Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

Mumsnet does not check the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you're worried about the health of your pet, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Small pets

It's gonna be a long night!

11 replies

tobee · 27/07/2016 00:17

Force feeding my piggy critical care. She doesn't like it much but I'm shovelling it down.

OP posts:

Thanks

Report

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 27/07/2016 00:25

Oh, Bless her.

They don't like it, they'll either fight the syringe or get it all over their bibs.
Keep on keeping on.
It is vital to keep their innards working.

Whats the problem with piggie?

Have you got a warm box of hay to cosy her in?

Thanks

Report

GinBunny · 27/07/2016 00:35

Oh Tobee, we've been there too. What's wrong with your piggie?
Keep up with the meds, you've her best interests at heart even if she doesn't know that.
Sending for you and for piggie.

Thanks

Report

tobee · 27/07/2016 00:52

Thank you! Strange breathing sounds took us to vet. Vet says its lower respitory infection. She injected her with antibiotics, some anti inflammatory, some sub cutaneous water. We have the sachets and baytril. I'm dong the critical care every hour. Then we noticed that she has a big lump by her cheek! Rang and spoke to vet. She didn't want to examine again and give her more stress and said keep up the feeding. She's in a cardboard box with one flap down for privacy. She had a teeny bit of parsley a minute ago but it was a false dawn. I wish she would just wee or poo.

Did this 4 years ago with another pig. It didn't work, but you have to try.

OP posts:

Thanks

Report

EastMidsGPs · 27/07/2016 08:40

Hope all is well thus morning 🌼🌼🍀🍀🍀

Thanks

Report

tobee · 27/07/2016 10:23

Sadly Pepper died this morning. I was up in the night feeding her. I put her to bed after at seven. She'd taken quite a lot of feed I thought but she was very unhappy and her legs no longer seemed strong enough to hold her. I hoped that the food would move through her system but didn't have much hope. When I checked on her for the next feed she had died.

She was very beautiful and light grey coloured. I got to spend a lot of time with her with cuddles for her last hours despite upsetting her with the force feeding. She was nearly 4. Always previously healthy. Now I have to tell my daughter, whose Guinea pig Pepper was.

OP posts:

Thanks

Report

tobee · 27/07/2016 10:24

Posted too soon. My daughter is away.

OP posts:

Thanks

Report

tobee · 27/07/2016 10:25

Thanks for the kind good wishes.

OP posts:

Thanks

Report

EastMidsGPs · 27/07/2016 11:44

sorry to hear this. Always grim to lose a treasured pig. Sounds like she had a good full life until yesterday and great that her last hours were spent in cuddles.

Thanks

Report

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 27/07/2016 17:50

Very to see a piggie go to The Bridge.
They do go downhill quickly and it doesn't get easier each time.
You need to do what you can for them and cross your fingers.
Our GP3 had the injections and subcutaneous saline - they don't do injections well, I held him so that he fell out with me (and the vet) not my DD.

You can rest assured that her last hours were cosy and safe, I think once they reach a certain level of Meh , you don't pull them back, even though you try to convince them it's For Their Own Good .

Thanks

Report

tobee · 27/07/2016 23:55

Now dd is asking if we'll get another as a companion to our surviving one. It's tempting but I'm thinking more sadness down the line!

OP posts:

Thanks

Report

fortifiedwithtea · 29/07/2016 03:57

So sorry Pepper passed away. I know what you mean re: more sadness. I am not allowed anymore piggies after the current elderly girls go as I get too upset

Nearly 4 is a bit borderline. You might find a companion in rescue a similar age. Our local rescue doesn't re-home older pigs but keeps them in their sanctuary for elderly guineas where they live out their days together. If your remaining piggy shows signs of depression get another guinea pig.