VikkiVet
Mama Doe
I know its not a bunny, just wondered what people's opinions are on the following situation:
A close friend of mine rang on Thursday to say she had found a lump on one of her GPs' face (she has 2 males, about 4 years old). It seems to have come up pretty quickly, only noticed since back from holiday this week. Its hard and round and in his cheek. He's a little skinny, more than the other GP, and has previously had a stroke.
Being a nearly-vet she rang for advice on what it could be, how they would treat it, how much it would cost and whether it would be successful.
I said it is most likely to be:
A. An abscess - common, treatable but may take long term antibiotics and care, may recurr or be chronic, likely to cost £50-100 inc consults, drainage, abx etc
B. Tumour - depends on type and how quickly its growing, may be operable, likely to be expensive, may recurr
So she wants me to see it (I told her I can't tell her what it is without a needle aspiration/biopsy) so going tomorrow (Sat). She doesn't want to spend "too much money" on it, as they can't afford it (the "don't want to spend the money we have on this" type, not the "broke and have no money" type). So including the first consultation she only wants to give it one try with antibiotics if its an abscess, and if its a tumour she'll just leave it until it becomes uncomfortable and then PTS. If the abx don't work she'll then PTS.
This leaves one lonely male guinea pig behind - she doesn't want to get another young boar for company as they don't want a perpetual cycle of different age guinea pigs, and are either going to move abroad or get a dog in the next couple of years.
I said it isn't fair to leave the remaining GP alone for what could be several years to come, so if she doesn't want to get him a companion she should rehome him to someone who will. She is considering this but feels like that is "off loading" an animal when it becomes inconvenient.
Here's the dilemma:
1. Should she be prepared to spend more money and time in curing the abscess before PTS? If its likely to be chronic or recur is it more humane to PTS earlier rather than later?
2. If the abscess is treatable but she doesn't want to spend the money, should she rehome BOTH GPs to someone who will treat it?
3. Should she rehome the remaining GP, thus adding to the rehoming problem, when she can afford to care for thim but he will be lonely?
Just wondered what GP owners and rescues thought of the situation? If Iwere her vet I am not sure what I would advise.
A close friend of mine rang on Thursday to say she had found a lump on one of her GPs' face (she has 2 males, about 4 years old). It seems to have come up pretty quickly, only noticed since back from holiday this week. Its hard and round and in his cheek. He's a little skinny, more than the other GP, and has previously had a stroke.
Being a nearly-vet she rang for advice on what it could be, how they would treat it, how much it would cost and whether it would be successful.
I said it is most likely to be:
A. An abscess - common, treatable but may take long term antibiotics and care, may recurr or be chronic, likely to cost £50-100 inc consults, drainage, abx etc
B. Tumour - depends on type and how quickly its growing, may be operable, likely to be expensive, may recurr
So she wants me to see it (I told her I can't tell her what it is without a needle aspiration/biopsy) so going tomorrow (Sat). She doesn't want to spend "too much money" on it, as they can't afford it (the "don't want to spend the money we have on this" type, not the "broke and have no money" type). So including the first consultation she only wants to give it one try with antibiotics if its an abscess, and if its a tumour she'll just leave it until it becomes uncomfortable and then PTS. If the abx don't work she'll then PTS.
This leaves one lonely male guinea pig behind - she doesn't want to get another young boar for company as they don't want a perpetual cycle of different age guinea pigs, and are either going to move abroad or get a dog in the next couple of years.
I said it isn't fair to leave the remaining GP alone for what could be several years to come, so if she doesn't want to get him a companion she should rehome him to someone who will. She is considering this but feels like that is "off loading" an animal when it becomes inconvenient.
Here's the dilemma:
1. Should she be prepared to spend more money and time in curing the abscess before PTS? If its likely to be chronic or recur is it more humane to PTS earlier rather than later?
2. If the abscess is treatable but she doesn't want to spend the money, should she rehome BOTH GPs to someone who will treat it?
3. Should she rehome the remaining GP, thus adding to the rehoming problem, when she can afford to care for thim but he will be lonely?
Just wondered what GP owners and rescues thought of the situation? If Iwere her vet I am not sure what I would advise.
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Yes, she obviously cares enough to have noticed and to want to do something but she doesn't care enough to actually want to part with the cash to do that.