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First piggy surgery, some advice appreciated!

Babble

Babble

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hi!
One of my piggies, Willow, was recently found with a lump just below her chin area, the vets took a look and think it may be an abscess or sist (a small chance to be a tumour). With Willow's temperament, she gets very sassy and nippy to things she does not like happening to her, makes it near impossible to feed her antibiotics as a solo piggy mom.
With that in mind, and the fact antibiotics may not work as well, we are going ahead with surgery this Thursday. I'm not sure what to expect after surgery, would I have to separate my piggies so they can't mess with any wounds? or should I see how my piggy react to it?
I'm really unsure what I should be doing for her after surgery, which I hope when the day comes, the vets will provide some insight? But just in case they don't, I came here to ask beforehand.

Any tips/advice, or things to look out for after surgery, would be greatly appreciated!
 
As my tech skills are somewhere around the Stone Age I can’t link the thread for you, but in this part of the forum you will find Wiebke’s home care guides.
Within that is some excellent guidance on caring for piggies post op.

Hoping all goes well on Thursday
 
Merab said:
As my tech skills are somewhere around the Stone Age I can’t link the thread for you, but in this part of the forum you will find Wiebke’s home care guides.
Within that is some excellent guidance on caring for piggies post op.

Hoping all goes well on Thursday
Click to expand...
I think I've been a lil blind before posting! TY tho, I'll check those out c:
 
Babble said:
hi!
One of my piggies, Willow, was recently found with a lump just below her chin area, the vets took a look and think it may be an abscess or sist (a small chance to be a tumour). With Willow's temperament, she gets very sassy and nippy to things she does not like happening to her, makes it near impossible to feed her antibiotics as a solo piggy mom.
With that in mind, and the fact antibiotics may not work as well, we are going ahead with surgery this Thursday. I'm not sure what to expect after surgery, would I have to separate my piggies so they can't mess with any wounds? or should I see how my piggy react to it?
I'm really unsure what I should be doing for her after surgery, which I hope when the day comes, the vets will provide some insight? But just in case they don't, I came here to ask beforehand.

Any tips/advice, or things to look out for after surgery, would be greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...

Hi

Please separate your piggies as little as possible; a medical separation can lead to a fall-out. Some vets will allow you to bring both piggies but this something you may want to ask the clinic beforehand as not all will allow it. I also depends on the individual bond of your piggies.

You may find this guide link here very helpful; it deals with operation preparation, post-op care and companionship issues in the kind of practical step-by-step detail that you are looking for but that we cannot repeat in every post: Tips For Post-operative Care

Unfortunately, you will have to medicate or even syringe feed in the wake of the operation but you may find this very detailed guide with a chapter dedicated to dealing with uncooperative piggies (with both pictures and videos) very helpful.
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

We also have got guides with practical tips for travelling with guinea pigs and for vet visits:
Tips For Vet Visits
Travelling with guinea pigs

Especially if you suffer from anxiety or are very nervous during the operation, you can find some very helpful practical tips in this link here: Pet Owners Anxiety - Practical Tips For Sufferers and For Supporters

Please read the links so you can then ask any questions you have not answered or that have come up while reading the guides.
We cannot type out the whole detailed information in every thread; this is why we have created our guides. You can find them in the green field at the start of each chapter or in the sub-sections above.

Wishing you all the best!
 
Wiebke said:
Hi

Please separate your piggies as little as possible; a medical separation can lead to a fall-out. Some vets will allow you to bring both piggies but this something you may want to ask the clinic beforehand as not all will allow it. I also depends on the individual bond of your piggies.

You may find this guide link here very helpful; it deals with operation preparation, post-op care and companionship issues in the kind of practical step-by-step detail that you are looking for but that we cannot repeat in every post: Tips For Post-operative Care

Unfortunately, you will have to medicate or even syringe feed in the wake of the operation but you may find this very detailed guide with a chapter dedicated to dealing with uncooperative piggies (with both pictures and videos) very helpful.
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

We also have got guides with practical tips for travelling with guinea pigs and for vet visits:
Tips For Vet Visits
Travelling with guinea pigs

Especially if you suffer from anxiety or are very nervous during the operation, you can find some very helpful practical tips in this link here: Pet Owners Anxiety - Practical Tips For Sufferers and For Supporters

Please read the links so you can then ask any questions you have not answered or that have come up while reading the guides.
We cannot type out the whole detailed information in every thread; this is why we have created our guides. You can find them in the green field at the start of each chapter or in the sub-sections above.

Wishing you all the best!
Click to expand...


Hiya!
Thank you for replying! Little Willow is truly a pain for any medication except metacam (she loves it so much, she tries to steal it from her sister!), so I hope she wont need anything other than painkillers if we're lucky? I'm not overly sure if my vets will allow a piggy companion to go in with her as its a fairly small vet which is almost always busy! Though I am nervous to send her pair with her as she is currently on pain meds with additional feed, which I don't want her to miss!

I do have a question though, currently Willow is with one other piggy, would using their regular cage be okay? With a lot more cleaning, swapping of hides and fleece etc? Overall keep it fresh and clean till her wound is all healed, considering its will be facing the ground most of the time!
I have some dual care ready, from the looks I should only step in if she is losing weight or not eating.
Sorry about asking questions on things that is written in the guides! I'm a little nervous that I'm going to read something wrong and have to double check!
 
Babble said:
Hiya!
Thank you for replying! Little Willow is truly a pain for any medication except metacam (she loves it so much, she tries to steal it from her sister!), so I hope she wont need anything other than painkillers if we're lucky? I'm not overly sure if my vets will allow a piggy companion to go in with her as its a fairly small vet which is almost always busy! Though I am nervous to send her pair with her as she is currently on pain meds with additional feed, which I don't want her to miss!

I do have a question though, currently Willow is with one other piggy, would using their regular cage be okay? With a lot more cleaning, swapping of hides and fleece etc? Overall keep it fresh and clean till her wound is all healed, considering its will be facing the ground most of the time!
I have some dual care ready, from the looks I should only step in if she is losing weight or not eating.
Sorry about asking questions on things that is written in the guides! I'm a little nervous that I'm going to read something wrong and have to double check!
Click to expand...

Please keep her as much as possible in her normal surroundings and on her normal routine; as guinea pigs are territorial.

Take her to the vet in a carrier with a cosy or fleece blanket that smells of her and her companion, which can go into the recovery box with her even if the companion cannot come and has to wait at home. You can also take a little of her favourite veg or herbs.

You only need to step in with additional feed if she is not eating or losing weight. Be aware that most piggies are somewhat groggy and not very hungry post-op so don't expect them to tuck in normally. What you want to see on the first evening is a little interest in food and not total apathy or refusal of food.

This guide here may help you additionally. It deals with questions around judging weight loss and appropriate levels of support feeding that are adapted to your piggy's individual weight and health. I have specifically written this for members with anxiety and for those who need their advice to be as precise as possible to enable them to judge on an individual basis what applies to their specific guinea pig(s) and how to work things out.
Weight and Weight Loss Explained: BMI, Weighing, Poos and Feeding Support Levels
 
Wiebke said:
Please keep her as much as possible in her normal surroundings and on her normal routine; as guinea pigs are territorial.

Take her to the vet in a carrier with a cosy or fleece blanket that smells of her and her companion, which can go into the recovery box with her even if the companion cannot come and has to wait at home. You can also take a little of her favourite veg or herbs.

You only need to step in with additional feed if she is not eating or losing weight. Be aware that most piggies are somewhat groggy and not very hungry post-op so don't expect them to tuck in normally. What you want to see on the first evening is a little interest in food and not total apathy or refusal of food.

This guide here may help you additionally. It deals with questions around judging weight loss and appropriate levels of support feeding that are adapted to your piggy's individual weight and health. I have specifically written this for members with anxiety and for those who need their advice to be as precise as possible to enable them to judge on an individual basis what applies to their specific guinea pig(s) and how to work things out.
Weight and Weight Loss Explained: BMI, Weighing, Poos and Feeding Support Levels
Click to expand...
Thank you so much!
I've still got the fleece I used before to take her and her sister to the vets in a few days ago. I may pop some hay in the carrier for her travel there as she get slightly stressed, from last time she seems to settle a little more with something to snack on! Vets did say to bring some veg, so she'll be taking some lettuce and a bit of pepper.
Again, thank you so much! I've never had a piggy go into surgery before and this has been very scary and nerve racking for me. All these fantastic guides and your input have helped a lot to settle my nerves, and put confidence in looking after her after the surgery.
 
Babble said:
Thank you so much!
I've still got the fleece I used before to take her and her sister to the vets in a few days ago. I may pop some hay in the carrier for her travel there as she get slightly stressed, from last time she seems to settle a little more with something to snack on! Vets did say to bring some veg, so she'll be taking some lettuce and a bit of pepper.
Again, thank you so much! I've never had a piggy go into surgery before and this has been very scary and nerve racking for me. All these fantastic guides and your input have helped a lot to settle my nerves, and put confidence in looking after her after the surgery.
Click to expand...

I am glad that I have been able to make you feel more in control overall and know what you can do.
Any operation is nerve-wracking in itself (because all you can do is wait) but we also provide moral support during waits and the post-op period; and of course answers and practical tips for any questions at any time.

Just bookmark this ongoing support thread so you can pick it up easily anytime to need to.

Wishing you and your precious girl all the best.
 
Having a good handful or two of hay in the carrier is good. My piggy burrows into it and uses it to comfort himself in the carrier as well as munching on it and it seems to help to soothe him.
 
Wishing her lots of luck with her surgery! I have not had to separate pigs for things like this... they recover better in their usual home with their usual companion, and I've never had a companion damage a surgical site or anything like that.
 
update! Little Willow is now home on some pain meds from the vet, which they say will last till tomorrow. She did eat some veg while she was at the vet but has not touched anything since she has been home, she's only been drinking water, she kinda just sniffs and returns to the position she was is. She seems to not be in discomfort just very tired from the meds in my opinion! Hopefully she'll touch a little bit of veg tonight or at least some hay, and if not tonight but tomorrow morning.
 
Also, her cage mate has got really close to the area, attempting to sniff, maybe lick/nibble? (I let her sniff but when she got too close, I did block her just in case, I hope that's right) I'll be keeping an eye out, if she does anything and keeps doing it, I'll put a divider between them till its healed.
 
Wiebke said:
I am glad that I have been able to make you feel more in control overall and know what you can do.
Any operation is nerve-wracking in itself (because all you can do is wait) but we also provide moral support during waits and the post-op period; and of course answers and practical tips for any questions at any time.

Just bookmark this ongoing support thread so you can pick it up easily anytime to need to.

Wishing you and your precious girl all the best.
Click to expand...
Hiya! Sorry to bother, but just a little nervous, lil piggy came out of surgery at 11am (she ate a few veg at the vet after) and I'm wondering if its normal for her to just not want to eat hay etc? She drinking and sleeping and thats it, a little snack on a few nuggets and slight interest in forage (dried dandelion).
Should I be concerned about this?
 
The first night is always a worry. I’d offer a bit of critical care if you have it. If not maybe soak some of her pellets to see if she will eat them. Also maybe a half warmed snugglesafe will help. Is she used to grass? That might tempt her to start munching hay.

If she’s not moving around much in the morning I’d call the vets to see if everything is okay. Some piggies struggle after an anaesthetic.

A vet nurse once told me they should be walking around and munching by the following lunchtime.

If you’re worried give them a call. They won’t mind putting your mind at rest.

Tips For Post-operative Care
 
Last edited:
weepweeps said:
The first night is always a worry. I’d offer a bit of critical care if you have it. If not maybe soak some of her pellets to see if she will eat them. Also maybe a half warmed snugglesafe will help. Is she used to grass? That might tempt her to start munching hay.

If she’s not moving around much in the morning I’d call the vets to see if everything is okay. Some piggies struggle after an anaesthetic.

A vet nurse once told me they should be walking around and munching by the following lunchtime.

If you’re worried give them a call. They won’t mind putting your mind at rest.

Tips For Post-operative Care
Click to expand...
Hiya! Thank you for the reply, I've just made some to see if she'll take it but she turns her nose up to it. i'm not really sure whats going on, she readily took cucumber out of my hand but wont touch any other veg nor hay. She's not really had grass, she's only moved to grab water or to move to a neighbouring cuddle cup.
So far, she's drank water, slept and ate a few dual care nuggets (this is the critical care I tried with her), just now a slice of cucumber, and from the looks of it she's eating a few of her poos as well.
If she has not improved by about 11am today, I'll ring the vets. really worried that she wont eat hat at all :(
 
Update for anyone who is interested!
We just had a check up appointment, all is well from the vets, but she is about 50g lower. This was to be expected considering she did not touch a lot of food for the first two days, but she has now eaten her cup of veg, nuggets and hay today. Hopefully she'll gain that weight back and stay eating & drinking before next weekend, if not we do have another appointment on Saturday just in case.
 
That’s brilliant news. Such a relief when they start to eat again.
 
Small update again, Willow is still eating drinking and off pain meds now. I think about yesterday her throat/chin area around the cut has gotten swollen fairly a bit it seems. She has her last check up this Saturday, I'm really hoping its not an infection coming along and maybe lessen in swelling by then!
 
Babble said:
Small update again, Willow is still eating drinking and off pain meds now. I think about yesterday her throat/chin area around the cut has gotten swollen fairly a bit it seems. She has her last check up this Saturday, I'm really hoping its not an infection coming along and maybe lessen in swelling by then!
Click to expand...
I wonder if your vet would see her a bit sooner? Would cleaning the wound help? I have no expertise though. @Eriathwen might know what to do 🙏❤️
 
Babble said:
Small update again, Willow is still eating drinking and off pain meds now. I think about yesterday her throat/chin area around the cut has gotten swollen fairly a bit it seems. She has her last check up this Saturday, I'm really hoping its not an infection coming along and maybe lessen in swelling by then!
Click to expand...

Please contact the clinic promptly - never wait with any swellings, especially not in a sensitive area like the throat.

If you are lucky, it is just a build up of fluid but it could also be an infection. But you would really like to know and - if needed - to treat as soon as possible.
 
The vast majority of post op swelling I've had has been down to reactions to suture material and there's been fluid and pus build up. This is usually resolved by removing the suture material if possible, it usually clears up without antibiotics once the cause of the reaction has been removed. However it's also possibly a build up of fluid, infection, worst case scenario would be blood pooling due to a complication given how close the chin area is to lots of important blood vessels however that would be evidenced pretty quickly as blood loss usually leads to paleness, weakness etc quite fast.

I hope the appointment tomorrow/today goes well and it's something simple and easily resolved!
 
Good luck at the vet's, I hope it can be fixed and she will get better soon ❤
 
Willow has been cleared for any infection, the swelling was just swelling no infection. She did stop her metacam/arthocam this week and only after that has it became a thing. Vet has said to go back to that med from this point onwards till our next appointment next week.
Another thing that happened yesterday, her scab on her wound was caught possibly by herself or sister, not too sure. But again, that looks fine, just keeping her cage clean till its all settled.
 
Excellent, she is getting great care. Very pleased to hear she is doing well ❤️‍🩹
 
Babble said:
Willow has been cleared for any infection, the swelling was just swelling no infection. She did stop her metacam/arthocam this week and only after that has it became a thing. Vet has said to go back to that med from this point onwards till our next appointment next week.
Another thing that happened yesterday, her scab on her wound was caught possibly by herself or sister, not too sure. But again, that looks fine, just keeping her cage clean till its all settled.
Click to expand...

That is great news. Metacam is an anti-inflammatory (it swells down any inflammation) as much as a painkiller.
 
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