Advice on pre- and post- op.

[Kosson]

Our other guinea pig Moru (female, 1year and 10 to 11 month, generally in good health, 1100g) will get her lump in approximately 2cm on her tummy removed by surgical operation.
The vet explained they would cut about 5cm to get enough operating field to get rid of the lump and also the tissue around the lump, then suture. As I have never ever cared anybody, I mean guinea pig or even human after operation, I cannot assume myself very suvvy.
The operation will be this Friday, so I have some time to get prepared.

I have read through the tips for post op by Wiebke and I found the thread full of information everybody must know. I am really thankful to all the effort and time Wiebke has put for this and related threads.

But I would very much love to know what piggy mums/dads/siblings did and does for pre- and post- operation.

What would help piggy before operation?
Right now what I am doing is to give her Vitamine C in powder form, to give her enough energy for her big day. Otherwise give her enough food for the same reason I give her Vitamin C and also enjoy time with her at most. This includes playing with her at home and let her run as much as she loves, this would give her stamina, I guess? Anyway this is what we do daily so it is not special.

I cannot think of anything elso for pre-op.

Then about post-op, what I have done and will do are
- get enough bed sheets and fleece throughly cleaned (done today. Though they are either new or already washed, I wash them again today in fear of infection because of the position of the suture).
- get some apple juice, bananas, fresh vegs (batavia lettuce, red pepper, tomato, carotte, cucumber, celeri), especially in case she loses appetite (will do tomorrow)
- get pro-biotic (yeast) and Vitamin C (done)
- get some dandelion flower / leaves (will do on Thursday)
- give a good cleaning to her cage

As for cristal care - syringe, I cannot find local petshop so I ordered - I do not know if I can receive it at the right time, so I will ask the vet, who surely has one or equivalent.
I have enough bottles of water that are low in calcium for Moru.

Actually right now I use cellulose pellet type material for her cage. They are around 3 to 5 mm in diameter and tube form pellets.
As Moru's suture will be on her tummy, I am wondering if it is a good idea to put that for her return. The little bits would get to her suture and cause infection?
That was why I prepared lots of sheets and fleece for her.

I don't know the above is good or bad idea, also I guess there are lots of things I am missing. Maybe food, maybe comfort, maybe some special water or suppliment, maybe some drugs or special thing to ask at the Vet or anything.
Since her operation is on Friday and then on Sunday both the vet and the supermarket are closed so I really prefer everything prepared, rather than panicking for unexpected events and then regretting why I did not prepare this and that.

Rather nervous, but I think it is better too much than being too short, as this is the matter of Moru's wellbeing. And it is on tummy and it will touch the floor, I am really extra nervous.
Any advice from experience or professional point of view, or story of your experience will be much appreciated.

Thank you very much in advance.

 

[sport_billy]

Try and keep the cage clean so fresh fleeces etc... maybe instead of usual bedding, our girl had a lump removed on her tummy so we kept her in a smaller hospital cage from her friends.

Don’t underestimate pain, make sure the vet gives adequate pain relief to give her at home by yourself for after the operation and at a good dose.
I would also suggest getting a gut stimulant to give at home like metachlopromide this will keep the guys moving, make sure you have lots of syringes for syringe feeding if needed.
Watermelon- we found this really helpful in getting our poorly recovering girl to eat and gave her moisture too.

Thinking of you

 

[Kosson]

Try and keep the cage clean so fresh fleeces etc... maybe instead of usual bedding, our girl had a lump removed on her tummy so we kept her in a smaller hospital cage from her friends.

Don’t underestimate pain, make sure the vet gives adequate pain relief to give her at home by yourself for after the operation and at a good dose.
I would also suggest getting a gut stimulant to give at home like metachlopromide this will keep the guys moving, make sure you have lots of syringes for syringe feeding if needed.
Watermelon- we found this really helpful in getting our poorly recovering girl to eat and gave her moisture too.

Thinking of you

Thank you so very much - I have written down about pain relief and a gut stimulant. Watermelon is one of Moru's favourite, I will surely add to the shopping list.

I really really hope this goes well including the post op procedures.

 

[Merab]

Will be thinking of you and Moru on Friday

 

[VickiA]

I’d definitely try keeping her in a smaller cage with soft bedding (fleece or vet bed or towels) and keep changing it frequently. Fleece squares are good for this as you can put them under the beds and houses and change them several times a day.
A good amount of pain relief and, as Lee has said, some gut stimulants are good to have in case. And definitely be prepared to do a syringe feed if necessary. Your vets will have some recovery food you can buy if you need it, or some pellet mash (mashed with warm water) can help get them eating again.
Wishing you all the best.

 

[Kosson]

Will be thinking of you and Moru on Friday

Thank you, your thoughts mean so much.
I cannot stop hoping that everything will go well.

 

[Kosson]

I’d definitely try keeping her in a smaller cage with soft bedding (fleece or vet bed or towels) and keep changing it frequently. Fleece squares are good for this as you can put them under the beds and houses and change them several times a day.
A good amount of pain relief and, as Lee has said, some gut stimulants are good to have in case. And definitely be prepared to do a syringe feed if necessary. Your vets will have some recovery food you can buy if you need it, or some pellet mash (mashed with warm water) can help get them eating again.
Wishing you all the best.

Actually I thought of getting a smaller cage (around 80cm x 54cm x 35cm - is it still too big? Is one for hamster better? ) as I saw one at 30 euros the other day. It is for letting her sleep in my room. Her cage stays as it is normally and I can transport Moru (I am thinking of carrying her on her fleece, in order to avoid to put any pressure on her scar) to that smaller cage in my bedroom.

I bought some extra towels today. I will definitely ask the vet some pain killers and gut stimulants as well as some syringes. They usually offer syringes at free of cost.
Actually she does not eat pellets I give her right now - she chooses some dried beetroot / pea things. She used to enjoy pellets which I stopped as they are high in calcium, but I guess I will get a packet just in case if I have to feed her and she refuses cristal care etc. Just for emergency.

I am so concerned but I try to be happy - otherwise Moru would be nervous. Thank you VickiA. Your advice helps me a lot!