Neutered boar possibly stitched intestines

[Basia1]

Hello,
This is my first post so please be gentle.
My boy Teddy was neutered last Friday ( almost a week ago). The surgery went well but he refused to eat post op. The vet gave me some CC to take home. He was given painkillers ( injection) and gut stimulant. For the first two days I had to feed him CC but he was eating just not as much as usual. He was pooping and peeing fine. However on Wednesday he started to cry out when pooping and peeing! He was really straining to get the poop out. I rushed back to the vet. She checked him over and said his temperature is fine, his stomach is soft, there are no visible signs of infection and stitches look excellent! She gave him painkillers ( again injection) and antibiotics ( injection) just in case. This was yesterday and my boy literally screams when he's pooping. His poop is quite soft. He is still eating and drinking and I am feeding him CC ( every 3 hours about 15ml) and giving him water via syringe as well. I have spoke to someone who runs a rescue and when I sent him the photo of the stitches ( my boy has 3 on each side) he said that he never seen so many stitches and there is possibility that the vet stitched my boys intestines! How possible is that? My pig is eating , is alert, is drinking , is interacting fine. Would he not be in extreme pain if this was the case?

 

[Sweet Potato]

I'm no expert but that definitely doesn't sound good. I would see a different vet if I was you, is your vet one of the piggie aproved vets on our recommended vets list?

 

[Basia1]

Yesterday when we rushed back in and the vet couldn't find anything she consulted with the other vet in practice. They both checked him over. And when they were pressing on his belly his didn't make a peep! I have been massaging his belly a little to help with his pooping and he isn't in pain. Surely if his intestines was stitched he wouldn't let me touch it?

 

[Jesse's pigs]

If he was in pain around the stomach area he would certainly let you know and definitely would not allow the vets to palpitate without biting them I’m sure. I also don’t think he would be eating as well by now also as stitching the intestines would likely cause a blockage or at very least kill of that segment of the intestine. Definitely still keep getting your boy checked and by all means just straight out ask the possibility of stitching the intestines.

 

[Basia1]

If he was in pain around the stomach area he would certainly let you know and definitely would not allow the vets to palpitate without biting them I’m sure. I also don’t think he would be eating as well by now also as stitching the intestines would likely cause a blockage or at very least kill of that segment of the intestine. Definitely still keep getting your boy checked and by all means just straight out ask the possibility of stitching the intestines.

Thank you! I have called the clinic tonight but the vet that was operating on my boy left for the day. I left a message for her to call me back.
This is the photo of the stiches ( please ignore bits that look like poop on them, its CC i managed to get it literally all over him!). I mean does it looks like he has been butchered? Is it normal to have so many?

 

[stef.trg]

Thank you! I have called the clinic tonight but the vet that was operating on my boy left for the day. I left a message for her to call me back.
This is the photo of the stiches ( please ignore bits that look like poop on them, its CC i managed to get it literally all over him!). I mean does it looks like he has been butchered? Is it normal to have so many?

I‘m sorry to hear that your piggy is poorly! I’m no expert and will leave the advice to more experienced members on here. The only thing I can tell you is that we had both our boys neutered a while ago and their stitches looked exactly the same (just with clear thread). And they are both doing fine

 

[Basia1]

I‘m sorry to hear that your piggy is poorly! I’m no expert and will leave the advice to more experienced members on here. The only thing I can tell you is that we had both our boys neutered a while ago and their stitches looked exactly the same (just with clear thread). And they are both doing fine

Thank you! Ah thats a relief! The person I spoke to scared me so much! I look at my boy and all the symptoms are as those of UTI but not sure how possible is to have UTI after neutering....

 

[VickiA]

I have only seen first hand my vets’ handiwork and the rescue’s vets’ handiwork and it looks very similar. It doesn’t look sore, swollen or inflamed. Does your boy have pain relief? Has he had any tests eg urine sample etc to see if he has infection. Did he have antibiotics after surgery?

 

[Basia1]

He was given painkillers via injection ( on the day of the surgery and yesterday).When I asked for painkillers to take home the vet said the ones she gave him should work few days.... She also gave him antibiotics ( also injection).... His belly isn't swollen, she pressed it in a few places not a peep from him! There is no visible infection on the outside..... I wonder if he needs antibiotics to take home .....

 

[VickiA]

Poor fellow. Pain will stop any guinea pig from eating properly. Ours get oral metacam to take after castration for 7 days to help with pain and swelling. They metabolise painkillers very quickly. Any injection given will not last longer than 24 hours maximum.
If he had an injection of ABs he needs a course of at least several days to follow up with. Are these vets guinea pig savvy? please call and speak to the vet tomorrow. If in any doubt I would recommend getting a second opinion.

 

[Basia1]

I will speak to her tomorrow. She is supposed to call me first thing in the morning

 

[Tigermoth]

Stitched intestines would cause a rapid and dramatic decline, it almost certainly isn’t that. It only looks like there are 6 stitches there, I was expecting far more from the description!

 

[VickiA]

Stitched intestines would cause a rapid and dramatic decline, it almost certainly isn’t that. It only looks like there are 6 stitches there, I was expecting far more from the description!

 

[Free Ranger]

No expert in neutering but those wounds don't look hot or red or swollen, aren't seeping puss and seem to be closing, but it is a sensitive area, poor lad. If he had signs of an abscess forming I would wonder whether passing poop was causing pain in the swollen areas. Maybe better pain control?

I've never heard of a painkiller injection that is supposed to work for a few days. The strongest thing we've ever had was when we had a sow that we thought might be trying to pass a bladder stone (she had already passed one) and they gave her a big injection of just fluid under the skin to make her pee a lot (it did) and an injection of very strong 'opioid' painkiller. The poor girl was totally stoned and sat zoned out for about 3 hours... then she was wobbly for another couple... but by evening she was back to normal and eating. They seem to metabolise even something that potent pretty quickly. Oral Metacam is what we've always had (twice a day now) for any pain killer and courses of oral antibiotics (typically Baytril to start with). Your vet might be great at the surgery but less experienced in follow-up care..?
@VickiA do you know whether injected antibiotics also kill off the normal gut flora leading to digestive disruption and maybe squishy poops? Perhaps the vet could also offer some probiotic to help with that possibility?

Good luck tomorrow. x

 

[Basia1]

Stitched intestines would cause a rapid and dramatic decline, it almost certainly isn’t that. It only looks like there are 6 stitches there, I was expecting far more from the description!

The person that suggested it was stitched intestines runs a rescue. He said that there should be only one stitch on each side and my boy looks like he's been butchered. My heart literally sank in! I called the vets clinic in absolute panic! The vet that operated on my boy was gone home but she will call me first thing in the morning as I have lest her a message. I think it looks like an infection ( internal) because from the outside you can't see anything. No lumps, bumps, swelling, nothing!

 

[Basia1]

No expert in neutering but those wounds don't look hot or red or swollen, aren't seeping puss and seem to be closing, but it is a sensitive area, poor lad. If he had signs of an abscess forming I would wonder whether passing poop was causing pain in the swollen areas. Maybe better pain control?

I've never heard of a painkiller injection that is supposed to work for a few days. The strongest thing we've ever had was when we had a sow that we thought might be trying to pass a bladder stone (she had already passed one) and they gave her a big injection of just fluid under the skin to make her pee a lot (it did) and an injection of very strong 'opioid' painkiller. The poor girl was totally stoned and sat zoned out for about 3 hours... then she was wobbly for another couple... but by evening she was back to normal and eating. They seem to metabolise even something that potent pretty quickly. Oral Metacam is what we've always had (twice a day now) for any pain killer and courses of oral antibiotics (typically Baytril to start with). Your vet might be great at the surgery but less experienced in follow-up care..?
@VickiA do you know whether injected antibiotics also kill off the normal gut flora leading to digestive disruption and maybe squishy poops? Perhaps the vet could also offer some probiotic to help with that possibility?

Good luck tomorrow. x

Thank you! I am already giving him probiotics. And plenty of water to flush him out

 

[Free Ranger]

If I had to stitch even a small wound I would be thinking at least two stitches in case one breaks. If you've only one stitch each side that seems a bit of a gamble to me!

 

[Basia1]

If I had to stitch even a small wound I would be thinking at least two stitches in case one breaks. If you've only one stitch each side that seems a bit of a gamble to me!

I was in total shock when he told me! Here is me thinking my boys wounds are healing nicely....

 

[VickiA]

I don’t think 3 stitches each side is excessive. Sometimes they use fewer but then they use glue. I have seen far worse and they look like they are healing well.

 

[Basia1]

I don’t think 3 stitches each side is excessive. Sometimes they use fewer but then they use glue. I have seen far worse and they look like they are healing well.

You have no idea what a massive weight just fell off my shoulders .

 

[Wiebke]

Hello,
This is my first post so please be gentle.
My boy Teddy was neutered last Friday ( almost a week ago). The surgery went well but he refused to eat post op. The vet gave me some CC to take home. He was given painkillers ( injection) and gut stimulant. For the first two days I had to feed him CC but he was eating just not as much as usual. He was pooping and peeing fine. However on Wednesday he started to cry out when pooping and peeing! He was really straining to get the poop out. I rushed back to the vet. She checked him over and said his temperature is fine, his stomach is soft, there are no visible signs of infection and stitches look excellent! She gave him painkillers ( again injection) and antibiotics ( injection) just in case. This was yesterday and my boy literally screams when he's pooping. His poop is quite soft. He is still eating and drinking and I am feeding him CC ( every 3 hours about 15ml) and giving him water via syringe as well. I have spoke to someone who runs a rescue and when I sent him the photo of the stitches ( my boy has 3 on each side) he said that he never seen so many stitches and there is possibility that the vet stitched my boys intestines! How possible is that? My pig is eating , is alert, is drinking , is interacting fine. Would he not be in extreme pain if this was the case?

Hi!

Unfortunately we cannot comment based on just your report what is actually going (wild guesses on unverifiable information won't help you or your boy) on but your boy needs to see a vet asap as an emergency. Something serious is most definitely amiss!
Emergency, Crisis and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment
Neutering operations: Considerations, post-op care and a successful recovery example

 

[VickiA]

Hope you get some answers today at the vets x

 

[Basia1]

Thank you . We rushed him in to the emergency vet last night. I couldn't watch him suffering! He ruled out the stitched intestines. He also did tests and ruled out UTI. He says my boy has inflamation to the bowel lining and he is on a high dose of the metacam. He seems a lot better this morning. He's been eating loads! He is still straining but just a tiny bit and not screaming in pain like last night. His poops looking "beautiful". I have to come back again on Monday.

 

[Bill & Ted]

your poor lad is over the worst and well on the way to full recovery x

 

[Basia1]

your poor lad is over the worst and well on the way to full recovery x

I am watching him very closely. I am still not counting my eggs in a basket . I am praying he will recover fully without any more drama but is am still scared for him

 

[HeatherW]

Glad to hear your poor boy is feeling better. Hopefully you've found the issue and the treatment sorts it out!

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you . We rushed him in to the emergency vet last night. I couldn't watch him suffering! He ruled out the stitched intestines. He also did tests and ruled out UTI. He says my boy has inflamation to the bowel lining and he is on a high dose of the metacam. He seems a lot better this morning. He's been eating loads! He is still straining but just a tiny bit and not screaming in pain like last night. His poops looking "beautiful". I have to come back again on Monday.

Glad that he is better!

My Hywel suffered from gut adhesion when a band of swelling at the back of the operated area got stuck to the gut nearly 10 years ago. It was excruciatingly painful. Thankfully we got him through the crucial weekend with round the clock syringe feeding and to a specialist vet for a strong antibiotic because the local rescue's vets had basically given him up. thankfully the band contracted away from the gut when it swelled down again. Hywel lived for another 5 1/2 years to within days of his 7th birthdays and had up to 13 wives in heyday. This was however one of the more uncommon complications.
Your boy would have been in agony straight away if something had gone into the wall of the gut but only a hands-on examination could find the real cause. All the best for getting him through the infection.

 

[Basia1]

Glad that he is better!

My Hywel suffered from gut adhesion when a band of swelling at the back of the operated area got stuck to the gut nearly 10 years ago. It was excruciatingly painful. Thankfully we got him through the crucial weekend with round the clock syringe feeding and to a specialist vet for a strong antibiotic because the local rescue's vets had basically given him up. thankfully the band contracted away from the gut when it swelled down again. Hywel lived for another 5 1/2 years to within days of his 7th birthdays and had up to 13 wives in heyday. This was however one of the more uncommon complications.
Your boy would have been in agony straight away if something had gone into the wall of the gut but only a hands-on examination could find the real cause. All the best for getting him through the infection.

I honestly didn't know what to think. Hes been eating on his own and drinking plenty. I have been feeding him CC on top of that to make sure he is getting enough. And I have been giving him plenty of water as well. If you looked at him he is alert, not in pain and a happy boy ( he's popcorning in his cage) . Only when it comes to pooping he's been in pain and straining to poop. His poops are perfect tho! They were a little on a mushy side yesterday. Today they are absolutely perfect! The right size, shape, colour.... Metacam is seems to be working so far. Let's hope it will take the swelling down . I can't loose this boy! He is my sons ( who is autistic) best friend! So I am literally praying! But if I see the metacam isn't working I will be going back to the vet.

 

[Wiebke]

I honestly didn't know what to think. Hes been eating on his own and drinking plenty. I have been feeding him CC on top of that to make sure he is getting enough. And I have been giving him plenty of water as well. If you looked at him he is alert, not in pain and a happy boy ( he's popcorning in his cage) . Only when it comes to pooping he's been in pain and straining to poop. His poops are perfect tho! They were a little on a mushy side yesterday. Today they are absolutely perfect! The right size, shape, colour.... Metacam is seems to be working so far. Let's hope it will take the swelling down . I can't loose this boy! He is my sons ( who is autistic) best friend! So I am literally praying! But if I see the metacam isn't working I will be going back to the vet.

All the best! Just hang on in there.

 

[Basia1]

All the best! Just hang on in there.

Thank you