Amelia the guinea pig

[wolfie]

I don't know if anyone remembers my guinea pig Amelia. I haven't been on PT for about a year, so I don't blame you if you don't. But she has a huge cyst on her rear end. I took her to the vet yesterday, and they said it'll get bigger and eventually burst. Surgery to remove it is $300.

She's getting up there in age, so I wonder if it is worth it. I am feeling sad and confused right now. And also slightly guilty, because I know if it was my dog I would spend $3000 if I could without even thinking.

But I love my girl.

I'm sorry to just come on here after a year to post sad news... but I don't have many people to talk to about this.

Here are some pictures of my girl.

Amelia
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/rtess/pets/ameliapig.jpg

Lily & Amelia
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/rtess/pets/bothpigs.jpg

[Kalei]

:( I am so sorry that you are going through a hard time, I'm not sure what to tell you. If she is at the age where she may pass away by old age soon anyway, then I would say it might be best to put her down and then she won't go through any suffering, but if you see that Amelia still has a very large happy will to live, then I would do the surgery!:) Whatever your decision is we will respect you very much for helping your little Amelia. Please update us on what you decide and if Amelia is doing ok.

[Karen]

How old is she?

I'd go ahead with the surgery, unless they say she's too old to risk the anesthesia - a cyst that large probably hurts like crazy, poor girl!

[wolfie]

Thanks. She hasn't been acting like she is in pain, so I didn't think to ask the vet if she is. She is almost 5.

[Flatcoatluver]

Go with your heart.

I would perosnally go with the surgery, if it was safe for the animal. Good luck and I will keep this little cutie in my prayers. :(

[Sadie_Sasha]

I know how you feel.

I had a guinea pig , Pippin(in my sig) who died back in octber. I was debating wether i should take him to a vet or not, I only realised he was getting sick the day before he died. After I decided to take him to the vet in the a.m. I woke up and he was passed away in the corner of the cage.

It broke my heart but I knew it was time. He was about 3 and a half. which is pretty young, but he was sick when I got him is the only thing I can think. when he was born he was blind in one eye, which im thinking he was masking other health problems.

Im like you, if it was my dog I would spend as much as possible, but I dunno why I thought about my poor G.P so much debating wether to take him to the vet or not.

I just hope she feels better soon.

[Catlady711]

Awww she's a cute piggy! Can't they just lance the cyst?

I'm sure since the days when I had pigs they've improved things alot, however back then doing anesthetic on a GP was very risky.

One thing I learned about them is that if they get sick you have about 24 hours to get it looked at, even a simple cold can turn to pnemonia in a short time.

5 is a pretty good age for a piggy. Only one of mine made it that old and he had arthritis and cataracts by that time.

Piggy (black american)- 3 yrs
Cinnamon (bi-color american)- 3 yrs
Sammy (silver agouti)- 7 yrs

[wolfie]

thanks everyone for your help


Awww she's a cute piggy! Can't they just lance the cyst?

no, the vet said it was too big now to just drain it.

[Chilli]

What a beautiful & sweet girl! I'm so sorry to hear she isn't feeling her best. =(
I agree, though. Go with what feels best. Follow your heart!

[wolfie]

Thanks all.

I am sorry to hear of guinea pigs who passed away. What great companions they are