Poorly Guinea Pig

[Cartwheel333]

My gorgeous guinea girl is unwell. She had penumonia which was getting better with antibiotics but last night took a turn for the worse with her being unable to stand properly, wonkyness, and breathing noises. The vet scanned her today and she has middle ear infections on both sides - they are offering her drugs to help but it wont cure her - the only way to give her a chance they say is to operate on Monday to drain the fluid but it means drilling into her ear bones and there may be damage after with her nerves. I dont know what to do. Do we operate and deal with the high risks, bring her home for palliative care which may last a long time but not be a good quality of life, or do we say our goodbyes. I'm in pieces

So sorry OP, how old is she?

Really difficult decision to make. Soul destroying when she was recovering

Oh I'm sorry she's so poorly.
Unfortunately in my experience they often don't do too well after surgery & it will probably be kinder to keep her as comfortable as possible until the end.
It sounds like quite an invasive op & she already sounds like she's showing some signs of being close to the end (being unable to stand, wonkiness)
I'm so sorry, its never easy but I wouldn't send her for the operation.
Goodbyes at home with lots of lovely hay.
It really is so hard.

She is three and a half. She has only one eye as had awful hay poke that got infected badly so is a sensitive soul. I absolutely adore her.

Oh she does sound lovely.
We've had quite a few over the years, some live to an old age, others are with us for less time.
They're all so special & individual.
Thinking of you & piggy.

If in doubt I ask the vet what they would do if it was their pet and go with that advice. I'm sorry your little piggy is so ill.

I don't say this lightly at all but I might be included to PTS in this situation I'm afraid. Or I'd do whatever the vet recommends as the preferred option - I guess the thing weighing against PTS is her young age as well, it would be so sad to lose her at such a young age. What are the chances that she will recover well Vs chances of her having permanent nerve damage? And if she did have the damage, how would that manifest - would she need lifelong painkillers, which obviously carries significant issues of their own?

Sorry I think I would let her go, she might have got through one infection but I think the surgery would be too much and just prolong her suffering. It is so hard to make the decision.

So sorry op, no advice just wishing you and your piggy well.

I'm so sorry to hear about your piggy, I recently lost one of mine to pneumonia and I was devastated. Have you tried looking on the Guinea Pig Forum, they give really good advice on there?

Head surgery for a guinea pig sounds unnecessarily traumatic, and not truly in her best interests.
I think the kindest thing would be to pts.

Thank you all. We have decided against the surgery and will bring her home late today to care for her. We cant wait to have her back for cuddles and love therapy

Yes, probably the best thing. Just cuddle her where possible

We lost ours recently and it is just heartbreaking. We took her to the vet etc but she was old. She seemed to recover then deteriorated again

@Historicalname

Thank you all. We have decided against the surgery and will bring her home late today to care for her. We cant wait to have her back for cuddles and love therapy

Has the vet given you pain relief for her ? I think you've made a good decision.

Yes lots of pain relief, antibiotics and gut motility meds plus syringe feeding. So wonderful to have her home with us

@Historicalname

Yes lots of pain relief, antibiotics and gut motility meds plus syringe feeding. So wonderful to have her home with us

🥰

Poor piggy , I think you've made the right call regarding the surgery but a ( take this in the spirit of one piggy lover to another ) a one eyed respiratory impaired guinea-pig that you might end up giving pain relief, antibiotics and syringe feed is not going to have a happy life .

OK having the eye surgery wouldn't have affected her quality of life but not eating , having pneumonia and being dosed up will certainly do so.

You clearly love your guinea-pig but make yourself (and her) a promise to not let her drag on.
They can hide pain so well . You might get the signs "I have had enough now" but they are subtle , sometimes just the way they sit or move gives it away .

Cuddle her and be prepared she might slip away . But do the best for her .

Better a day too soon then a day too late. Wise words from @70isaLimitNotaTarget as ever.

How's your piggy doing today op? Been thinking of you

She has really perked up being home. She’s eating so we are dropping the syringe feeding but still giving her water as she’s not drinking. She had a wonderful afternoon outside on the grass with her chums yesterday. I’m grateful for every day we have with her.

Oh that's lovely to hear. It's so nice watching them all out together, I used to sit watching for ages!
Wishing you all the best with her.