[Gpdd] health concern

[Whimsy777 at aol.com]

Hi everyone,
 
I am wondering if anyone has suggestions to help me deal with what is going  
to be the end of our piggie's life.  Buffy has a very large mass - the vet  
says it's a tumor on the kidney or ovary, probably cancer.  She has also  
started passing thick white stuff when she pees, so has an accumulation of  calcium 
and likely also bladder stones.  Due to her age (she'll be 8  years old in a 
few weeks), the vet agrees with our decision not to do  anything intrusive (and 
therefore risky itself) at this point.  So we  are concentrating on keeping 
her as comfortable and happy as we can for whatever  time she has left.
 
We changed her diet by eliminating any fruits and veggies with more  than a 
small amount of calcium.  She has lost interest in pellets and hay  (just 
nibbles a little) but still enjoys her produce.  We are giving her  fresh stuff 
more often since she isn't eating hay and pellets.  She  doesn't seem 
uncomfortable - just sleeps a lot.  Still enjoys being held  and scratched on top of her 
head.
 
Buffy has had a long and happy life and we want the end to be full of  
cuddling and favorite foods, not suffering.  I am worried about how we will  know 
she is experiencing discomfort.  The vet says she will stop eating if  she's in 
pain.  We have agreed we will take her to be euthanized if she  stops eating 
altogether or it becomes clear she is in pain.  I know it is  always a 
tremendously difficult decision to make, but am trying to consider  the possibilities 
ahead of time - maybe that will make it easier when the  time comes.   
 
If anyone has advice about keeping Buffy happy and eating now, or  about 
knowing when the time has come, I would really appreciate it.
 
Thanks!
Debi