I don't know why I don't already have a thread for Oreo (guinea pig), since I quote him in half my posts, he is mentioned in my signature and has been a massive part of my life for over 5 years. We've gone through so much together and I've fought so hard for him to get him better since I lost Toffee. This includes arguing with my parents to get him seen by the top guinea pig dental expert and taking him to an out-of-hours vet. Twice. In the same week.
I love him and Jasper more than anything else.
It's about time
The Legendary Oreo has his own thread.
I'll start with some background information. Toffee and Oreo were/are the first mammal pets I had/have (fish aren't mammals) and were bought by my mother on 17th September 2011 from Pets At Home as my early birthday present. They started my love for small animals. Oreo is a golden agouti, possibly satin, and has a perfect ginger stripe, ginger belly and white patch on his head.
Now this is some of Oreo's recent health crisis. If you want the full story, let me know and I'll attach the links from The Guinea Pig Forum.
Oreo lives on his own, since I lost his cage mate on October 12th. Ever since, Oreo has been battling his own health problems. It started out with him ignoring treats, since he was depressed. Anyway, my mum agreed to take him to the out-of-hours vet and thank god we did. He was diagnosed with gut stasis and slightly overgrown teeth. The vets threw so many meds at Oreo's little body. Lots of antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, pain killers, gut stimulants. You name it. I had to administer all of these, plus regular syringe feeding food and water. He hadn't made any progress so he went back to the out-of-hours vet, Saturday morning. More meds. I kept going until his meds started running out and until he was well enough to not need them. I took him to the vets practically 3 times a week. He was bloated and in pain. The vets offered to put him to sleep. I declined and kept fighting for him. He went through X-rays, even.
It got to a point where he was well enough to be off most of his meds and his teeth began to overgrow. I had nightmares about them growing through his gums. I tried to get my local vets to trim them. They tried consciously, and failed. They then decided to use anaesthetic. I took him to the vet that morning, with my mum. I actually took time off school to take him to the vet. I pretended I hadn't been feeling well that morning, as you get let off for that. The vets decided he was "eating too well" to need his teeth trimmed and they decided it would be better to wait until he couldn't eat at all. I saw it as a death sentence, since lack of eating brings a guinea pig's anaesthetic survival rate down considerably.
I sought my only solution. Take him to a vet who specialises in guinea pig dentistry and is considered the best in the UK at it. I begged and begged to take Oreo. Eventually, my dad said yes. I would need to miss a lesson to go (unimportant lesson). I ended up being ill that day, so I didn't go to school. This meant I could go with. The vet is well over an hour away from where I live. Oreo's tongue was trapped, meaning he couldn't swallow properly, so I took him just in time. He needed up a follow-up appointment, two weeks later. I couldn't go that time as I had a tutor. Oreo was diagnosed with Oral Thrush. The medicine messed up his digestive system, but it worked. Oreo needed to go back again, 3 and a half weeks later, so that will be 2 weeks ago on Wednesday. I fought my dad so hard for his last appointment. Every single time he has needed a teeth trim. I have another one booked already, for the 28th Jan.
This isn't even half my battle. I have had to argue with everyone around me, who I love to save Oreo. I have classmates who wonder and tease me and ask why I would bother spending so much time and worry trying to save my guinea pig when I could get another for £20. People tell me that he can't live forever and that it's stupid to love and care for an animal so much. I also get told dogs are better. I love dogs too, but I have an incredible bond with him. He and I are so close. I believe he understands everything I say and even knows how to win treats and toys over from me.
There's been a huge emotional battle for me, too. After just losing Toffee, I then had to endure an emotional war over whether it was kinder to let Oreo go, or keep fighting. It got to a point where I was scared to go downstairs in the morning and get home from school because I was worried of what I might find. Every night, I said good night to Oreo, wondering whether it would be his last. I couldn't see Jasper because every time I left my mum's house to go to my dad's and see Jasper, I spent the whole night feeling sick with worry. I gave Oreo some of his presents early because I was worried he wouldn't make it to Christmas to enjoy them.
The last two months have been a blur for me, just trying to care for Oreo. I do believe I have saved his life, though. I love him with all my heart and have sacrificed so much for him.
There is nothing as rewarding as seeing him almost fully restored to health and how happy he is again. I haven't seen him this playful since he was a baby.
I guess that wraps up most of the story. Hopefully, I will do regular updates on him, since I go where Oreo goes. Jasper prefers being a little more independent
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I'll add some photos in the morning. It's 3 am and I want to sleep so no pigtures tonight/this early in the morning.
EDIT: I feel I didn't make this dramatic enough because it has been so exhausting and draining for me. I have to balance school work and a social life on top of this. I get so much homework. I went to bed so late everyday, so I could just have half an hour on HC. What I'm trying to say is October onwards 2016 has been the hardest few months of my life. It doesn't help that my dad lost his job right before we went to New York (expensive) and Oreo's vet bills have extortionate.