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Post by titchycatnipsandwich on Apr 6, 2017 21:19:24 GMT
Thank you ntg x
If I'm honest, the afterwards will probably be ok. In the past, I've freaked out more about the impending loss of people than I have afterwards about the loss that has happened. My brain sees it more as I can't do anything about people being dead, but I could **try harder!** to stop people dying in the first place.
Stupid as it sounds, it's the fact that he's attacking a hay bale that's really worrying me? Like I said, he has no interest in hay usually, except to nest in. The hay cookies are really really really hard, and I'm wondering if he's trying to self-correct those teeth, except it might be too little too late.
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Post by degulover21 on Apr 6, 2017 21:41:02 GMT
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Post by titchycatnipsandwich on Apr 6, 2017 22:00:49 GMT
Degulover21, thank you for finding me that, it's certainly cheaper now than it was when I first looked into it! They wouldn't cover him now after all the work he's had done and will need doing though :/
It also has a £65 excess on top of £33/month for the basic coverage; Zoe is the first degu I've had to need more than £50 of treatment for a single condition. What paid for Zoe's treatment was putting away the £40/month I was initially quoted for 4 degus for almost the entire time I have had them, so I had that to fall back on each month. I'd probably want to know what things the company will pay out for, and I don't know if I can access those policy details to see what the exclusions are without doing more than just getting a quote from them.
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Post by deguconvert on Apr 7, 2017 2:31:28 GMT
I feel so bad, Love! How hard you have fought, and he has fought too. I think that infection is whittling him away, and not being obliterated by the antibiotics. It is probably really the best thing to do . . . and I fight with myself in typing that. Such a difficult time! My thoughts are with you, and with Zoe. I hope and pray that Nyota will be OK, and will continue to thrive, with the changes that are coming. I'll be sending you loves of love and hugs in the days ahead.
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Post by moletteuk on Apr 7, 2017 11:28:01 GMT
Have you decided for sure?
I just wanted to say that I think you have had some real highs and lows over the last 2 or 3 weeks and maybe it would be worth waiting until the low is more consistent? Maybe he's attacking the hay because his jaw has improved enough to attack something softish now?
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Post by titchycatnipsandwich on Apr 7, 2017 11:57:31 GMT
Not for certain sure, it's just... his teeth are at the point where they need sorting out. It would be cruel to leave him with his teeth the way they are for much longer. He won't let me near the abscess hole any more, starts nipping when I try, and so cleaning that is just not-happening. I don't think it will improve without daily cleaning. I could take him this evening to have them burr his teeth tomorrow, but I don't know whether it's the right thing to do for him. I can't work out whether his highs outweigh the lows. I'm hoping to discuss it with the vet tonight; if they can honestly say he's got a good chance of a full recovery, I'll keep going for him. But if he hasn't, I think I'd be keeping him alive for me rather than him. He is the first pet I've had to be making this decision for, and I'm trying to be sure it's the right one :/ Edit to add: I feel like this last month or so has been on a fairly downward trend, with just a couple of little upward spikes that got my hopes up I'll have a read through this thread before I go though, to keep a roughly accurate timeline in my head.
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Post by moletteuk on Apr 7, 2017 13:06:18 GMT
Sounds like a good idea to have a chat with the vet. Could you do that by phone before you take him so you don't have to decide on the spot? We'll all support you whatever you decide is for the best. It's unbelievably hard. Thinking of you x
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Post by titchycatnipsandwich on Apr 7, 2017 16:30:08 GMT
They could have squeezed him in tonight, but couldn't guarantee a time, so we're booked in for a visit tomorrow morning. I will be asking lots of questions before I decide to definitely say to go ahead with it.
Tonight I'm having a hoodie and dirty jeans night, where the pair of them can climb and pee and sit and chitter on me while I enjoy their company.
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Post by yasmin on Apr 8, 2017 1:16:46 GMT
You had asked whether or not to take Nyota with you. I would say No to that because I can see no benefit for Nyota; I think it will just cause unnecessary stress.
When I have been in a similar situation with my degus – which has been often, sadly, the past couple of years – I go in to the vet with an idea of what I am willing to do to extend their lives (e.g.; another round of Baytril?, another spur trimming?) and then leave it up to my vet to decide whether it is time or not.
My heart goes out to you titchycatnipsandwich. Will be thinking of you, Zoe and Nyota tomorrow.
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Post by titchycatnipsandwich on Apr 8, 2017 10:38:11 GMT
His lower tooth was past his upper lip and pushing up to his nostril this morning. The vet and I had a long talk, but he didn't feel comfortable burring Zoe's teeth (limited experience with exotics and concerned about causing more damage) and Zoe would have had to have waited until Monday to have them fixed, by which point it would have been in his nostril and causing serious soft tissue damage. I had a lovely evening with them last night, just sat up against the side of the cage while they ran up and down and round me and through my hair and made plenty of escape attempts. Towards the end of the evening he just curled up against my abdomen and purred. I held him while the sedation kicked in, then the vet took him into the treatment area for the actual euthanasia part of the process. I'm still fighting with myself over whether it was the right thing to have done, but at least he's not in any pain now. I'm not happy I made the decision, mainly because I'll never know whether it could have all been fixed and him go on to lead a "normal" life again. The odds were very much against it, but the part of me that was still hoping just died along with him. Run free, brave one.
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Post by degulover21 on Apr 8, 2017 12:07:19 GMT
I'm sorry to hear this 😭I never know what to say ..RIP little one
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Post by titchycatnipsandwich on Apr 8, 2017 12:07:48 GMT
Thank you all for the advice and for being here for me and him. I don't have words for how much you've all helped, but I'm truly grateful.
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Post by Bexi87 on Apr 8, 2017 13:16:39 GMT
Oh Titchy, what a horrible situation. Sending all my love to you and Nyota
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2017 17:29:55 GMT
Sending my love 😢 it can't have been easy but I personally think you made the best choice for the little fella ❤
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Post by deguconvert on Apr 8, 2017 22:32:10 GMT
Wet face, broken heart, feeling your pain. So sorry, love!
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Post by Emziedee on Apr 9, 2017 1:21:17 GMT
Jesus that's so sad 😭 I'm so sorry man I know I'll be going through this with Tibbs at some point and this has really hit home. Man what a tough decision you both were so very brave x
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Post by yasmin on Apr 9, 2017 3:15:58 GMT
Sincerest condolences. Rest in peace, little one.
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Post by moletteuk on Apr 9, 2017 15:16:35 GMT
I'm so glad you had a lovely last evening together I feel broken hearted too, hope you and Nyota are holding up OK, sending love x
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Post by ntg on Apr 9, 2017 16:29:38 GMT
I'm so sorry titchy they may only be small but they leave huge holes in your heart when they go. Hope you and Nyota are holding up okay!
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