Well, here’s my sad update: we put our dear Chewy to sleep this morning.
After his ultrasound, he was super out of it from whatever they gave him and he had the munchies—which I’m happy about because it was the last time I’ll see my buddy enjoy food. The next day he was hunched again, fluffed fur, some squeaking while urinating. We continued the antibiotics while waiting for the vet to have two prescriptions ready: one for his liver disease that we’d likely give for the rest of his life and the other for the silt I believe. We went to bed and when we woke up, I was frightened.
Chewy was “throwing up” (I know they can’t throw up). We drove him to the vet immediately and left him there for observation. Of course our vet has the day off and was unreachable. This vet gave him painkillers and some hydration, but nothing helped. Eventually, she took an X-ray even though he had just had an ultrasound, just in case something was lodged in his throat. Unfortunately the X-ray showed a stone in his urethra, completely blocking—they had to syringe empty his bladder. The stone was hidden just perfectly in the silt during the ultrasound. We left for the vet again, pretty sure we were putting our buddy to sleep. As the vet told me that the bacteria infection, liver disease, and bladder stone (not to mention his bout of pneumonia last year) were unrelated.
I wanted to wait until our vet could explain. They assured us that it would not be cruel to take him home for the night. Plenty of painkillers and an emptied bladder. The night was filled with tears and wishing Chewy had life behind the eyes as we cooed to him our love. Eventually the pain meds from the vet’s injection were wearing off, so we syringed more in his mouth that he promptly regurgitated. From there we experience guilt for putting him through it.
The next morning our vet told us yes, all the Illnesses were related: liver disease=comprised immune system. Learn from me and advocate for your pig. We were at the vet three times (over a month because of weight loss) before they successfully drew blood (he would get pale or faint when they attempted). They gave him the Valium for guinea pigs, and they were collect blood (elevated liver enzymes). By then, it was too late.
He was in so much pain (they think that’s why he was retching). When they sedated him, it was a sad relief that he was so relaxed. Our vet cried with us, and I feel sort of empty, like I can’t believe. We lost his brother to illness just a year ago. I’m halfway through illustrating a children’s book with him as the main character. This piggy was my best friend.
*sorry for the typos: I swear every other word is autocorrected to the incorrect word.
