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Hernia and pregnancy decisions...

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MarthaAndMaud

MarthaAndMaud

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It was confirmed last night that a sow from the same breeder as Jane the silver agouti with ringworm and Vikki's Fanny Adams, is pregnant. This is certainly not what we wanted to hear.

When she arrived she has a very large lump on her side. It's a hernia that appeared shortly after she last gave birth. I had to pay for her as the breeder thought she was pregnant. I had my doubts but went with it as I couldn't prove otherwise, I just knew something was wrong. She was taken to the vets shortly afterwards and it is infact a hernia, the largest they have seen in a guinea pig!

We breathed a sign of relief that no pregnancy could be felt but things have changed since. She is now confirmed as pregnant and we had a very difficult decision to make last night.

The option are :

To let her continue with the pregnancy, keeping a close eye on her and deciding to proceed with a C-section before she contracts to give birth.

To allow her to contract and push babies out, with a vet on stand-by incase of complications.

To have her spayed and operate on the hernia now - obviously aborting any babies and there is a very high risk she won't pull through.

As the hernia is so big and can easily be moved from one side to the other it is felt that there is enough room for the babies to grow full size. This shouldn't effect her pelvic muscles and the ability for them to allow a birth. The fear is the contractions and the need to push the babies out as the hernia could rupture or cause complications for the babies.

We have ruled out the third option of spaying and abortion but are still undecided about option 1 or 2.

Decisions, decisions......

Abeautifulsow.jpg
 
Not a nice decision to have to make, but a C-section is such a major thing that you risk losing her and / or the babies anyway....

I think I would let nature take its course, with good vet on standby - nature is sometimes an amazing thing. Unfortunately not amazing enough to not let her get pregnant in her state! But still.

I hope she's ok.

Sophie
x
 
Bless her heart I was so hoping she would not be pregnant.

End of the day in these situations I look for the best outcome to Mum then babies after she is taken into consideration.

If surgery can be avoided for mum it would be great but it runs the risk of the hernia rupturing possibly during birth which would put her in a very vulnerable position to have surgery. Fingers crossed she would not rupture and could pass the babies at least then she has a hope of recovering well and having the hernia repaired when she is fighting fit.

C-sections carry a high risk and personally have not known that many pigies that survive it from what I have read from other peoples experiences (luckily we have never had to have one done here).

I would second Sophie's opinion and hope that the hernia does not rupture during labour as any surgery would be risky for her.

I do not envy your position it was hard enough to have the cystotomy done on Fanny as she was only just maintaining her weight but it had to be done.
 
I don't have the medical knowledge or the experience to help you with your decision, but I want to send my best wishes for this poor, poor little girl.

What a rotten day indeed!
Big hug for you and a cuddle for the girl!
Wiebke
 
Ask CCT for second opinion. 07721026401
If Vedra cannot help she can probably put you in contact with a vet who has had experience of dealing with similar cases.
 
Poor little love - was keeping my fingers crossed that she had escaped another pregnancy :(

Think I would also let nature take it's course and pray that she can deliver safely and that both her and the babies survive. If she runs into problems then I guess a c-section would be the only option but I wouldn't want to put her through the op, having lost 2 after c-sections, unless it was a last resort.

Give her a big cuddle from me and tell her we're all looking forward to seeing her beautiful babies :)

Teresa x
 
What a dilemma for you, Claire - I've no advice to offer, but as you do have a good vet that you have faith in, perhaps the second option would be best? She's a beautiful girl - how far gone is she? Or put it the other way, how long till she's due to give birth?
 
Poor you Claire I'm sure you with the help of your vet will make the right decision.She is such a lovely piggy, I'm sure all will be fine lots of positive vibes coming your way...:)sx
 
I would say go with the seond on and have vet on hand. Then once the babies are older get the hernia fixed. And if she has to have a c section get the hernia fixed then too if possible.
 
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