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Please help - post op pig and holiday in three days

Lisa7845

Lisa7845

Junior Guinea Pig
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Dec 27, 2022
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Location
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Hi everyone,

I suffer with an anxiety disorder and struggle alot with moral issues. I'll try and keep it brief!
My boy Basil over the the last couple of weeks has been ill, it culminated in a stone removal surgery yesterday from his bladder. We have got a very reputable vet nurse in place to look after him during our 5 day trip when we leave on Saturday (insider her own home, registered, more than happy to hand feed, medicate, take to the vets if required etc) but I'm struggling to know whether it's the right thing to do. My trip is 5 days. She's fully aware of the situation with Basil and says she often does this type of care for people, but I'm just really struggling. Anyone mind giving their advice or gentle opinion?

Lisa x
 
Hi there. Is the nurse from the vets where Basil had his operation? 💐
 
The same thing happened to me a couple of years ago. I had a boar have stone removal two days before a holiday. I had a friend take care of him for me. She used to have guineas so was very knowledgeable. Unfortunately he didn’t make it. It was so upsetting for my friend. I didn’t blame her at all. I knew the risks when I went away.

He would have passed away whether I was there or not as he didn’t recover well from the anaesthetic. Holidays are very expensive and you can’t just cancel them.

It sounds like you are leaving him with a very capable sitter. You’ll still be worried while you are away. I hope Basil is ok and you manage to have a nice holiday.
 
CTWC said:
Hi there. Is the nurse from the vets where Basil had his operation? 💐
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Hi CTWC! Thanks so much for your response. 😀
So I did ask their vet nurse who does boarding, Unfortunately she was fully booked. This vet nurse has a relationship with the vets, and also has worked for the Willows, which is the big emergency centre my vets partner with 😊
 
weepweeps said:
The same thing happened to me a couple of years ago. I had a boar have stone removal two days before a holiday. I had a friend take care of him for me. She used to have guineas so was very knowledgeable. Unfortunately he didn’t make it. It was so upsetting for my friend. I didn’t blame her at all. I knew the risks when I went away.

He would have passed away whether I was there or not as he didn’t recover well from the anaesthetic. Holidays are very expensive and you can’t just cancel them.

It sounds like you are leaving him with a very capable sitter. You’ll still be worried while you are away. I hope Basil is ok and you manage to have a nice holiday.
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Hi weepweeps,

I'm so sorry about your piggie. I am exactly the same mind as yourself, I trust this individual and I think her standard of care will be great.

Basil is eating hay, veggies and drinking on his own, passing stools but he's in pain and there is blood in his urine at the moment still. I have already spoken with my vet today about upping the pain meds. I think Basil has just been through a lot and it's only been a day.

Thanks for your reply x
 
It already sounds like Basil is doing well. Hopefully he will continue to improve and your mind will be at ease with going on holiday.
 
weepweeps said:
It already sounds like Basil is doing well. Hopefully he will continue to improve and your mind will be at ease with going on holiday.
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I'm having to supplement his weight with handfeeding, but I think this is quite common. The vet nurse said she is more than happy to do this as well 😊
 
She sounds very capable. Would it help if she sent you updates via text or maybe some pictures of him? Just an idea.
 
I boarded my piggies with a former vet nurse (who had worked at my vets in Solihull and was recommended by them). On one occasion they stayed with her for several weeks while we moved home, immediately after one of my sows had had a mammary lump removed. I was reassured that they would be well looked after and any issues quickly picked up, because she had been a vet nurse. So I'm sure you are doing the right thing for your piggy too.
 
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