Grease Gland surgery

[F&G]

Hi guys,
So...
2 years ago I noticed that my new addition to the family had very infected and impacted grease glad. It got to the point that she needed to have this cleaned under GA. Everything went fine.

We were trying to keep it as clean as possible for the past 2 years, but her grease gland was extremely active and difficult to clean due to the shape of the hole left after the surgery etc. Unfortunately, we got to the point that we had to see the vet again as the glad had closed, was getting bigger and we couldn't clean it or even squeezed it out.

She was on an antibiotic for the past 2 weeks to clear out the infection, but today we were told that we have 2 options:

1. is for her to be pretty much constantly on the antibiotics, which may help the glad to clear out and avoid infection. During this time we would need to monitor her and try to clean it somehow, even though it seems impossible and if it will get bigger, then see again the vet.

2. is to remove completely the gland, together with the grease that's stuck. It means that she won't suffer from it any longer, but she's around 5yrs old, so there is a risk.

We don't know what to do. Any suggestions?

 

[Siikibam]

Oh no. Sorry to hear about your girl. Is it an abscess or cyst on her grease gland? I can only offer support but will tag @Wiebke @VickiA @PigglePuggle @Piggies&buns
Good luck with making your decision.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi guys,
So...
2 years ago I noticed that my new addition to the family had very infected and impacted grease glad. It got to the point that she needed to have this cleaned under GA. Everything went fine.

We were trying to keep it as clean as possible for the past 2 years, but her grease gland was extremely active and difficult to clean due to the shape of the hole left after the surgery etc. Unfortunately, we got to the point that we had to see the vet again as the glad had closed, was getting bigger and we couldn't clean it or even squeezed it out.

She was on an antibiotic for the past 2 weeks to clear out the infection, but today we were told that we have 2 options:

1. is for her to be pretty much constantly on the antibiotics, which may help the glad to clear out and avoid infection. During this time we would need to monitor her and try to clean it somehow, even though it seems impossible and if it will get bigger, then see again the vet.

2. is to remove completely the gland, together with the grease that's stuck. It means that she won't suffer from it any longer, but she's around 5yrs old, so there is a risk.

We don't know what to do. Any suggestions?

Hi!

I would recommend to opt for the operation as long as your vet is feeling confident about it - that is a crucial aspect. Piggies can live without a grease gland. I know of piggies where it had to be removed when it turned cancerous. The good news is that the operation site is on the surface and not anywhere near any delicate organs or body parts, so it is a pretty stight forward procdure.

The oldest piggy of my was just a month short of her 7th birthday when she needed a large cyst under observation removing which had gone into overdrive as soon as my specialist vet was fully booked out before their summer holiday and then promptly burst with bleeding while they were away...
Anyway, Hafren did come round well and went to live for several months longer until old age caught up with her. I know of even older piggies that have recovered from more invasive operations. I have had several sows spayed aged 5 years, which is a much more invasive and larger operation. They have all made a full recovery.

Tips For Post-operative Care

 

[F&G]

It's just stuck grease.

Photos from 2 years ago and now.
Should I take the risk?

 

[F&G]

Thank you very much @Wiebke . We'll go for the surgery then.

 

[Siikibam]

That does look sore. Good luck and do let us know how it goes.

 

[Betsy]

That looks really nasty poor piggy. Best of luck with the operation.

 

[VickiA]

I’ve no experience of this, but it does look sore and if your vet is confident then I would opt for surgery, too.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you very much @Wiebke . We'll go for the surgery then.

That looks so sore - poor mite!

I can only tell you what I would be choosing in your situation; the ultimate decision is always yours.

You can always ask how confident your vet is feeling about operating. They will always tell you that there is a certain risk - you have that with any operation on any living being, including humans, but your vet can also tell you whether the odd are rather positive or not.

 

[F&G]

I know, just wanted to know peoples opinion.. I feel like surgery will be better option, as being on antibiotics won't help her much.
I know there's a risk but I dont want her to suffer.

Thank you for all opinions. I'll let you know how it went.

 

[Marlee and Fluffy]

Best of
luck! x

 

[PigglePuggle]

I think in this situation I too would go for the surgery, there's always some risk with any surgical procedure, but if it turns out well I think she will have a much better quality of life long term- can't be much fun for you or her constantly dealing with an infected bunged up bum gland... best of luck x

 

[rhymer]

Oh! That does look sore.
Best of luck whatever you decide.xx

 

[artcasper]

That looks so sore.... I never knew girls even had a grease gland ... all the best to your piggy

 

[F&G]

Right, so she's finally after the surgery.

Apparently the infection was that big that he had to cut her something else in the area, but obviously my partner forgot the name of it when he picked her up so wee need to watch her closely.

The vet decided to place the stitches only outside as its lower risk on infection but we need to keep an eye on her in case she wants to remove them somehow.

All day and today's night she was like on drugs but slowly coming back to normal.. I'm trying to encourage her to eat and drink. She also got an antibiotic for 3 weeks.

Fingers crossed everything will be fine.

 

[Siikibam]

Glad the op went well. Hope she starts feeling herself soon.

 

[F&G]

Is it normal that she didn't get any analgesic?

 

[Piggies&buns]

I note you say you are encouraging her to eat - Is she eating hay for herself? If not then do step in and syringe feed her rather than just encourage by putting veg in front of her.

I would have thought you’d have been given some pain relief to give to her for at least a few days after surgery

 

[F&G]

I haven't seen eating hay but my boyfriend said that she ate some nuggets. We'll see today because for now she's basically sitting in a corner, maybe she's in pain

Forgot, when I gave her the antibiotic she had 2 bites of lettuce.

 

[Piggies&buns]

If she isn’t eating hay then she needs to be syringe fed. Eating a few nuggets isn’t enough as nuggets alone only make up 5% of the daily diet and the same with veg, as veg is only 15% of the diet.
It’s possible she is experiencing some pain. Do ring the vet and check

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