Pet problem
One of my pet rats has a pituitary tumor. It's basically making her lose control of her limbs and also reduces hunger and thirst. The general outcome is a slow weakning and fading away.
She's the fourth case of this tumor I've had and the usual treatment is trying to give back some quality of life by steroid treatment. This adds between one to three months to their lives but in, the end, the tumor wins and the fading returns.
After handling three cases like that I've decided not to give her the treatment as it involves giving her medicine oraly twice a day - not the most pleasant experience - and the trips back and forth to the vet to get stronger drugs are a stressing experience as well.
Now my biggest dillema is this - should I have her put to sleep and when. I've had to put some of my rats to sleep in the past due to this illness or another and I've always regretted having dragged them to the vet and end their lives (which is a heavy desicion on its own) in such a foreign and stressful way. As a vegan, I see myself as someone who vowed to never cause suffering and harm to another creature knowingly, but I find it difficult to find the time when she's suffering too much or at all.
On one hand, she is getting weaker and weaker but on the other she's still looking for food and she's surrounded by a loving family who always cuddle and groom her.
This is very difficult for me as I'm trying to do what's best for her but at the same time I'm trying to see things from her point of view since it's her life that are ending.
She's the fourth case of this tumor I've had and the usual treatment is trying to give back some quality of life by steroid treatment. This adds between one to three months to their lives but in, the end, the tumor wins and the fading returns.
After handling three cases like that I've decided not to give her the treatment as it involves giving her medicine oraly twice a day - not the most pleasant experience - and the trips back and forth to the vet to get stronger drugs are a stressing experience as well.
Now my biggest dillema is this - should I have her put to sleep and when. I've had to put some of my rats to sleep in the past due to this illness or another and I've always regretted having dragged them to the vet and end their lives (which is a heavy desicion on its own) in such a foreign and stressful way. As a vegan, I see myself as someone who vowed to never cause suffering and harm to another creature knowingly, but I find it difficult to find the time when she's suffering too much or at all.
On one hand, she is getting weaker and weaker but on the other she's still looking for food and she's surrounded by a loving family who always cuddle and groom her.
This is very difficult for me as I'm trying to do what's best for her but at the same time I'm trying to see things from her point of view since it's her life that are ending.