Piggy After Lump Removal Operation

[Kirjava]

I joined the forum a log time ago after getting sow Pepper, and a little later a neutered boar Yeti. We've enjoyed four years of good times, however Pepper's been at the vets today to have a rather large lump removed from her face.

Unfortunately it turns out it's a nasty sort of lump which couldn't all be removed, and theres some rather tight skin been left. I'm currently looking for some advice on aftercare. She's perky and has eaten well. I've not seen her drink yet but have given her pepper as it's watery. I need to give her baytril tomorrow which I think could be an issue. She's always been a very nervous pig and unfortunately now is hiding in the farthest corner and will not come out. Any good ideas on getting her to take it?

She has improved with people steadily over the last few years and I'm worried now that she won't revert back to her usual self.

 

[Lilly]

I joined the forum a log time ago after getting sow Pepper, and a little later a neutered boar Yeti. We've enjoyed four years of good times, however Pepper's been at the vets today to have a rather large lump removed from her face.

Unfortunately it turns out it's a nasty sort of lump which couldn't all be removed, and theres some rather tight skin been left. I'm currently looking for some advice on aftercare. She's perky and has eaten well. I've not seen her drink yet but have given her pepper as it's watery. I need to give her baytril tomorrow which I think could be an issue. She's always been a very nervous pig and unfortunately now is hiding in the farthest corner and will not come out. Any good ideas on getting her to take it?

She has improved with people steadily over the last few years and I'm worried now that she won't revert back to her usual self.

So sorry to hear Pepper is poorly after such a good run. Most anit-biotics taste foul to piggies especially the dreaded Baytril. My Peanut Butter has unfortunately been on anti-biotics many times & he still won't willingly take them. I wrap him up in a towel or a medicine taking pouch I got especially from someone on this forum, hold him upright against my chest, stick the syringe sideways behind his incisors & when I can feel him chewing on the syringe press the plunger. After I tell him he is a good boy & treat him to a sprig of parsley. You just have to be bold & don't take no for an answer! She will need a pro-biotic an hour or two later as the Baytril will most likely upset the tummy. At least they usually love the taste of that!

 

[Kirjava]

Thank so much for your reply ah I thought this might be the case, I smelt it myself and it's horrible. Unfortunately she has stitches all over her head so I really don't want to manhandle her, and it may also from terrorise her further I'll keep that as a last resort but this may well have to happen.

What would you recommend as a probiotic please?

 

[Wiebke]

You could try to mix the baytril with some ribena to help mask the taste. Give her a little special treat afterwards. Make sure that you give a probiotic about 1-2 hours after the baytril to counter the impact on the guts. Baytril often has an appetite dampening effect, but please contact the vet if she has diarrhea, is losing the appetite and is listless. Any probiotic will do; bio-lapsis is a good allround probiotic, avipro plus is lowest in calcium and therefore better with for urinary tract piggies. Even the probiotic from a pet shop will do in a pinch.

Please weigh her daily to monitor her food intake and if necessary top her up with hand feed. I have found that many freshly operated piggies have a craving for very rough, low nutrient fibre to help steady the guts. Brown cardboard or toilet inners are safest. Fibreplex can also help, as with any digestive issues like cowpads (shapeless soft poos), diarrhea or bloating issues.

Check your girl also for signs of pain and ask for a painkiller if you haven't been given one.

 

[Kirjava]

I've had success with the baytril on some chopped up pepper I've got a probiotic from local pet shop but have also ordered a better one online.

I'm back at the vets tomorrow for post op check and will pick up more painkillers as well.

She's currently showing a very healthy appetite but I'll watch her very carefully with the baytril. She loves toilet roll tubes also so will put.one of those in.

Thanks for the help so far, hopefully she heals well. It's stitches out in 10 days

 

[Wiebke]

All the best! it is a very good sign that she has such a healthy appetite!

 

[Kirjava]

Pepper has developed a goopy eye I've taken her back to the vets and unfortunately it looks like the cancer is back/has spread and is affecting her eyelid and blinking. The vet did say he could do a second operation to sort her eyelid, however I'm not really looking at this as an option for 2 reasons: the initial operation couldn't remove all the lump on her eye and ear, so her ear would still be affected. She recovered well but it was so stressful for her I'd hate to do it to get a second time.

I have some lubricating eye drops for now to make it more comfortable.