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Old Girl, Polycystic Ovaries, Not Eating!

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Jess.D

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I have an old girl, 7 years old just diagnosed with Polycystic ovaries. After a lengthy discussion regarding surgery, we decided not to go ahead due to risks in regards to her age, and to just keep an eye on her, and rake her back if she gets poorly. She is now not eating, not even her hay, though she is still drinking. I've puréed her food and gave been syringe feeding her, and wondered if this can be done with the hay as well? This is the first day of her not eating.
She had a very thorough check earlier today with two vets (the second one was brought in for a second opinion by the other vet), and they can find no abnormalities, teeth are excellent, no sore mouth, lips, pooing and weeing normally so far, no mites, clean ears, eyes etc, no discharge anywhere.....
Is this not eating business down to the cysts on her ovaries, or is she now coming to the end of her natural life seeing as she is on in years now?
 
did the vets talk about the possibility of hcg injections or draining the cysts? not all cysts are the same so this may not be an option, but definitely worth asking about. a course of injections is usually 2-3 injections, 7-10days apart. these were chosen for my piggy maisie and kept her comfortable and well for around six months. some others get even longer than this, and another course can be given aswell at a later date. it does depend on the individual case though.

ovarian cysts can be an uncomfortable/even painful condition depending on the type of cysts. when we were weighing up the risks with our piggy maisie regarding a spay (because she was an older piggy and the hcg injections were no longer an option), she was on metacam and tramadol. it does sound as if your girl is in need of some pain relief at the very least. then i would see how she is after that and reassess again.

if both these vets didn't mention alternative options and pain relief then you may want to get another opinion. there is a vet locator at the top of the page to locate your closest exotic/cavy-savvy vet if you are in the uk.
 
biscandmatt said:
did the vets talk about the possibility of hcg injections or draining the cysts? not all cysts are the same so this may not be an option, but definitely worth asking about. a course of injections is usually 2-3 injections, 7-10days apart. these were chosen for my piggy maisie and kept her comfortable and well for around six months. some others get even longer than this, and another course can be given aswell at a later date. it does depend on the individual case though.

ovarian cysts can be an uncomfortable/even painful condition depending on the type of cysts. when we were weighing up the risks with our piggy maisie regarding a spay (because she was an older piggy and the hcg injections were no longer an option), she was on metacam and tramadol. it does sound as if your girl is in need of some pain relief at the very least. then i would see how she is after that and reassess again.

if both these vets didn't mention alternative options and pain relief then you may want to get another opinion. there is a vet locator at the top of the page to locate your closest exotic/cavy-savvy vet if you are in the uk.
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Operating was the only option given, no pain relief offered - she seemed comfortable, and is still quite active, just not eating. I'll see how she goes overnight and contact the out of hours vet tomorrow if she still isn't eating without aid
 
She is quite puffed up on either side, and I could feel what I thought was fluid in there, which is why I took her to the vet originally, the swelling only started showing a few days ago. She is otherwise her normal self
 
Jess.D said:
Operating was the only option given, no pain relief offered - she seemed comfortable, and is still quite active, just not eating. I'll see how she goes overnight and contact the out of hours vet tomorrow if she still isn't eating without aid
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not all ovarian cysts cause issues. so just because she has them, it doesn't necessarily mean they are causing any issues or that she needs a spay. i would assume that if the vets have suggested one that they feel her particular cysts are causing some problems. i can only suggest that if these weren't, that you find either an exotics vet that treats guinea pigs, or a cavy-savvy vet within a regular practice that has a special interest in guinea pigs, and get another more specialist opinion before making a decision.

unfortunately alot of less well trained vets suggest spays just from finding the presence of ovarian cysts, when this is not always necessary. most sows over a certain age will have them, but it's whether or not they cause other issues that decides treatment. recurrent uti's can be one issue.

was she displaying some symptoms when you originally took her in and the cysts were found? or were they found during a routine check?

obviously something is going on if she has stopped eating. usually feeling poorly or being in discomfort/pain. this may be because of the cysts, but equally, there may be something else going on that hasn't been found yet.

i think the best advice we can offer is to see a more specialist vet for their opinion and take it from there. they may want to check her over more thoroughly - check the back teeth (which can't be seen properly during a routine examination) and possibly xrays and bloods aswell. or they may feel that the cysts are the issue by what you tell them.
 
Jess.D said:
She is quite puffed up on either side, and I could feel what I thought was fluid in there, which is why I took her to the vet originally, the swelling only started showing a few days ago. She is otherwise her normal self
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sorry, saw this after i posted. being puffed up does point towards discomfort, and the swelling does seem to point towards something like cysts. did the vets say they could actually feel the cysts on her ovaries? a good vet usually can, even when they are small, but some will also want to confirm via xray/ultrasound aswell. perhaps consider this aswell just to make sure. it may show something up in that same area aside from cysts.
 
Yes, she had an ultrasound and the vets both agreed that the only option was an op, though they didn't discuss any other options. The nearest vet to me on that list is 55 miles away and I don't have many travel options. One if the vets I saw today (the one who gave the second opinion) has a special interest in small mammals, not sure if this means he is a specialist in guinea pigs? x
 
Jess.D said:
Yes, she had an ultrasound and the vets both agreed that the only option was an op, though they didn't discuss any other options. The nearest vet to me on that list is 55 miles away and I don't have many travel options. One if the vets I saw today (the one who gave the second opinion) has a special interest in small mammals, not sure if this means he is a specialist in guinea pigs? x
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you would have to ask specifically to find out. the rcvs find a vet website may help you find one closer. you unfortunately seem to have to do your own research to find a vet that is either exotics and works with guinea pigs, or is a regular vet but deemed 'cavy-savvy' which means they take a special interest in guinea pigs.

your vets now were thorough enough to do an ultrasound so perhaps discuss all the things mentioned with them and see what they say. they may have not mentioned the other options because they aren't suitable in this case. but to recommend a spay must mean they think she is being affected by them. maybe ask why they have recommended it and any other questions you have. most vets are more than happy to answer any questions for you. they even have the option of consulting with a more specialist vet aswell if required so don't be afraid to ask about this aswell. they will have a more specialist vets they will use for referrals so ask if they can refer you or at least consult with them about the case.

if it is because of cysts that she has stopped eating and after asking questions you all believe this to be the case, then i would think she is now in some discomfort with them. your options will probably be to hopefully get her eating again, provide pain relief and monitor her if she seems otherwise well within herself, or. the other options if you can't get her stable would be probably to let her go without putting her through the spay, or trying the spay as a last ditch attempt to resolve the problems once and for all. spays are invasive and at her age, it may well take it's toll on her. the op is actually very successful with a very good vet, but the aftercare is just as important.

just make sure all your questions are answered, you're as sure as you can be that it's likely the cysts causing the problem, you feel comfortable with everything, and go with your gut instinct. you know her best. x
 
Thank you for your advice, I've looked on that website, and the vet practice I use is listed on there and includes exotic/wild animals on the list if animals they treat, they are also an EMS practice (reading the info about this, they take on 6 month placements, possibly for students? They aren't listed as rcvs accredited though. The next closest surgery to me is rcvs accredited, but don't list exotic animals, though I do know they treat guinea pigs as I was registered with them before I moved. Now I'm confused! Do I need to be asking the vet directly? I do know the partner of the practice I'm currently with has a special interest in small animals.
I'm not keen on operating on her because if the risks involved, at the same time I don't want her in pain.
I'll keep monitoring her I think, get a bit of her favourite treats in tomorrow to see if that tempts her, keep with the syringe if needed, then call the out if hours vet if needed before Monday. Then I'll go from there.
Thank you very much for your help so far x
 
Good news, she started eating again today. Maybe she was stressed yesterday with all the handling and tests etc? Will continue to monitor her and see how she goes.
 
I had one special piggy who hated vets, and would go off her food for a day or two after, but would usually pick up again.
 
Jess.D said:
Thank you for your advice, I've looked on that website, and the vet practice I use is listed on there and includes exotic/wild animals on the list if animals they treat, they are also an EMS practice (reading the info about this, they take on 6 month placements, possibly for students? They aren't listed as rcvs accredited though. The next closest surgery to me is rcvs accredited, but don't list exotic animals, though I do know they treat guinea pigs as I was registered with them before I moved. Now I'm confused! Do I need to be asking the vet directly? I do know the partner of the practice I'm currently with has a special interest in small animals.
I'm not keen on operating on her because if the risks involved, at the same time I don't want her in pain.
I'll keep monitoring her I think, get a bit of her favourite treats in tomorrow to see if that tempts her, keep with the syringe if needed, then call the out if hours vet if needed before Monday. Then I'll go from there.
Thank you very much for your help so far x
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usually exotics vets are more highly trained in any species which isn't a cat or dog, however some regular vets with a special interest may not be exotic trained but have done extra courses in some species. it's confusing! i would always have said before now to go to an exotics vets because they are trained beyond the basics of regular vets and with being such a popular pet, they would usually see alot of guinea pig patients. it has been discussed lately on the forum actually and seems to be a topic with a difference of opinion!

sorry if i confused you!
 
Jess.D said:
Good news, she started eating again today. Maybe she was stressed yesterday with all the handling and tests etc? Will continue to monitor her and see how she goes.
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such good news :D sorry, i didn't realise the tests were that recent! that would explain why she may have been unsettled then. and it's been so humid aswell which isn't helping our little ones.

in that case, hopefully she isn't in discomfort and will continue to eat now aswell. i would say keep an extra close eye on her but i know you will :)
 
I'm very pleased she's picked up a bit - I caught her doing her 'happy hop' earlier too, though she hid when she noticed me there. I'm letting her have a 'quiet' day today, just a hay, food and water change - no handling today, as she's doing her 'leave me alone' (hiding away when I approach) behaviour. I'm sure she'll forgive me soon! Haha
 
Jess.D said:
I'm very pleased she's picked up a bit - I caught her doing her 'happy hop' earlier too, though she hid when she noticed me there. I'm letting her have a 'quiet' day today, just a hay, food and water change - no handling today, as she's doing her 'leave me alone' (hiding away when I approach) behaviour. I'm sure she'll forgive me soon! Haha
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aw bless her :luv: a happy hop :)) :luv: x
 
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