Re: HELP!!

by MouseLover Sat 25 Jun 2016, 5:53 pm

I struggle every time too, and I don't think there's a right or wrong answer at all. There are pros and cons to both sides. I'll never be able to comprehend how mice can be so happy and active with tumours that would be the size of a football on a human Shocked

it certainly makes our choice harder, as they are clearly on their way to the rainbow bridge, and yet they still have that lust for life.

At the end of the day, no one knows your mouse like you. You know her normal activity levels, her appetite, her temperament. Only you can judge when it is her time to go.

by Artistwolf Sat 25 Jun 2016, 9:40 pm

Hey, honestly, I would have done the same thing. I couldn't bare to put down an animal I know is still enjoying itself. Although my parents always say that once it gets bad and the animal is in pain—the animal doesn't really understand what's happening to it... And even treatment can be crueler than just putting them down.

by CinnamonPearl Sat 25 Jun 2016, 10:08 pm

I understand that. But she's not in any pain, at least nothing bad enough to be apparent, and I'm not really treating her, just cleaning her up when she bleeds. With my fish, I have a rule that I only euthanize them if they don't swim away when I try to catch them with a net. If Little Cow was a fish, she wouldn't just swim away, she'd probably turn around and attack that net. The vet said she could make time to do it tomorrow before she leaves, but I feel like Cow will still be willing to stick around by then.

There is a backup, though. If Cow needs to go sometime during the week, another one of the vets can do the euthanasia for me. It wouldn't be a home visit, but it's definitely better than nothing. I'd rather give Cow as much time as she wants and settle for an in-clinic euthanasia than rush her out the door. It just wouldn't feel right.

by Artistwolf Sun 26 Jun 2016, 12:20 pm

No, I totally agree with your choice and support you all the way Smile

by CallaLily Sun 26 Jun 2016, 4:30 pm

MouseLover wrote:
At the end of the day, no one knows your mouse like you. You know her normal activity levels, her appetite, her temperament. Only you can judge when it is her time to go.

This. It's really not something we can answer for you. You'll know when it's time. If you don't feel like that's now, then it's not. Group Hug

by CinnamonPearl Mon 27 Jun 2016, 3:07 pm

Little Cow is doing a-okay! She was in a rough state last week, but since yesterday she's stabilized and has been doing great. She's running, climbing, playing, and being her annoying self. I'm really glad I decided not to euthanize on Saturday; I feel like she might even last a whole week more. Of course, there are still problems. She gets tired very easily and has to rest often, and she's dropping in weight. Since her tumor weighs about 6g, I'm estimating that her weight right now is only 22g. So I'm not really sure what's going to happen, but all I know is that as long as she wants to stay, she's welcome to. Everything could change in a week, but it's weird how everything right now feels so normal.

by MouseLover Mon 27 Jun 2016, 3:29 pm

Such a tough little mouse Smile

give her all the treats she could ask for! Time to spoil her Wink

by Peachy Mon 27 Jun 2016, 3:39 pm

Go Little Cow! I'm so happy for you that she's still doing alright. Applause

by CinnamonPearl Mon 27 Jun 2016, 5:53 pm

Hey, judging from this photo, do you guys think she's in any pain? She's been having a good day, but she's tired now. She's pretty much just sitting in one spot like this. Still running around a little bit, but mostly just resting. I'm trying to judge whether she's tired or feeling some pain so I can know if I should give her some metacam or not.

HELP!! - Page 3 Img_8511

by River Mon 27 Jun 2016, 6:46 pm

Maybe I'm wrong, but it doesn't look like it to me. Her eyes are open and bright, and her ears look perky, so she looks comfortable enough to me.

by Rodents rock! Mon 27 Jun 2016, 7:09 pm

Hi - how is Little Cow doing? She is precious and I love her name. I know what you are going through because I had a rattie, Cleo, that had a tumor - it was a hard and a sad time. It was a very fast growing tumor - and it was making her very weak, she was losing her hair and she was losing weight, so at that point I knew it was time to take her to the vet and have her put to sleep. Hard decision, but I know it was time. Wishing you all the best with Little Cow.

by CinnamonPearl Mon 27 Jun 2016, 7:37 pm

ThePetekeyPrep wrote:Maybe I'm wrong, but it doesn't look like it to me. Her eyes are open and bright, and her ears look perky, so she looks comfortable enough to me.

Okay, I'm glad! I didn't think so either, she seemed more tired to me, but I wanted to make sure.

Rodents rock! wrote:Hi - how is Little Cow doing? She is precious and I love her name. I know what you are going through because I had a rattie, Cleo, that had a tumor - it was a hard and a sad time. It was a very fast growing tumor - and it was making her very weak, she was losing her hair and she was losing weight, so at that point I knew it was time to take her to the vet and have her put to sleep. Hard decision, but I know it was time. Wishing you all the best with Little Cow.

Thank you. For a mouse with a 6gram tumor, she's doing surprisingly well. She was in a rough spot and bleeding heavily towards the end of last week, but she's since stabilized and is acting like her normal self. I thought I was going to have to euthanize her last weekend, but I decided not to and I'm glad I did. Of course, she could go downhill at any moment, but for now she's still climbing, jumping, playing, and being her annoying self.

by scaredymouse Mon 27 Jun 2016, 7:53 pm

I agree, eyes are wide and ears are perked up. I don't see any signs of pain. I'm sure she's tired though, that tumor is heavy!

by MouseLover Mon 27 Jun 2016, 8:47 pm

I agree, she just looks tired to me. My mice who have had tumours did the same thing - they just kinda space out don't they? I think it's just exhausting for them. At least she doesn't appear to be in pain, that's all we can ask for Smile

Has she been leaving it alone?

by Sponsored content