guinea pig dying from cancer

[delilah]

right now i have two guinea pigs and one of them is 2 years old and dying from cancer. he is on pain killers so doesn't appear to be in pain and he has had the cancer for two months but recently it has gotten much worse. their are tumors in both his back legs and belly and now he has a limp. i don't want to have to put him down because i know how much he hates going to the vet and i want the other guinea pig to be with him when he dies but i will if i have to and if he is in pain. i was wondering if you think his body is going to start shutting down or if the tumors will keep getting larger and he will go on like that for a while? i got him from a pet shop when he was a pup so i don't know where he was born or who bred him. do you think the cancer was genetic? all i can think of that would have caused it was that he was exposed to nail polish fumes twice. and also how long can a guinea pig wait after his friend dies and until i get him a new friend?

[Orlaith]

I'm really sorry to hear about your pig. I hope he goes peacefully when his time comes.

I would say that the cancer is genetic and nail polish fumes wouldn't have caused anything like that, so don't worry yourself over that. Some pigs from pet shops don't have the best breeding backgrounds so things like this can crop up.

I don't have any experience getting a friend for a bereaved pig, but I imagine you wouldn't have to wait more than a few days. Just be sure to take care introducing them.

[bunnyhop]

I don't mean to push you toward anything, but I used to work at an Animal Hospital at a Veterinary Technician's Assistant and ause of our huge clientel, unfortunately, nearly everyday I was exposed to Euthanasia. And let me tell you it is not as horrible process as everyone think it is. Your piggy wouldn't feel any pain, I promise. So if it comes to that, do not worry about the processes, as it is extremely humane. I am so sorry about your piggy. <3 Much love to you and your little family of piggies.