Truman Update
I woke up at 1:55 am on Monday morning, certain that the day was going to hold bad news. His condition didn’t change over the weekend, by which I mean that it didn’t get worse, but it certainly didn’t get better. When I went to bed Sunday night, his head was still tilted to the side. He would eat if we put the food to his mouth and drink if I gave him water in a syringe. But he could barely walk. He hadn’t made a sound in almost a week. He couldn’t bite into his alfalfa cookies.
I spent the morning before we left for the vet with my stomach in knots.
I’m glad we waited. I am clearly saying that in retrospect because we got to see our normal vet instead of a stranger, and I’m sure I would be saying otherwise if he hadn’t made it through the weekend. But our vet has a basis of comparison for his normal self vs. his last week self vs. his current self. Plus she is so compassionate and patient: With me and with him.
She thinks the infection has spread to his brain or inner ear. She switched the antibiotic to one that gets into the central nervous system — though not one the other vet was suggesting — and put him on a food supplement to keep him from losing more weight. She wants me to keep giving him water from a syringe. And she warned that if he starts rolling over, he is having seizures and needs to be euthanized quickly.
She also said that she has never seen a guinea pig this sick rally so hard. That guinea pigs are usually poor patients that give up fairly easily in the face of infection. But she said that it was a good sign that he was fighting this hard to get through this. I am going to cling to that thought because my brain cannot go to the otherwise without melting down. He has to get better.
My poor sweet boy is resting a lot. I’ll post another update this week when things get better. Thank you for abiding with me though this.
21 comments
Oh fingers crossed that he does improve.
Keeping your little fluffy buddy in my thoughts and prayers.
Sending recovery vibes. Rally Truman.
Abiding with you and sending all the good witch-y thoughts I can.
Keeping you and Truman in my thoughts. Hoping this antibiotic works and for a speedy recovery.
Thinking good thoughts for him.
I have been thinking about you and him both. Lots of love to both of you. Come on, Truman – you can do this, buddy. <3
Abiding with you and hoping Truman makes a full recovery!
Come on Truman you can pull through this!
Poor little guy…
I hope he improves soon. But it’s sweet how hard he is fighting to stay with you…
Been on pins and needles for this update. Come on Truman! You’re a fighter and you’re getting the meds you need to make you well. Rest up and keep holding on. We’re all rooting for you.
Poor Truman. I hope he improves soon
Poor fur-baby. Hope you all get through this soon and hoping Truman can pull through!
Poor baby. Hope he is getting better and sending you hugs.
🙁 Sending love and happy squeals of “you can do it Truman” from my inner cavy.
I’m certain the reason he is being a Super Guinea Pig is that you have given strength with your love. I hope he starts improving. I hope he makes a sound.
This is so hard. I agree…he is getting his strength from you. Prayers for all of you.
Keep fighting, Truman!!! I’m sending you lots of love and prayers.
I will chant for you, Truman. You are very brave and you are also very loved.
I was thinking of you two. It’s so difficult to see loved ones suffer. I hope he gets better soon. My heart melts when I think of him fighting to stay with you, I have to say. And makes me wish ten times more that he makes it.
I’m so glad you could get in with your regular vet. I am also glad that Truman is rallying. He is such a sweetheart…I’m hoping so hard that the new antibiotics do the trick.