Hi everybody, I have some really sad news. Over the last two months, Miss Piggy has been refusing food. I didn’t think anything of it in the beginning and I got some feeding ideas from users here and other hognose breeders that I know. She ate once more for me. She refused four days later…I ended up here to the vet. We ran every kind of bloodwork that myself, and the vet could think of. And the results came back clean and there was nothing wrong. This was about two weeks ago.
She was losing weight and my vet said that she’s probably a failure to thrive case. And we were going to start syringe feeding four weeks from that point, if she didn’t improve.
As of today, Miss Piggy passed away sometime last night. I had checked on her before I went to bed and she was alright. I called my vet and she just wanted to reassure me that we tried everything…short of a miracle.
Honestly, I’m actually hysterical about this and losing my ■■■■. She never made out of the quarantine. I am just devastated…like if you could see me, you would know I have been crying all day.
Oh no, Riley, I am so very sorry, that’s terrible news. I remember you having issues getting her eating and that she did take a meal for you, I’m so very sorry that things went downhill after that.
I know how much you love your animals, and I know you give them impeccable care. I have no doubt that you did everything humanly possible to get her to thrive. Sometimes there’s just nothing we can do. Very sad that this was the outcome, but I do hope you’re being kind to yourself.
Unfortunately sometimes this happens, never gets any easier, but you and your vet did everything you could to get her on the right track. I am so sorry you had such a short time together. Don’t forget to take time for yourself.
I know things like this happen sometimes but it is so hard because she did eat that once for me. So I had this hope she would be alright and make some comebacks.
I really want to not feel the way I do right now…it is like I know I did everything I could have but still am hating on myself, like I failed her.
Bless your sweet heart Riley. This is the downfall of owning animals - losing them sooner or later. Kind words from others are comforting but the best thing you can do for yourself is to go somewhere peaceful and private and just cry until you have no more tears and then cry some more. Your face may not look so good but trust me you will feel better. You know in your heart this loss was way beyond your control.
God bless you young man.
Edit to add: I know you said you had already been crying but a lot more won’t hurt……
I can relate. This is how I’ve felt after losing any animal in my care (and I suspect many others here can relate too). I know rationally that I did everything I could, that all living things die, and that loss is just part of keeping animals…but emotionally I still feel like it’s somehow my fault, like I should have done more, like I failed them in some way. I think that hurt and self-doubt is sometimes just the price we pay for loving our animals as much as we do. Though I know it still really sucks to feel that way.
Just in case you need to hear it: you did do everything you could, and you didn’t fail her. Try not to be too hard on yourself, though I know that’s usually easier said than done.
Honestly…it makes it worse that my family doesn’t understand why I am so sad…they are like why are you sad, it wasn’t a dog. So I am by myself to deal with it right now…
I mean…she starved herself to death…that is just on a different level of pain compared to a peaceful passing of a dog that was with you for +8 years. I really need to try to have peace with myself in this.
No lie…I still had to work today and I work for a church. Literally people were talking about how they were so hungry that they could die if they didn’t eat something…and I literally lost it. So much so that my friend had to come and take me aside for bit just so I could get my barrings back.
RIP, Miss Piggy. I’m so, so sorry, Riley. Losses are always hard. You truly did do everything you could.
This breaks my heart. I know that’s the way a lot of people feel, but it’s so sad that they can’t have more compassion. A loss of a loved creature is a loss of a loved creature. Full stop. Others may not understand why you loved an animal, but understanding that you did should be enough.
I get it. I’ve had two babies who died because they just plain wouldn’t eat, no matter what I did. Assist feeds kept them going for a bit but their hunger just never kicked in. When they died, I absolutely felt like I failed them. Maybe if I’d only done something differently, they’d have made it. Lots of tears, lots of prayers, lots of conversations (and more tears) with caring friends later, I finally accepted that I’d done my best. Not every snake who arrives in this world arrives ready to thrive and we don’t always know why and we can’t always fix things. I know that you know this, but knowing it and feeling it inside are different. I hope you can feel it soon.
It’s not your fault, Riley. You did everything that anyone could have done. You did more than many would have done. I’m sorry for your loss. I’m praying for your peace.
I’m so sorry that your family doesn’t get it. I wish more people would at least try to understand and have empathy for the fact that we love our reptiles as much as people love their cats and dogs, and we mourn their loss just as much as we mourn the loss of our furry, “normal” pets. I’m really sorry that you’re having to deal with that lack of empathy from your family.
I know it’s not the same, but please know that your friends here on this forum do get it and do have empathy for how you’re feeling.
Sorry to hear this, Riley. Never easy losing an animal. It sounds like you did everything in your power to help her, so take some comfort in that. Still sucks. Sorry man.
I remember you having issues getting her eating and that she did take a meal for you, I’m so very sorry that things went downhill after that.
Losing a pet is devastating. I’m sure you did everything possible to get her to thrive.