anything more extreme. also worth trying rspca vets or similar if you can't afford the treatment.

Original poster
Beauregard · 26/09/2010 22:48

Hi yes i saw the Peter Gurney page and will get dp to ask when he takes her tomorrow.

OP posts:
Meglet · 26/09/2010 22:48

I was just going to suggest peter gurney too.

Meglet · 26/09/2010 22:55

What about calling the Cambridge Cavy Trust. They used to train vets in other areas of the country, they might have someone near you?

CCT

Original poster
Beauregard · 26/09/2010 23:07

Thanks meglet will look at that

The guinea pig is also diabetic so i fear her chances are fewer if treatment went ahead.

If we have to have her put down not sure what to tell the girls?
Do i get them to say goodbye in the morning before school?

OP posts:
silver73 · 26/09/2010 23:15

Please contact Val at April Lodge asap - she is wonderful and very knowledgeable.

www.aprillodge.co.uk/

Also she may be able to recommend a rodentolgist - they are fabulous with gps.

Peter Guerney website is good too...

Original poster
Beauregard · 26/09/2010 23:23

Thanks silver73
What should i say though?
Would a rodentologist be cheaper than a vet?

OP posts:
Bella32 · 27/09/2010 07:34

I would put her to sleep, tbh. Irrespective of the cost, I think it is wrong to put small mammals through the stress of an op.

I used to be a vet nurse. Things have progressed to the point where vets are able to do ops like this, but I don't believe it is in the animal's best interest.

Good luck whatever you do Smile

silver73 · 27/09/2010 10:30

I would give her a ring and explain what has happened. She is very experienced and knowledgeable.

I think most people would understand the problem with affordability and vet bills.

We took two of our gps for a full check up and they had some bits and bobs done by a rodentologist and it cost £15 for the two. Val should be able to recommend someone.

If you are near Hertfordshire there is a great vets in Broxborne - Vets and Pets and they are a low cost vets and have a gp specialist vet and a rodentologist there.

Original poster
Beauregard · 27/09/2010 17:38

Thanks for the advice Silver73,i do appreciate it.
Just to update you,we had to have Pippa put down this morningSadSad
I gave her some cucumber last thing last night and she went to get up and couldn't because of the pain.I spent all night worrying about her.She was walking about this morning a bit but still squealed and arched her back and when i picked her up she felt tired iykwim.We decided it was best to be kind to her and not let her suffer.
We would have taken your advice silver73 had we had more time but she was getting worse.
The vet was in agreement with us and said that with the added problem of her being diabetic it was very high risk to treat it.
I have been very upset all day and sobbed at the vetsSaddespite knowing it's for the best.The girls cried this morning when they said goodbye,not sure dd2 understands yet.She keeps asking how long it takes to get to "Devon"
We are going to plant some yellow and white crocus'to remember her(the vets suggested it)

Thanks for the support

OP posts:
TheProfiteroleThief · 27/09/2010 17:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Beauregard · 27/09/2010 19:59

Thanks

OP posts:
silver73 · 27/09/2010 20:45

Pelvic so sorry to hear that. My thoughts are with you and your family. They are such beautiful little creatures but they can become very ill, very quickly and even if they are treated by a vet they can fail to thrive and give up.

We lost one of our gps about six months ago and were beyond upset for several months. We buried our little gp in the garden and put a lovely evergreen magnolia on top of her grave and it does give us some comfort.

Be kind to yourself - you piggie was loved and knew it and you put her first when you made your decision x

Original poster
Beauregard · 27/09/2010 20:59

Thanks silverSmile
I just keep crying when i picture her fluffy little faceSad and dd2 said a prayer for Pippa which was lovely but heartbreaking.
Some people might think fgs pull yourself together, but i think if you are a caring animal lover then you understand.

OP posts:
silver73 · 27/09/2010 23:29

She was loved to the last by you and your family. There are so many gps that never have that please try to remember that even though I know it is hard.

Our little gp went to the vet and still died even though we were hand feeding her, giving her medication and injecting her with saline. She died on the way to the vets for the second time. I was beyond upset as I felt that I had let her down and her last few days she had had to have painful injections. Even now I feel choked when I think about her but I'll never regret having had her...

I feel sick when I hear about how gps are treated. Some found dead in the hutches on sodden straw frozen to a block etc etc. There have been cases of lovely mumsnetters rescuing pigs one rescued some from her next door neighbour a few months back and another found a couple that had been thrown out and were terrified under a tree.

fuschiagroan · 27/09/2010 23:32

Aww, it's sad but I do think it was for the best. Small animals often die during ops and of course animals have no awareness of the fact that the stress of the op is temporary and the point of it is to make them better. They are just scared Sad. It was the kindest thing

Original poster
Beauregard · 27/09/2010 23:35

Thanks it helps to hear things like that

OP posts:
Bella32 · 28/09/2010 10:02

You did the right thing.

Sometimes ending suffering is more important than prolonging life.

Take care x

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