Guniea pig just got back from operation! Update

[Gadzy]

Hi all,

As you are all mostly aware, my guniea pig had a operation today for the removal of an abscess. It wasn't lanced but removed. We have just collected her from the vets and they said the op went very well and she's back here looking a little off colour! She's on metacam and a gut stimulant to make sure her guts working properly. I have a check up in a few days with the nurse and hopefully she will be back to herself in no time!

She's been nibbling here and there and I've put them back in their cage with a towel over it so they can settle down and get over the trauma. I was told to bring her friend to give her a little support and confidence. Other than that finger crossed she recovers well as the operation went well they said. I have to start the metacam tomorrow as she's had an injection of it already today they said obviously before she woke up. Still a little worried but hopefully she will be back popcorning soon and back to herself

 

[PoppyFloss]

So glad the operation went well! Hope she feels better soon

 

[Siikibam]

Glad to hear all went well. Hopefully she will start feeling better soon. I think the anaesthetic can leave them woozy for a while after.

 

[Roselina]

I’m pleased it went well ! I’m sure she will recover very quickly It ok to be worried and I’m sure she’ll be popcorning and back to normal very quickly ! Let us know and maybe a pic or two when she’s feeling better !

 

[Bill & Ted]

So glad the operation has gone well and hope your little piggie makes a speedy recovery x

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all,

As you are all mostly aware, my guniea pig had a operation today for the removal of an abscess. It wasn't lanced but removed. We have just collected her from the vets and they said the op went very well and she's back here looking a little off colour! She's on metacam and a gut stimulant to make sure her guts working properly. I have a check up in a few days with the nurse and hopefully she will be back to herself in no time!

She's been nibbling here and there and I've put them back in their cage with a towel over it so they can settle down and get over the trauma. I was told to bring her friend to give her a little support and confidence. Other than that finger crossed she recovers well as the operation went well they said. I have to start the metacam tomorrow as she's had an injection of it already today they said obviously before she woke up. Still a little worried but hopefully she will be back popcorning soon and back to herself

Hi!

Glad that the operation went well; if an encapsulated abscess can be neatly removed then that is always better than lancing and a saga of flushing and keeping it open for as long as possible in the hope to get every spec of infection drained out while it heals from the inside out.

It is not at all uncommon for a piggy to feel a bit woozy at first. What you want to is them nibbling (i.e. they haven't lost their appetite. Otherwise, let her sleep off the operation cocktail as much as she wants to. She will feel a bit sore and hungover by tomorrow but should start picking up from day 2-3 quickly; that is when the wound knitting is seriously getting underway.

Here are our post-op care advice and our emergency information link for bookmarking and use as needed. I sincerely hope you won't need it but it is good to know what to look out for and when to seek help!
Tips For Post-operative Care
Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment

 

[Gadzy]

@Wiebke and others, I've noticed since she has come back from her operation that one of her eyes has become more slitty and small and I'm worried she had a funny turn and they haven't told me? What do you think it could be? I'm not sure what's happened. It's the side they operated on as well. I'm going to ring them first thing Monday as they are only there for emergencies

 

[Wiebke]

@Wiebke and others, I've noticed since she has come back from her operation that one of her eyes has become more slitty and small and I'm worried she had a funny turn and they haven't told me? What do you think it could be? I'm not sure what's happened. It's the side they operated on as well. I'm going to ring them first thing Monday as they are only there for emergencies

Hi!

It is more likely that she has something stuck under eyelid or an injury/infection. Please have that vet checked promptly! Eye injuries deteriorate very quickly but also heal quickly if they are caught in time. You need the vet to use a special dye in ultraviolet light in order to check for damage that is not visible to the naked eye. An indrawn eye is always a sign of pain.

 

[Gadzy]

@Wiebke I have just come back from the vets and she said 1. There was some fluid build up from the op which was normal so she drained some of that out. She listened to lungs and breathing and thinks it's just her airways and no infection there. She gave me some critical care because she wants her to have more fluids and food and said her eye could be just from dehydration. She checked the eye throughly...... The eyes were a bit crusty she said but that could be from dehydration etc

 

[rhymer]

Glad your little one is ok. I know some members on the forum have had piggies with dry eyes following surgery and have used artifical tears drops. Not sure of the make, but some else may know it or remember.x

 

[Roselina]

Hello Izzygad What a lot you have had going on since the op - I’m sure with all the vet advice she will continue to recover - how are you ? It very tiring and worrying all at the same time but I’m sure you’re strong ....and with the love of this little girl and the love you have for her means you’ll be able to cope. Look after yourself too - you both need lots of TLC
Always remember we are all here to support you anyway we can ! Sending you both a BIG hug x x

 

[Gadzy]

@Roselina @rhymer @Wiebke @Siikibam @Bill & Ted Hello again, I'm currently having a horrible situation worrying about my 7 month old sow. It's currently 2.26 am and I needed to let off some worries and seek some advice and support.

There's a clicking noise as suggested coming from her nose like it's blocked. She's constantly sneezing and rubbing her nose like there's something irritating her or allergy? I'm very worried she has a infection but the vet checked her over and said she doesn't think there is and it's something in the airways maybe. Is there such thing as hay fever or high pollen count with guniea pigs? She had her operation Thursday morning and the vet weighed her and even said she'd put on some weight (vet checked her over Saturday evening) she's eating etc and if she had a URI would she be eating? I think it maybe a combination of hay and a dusty batch of woodshavings? It seems to be one thing after the other at the moment and she's so young and I'm scared of loosing her. I'm sure the vet would know if she had a URI and she did say it's not an infection. On top of all this her cage friend seems to be being quite dominant towards her and I feel bad cause she's not well and just had a operation and I just can't sleep worrying and I'm up all night with her monitoring

 

[Roselina]

Hello IzzyGad sorry I’ve just read your post- I can understand why you’re so worried - and in the middle of the night it’s even more worrying - you’re on your own and probably felt very lonely and upset - but that’s natural - I hope you’re feeling a bit better today ? it’s good the vet checked her sat eve and if she has put on weight that’s a good sign - I am inexperienced with guinea pigs health/illness but I’m sure some experienced moderators especially wiebke will offer advice. What did the vet say about her eye ?
How is she this am? Could you use something different as bedding ? If you feel she is not improving I would contact your emergency vet. Take care and keep in touch - sending you both lots of healing vibes x x

 

[Siikibam]

The sneezing may be she is trying to clear something in her airways. Remember that they also do that when clean themselves etc. See if it’s still going on today then you can decide whether to take her to the vet. Was it in the night only that she was doing it? And does she have a post-op check booked?

As for the bullying, what exactly is her cage mate doing?

 

[Gadzy]

I just don't understand what is going on. The breathing is funny and the vets and notice it but they have done all the checks on the lungs and abdomen and just can't hear anything there so it has to be coming from her nose. I am ringing the lady that operated on her tomorrow and she's already checked her and is certain there's no infection, I saw another vet today and he checked also. No signs he said but she's breathing funny through her nose. It's like it's blocked or something and makes a clicking noise. What else shall I say to the vet tomorrow?

 

[Roselina]

Hello IzzyGad - hope you’re ok - poor little piggle she has certainly been thru a lot. Could it be fluid collecting in her nose ? It’s good that you are talking to the lady that did her op. How is the eye that was crusty ?

 

[Gadzy]

Hello,

The last two days they have been draining a build up of fluid that has built up in the area the abscess was so it could be to do with that? They have been draining it alot but they are getting annoyed with me keep asking them about a potential infection as they have had two vets check for me @Roselina

 

[Roselina]

It does sound like that and guinea pigs have such little airways - I think you are right to question them as a guinea pig’s health can rapidly deteriorate ....so you are being a caring owner. If they have to keep draining it then that might be the reason - is she having antibiotics ? You could ask if she should have anti biotic eye drops ? Don’t worry about the Vets being annoyed with you - do what you know you have to .....including keep asking questions !
Stay strong and try not to worry and look after you ! Are you sleeping ok ?

 

[Gadzy]

@Roselina I'm clueless and if she has a UTI would it show on the lungs when they listen etc. I'm not sleeping this is the issue

 

[Roselina]

Mmmm I don’t really know the answer to that I’m afraid - but I think you would see blood in the urine and a change in her demeanor (hunched up etc) - ask the Vet lady tomorro - If she is eating and drinking that’s a good sign - you do need to try to rest / sleep as you might become ill - it’s emotionally draining with a poorly piggy and you have had so much to cope with - keep in touch

 

[Roselina]

Oh I’ve just thought did you mean UTI or URI ? If you meant URI then if they’ve thoroughly checked her lungs then I’m sure it’s not that. it may be all to do with the fluid build up from her op

 

[Wiebke]

@Wiebke I have just come back from the vets and she said 1. There was some fluid build up from the op which was normal so she drained some of that out. She listened to lungs and breathing and thinks it's just her airways and no infection there. She gave me some critical care because she wants her to have more fluids and food and said her eye could be just from dehydration. She checked the eye throughly...... The eyes were a bit crusty she said but that could be from dehydration etc

Has your vet given you something for the dehydration in the eye? If not, get some plain artificial eye drops for the eye and see whether that helps.

Please keep on supporting your girl with top up syringe feed and offering as much water as she is willing to take (but don't force any water down her, please - overhydration is as dangerous as dehydration).
The symptoms you are worried about can on occasion appear after an operation as a reaction to the GA drugs. they should disappear on their own within 1-2 days of the operation once the medication cocktail has worn off. the first 2-3 days after an operation are always the roughest between the hangover from the GA drugs, the churned body needing a bit time to settle down until the wounds start knitting and healing very quickly after about 2-3 days of the operation. your little girl should feel a bit more like herself and be perkier with every passing day. She doesn't sound like she in any danger of dying to me!
Just hang in there and help her through the rough bit. Your good support care (as much as she will need but not more) will make a difference.

Complete Syringe Feeding Guide
Tips For Post-operative Care
Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment

Concentrate on sending your piggy positive and loving thoughts and don't stress her out with your anxiety.
See your vet if your girl is suddenly getting a lot worse or if her issues haven't got any better by Friday but otherwise hang on in there.

All the best!

 

[Claire W]

Healing vibes being sent x

 

[Gadzy]

@Wiebke I spoke to th vets and the lady who did the operation wants to keep her in over night so she can monitor her. She checked over the abdomen and lungs and couldn't hear anything. Can guniea pigs still have a URI if nothing is showing on the stethoscope? I'm glad she's in good hands and maybe I was being impatient and over anxious, but I wanted to make sure. I'll had two different good vets check her lungs and couldn't notice anything, but ther definitely was a noise and very deep breaths which made me wonder if they can have a issue and not show on just listening? Most vets say they would be able to tell straight away from listening. Do you think it's a good idea to have her in monitored over night cause that's what's happening. @Roselina

 

[Wiebke]

@Wiebke I spoke to th vets and the lady who did the operation wants to keep her in over night so she can monitor her. She checked over the abdomen and lungs and couldn't hear anything. Can guniea pigs still have a URI if nothing is showing on the stethoscope? I'm glad she's in good hands and maybe I was being impatient and over anxious, but I wanted to make sure. I'll had two different good vets check her lungs and couldn't notice anything, but ther definitely was a noise and very deep breaths which made me wonder if they can have a issue and not show on just listening? Most vets say they would be able to tell straight away from listening. Do you think it's a good idea to have her in monitored over night cause that's what's happening. @Roselina

No, if there is no other indication for a URI other than GA related temporary post op breathing issues, which should disappear within a day or two on their own, then yours most definitely doesn't have a URI. You can really hear clearly with a stethoscope what is going in the different parts of the airways. Believe me, there is a real difference between congested airways and lung or clear ones!

But it is good that she is under observation and in expert hands if you suffer from anxiety and have started obsessing about a factor that is not in play. Make sure that you use Mindfulness exercises and at need anti-panic attack strategies for yourself to help calm yourself down. Even giving your girl a gentle virtual cuddle or sending her green soothing and healing thoughts can work as Mindfulness if that helps your churning mind convert the negative energy into something positive.

She will be hopefully better in herself and well on the way to recovery by tomorrow.

PS: It would really help us a lot if you please added your country to location in your account details (accessed via clicking on your username on the top bar) to make it appear with every post you make. We have members and enquiries from literally all over the world and from very different backgrounds, climates, rescue and vet access, not to mention differing brand names (for medications, too). By allowing us to tailor any advice straightaway to what is available and relevant where you are with just a quick glance to the left, you save both parties a lot of time. Otherwise, you will get our general basic advice.

 

[Roselina]

Hello IzzyGad Wiebke has given you the advice you need and is very experienced. It must be reassuring for you that the Vet is keeping her overnight. It does seem that your Vets are really looking after your piggle - As Wiebke says you must look after yourself as you have not had much sleep and have been worrying and anxious. I use mindfulness a lot and it really does help with stressful/ worrying thoughts.
So try mindfulness and send your little piggle lots of healing vibes and look forward to having her home very soon.
Dont forget if you feel you need support or want to share anything .... then we are all here for you - sending you a BIG hug and one for your piggle

 

[Gadzy]

@Wiebke @Roselina ... Thanks for the reply and support. I thoroughly appreciate it. I have changed my location to United Kingdom and I hope that's right now?

She had the operation on Thursday late morning and the breathing was definitely still funny last night (Sunday) can it sometimes take longer than 2-3 days for the post GA issues to wear off?

I'm happy she's in good hands and in the best place possible for 24 hours. Thanks again everyone

Regards

 

[Wiebke]

@Wiebke @Roselina ... Thanks for the reply and support. I thoroughly appreciate it. I have changed my location to United Kingdom and I hope that's right now?

She had the operation on Thursday late morning and the breathing was definitely still funny last night (Sunday) can it sometimes take longer than 2-3 days for the post GA issues to wear off?

I'm happy she's in good hands and in the best place possible for 24 hours. Thanks again everyone

Regards

It is for the vet to decide what is going on if the breathing continues for longer but I would not worry about a respiratory infection.

 

[Gadzy]

Thanks @Wiebke. How common isit for guniea pigs to have breathing issues after GA?

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks @Wiebke. How common isit for guniea pigs to have breathing issues after GA?

It is not uncommon but it is rare if problems persist. You can never exclude that your piggy has a stronger or ideosyncratic reaction to something, the same as you can never exclude this with humans.

I am sure that your vet has also checked the heart and any potential fluid build up in the chest cavity when checking the abdomen as any decent vet would.

All you can do is be patient and monitor your piggy for as long as it takes and as hard as that is for you.