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Kohoutek · Oct 19, 2010, 10:48 AM

My guinea pig is not eating or drinking, is lethargic and has blood in his urine. The vet has diagnosed renal failure, but has given us antibiotics to try him on over the next few days. The thing is that he hates these antibiotics, and after three doses, he's not showing any signs of improvement.

I just want to know whether renal failure is painful. I realise that he's not going to get better, and isn't going to last much longer, but I would ideally prefer him just to die a natural death in his own cage with my other guinea pig with him, but obviously if he's in a lot of pain he'd be better off being put out of it.

tickle · Oct 19, 2010, 02:06 PM

No, renal failure isn't painful but ultimately fatal anyway. The vet should not have sold you antibiotics.

Tick

lJ. · Oct 19, 2010, 02:18 PM

It may take time for the medicine to work. Try to go to your vet for more information.

Alty · Oct 19, 2010, 03:06 PM

Hello Kohoutek,

I'm so sorry to hear about your guinea pig. I don't know why the vet prescribed antibiotics for renal failure since there's really nothing that can be done to reverse that condition. Are you sure that it's renal failure and not something else? Is your vet a guinea pig specialist because not all vets know how to care for these little animals.

Sadly, if it is renal failure, there's nothing you can do but make him comfortable. I'm so sorry that there's no way to fix this, I hate giving bad news and you obviously love your pet very much.

It shouldn't be painful, but keep an eye on him. If he's in pain he will definitely show signs and then perhaps it would be best to have him put down. If he's not in pain, just enjoy the time you have left.

Again, I'm so very sorry and I wish you all the best.

lJ. · Oct 19, 2010, 03:08 PM

What was the medicine? I assumed it was not to cure renal failure, but to help with pain, or relieving certain symptoms. I would recommend talking to your vet about renal failure to try to understand it a bit better for your guinea pig, and I'm sorry for his situation.

Alty · Oct 19, 2010, 03:13 PM

LJ,

The vet has diagnosed renal failure, but has given us antibiotics to try him on over the next few days.

tickle · Oct 19, 2010, 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by lJ.

What was the medicine? n.

It was antibiotics, IJ which is to cure an infection, not renal failure, although in an animal that small could have started as an infection that it had for some time that went to its kidneys and unfortunately, destroyed them.

Tick

Kohoutek · Oct 20, 2010, 03:06 AM

I'm sure you can understand that it's all a bit hazy, what the vet actually said now.

It was something along the lines of it was most likely renal failure but because he was so young there was a tiny tiny chance it might just be a very very infected set of kidneys. His left kidney is swollen to the extent that she thought it had a tumour on it until she scanned him, and his tubes are inflamed and swollen too.
She said she didn't hold out much hope but I was welcome to take him home with some antibiotics and see if that took the swelling down - obviously I don't want him to die so I took that shred of hope, but I don't think it's working.

When I was giving him some water through a dropper yesterday (because he's not moving from the corner of the cage to drink water), he couldn't hold his head up to take it. It's like he's curling up into a ball. Whenever I put him in the shoebox (I have a shoebox with sawdust and hay that I put him into whilst giving him his medicine) he tries to burrow into the sawdust to be left alone. It's so sad.

Like I say, I'd rather him go at home with his guinea pig friend by his side (plus, this would help my other guinea pig understand what was happening) than in a vet's surgery, but I don't want him to be in pain...

tickle · Oct 20, 2010, 04:31 AM

He won't be in pain, he wants to die, trying to find a place to die peacefully. You should just let him go the way he wants to go. So sad, but these little creatures are actually so fragile and you obviously care and love them so much. I am so sorry,

Sometimes it isn't fair for people to give hope where there actually isn't any, it doesn't soften the blow. My vet didn't pull any punches with me when my big ol dog was ill, but she was actually surprised I kept her going for so long, but then she wasn't preparing herself until the last possible minute. I knew and so do you, so just let him go

One more word on renal failure in small animals. Urinary tract isn't all that long, so once it's a UTI it inevitably goes to the kidneys immediately.

Tick

Kohoutek · Oct 20, 2010, 01:49 PM

I had to take the little one to the vets today, my husband made me as he was just getting worse. He put him to sleep and we buried him under a Primrose bush at my Grandfather's house. He would like it there.

I just have one final question as you've all been so supportive and helpful.

Should I clean the guinea pig cage immediately so that the remaining piggy can't smell the late one, or should I leave it for a bit so as not to upset/confuse him too much? Should I get another piggy to keep the remaining one company or is he too old (he must be about 5?) to get used to a new face?

Thanks

tickle · Oct 20, 2010, 03:05 PM

I would clean diligently, Ko. It did start as an infection, so you can never be too sure and they are so small and vulnerable. You know what they say about falling off a horse, you get right back on. So, yes, I would get another guinea right away. Why not ?
He would probably welcome the new smell and don't forget, he has sort of been without his mate for some time now, because he was sick. So it will work, just you see.

Good luck and keep us up dated, Ko. We don't have anyone knowledgeable on guinea pigs that I know of, so your expertise would be nice to see.

Tick

Alty · Oct 20, 2010, 03:11 PM

I've had guinea pigs but I've never had a pair, we always housed ours with our rabbits, and boy did we get lucky, they got along very well. :)

I think that you should get another one right away. Your remaining piggy is used to companionship and just like us, they do grieve and miss their friend. Perhaps check the local shelter and adopt a piggy that's closer in age to the one you have, so that he doesn't have to deal with a youngster running around like crazy in the cage. ;)

As for cleaning, I agree with Tickle, I would clean the cage thoroughly to avoid the infection that caused the renal failure in your other piggy.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Please let us know what you decide. So often people post and then leave and we never know how things went.

Kohoutek · Oct 20, 2010, 03:41 PM

Thanks guys, I'll try and keep you posted.

I cleaned them both out the day before yesterday, and I don't think Wiggins (the late piggy) had passed any urine or poop since then but I'll clean Mycroft (remaining piggy) out again first thing tomorrow morning as I just discovered I need more wood shavings.

I will have to ask my husband about a new piggy. I think it would be a good idea, and like you say, help me get back on the horse - but he's a bit weary because of how distraught I've been about losing Wiggins, and he thinks once Mycroft goes we'll be in a neverending cycle of replacing Guinea Pigs! I'll have to keep an eye on the local shelter and see if any suitable guys get brought in. :(

Thanks again for all your help and kind words. I can't believe I've been this badly effected by it all, I'm just going to miss him so much!

Alty · Oct 20, 2010, 10:09 PM

Ko, of course it affects you, because you care about the animals you bring into your life. A guinea pig is no less than a dog, or a cat, or any other animal or living being.

I know you're hurting and I'm so sorry about that. The decision to get another guinea pig is ultimately yours. If you don't feel you're ready, then wait. Mycroft will be okay even if he is a lone piggy, because he has you. I only recommended to get another right away if you want to have two. It does make it easier to bond if you don't wait too long after a death to find the remaining animal a friend.

I feel for what you're going through. We are making the hard decision to put our 15 year old dog down. The appointment has been made for next Friday, and it's devastating both my husband and me. It's never easy to lose someone you love, and animals become very much a part of our families, a part of our lives. Size doesn't matter.

If you want to talk, come here, vent away. If you need a shoulder, we're all here. If you need help finding another piggy, or need help dealing with the loss of Wiggins, we're here.

Kohoutek · Feb 4, 2011, 07:54 AM

Hi Guys,

I just wanted to update you all! I'm still missing Wiggins so much (reading this post has just made me well up) but Mycroft has been coping admirably. I've been keeping an eye out for old piggies that might need a home, but unfortunately, all the piggies that need new homes are babies or ones that need to be housed with their friends.

However, Mycroft has been brilliant. He's totally come out of his shell! He's always been quiet and timid, but now he comes to the door of the cage when I go to feed him, and stands up on his back legs looking at me. He even lets me kiss him on the nose...

I sometimes think he's looking to see if I've brought Wiggins home, and maybe one day I will have a friend for him, but at the moment he's just my little hero.

Alty · Feb 4, 2011, 02:52 PM

Kohoutek, thank you so much for coming back to give us an update. So many times people post here, then once they get an answer they leave, and we never know how things turned out.

I'm so glad that Mycroft is doing well. It seems that he's now adopted you as his buddy. That often happens when you have a lone piggy, they'll attach themselves to their human family.

We'd love pictures. :)

bertie12 · Feb 28, 2011, 09:42 AM

If your guinea pig has renal failure just look after him or her give them lots of food maybie change their food types to something else like if you give him or her dry mix give them dry fibre food which is so much better and also try your guinea pig with pears my guinea pig loves them he is going through renal railure and these steps are what I'm doing

tickle · Feb 28, 2011, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by bertie12

if your guinea pig has renal failure just look after him or her give them lots of food maybie change their food types to somethign else like if you give him or her dry mix give them dry fibre food which is so much better and also try your guinea pig with pears my guinea pig loves them he is goign through renal railure and these steps are what im doing

Bertie do you actually know what renal failure is ? It is irreversible and fatal.

Tick

bertie12 · Feb 28, 2011, 10:29 AM

I know what it is you just either have to spend last minutes with your guinea pig and like make sure he is OK and hope he survives but if he don't he will have to be put down

Alty · Feb 28, 2011, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by bertie12

i know what it is you just either have to spend last minutes wiht your guinea pig and like make sure he is ok and hope he survives but if he dont he will have to be put down

The OP in this thread ended up having to do just that, she had to put her guinea pig down. Please don't revive old threads, especially since it's clear that you didn't read all the posts before posting.

Thank you.