willow very poorly

herbi7 · 01-14-2016, 02:31 PM

Hi guys, you may have seen my earlier thread about willow when I was concerned about her lack of activity. Well, basically she seemed to be doing okay and still coming out to eat and drink and potter around but tonight she seems very poorly. She had her head turned towards me in the entrance of her nest when I came in to see her which made me hopeful everything was ok and she would come out and eat, but when I talked to her and disturbed her enough for her to need the loo and come out, she could barely drag her body out and her movements looked unnatural and unbalanced. She was pulling a back leg behind her and although she made it to her wee corner she ended up slumped on her side for a bit before she managed to crawl back to her nest. She didn't want to eat and pulled away from the smell of my hand. She is now back in her nest and curled up but still at an awkward angle. I don't think she has any quality of life in this state and will be taking her to the vet tomorrow. I'm gutted. She has eaten the fresh food I gave her today, a piece of cucumber and some raw courgette and some mashed up cooked carrot and courgette but that's all, she didn't even want her porridge with honey in. I don't know what's happened for such a sudden decline and I'm shocked to see her so weak and obviously struggling. I wish I could comfort her but she doesn't want to be disturbed. I hope she is still with us in the morning so I can speed her over the bridge if necessary as she is clearly suffering and struggling now. I've done my best to make her comfortable and her food and water are close to her nest. Should I give her some water in a bowl in case she can't reach her bottle?

Skyblue2001 · 01-14-2016, 02:39 PM

i am so sorry about Willow i just lost one of my little ones that way, she started to get better then she crossed the bridge.

velma · 01-14-2016, 02:44 PM

I'm so sorry to hear about Willow

Sometimes something has happened, sometimes the decline of old age is sudden. You've done everything you can are continuing to do so. I'm really sorry I haven't got any practical advice for you to help with Willow but I just wanted to say that she she knows she's loved & cared for so she won't be scared x

herbi7 · 01-14-2016, 02:59 PM

Sky blue, thanks for replying. Did yours take long to cross the bridge? I worry willow is suffering.

Thanks Velma. Yes she is very much loved. I'm sad she doesn't want my hands near her but she has never been a cuddly trusting ham . She only rarely showed that she needed me although we spent hours having adventures together! I've just given her some water off a teaspoon and she licked it up and came back for more when I refilled it so I think she must be dehydrated. She ate some more cucumber too although she had problems holding it. I wish she would come out of her pot so I could reach her properly, I just have to poke things through her door but she loves it in there and feels safe so I will leave her be. I've put a shallow bowl of water by her front door, I hope she finds it. I don't think she has very long now but I've no experience in these things really

herbi7 · 01-14-2016, 03:38 PM

Ps sorry skyblue I should have said I'm sorry for your loss... My head is full of willow right now! Just looked back at your threads and its very recent isn't it. It's so hard losing our little furry friends.

Josie · 01-14-2016, 05:03 PM

Sorry to hear about Willow, we are thinking about you at this difficult time hugs to you xxx

It is amazing how these little animals touch our lives so deeply, and how loved these little creatures are

herbi7 · 01-14-2016, 05:35 PM

Thanks Josie, yes they get under our skin don't they! Willow is a rehomed ham so I've only had her just over a year but she has been such a little character. I lovd her to bits and keep looking at her while she is still alive as the moments feel so precious. I really want to stroke her and hold her but I know its not right for her right now

cypher · 01-14-2016, 09:32 PM

So sorry herbi, it must be so very hard to see her like this, all you can really do for now is whatever seems to make her most comfortable, keep some food & water close to her nest in case she may want some & just be there for her, some like to be held at the end others don't but I'm sure they are all comforted by the presence of someone who loves them so much.
Be thinking of you at this difficult time.

herbi7 · 01-15-2016, 01:51 AM

Thanks cypher. I've been up with her a few times in the night and she took a little more water. This morning she is still curled up in her pot slightly on one side still breathing. Her breathing looks fairly normal and she has got up during the night and eaten some more cucumber and a bean sprout and the rest of the mashed carrot from yesterday. Its a surprise to me as I thought she wouldn't want it, I got up at 2 to put the veg out for her as she suddenly decided she wanted the last bit of cucumber. My dilemma now is whether to ring the vet or not. If she hadn't touched her food I would have done. It's the weekend tomorrow which will make things much more difficult vet-wise. I think I will book an appointment for late on today if they have ond see how she is when I get home, I have to go out at lunchtime and early aft. She doesn't look uncomfortable but she can't be feeling great at all so I want to make sure she doesn't suffer but not end her life too soon. My poor little girl. I hoped she would have passed in the night so I didn't have to drag her about anywhere today. Thanks everyone for your thoughts x

cypher · 01-15-2016, 01:58 AM

It is very difficult herbi, the weekend coming up really doesn't help but I'm sure the vet will understand if you book an appointment just in case you need to go & then cancel if things turn out differently they must be used to this sort of situation & I would imagine they would be understanding & helpful about it.