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Guinea Pig Nipple Problem

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So glad to hear that he's come round and has started to move about - that must be a huge relief, even though you still have more waiting to do. Hope he had a good night and is ready to come home.

Give him an extra big cuddle, stroke, chin-rub, or whatever he likes best, from us. Our fingers and furry toes (piggy's, not mine!) are firmly crossed for you x
 
We picked little Chip up on Friday night. His scar is massive, it covers the whole width of his tummy :(. We are a little scared to pick him up as we don't want to hurt him.

He is on Baytril twice a day and Metacam once a day for pain. He doesn't like taking anything from the syringe although he likes it a little better when mixed with some juice.:)

It is lovely to have him home. We are taking him back to the Vet on Friday for a check-up and too see if the lump was cancerous. I really hope that it isn't as I don't want him to go and have the other lump removed.

He isn't his normal self at all. I get a few gentle chortles when I cuddle him, but he whimpers a bit and sounds like he is in pain when he goes to the loo.

Here he is:

Chip.webp

Any tips on his aftercare?
 
Make sure he is eating, feed him all his favourites! hand pick him some grass. I assume you know that he can't go on the soil as he will not have been vaccinated against tetnus. I would change his vetbed/fleece/towels atleast once if not twice a day you do not want an infection to occur? Are you keeping him on his own or with his friends?
 
We are keeping them nice and clean. He seems to be eating the same amount of fresh food, hay and dry food as he usually does so that can only be a good sign. He is staying with his brother.
 
Sounds like you're doing great with the syringing. I know it's hard but it's so important.

Does he live outdoors? If so, I'd be inclined to keep him indoors; firstly to be able to monitor/care for him more easily and secondly to ensure that he's kept nice and warm. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will correct me if I'm wrong (I'm no expert!) but I think it's generally recommended that a post-op piggy is kept in a smaller than usual cage, to limit his movement, especially with a wound that large.

With regard to pain-free cuddles, do you have a cuddle cup or cozy type thing you could use? If he gets inside one on his own, I'd then pick it up by the edge of the fabric (at the top/opening) so you can transport him to a cushion on your lap, hopefully without actually touching him and disturbing his scar. A scrunched up fleece or anything like that would do as a soft bed which you can put on your lap and stroke him on. Just let him walk onto it and then carefully lift him up with the fabric.

And as lovelygirl says, it sounds pretty obvious but I'd also pay extra special attention to cleaning his home. Good luck x
 
Poor little boy. Hope he feels better soon.

Flumpet and Delilah send him a kiss because he's a handsome fella. x
 
What is the dose of Metacam he's on, Kimmy? Most vets only prescribe a low dose - 2 drops (0.1ml) but I've given a slightly higher dose when the pig is in more pain. Chip has had invasive surgery so it's only natural he'll be very sore for a few days, especially as the wound will affect his every movement. It's really positive that he is eating normally, if he was in a lot of pain all the time he wouldn't have much of an appetite.
 
My boys live inside, so no worries there.

He is on 0.2 of the pain killer, once a day.
 
0.2ml is a good dose, I think he would benefit from having it split into two 0.1ml doses though as guinea pigs' metabolic rate is quite fast. Twice daily is pretty ideal for most medicines, and especially when pain is involved, dosing twice daily will manage the pain a lot more effectively.
 
Hey Kimmy

Just catching up on the thread.

I agree with Laura, I'd split it so it is twice a day so that he doesn't feel ok for half the day but then hurting the other half. Glad he's back home with you and fingers crossed that they don't find anything in the biopsy. You gave me a scare not replying for a little while! Phewww!

xx
 
I may split it, makes sense to me! I just feel so lucky that he is okay, I would be so upset if anything had happened to him. I'm a little worried about leaving him alone all day tomorrow while we are at work. I may pop home at lunch time just to check on him.
 
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