How common are post op problems?

[Black piggies]

I've read the very helpful guides on post op care, syringe feeding etc.

My otherwise seemingly health sow prob needs fatty lump removed from spine. When my boar had his snip he was fine and eating afterwards. Is that the norm? Is the not eating / losing weight a rare complication or should I expect to tackle it, as per the guides? Thanks.

 

[Lady Kelly]

Hmm, I have had two boars neutered, one sow spayed, one boar have fatty lumps removed, one sow have a dental under anaesthetic, and one boar have an abscess and fatty lump removal and later a bladder stone removal. Of those I have had one boar develop a deep seated abscess that attached to his bowels that may or may not have been a result of the neutering operation.

With a great, cavy savvy vet the risks of complications are minimal though they cannot be removed completely. With lump removals it's guess work as to how deep they go and whether they are fixing on to bones or other organs. A fatty lump removal should be straight forward as long as it's not adhering to the spine itself for example

 

[DMS260820]

I've had my boar neutered and sow spayed and uterus removal at the same time, both were fine, but with a decent vet. And gerbil operated on and fine too, but that's not relevant here lol

 

[Black piggies]

I've had my boar neutered and sow spayed and uterus removal at the same time, both were fine, but with a decent vet. And gerbil operated on and fine too, but that's not relevant here lol

Lol well we can be pleased for gerbil's good op recovery too.

 

[PigglePuggle]

With a good vet post-op complications are much less likely, but depend on what the procedure is. Its always good to discuss with your vet both before and after surgery any complications they might anticipate, and also have some recovery food and 1ml syringes and probiotic ready at home just in case- hopefully you wont need them, but you wouldnt want to suddenly find out you do on the evening after the surgery!

 

[Wiebke]

I've read the very helpful guides on post op care, syringe feeding etc.

My otherwise seemingly health sow prob needs fatty lump removed from spine. When my boar had his snip he was fine and eating afterwards. Is that the norm? Is the not eating / losing weight a rare complication or should I expect to tackle it, as per the guides? Thanks.

It very much depends on the vet, their nurses team for recovery and the duration/difficulty of the operation. Older piggies usually take a bit longer to heal up than the very young.

I have access to a very good vet now so complications have become rare and most piggies make a problem-free recovery after feeling a bit sore in the first couple of days post-op.

In your case, a fatty lump removal is usually not a big op but the location means that your vet may have to be very careful with the cutting out. I wouldn't be surprised if the soreness on her back may impact on her movement somewhat initially.
But is in not an operation that is going deep inside the body, so recovery should be fairly straight forward.

Please keep in mind that the post-op care guide is mainly there to help you if a recovery is not going to plan and to make sure that you know what to look out for, when to step in, when to see a vet and have support care stuff ready at home if you can plan ahead to give your piggy the best chance possible.

 

[Black piggies]

It very much depends on the vet, his nurses team for recovery and the duration/difficulty of the operation. Older piggies usually take a bit longer to heal up than the very young.

I have access to a very good vet now, so complications have become rare and most piggies make a problem-free recovery after feeling a bit sore in the first couple of days post-op.

In your case, a fatty lump removal is usually not a big op but the location means that your vet may have to be very careful with the cutting out. I wouldn't be surprised if the soreness on her back may impact on her movement somewhat initially.
But is in not an operation that is going deep inside the body, so recovery should be fairly straight forward.

Please keep in mind that the post-op care guide is mainly there to help you if a recovery is not going to plan and to make sure that you know what to look out for, when to step in, when to see a vet and have support care stuff ready at home if you can plan ahead to give your piggy the best chance possible.

Very helpful thanks.

 

[Wiebke]

Very helpful thanks.

All the best with the op! It is normal to be apprehensive in the run up, especially if it is your first op.