Oh- I have to take our guineapig to be put to sleep in the morning

[northernrefugee39]

She's our favourite, and is very old for a g pig. About 7 I think.
She's had an operation on a rotten tooth which became an abcess, and it just won't heal. The vet said it has gone into the bone, and she can't eat properly.
I had her on my lap, giving her all her faviurite stuff, squishing it very small , but although she was really interested, she can't get it in or down.
she's lost alot of weight, and they can't do any more for her.
She's such a fighter, nad still responive and gutsy- pushing away avocado in favour of spinach when she was on my lap.

I know they're just little rodents, but she has such charatcer

It's the kindest thing to do but is really sad.

It's a terrible decision to have to make, but it's the right one.

Be brave tomorrow

The little buggers work their way into your heart, don't they?

Even DH shed a tear when our 'rats' (his previously charming moniker for them) died.

Thanks everyone. It's awful how attatched one gets.
We have 8 guineas, they lead the life of riley. Big walk in run and selection of various organic food...well, mostly... we love them, and mt dd's are going to be devastated.... I'm going to say she died rather than I took her to vets. Do you think that's awful? Even though they're not that young, they'd still think if she's fighting we should keep her going...

So sorry to hear this, it's a horrible decision to have to make, even though it's the right one. Good luck for tomorrow.

God I really feel for you. Big non-MN hugs. Hope it goes as well as can be expected.

We,ve justv had her on our laps for an hour hours, feeding her melon and kale... very slowly chewing it , and really appreciating the food and help- it's so touching i can hardly bear it.
When she's still so full of fight and character it makes it worse. I'm going to put it to the vet that if we hand feed her she may put on the weight which may help her body fight the infection.
But am probably grasping straws because I've just had her on my lap...

Aw, that is so sad.
i love guineas. They are such affectionate little things, it would be impssible not to love them.
Really feel for you.
Your guinea sounds as if she has the best possible care with you.

reminding me of losing my ancient cat. much the same - sat with her giving her little tuna flakes and chicke.
v sad. am sorry

thankyou

Thanks for all your messages It's so good to be able to bore talk to people who don't thin k you're mad for being so emotional over a guinea...Well, we fed her lots of titbits last night, which she managed to enjoy and get down down.
This morning miraculaopusly, she was much brighter.
Fed some more, and is eating a bit on her own own.
I spoke to the vet this am, who says that if she can keep on feeding herself, she sounds as if she's ok for the moment, and we're going to feed her over the w/e and take it from there.
She certainly doesn't sem to be in pain or suffering, is running around and cleaning herself; just thin....
Hope I'm doing the right thing....

Glad she's perked up, northern.
I was thinking about your poor guinea pig today - I am such a sap, lol!

Hi Ruby and Nicky
She was even more lively last night and seems to have put on some weight! I rang the vet who says keep feeding her by hand.
She still does all the guinea things, cleaning herself and is running around etc.
Will see how she is this morning.

Oh that is good news - I was thinking of you yesterday! I had a baby guineapig once that was born lame and couldn't get to its mother to feed so I fed it with a syringe every two hours (and through the night!). Everyone thought I was bonkers but he lived for two years and was my all-time favourite pet!

Gordon ((((()))))

This one is our favourite- she's incredibly tame, really knows us, and several words....particularly for her favourite foods!
She's very old for a guinea- about 6-7, so if she doesn't want to give up yet, and doesn't seem to be suffering, ,we want to give her the best chance....

Just seen this thread & wanted to wish you all the very best - hope she continues to get better quickly. She is very lucky to be so well loved & cared for!

That's lovely news

Thankyou all you guineagirls....

Ruby-they are welcome any time! I'm a sucker for them...
She's still taking small ammounts of food, but can't manage her gerty guineapig, so am bit worried. It's been a lovely sunny day here, and between eating she's been dozing on her hay in the run, so I do hope she isn't too affected by it, that's my worst fear really.

We have had guinea pigs for years and you certainly can love the cheeky things. Our sooty is an OAP too and I worry if he is not shouting at me in the morning.

Guinea pigs can lose weight so quickly. A vaet advised us to mash up grass pelets and feed using a medicine syringe - my GP loved this and we adapted and used oats and milk too. Not sure if this would work with a sore mouth.