Hupakko And Tyllerö's Ovarian Cyst Operation Recovery

[Leeni]

My girls Hupakko and Tyllerö had their ovarian cyst operation on Monday evening, so four days ago now. I wrote earlier about their situation here:
Advice On Ovarian Cysts?

The op went well, though Hupakko's right ovary was a bit of a struggle to get out because of the size. They were given strong painkillers and I was quite concerned about them after the op because though they were awake they were completely stoned. It was a bit scary. So them being so drunken I couldn't support feed them the first night and I don't think they ate much. The first post op day wasn't very good but they had started pooping. They seemed very apathetic and I support fed Tyllerö and gave both water since they were not drinking voluntarily. I support fed Tyllerö until yesterday evening when her weight started to stabilize. Yesterday everything seemed to be going well weightwise although Hupakko started to bully Tyllerö. Both girls seemed almost like their usual selves.

They've had Rimadyl as painkiller and today evening they'll have their last doses of it. I also gave Tyllerö Primperan to boost her gut activity. Primperan ended yesterday.

But today both girls have gone a bit downhill . The weights have gone down as much as 50 grams since yesterday evening for Hupakko ( who is quite big though, 1217g currently) and 40 grams for Tyllerö (1160 grams now). I gave them lots of watery veggies yesterday and nothing exept hay and dry food before weighing them. I will support feed them again from now on. There are still quite normal looking poops though less of them today and they are behaving quite normally.

Should I stress them with a vet's visit though it's only a few days from the surgery or just feed them home? I called the vet's but the nurse couldn't say much, she said I could come over.

The operation scars look ok to me. Tyllerö has a bit of swelling on the right side where yesterday there was a small bruise. Bruise is no longer there but there's a slight swelling.

Also I have been concerned the whole time about them not drinking. They don't touch their water bottles. I am giving them veggies several times per day in small portions to boost their appetite. Could that be the reason? Until today I gave them water maybe 30 ml per day with syringe. They don't seem dehydrated, the skin doesn't "stay in shape" after pinching the back of the neck and eyes seem bright. There is also always wee on the towels which I change two times per day. So do you think they might still be getting enough fluids though they are not drinking?

I am concerned also about the girls fighting. Or Hupakko is chasing Tyllerö around, sometimes forcing her in the corner and keeping her there for some time . There are no wounds, she is just bullying her. Tyllerö is mostly getting to eat in peace but sometimes Hupakko chases her away from the hay or the cup. Tyllerö is quite scared of Hupakko now. This is so strange since it used to be Tyllerö who woud bully others and Hupakko was the mellow one. It's going so far that Tyllerö is trying to move to the other side of the fence where the rest of the pack (4 girls) is. She tried to climb over so I had strengthen the fence. I think the situation is stressing them both out but I'm also hesitant separating them since it might be a struggle re-introducing them afterwards. Also other piggie's company might still be good for them though they are not getting along so well. What do you think I should do?

I'm sorry it's such a long post. I'm just so worried for my girls .

 

[Wiebke]

Please start support syringe feeding again (just to top them up and only as much as they want to take), also offer water in a syringe and contact your vet for more gut stimulant if necessary. Don't overdo the watery veg; it can cause diarrhea. Ideally the girls should eat as much fibre as possible.

I would keep the girls next to each other with interaction if that is possible, but separated for the time being until they are a bit better again. The removal of the ovarian cysts can have upturned the previous dynamics and Hupakko is trying to take over the top spot. Wether they will get on or not has yet to be seen. A major operation can sometimes topple a previous bond, even with litter sisters.

 

[Leeni]

Please start support syringe feeding again (just to top them up and only as much as they want to take), also offer water in a syringe and contact your vet for more gut stimulant if necessary. Don't overdo the watery veg; it can cause diarrhea. Ideally the girls should eat as much fibre as possible.

I would keep the girls next to each other with interaction if that is possible, but separated for the time being until they are a bit better again. The removal of the ovarian cysts can have upturned the previous dynamics and Hupakko is trying to take over the top spot. Wether they will get on or not has yet to be seen. A major operation can sometimes topple a previous bond, even with litter sisters.

Thank you for the advice @Wiebke ! I did separate the girls and now their eating and drinking and behaviour has normalized but they are still separated. I haven't seen any time lines about when I could try to re bond the whole pack of 6 piggies. Would it be too soon if I tried that tomorrow if their weights stays and everything seems ok?
Edit. It's been a week from the surgery tomorrow.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for the advice @Wiebke ! I did separate the girls and now their eating and drinking and behaviour has normalized but they are still separated. I haven't seen any time lines about when I could try to re bond the whole pack of 6 piggies. Would it be too soon if I tried that tomorrow if their weights stays and everything seems ok?
Edit. It's been a week from the surgery tomorrow.

No, that is fine. You can introduce as soon as they are stable and eating well. I can't put any timeline in as recovery is so variable. Some are fine to go back with their friends within a day or two while others can take a some weeks if they have a rough time with complications...

Keep on weighing them daily before dinner for the next week, but they will hopefull be fine and happy to be back. If encessary, rub them all down with the same rag so they all have the same group scent before you re-introduce on neutral ground.

 

[Leeni]

I thought everything had gone well, the pack accepted them back alright but now Hupakko possibly has some sort of a suture reaction . Could it be this late (9 days from the op)? There is some local swelling on the incision area and the skin is a bit red. The skin has healed alright though, and there is no sign of pus. I'll go to vet's tomorrow. Today they said when I called that it could be just the stitches dissolving causing a bit of a reaction but it seem to get worse... So I'll call again tomorrow.

 

[Wiebke]

I thought everything had gone well, the pack accepted them back alright but now Hupakko possibly has some sort of a suture reaction . Could it be this late (9 days from the op)? There is some local swelling on the incision area and the skin is a bit red. The skin has healed alright though, and there is no sign of pus. I'll go to vet's tomorrow. Today they said when I called that it could be just the stitches dissolving causing a bit of a reaction but it seem to get worse... So I'll call again tomorrow.

Fingers very firmly crossed! It sounds rather like a bad reaction and not an abscess. Poor Hupakko!

All the best!

 

[Leeni]

Thank you for replying! I'll call vet first thing in the morning. Too bad easter is coming..

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for replying! I'll call vet first thing in the morning. Too bad easter is coming..

Yes, it is always very unfortunate when these things happen just shortly before major holidays. Please have her seen as soon as you can.

 

[Leeni]

Yes, it is always very unfortunate when these things happen just shortly before major holidays. Please have her seen as soon as you can.

I went to see the vet and I'm so relieved ! Redness on the incision had disappeared already overnight and the vet confirmed that it is an allergic reaction to the dissolvable sutures but a very mild case. the incision wound has already closed so well that there is no danger of the incision opening because of the reaction. There is no need for antibiotics. I also brought Tyllerö to the vet's to be examined and they said that both girls have healed very well.

 

[Wiebke]

I went to see the vet and I'm so relieved ! Redness on the incision had disappeared already overnight and the vet confirmed that it is an allergic reaction to the dissolvable sutures but a very mild case. the incision wound has already closed so well that there is no danger of the incision opening because of the reaction. There is no need for antibiotics. I also brought Tyllerö to the vet's to be examined and they said that both girls have healed very well.

That is great news - and what a relief for you!

Thank for the update!