Am I Doing The Right Thing?

[Dilly's Piggies]

As some of you will know my girl Harriet is 1y1m old and has been very hormonal for 10 weeks straight, causing lots of problems with her 3 cagemates, lost 90g in weight and has enlarged, crusty nipples, I don't know anything else that could cause this besides ovarian cysts and I think many of you agreed with me. I took her to my regular vet and they weren't helpful, they said basically to do nothing and that I was being paranoid, so I've made the decision myself to take her 2 hours away to Northampton tomorrow to see Simon Maddock who many of you recommended (thank you!).

Harriet is already booked in for a spay surgery there at 8am in the morning, we will leave here at 5am, but she will have a consultation before it goes ahead to make sure she is well enough for it. I just have some worries about it, do you guys know if it will be Simon doing the consult beforehand, and will he tell me if he thinks she does not have ovarian cysts and shouldn't have the surgery? I've never seen Simon so I don't know how he works, if he disagrees that she should have surgery then I hope he will say that as I'm bloody terrified of this whole situation and I don't want to put her through it at all! I just want to be reassured that I'm doing the right thing for her and I just hope Simon will make the decision for me basically, if he thinks she should have the spay then I am happy with that as he is a trusted expert, but if not I would be relieved and I hope he will say if he disagrees.

I am going through so much stress and anxiety at the moment over this as you can imagine, Harriet's health and wellbeing is my highest priority and I want to do everything right by her!

 

[VickiA]

I've not been to Cat & Rabbit so can't answer your question but I am sure that if you want reassurance they will do a scan first to be sure before operating.
Harriet will be in very safe hands. All the best x

 

[Freela]

I'm in Canada and thus not familiar with the vet, but you should always feel free to ask questions about your options, alternatives, etc. Maybe write out a list of things you want to know ahead of time. Go into the surgery feeling comfortable you understand the rationale for the operation, the alternatives, the risks and benefits, etc. Definitely don't be afraid to ask questions. Honestly, I've sometimes felt like I'm pestering my vet, but he understands that I'm concerned about the wellbeing of my pets and has never begrudged me being involved with their care and wanting to get detailed answers on what is being done and why.

 

[Poppy'sMum]

I am certain that Simon would never operate unnecessarily, he usually consults in the morning & does the ops over lunch, we picked our piggies up post op about 5 ish when he was happy with their recovery. Although we didn't have any spayed, he did 2 abscess ops & a bladder flush on ours & we really trust him 100%; there is no better surgeon for piggies; he has vast experience of small animal GA & has done a lot of neuters/spays

 

[Dilly's Piggies]

I am certain that Simon would never operate unnecessarily, he usually consults in the morning & does the ops over lunch, we picked our piggies up post op about 5 ish when he was happy with their recovery. Although we didn't have any spayed, he did 2 abscess ops & a bladder flush on ours & we really trust him 100%; there is no better surgeon for piggies; he has vast experience of small animal GA & has done a lot of neuters/spays

Okay thank you! Do you know if he would be willing to do an ultrasound before going through with it to make sure?

 

[eileen]

Simon will discuss with you the options.he will never agree to something that he feels is not needed.He is a very caring vet,and has good theory to practise knowledge.He has excellent people skills,you just cannot go wrong.I hope you find a workable solution for your piggie.

 

[Tim]

I can 110% guarantee that Simon will do what ever is necessary for the health of your poorly girl. He not only has the experience, but also has love for piggies and has a very caring team. You have my word that he will go through with you the options and what he feels is best. People travel hundreds of miles to see him, he is worth his weight in gold. Your girl will be in the best hands tomorrow, we'll all be thinking of you xx

 

[DM030819]

At 8 it could possibly be Kim doing the consultation. But don't worry she's highly experienced and will Harriet a thorough check. You can ask for Simon to call you before the surgery and if he has any hesitations or questions he'll ring you. He's rang me a few times before or during surgery.

She's in the very best hands, I trust Simon and Kim completely.

 

[piggieminder]

Write down your concerns and questions so you can go through them when you are with the vet, that way you won't forget something that's bothering you. Nothing worse than getting out the door, remembering and worrying for the rest of the day. They are very experienced and used to nervous owners so they won't mind you asking lots of questions. They sound like wonderful caring vets from what other's have said so I am sure they won't do anything unneccessary.

 

[Poppy'sMum]

How did you get on @CavyConnoisseur ?

 

[Skittypigs]

As some of you will know my girl Harriet is 1y1m old and has been very hormonal for 10 weeks straight, causing lots of problems with her 3 cagemates, lost 90g in weight and has enlarged, crusty nipples, I don't know anything else that could cause this besides ovarian cysts and I think many of you agreed with me. I took her to my regular vet and they weren't helpful, they said basically to do nothing and that I was being paranoid, so I've made the decision myself to take her 2 hours away to Northampton tomorrow to see Simon Maddock who many of you recommended (thank you!).

Harriet is already booked in for a spay surgery there at 8am in the morning, we will leave here at 5am, but she will have a consultation before it goes ahead to make sure she is well enough for it. I just have some worries about it, do you guys know if it will be Simon doing the consult beforehand, and will he tell me if he thinks she does not have ovarian cysts and shouldn't have the surgery? I've never seen Simon so I don't know how he works, if he disagrees that she should have surgery then I hope he will say that as I'm bloody terrified of this whole situation and I don't want to put her through it at all! I just want to be reassured that I'm doing the right thing for her and I just hope Simon will make the decision for me basically, if he thinks she should have the spay then I am happy with that as he is a trusted expert, but if not I would be relieved and I hope he will say if he disagrees.

I am going through so much stress and anxiety at the moment over this as you can imagine, Harriet's health and wellbeing is my highest priority and I want to do everything right by her!
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Good plan xx good luck. Xx

 

[Pepepig]

A good vet will always verify what they are doing with some proof, an ultrasound or x-ray, before operating. If they don't have this, they will be able to explain why they think it is worth proceeding with surgery. You've got a beautiful girl there and by the sounds of it, you're placing her in very capable hands with this vet. Don't be scared to ask questions or highlight your observations and concerns. A good vet is always happy to listen and answer your questions.

 

[Dilly's Piggies]

Harriet made it through the surgery! Simon advised that we go through with spaying her as her symptoms pointed obviously towards ovarian cysts and if we did nothing about it now it would just get worse and as she gets older she could've developed other health problems that would compromise her recovery during surgery, he gave her a full bill of health and we all agreed she should have it. He said it's quite rare for sows to get cysts this young and actually Harriet is the youngest he has ever seen with them, he confirmed that he did find small cysts on her right ovary after he removed them which means we did the right thing for her.

I was waiting anxiously around Northampton for the phone call and I was so relieved and proud to hear she was doing really well, she was eating straight away after! When I went to pick her up she looked so depressed which I obviously expected, but once she heard my voice she lifted her head and her face lit up, she has continued to improve ever since, she has eaten lots of food and especially enjoys her hay and parsley at the moment, so hopefully I won't have to syringe feed her at all and she keeps fighting!

Considering she just had major surgery she looks absolutely amazing you can't even tell she had it done besides her being quite tired, but she's alert, moving about, eating all of her food and peeing/pooping great, I have high hopes that in a few days she will be completely back to her normal self and she can go back with her friends, they are very concerned about her! She has a cocktail of medications to take for the next week and she's getting lots of TLC, even though I probably shouldn't handle her I still gave her big cuddles last night and she was so happy to be home, she seems to want some human reassurance and comfort at the moment, it makes me feel so happy and proud that she trusts me and loves me as much as I love her!

Thank you for all of your advice, support and for recommending Simon to be the vet that treats Harriet, he did a fantastic job and I do believe had she gone to a different vet she would not be doing so well, her incision site looks super neat and tidy too, he really did a good job and I'm happy I chose him to do this

 

[Poppy'sMum]

Wow he did a great job! So happy she sailed through it He really is the best piggy vet ever I joked with him once that if he ever did human cosmetic surgery would he do a face lift for me as his stitches are so neat lol x

 

[Stayc1989]

What a gorgeous pig! So happy to hear she's doing so well. I love how forum members care so much about other people's piggies and recommended such a brilliant vet to you. This forum and all members are priceless. Hope she makes a speedy recovery soon

 

[flowerfairy]

So glad to see this update. She really is a !ittle beauty.