Poorly piggy with ulceration

[DawnyD]

Hi - a year or so ago our piggy had a lump which the vet said wasnt much to do apart from remove but with risk.

Today the lump, which has been increasing in size but not of any bother, had become ulcerated and we are now at the point where the choice is to keep her comfortable with medication or to remove lump.

She is perky in herself but in discomfort (anti flam/pain relief perscribed today). She is around 4/6 years - a rescue so unsure of age.

My gut reaction is to take risk of removal. How many of you have had piggies survive the anaesthetic? Or not survive? Its hard to tell how much of a risk it is....

Thanks

 

[Bill & Ted]

Aw, so sorry to hear this hope she recovers. It’s a difficult decision, I would go for it if you have faith in your vet, you need to discuss with him/her what’s the best plan of action.

I’m sure a member will come along soon with far more experience than me, good luck x

 

[pig in the city]

Hi - a year or so ago our piggy had a lump which the vet said wasnt much to do apart from remove but with risk.

Today the lump, which has been increasing in size but not of any bother, had become ulcerated and we are now at the point where the choice is to keep her comfortable with medication or to remove lump.

She is perky in herself but in discomfort (anti flam/pain relief perscribed today). She is around 4/6 years - a rescue so unsure of age.

My gut reaction is to take risk of removal. How many of you have had piggies survive the anaesthetic? Or not survive? Its hard to tell how much of a risk it is....

Thanks

I have had several older piggies have lumps and bumps removed and all have done very well. There is a small risk at any age but in the hands of an experienced vet your piggy should do fine

 

[Wiebke]

Hi - a year or so ago our piggy had a lump which the vet said wasnt much to do apart from remove but with risk.

Today the lump, which has been increasing in size but not of any bother, had become ulcerated and we are now at the point where the choice is to keep her comfortable with medication or to remove lump.

She is perky in herself but in discomfort (anti flam/pain relief perscribed today). She is around 4/6 years - a rescue so unsure of age.

My gut reaction is to take risk of removal. How many of you have had piggies survive the anaesthetic? Or not survive? Its hard to tell how much of a risk it is....

Thanks

Hi! Any operation depends on your vet's skill, the duration of the operation and the anaesthetic used as well as on the nurse team's recovery care. Generally, having a cyst removed that is sitting in the skin and is not anywhere near any major organ is not one of the most risky operations and should be fairly straight forward. Finding a vet you trust is key.
Tips For Post-operative Care
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

If it helps you, I had to have a by then very large burst sebaceaous cyst removed this summer in a nearly 7 year old sow. She's come through her op fine. My specialist vet and I had hoped that the cyst would not require intervention, but unfortunately it continued to grow quite quickly and promptly burst during my regular vet's holiday absence so I had to tidy her over for a couple of weeks with an emergency trip to a local vet.

The year before it was a smaller cyst right next to the genitalia of another 6 year old sow that had become infected, which meant a rather tricky operation. Both sows have recovered well and lived to 7 years old.


My last piggy op was a boar neutering in December and I am currently saving up for a spaying operation in a 5 year old sow with untypical non-hormonal ovarian cysts that I have been advised to have removed within a year because they are likely to turn cancerous later in life. That is going to be an even bigger and much more invasive operation but she won't be the my first sow I had to spay.
The vast majority of my piggies have survived their operations compared to ops in the olden days. There is always a higher risk if the piggy in question has an underlying health problem or is elderly.

 

[DawnyD]

Thank you all. She has had her surgery and all went well. Hopefully she will heal well!

 

[Wiebke]

That is great news, and such a relief for you! Fingers firmly crossed for a smooth and quick recovery!

 

[Merab]

Glad all went well for your little beauty.
My Jemimah had major surgery last year and made a full recovery.
The first week post surgery was stressful as she slowly regained her appetite and needed medication and syringe feeding.

Make sure you have enough pain killers.
If you need to syringe feed the how to do it guide on the forum is very helpful.

Hope recovery goes well

 

[DawnyD]

Hi all - vet given all clear for Nibbles.... but she has been away from other two for a week (tho having cuddles on our lap of evening together). Ive noticed that she may have been over thriwn from power in her absence. Ive put then together and a bit of squabbling going on. Ive taken her back out as dont want her wound to open up with being chased etc. Any tips for reintroduction!

 

[Swissgreys]

You may find you need to take it right back to basics and start again in a fully neutral territory.
While she has been away the others have re-established their hierarchy, and now she needs to fit back in and they need to sort it out all over again.

So approach it as introducing a new piggy really.
The guide on bonding here should help:
Introducing And Re-introducing Guinea Pigs

 

[Merab]

Hope the rebonding goes well.
Glad to hear Nibbles is fully recovered

 

[Bill & Ted]

Aw, good news, well done Nibbles!
Hope the rebounding goes well for Nibbles