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Abscess and Post-op Pigs

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juliebee

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Hiya. I'm trying to reintroduce my pigs to each other after one of them had an op. They're 7 month old brothers - I've had them since they were a few weeks old and both were neutered about 9 weeks ago. Here's what's going on:

I spotted a massive swelling around Fozzie's groin on Wednesday night (it's only since then I've realised he'd been sleeping a lot, not eating as much as his brother and he'd been drinking a lot for a few days... and I've been beating myself up for not noticing) and called the vet the minute they opened on Thursday.

He saw him very quickly and kept him there to do some tests. They told me it was an abscess and they'd need to do an operation to drain/remove it. So they kept him in overnight and did the op on Friday morning. I got him home on Friday evening and put him in a separate cage from his brother so he could recuperate.

He was pretty spaced out on Friday, which was horrible, but has been eating, drinking and pooing well since Saturday morning. He's fairly active now and very bright (he was before the op too) but he's still pretty swollen. The vet did say the op may not have got everything - I'm desperately hoping it did, for my pig's sake and for my bank balance. Gulp. He's doing okay and I'm having an adventure trying to get antibiotics and anti-inflammatories syringed into his mouth twice a day.

Anyway, I was told I could reintroduce them into the same cage when I thought it was the right time. I've got them both in their run at the moment (the first time together since Thursday morning - this is the only time they've ever been apart) and I'm just not sure whether it's safe to put them in the same cage yet. They're a bit excited to be around each other, keep trying to hump each other (understandably, Fozzie is not comfortable when Rolf jumps on him!) and are noising each other up a little, looking like they're spoiling for a fight. They're lying beside each other happily too but I worry that if I leave them together Fozzie could get hurt.

Anyone got any advice about this? These are my first pigs and I feel pretty clueless. Also, does anyone know how he could've got an abscess? The vet said it could be a reaction to the suture material from the neutering or he could've cut himself on hay or something and it's got infected. Is there something I could've done to prevent it? I'm worried I did something wrong and fervently hoping he's on the mend.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Apologies for the looong message but I just wanted to share the story with people who understand what we're going through.
 
I dont know that much, and more experienced people will hopefully give more indepth answers soon, but i just wanted to say what i know.

First of all, what bedding is he on, as it will be important from now on to keep the wound very clean (something like fleece and towels would be good, even temporarily)

Secondly, is there a particular reason you had them neutered? If they are both boys...?

In my opinion, I would leave them seperate untill he is fully healed and looknig better, but others will no doubt have different opinions.

Also, hope he gets better soon! :)
 
Thanks, Connie. Fozzie's cage is lined with newspaper with a bath towel on top. He sleeps under a smaller towel or in a clean, fleece-lined g-pig bed.

Had them neutered cos it seemed like the right thing to do. The vet advised it and other g-pig experts I spoke to said to, in order to curb any future possible aggression. I was also thinking ahead so just in case something happens and I'm left with one then it seemed wise to get them done when they were young.

They're generally very happy, bright wee things (they're calmly sleeping again now) but you might be right about keeping them in separate cages for now. If they do go back in together then I'll make sure the main cage is set up with newspaper/towels until safe to go back to normal.

Thanks!
 
Thats ok, happy to help. Sounds like you have a lovely clean set up for him. Unfortunatly absesses can happen with the best of precautions put in place, its just a case of dealing with it now.

While it is a good idea to do them young for future insidents please be advised (for future referance) Neutering guinea pigs does not have the same effect as neutering other animals, it doesnt calm them down or curb their desire to mate, simply disable them from actually impregnanting a sow. :) Just incase, as there are alot of misconceptions surrounding this.

Hopefully others will be here with more advise soon! :)
 
Hmmm, I didn't know that and will bear it in mind. Thanks. I've remembered that another reason was to prevent testicular cancer. I think they have become friendlier since the neutering, tbh. They're certainly more cuddly these days than they were but that could be an age thing, I suppose.
 
Also could be to do with the amount of post op care. :)

Its not necessarily that it wont affect them at all, just that there is absolutly no link to say it makes them less agressive, or more likely to get on, as with other animals.
 
They calmed down after a couple of hours in their run but I decided to keep them in separate cages again last night. I'm back at the vet for a check up tomorrow morning so I'll see how Fozzie's getting on before deciding whether to put them together yet. Wee Rolf was most confused at having to spend another night on his own!
 
I've dealth with abscesses with my pigs, and put them back together pretty much right after the post-op period. They were upset at the separation and it seemed more stressful to them to be apart than to be together. None of my pigs ever tried to gnaw or otherwise disturb the other's incision or wound. Hope he makes a full recovery soon!
 
Thanks, Freela! Rolf was sniffing him last night and tried to hump him. Mind you, Fozzie tried to hump Rolf too so he can't be feeling too bad. Rolf runs around a lot and they sometimes clamber on top of the other's bed so that's part of my reason to keep them apart. Will put them in the run together again for a while tonight and see what the vet says tomorrow.

I think the swelling may have gone down a bit today but am scared to jinx it!
 
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