Where People & Piggies Thrive

Newbie or Guinea Guru? Popcorn in!

Register for free to enjoy the full benefits.
Find out more about the NEW, drastically improved site and forum!

Register
  • ONE THREAD per pig please!
    We really want your pig's history all in one place to help you. Please don't start a new thread for a new issue. Just reply to your old one. We can edit the title for you if needed.

Tumor Opinion: Euthanasia or "making her comfortable"

Geranium

Well-known Member
Cavy Slave
Joined
Jul 27, 2014
Messages
169
My previous post discussed the possibility of Tulip being affected by her new bedding. After getting her to the vet last week, it was concluded that she had some calcium buildup in her bladder, though not stones. She was prescribed metacam to see if that might alleviate some pain and get her moving while the buildup passed with extra fluids and veg. I thought she was getting better, as they always seem to put on, but her weight begin declining again yesterday, accompanied by a new gagging/heaving symptom. I called for another appointment today, and after the vet re-examined the x-ray from last week's visit, she gave me the news that there's a mass in or around her liver. She says it's likely a tumor, though a needle test would need to be done to figure out if it was cancerous. In which case, surgery is $700 to remove the mass, and she expressed her doubt. She's only 2.5 years old, which gives the possibility of her developing more tumors, as spotting them at such a young age is likely due to genetics. She said the surgery itself, given the position, is also risky.

Anyway. I am trying to decide whether I should let her live out her days or put her to sleep. Getting past my emotions and tears is hard, and unfortunately I have to make this decision quickly. With the terrible timing of the world, I am also moving 40 minutes away tomorrow afternoon, which will undoubtedly be stressful for Tulip, while also distancing us from the vet. She's still making an effort to eat and move around, though minimally, but the heaving obviously impacts her. I want to be cognizant of her cage-mate, Opal, because I know it's advisable for them to recognize the other's death, so that makes me lean towards "making her comfortable". But I don't want to be unfair to Tulip and let her to continue to suffer. Any thoughts?

Here's a picture of my little love from a couple months ago, just because.
Opinion: Euthanasia or "making her comfortable"
 
I recommend taking a look at the JOURNEYS Euthanasia Scale for Pets. Most vets consider a score of 35 or below euthanasia territory.
Keep in mind that guinea pigs also tend to hide their pain.

Good luck, and I'm sorry for what's happening to your little one.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I'm so sorry you're faced with this. It's always a hard decision.

Having been through it many times in my life, I come down on the side of euthanasia BEFORE they're very obviously in pain. They don't have any concept of time, so that doesn't figure into the decision. And making them suffer and struggle just so I can have them for another week or month when they're already obviously suffering just seems selfish of me.

That doesn't make it any easier to decide, but it does give me some comfort that I haven't prolonged their agony for any longer than necessary.
 
Though I don't want to in any way, I can say goodbye to her. I'm almost more worried about Opal since she'll be alone; even when Tulip leaves the cage to hang with me for a 15-20 minutes Opal will start getting scared and wheeking for her. I'm especially worried since I'm moving tomorrow and I know that's stressful in general. So really, do you think I should make the move with or without Tulip?
 
I'd maybe make the move with her, and then immediately look at rescues and shelters for a buddy for your remaining pig.
 
What an awful thing to have to go through, I really feel for you and little Tulip. Whatever you decide, know that you did the very best you could for your pretty girl. Good luck with your move, I hope it's relatively stress free an you are able to settle in your new home quickly <3.
 
Sooooo sorry you have to make such a tough call. Your piggy was so lucky to have you taking such good care of her.
 
I've had a piggy (Murphy) with a liver mass too several year ago now. He passed away at the vet after going downhill very rapidly. It was not a good death.

As @bpatters has already expressed sometimes it seems really mean to leave the little ones alive until they obviously want to die/are in so much pain they clearly have given up. Moving will be pretty stressful on a sick piggy too, and she could crash because of the stress, etc... I would, if it was me, honestly lean towards euthanasia before you move depending on how Tulip is coping (just based on what you've described online, though obviously you know your piggies and situation best). The loss of a cagemate for your remaining piggy will be sad for Opal, but sometimes the change in environment (such as moving) whilst stressful is actually a good distraction, and sometimes it's easier to lump all the changes at once.

Best of luck with your decision. Sometimes there really is no clear, "right" answer.
 
We're all settled in the new place after moving this afternoon. Tulip is still showing initiative to eat and drink and is devouring any and all veg. Last night after I got home from work she had stopped the heaving/gagging that I had observed that morning and the day before. That is the symptom the vet seemed to be worried about the most, so I am at least happy she is not suffering as much as she could be. That being said, there are moments when I can tell she is uncomfortable, which is heartbreaking.

I decided to make the move with her, but after reading your words @stray hares, I almost regret doing it as it makes a lot of sense for the move to be a big distraction for Opal. Either way, what's done is done and I'm taking Tulip in Monday morning. I have metacam until then to help a little. I do plan on taking Tulip after she's euthanized to lay with Opal for a while, no matter how difficult that will be for me, in hopes Opal won't take it so hard. I just know it will be terrible if I hear her calling for Tulip and I have no answer for her. Tough time losing my princess, but your guys's words make it a little easier, so thank you all for your input and kind words.
 
You really do have to judge everything on a day by day basis with sick piggies, and work out what is best given what you know/feel at the time (crystal balls in bulk would help!). Please don't maybe-regret anything because of what I've said, I'm just a person on the internet and you're with your piggies and can work out things much better. :)

Good luck with the next few days, and beyond, for you and your piggies. Stuff like this is never easy.
 
My thoughts and my heart are with you in this unbelievably hard decision. Sly, Scooter and Punkin send you their wheeks and grumbles in the hopes that you find some comfort in them.
 
Batman and I send our condolences. I wish you and your piggies good luck.
 
I took her to an emergency vet this afternoon. She was whimpering throughout the night and I couldn't let her suffer anymore. @spy9doc I read your post a little too late. I took Tulip alone for the procedure, and taking her out of the box to be with Opal was pretty painful. Besides that Opal was really too scared to check her out. But I just buried her in the woods where she can be recycled, and maybe she'll turn into a little spring flower. <3 Thank you all for your words. Tough stuff, but death is a part of life and Tulip and I had an amazing time together. She will be missed dearly, and I will love her forever.
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.

Similar threads

furrybuttpotatoes
Replies
3
Views
814
drglencherry34
D
alicee
Replies
8
Views
990
Kids0519
K
ChewChew
Replies
4
Views
396
arne93
A
M
Replies
11
Views
600
Anawilliam850
A
Top