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Post by janlovingcavies on Feb 17, 2021 9:33:23 GMT -6
Hoping you get the cuddly piggy feeling better real soon!
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Post by renonvsparky on Feb 17, 2021 21:03:30 GMT -6
Got some very bad news for BJ. He's in very bad shape. His teeth have overgrown, very crooked and not even close to proper alignment. They were able to grind his incisors down, but they're very loose. Unfortunately, his molars are not salvageable. They have grown and curved in over his tounge and are restricting it. They had to lightly sedate him and clean quite a bit of food out of them just to do the exam. The food wasn't stuck in his cheek either; it was in the spaces in between them, around the base of them and between his curved over molars and the tounge. Getting a good look at his teeth also allowed them to get a better estimate of his age. He's closer to 6 years old than he is to 5. He's also lost about 20% of his body weight despite the critical care I've been giving him. His digestive system is basically shutting down. He's not in pain, but the discomfort is nearly as bad.
Given all of that and his less than 50% chance of surviving the anesthesia for the procedure to repair the grown over molars; as well as the cost vs prognosis, which is not very good, we made the tough decision to end his suffering and give him a peaceful send-off.
That won't be today, but very soon. I brought him home with some medication to give him comfort and I'll have to hand feed him a very runny mix of critical care in small amounts every two hours until Monday morning or until the discomfort becomes unmanageable or unbearable, or he starts experiencing pain, whichever comes first. This gives us the chance to spend a little more time with him. I'm going to be spending as much time with him as I can and taking more pictures until the end. I'm just beside myself right now, experiencing the standard regret that comes with this situation. I'll post a tribute in a few days.
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Post by janlovingcavies on Feb 17, 2021 22:12:15 GMT -6
I am so sorry! I have tears in my eyes just reading your post! But searching my heart it is over joyed as you gave that little guy, love, a for-ever home. A chance to enjoy the good things in life.
He in turn gave you a priceless gift! A smile and light heart full of joy. I can't imagine the pain you are feeling, you both have come so far in a short time.
When Jessie needed a tooth removed she was given 10% chance of survival, vet said she wouldn't make it. But she proved him wrong and lived another 5 years. But she was only 3 when she had the surgery.
Make some beautiful memories with your boy, give him a beautiful send off, and shower him with as much love as you can! Give him a kiss from me and the girls! Be kind to yourself you have done everything you can. Most importantly you gave him love and a home! Big hugs coming your way!
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Post by Sef on Feb 18, 2021 9:32:02 GMT -6
Oh no, I'm so sorry. Hopefully the pain meds can help keep him comfortable for now. It's never an easy decision, but it sounds like these dental issues would be a major challenge with no guarantee as to the outcome if you opted for surgery---particularly at his age. My thoughts are with you. Please take care of yourself and try to focus on all of the happy moments you have had with BJ.
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pigjes
Junior Pigaholic
Posts: 76
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Post by pigjes on Feb 18, 2021 9:36:51 GMT -6
Oh, no, that's too bad! Since his age, this might also be caused by his ageing heart. You tried your best! Many hugs!
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Post by renonvsparky on Feb 18, 2021 19:11:05 GMT -6
Thank you everyone for your kind words. We're making the most of the time we have left. So far the pain meds are keeping him comfortable. They don't have a vet on duty for Monday, so they scheduled him for Tuesday at 8 AM. I'm giving him 4-5 half syringes of critical care, which is about 2ml every 1-2 hours. That's about all he can handle. He's passing some small droppings and small amounts of urine, but he cannot pick up or chew anything. At the rate he's going, it's 50-50 on whether he'll make it through the weekend or if I'll have to take him in tomorrow or Saturday.
He's still not completely lethargic, but he doesn't move around much. I imagine he doesn't have the energy He still enjoys the love and attention. He's also still a little bit curious about things that come near him. He even comes over to see Oreo now and then. I've got a few pictures of him.
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Post by janlovingcavies on Feb 18, 2021 22:46:32 GMT -6
A very handsome boy! Enjoy your time together and make more memories together! My heart goes out to you!
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Post by Sef on Feb 19, 2021 9:27:31 GMT -6
I am so very sorry, renonvsparky. I hope the meds continue to keep him comfortable until the appointment. I know how heart-breaking this must be. You have given him such a great home, and taken such good care of him.
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Post by renonvsparky on Feb 19, 2021 11:52:07 GMT -6
The meds are keeping BJ somewhat comfortable from the pain and discomfort standpoint but I don't see that lasting until Tuesday. It's getting harder to get the critical care that's keeping him going down without it dribbling out of his mouth. He tries to eat pellets, hay and the thin strips of carrot I cut for him but he can't even pick them up, to say nothing about chewing them up. Same thing with the tiny poops he's producing. He tries to eat them but he just can't. It's pure torture for him. I called the vet and they don't have any space for him today, but they can get him in tomorrow morning.
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Post by Sef on Feb 19, 2021 19:37:57 GMT -6
I am again just so sorry. It does sound like it's time. Keeping you (both) very much in my thoughts.
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Post by janlovingcavies on Feb 19, 2021 21:59:46 GMT -6
I was hoping when I woke yesterday was all a bad dream. Thinking of you all in this hard time. Times like this I wish I had a magic wand. Sending hugs to you all!
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Post by renonvsparky on Feb 20, 2021 15:42:24 GMT -6
Today was the toughest day I've had as a Guinea Pig Dad. Please refer to BJ's "In Loving Memory" thread for his eulogy and pictures and please post anything on BJ there.
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