Post Op (castration)

[Tigger&Eeyore]

Hi all,
My 2 year old boar was castrated today. Brought home early evening and he has barely moved. Aside from nibbling on a bit hay, he hasn’t ventured out to eat and drink. I understand it will be a tough 24 hours or so for him but wanted to ask how long I should wait before I syringe feed? Should I leave it until the morning? I gave him pain relief an hour or so ago.
He seems unsettled and seems to be rocking a little, almost like he can’t dose off. I read the post op thread but couldn’t find answers to my questions. Hoping you guys can help!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all,
My 2 year old boar was castrated today. Brought home early evening and he has barely moved. Aside from nibbling on a bit hay, he hasn’t ventured out to eat and drink. I understand it will be a tough 24 hours or so for him but wanted to ask how long I should wait before I syringe feed? Should I leave it until the morning? I gave him pain relief an hour or so ago.
He seems unsettled and seems to be rocking a little, almost like he can’t dose off. I read the post op thread but couldn’t find answers to my questions. Hoping you guys can help!

Hi! If he is not bright and eating by himself, start syringe feeding little but often straight away until he picks up by himself. Have some herb or a bit of fresh grass to tempt him in between syringes. Sometimes, a little syringe feed can stimulate the appetite. Right now, just want to keep the guts moving.

 

[Lady Kelly]

I echo Wiebke, when my late Peter was neutered he sat in the corner of the cage staring at me and not doing anything at all. I got him out after an hour or so and starting syringe feeding, a mouthful or two and he started eating it off a spoon and then after giving him time I didn't have to syringe feed again

 

[pig in the city]

We have a lot of boars neutered at the rescue. Some are apparently unaffected by the experience but some are similar to your piggy.
Pain relief is important plus small frequent syringe feeds. A gut stimulant may be needed if he doesn't pass any pooh by morning.
Keep him warm and leave some tasty food in his cage. Chances are by morning he will be eating again.

 

[Tigger&Eeyore]

We have a lot of boars neutered at the rescue. Some are apparently unaffected by the experience but some are similar to your piggy.
Pain relief is important plus small frequent syringe feeds. A gut stimulant may be needed if he doesn't pass any pooh by morning.
Keep him warm and leave some tasty food in his cage. Chances are by morning he will be eating again.

Thanks for the advice. I have a gut stimulant so will see how things are in the morning. He has done some poos since being home, although not many. I gave him pain relief this evening which I had leftover from a recent UTI. I normally only give once per day. Should I be giving him more in the morning? How long should he have antibiotics for following the op? Vet said a couple days but doesn’t sound like very long.

 

[Merab]

When my Titus had a similar wobble the day after his little op the vet suggested wrapping a hot water bottle in a towel and him in another towel on to to keep him warm while giving him some mashed banana.
That soon did the trick and he perked up quickly.
Hope your boy recovers soon

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks for the advice. I have a gut stimulant so will see how things are in the morning. He has done some poos since being home, although not many. I gave him pain relief this evening which I had leftover from a recent UTI. I normally only give once per day. Should I be giving him more in the morning? How long should he have antibiotics for following the op? Vet said a couple days but doesn’t sound like very long.

Please be VERY careful about giving pain relief and only do so after speaking to the vet! Painkillers are part of the operation cocktail and should wear off before you can step in.

It is normal to have only very few poos, considering that your boy has been through an operation and has not eaten normally yesterday. You have to brace for fewer and funny poos for a couple of days.

Operation techniques change and advance all the time. My Nye didn't need any antibiotic at all as his cavity was packed with them.

 

[pig in the city]

Thanks for the advice. I have a gut stimulant so will see how things are in the morning. He has done some poos since being home, although not many. I gave him pain relief this evening which I had leftover from a recent UTI. I normally only give once per day. Should I be giving him more in the morning? How long should he have antibiotics for following the op? Vet said a couple days but doesn’t sound like very long.

Hi.l usually give pain relief (metacam) twice a day for a couple of days. I am surprised your vet didn't give you some? My vet gives antibiotics for 5 days, but they are not essential. Some vets give them and some don't. They can affect the appetite too.
It's good that he has poohed already.

 

[Tigger&Eeyore]

Hi all,
Thanks for your messages. I am really pleased to say that after a little syringe feeding overnight (and eating quite a bit of hay) he has perked up quite a bit today and I’ve seen him eating dried food, hay and veg and drinking water. He has been sleeping a lot which I imagine is a normal side effect but overall I’m happy with how he is.
Eeyore had just finished 10 days of Baytril and Metocam after a URI (just before his surgery) and I asked the vet if I could continue with both for at least the next few days, which I’m doing. The antibiotic doesn’t seem to affect his appetite so I’m happy to give him this for a few days more just to air on the side of caution.

 

[Merab]

Glad to hear things are going well

 

[pig in the city]

That's good news. Keep a close eye on his wound looking for any swelling or discharge. Hopefully he will have an uneventful recovery

 

[Tigger&Eeyore]

That's good news. Keep a close eye on his wound looking for any swelling or discharge. Hopefully he will have an uneventful recovery

Eeyore had a post op check up at the Vets this morning and they were happy with how the wound is healing. Soon after I got him home he is making a lot of noise when going to the toilet as if he is in pain. Ithe noises are similar to those he made when he had a UTI. He hasn’t had any toilet problems since the op until now. The Vets said there was no need to continue with antibiotics so I have stopped from today. They recommended carrying on with pain relief once per day for 5 days. Eeyore last had this last night and is due more this evening. Should I be concerned?

 

[pig in the city]

Eeyore had a post op check up at the Vets this morning and they were happy with how the wound is healing. Soon after I got him home he is making a lot of noise when going to the toilet as if he is in pain. Ithe noises are similar to those he made when he had a UTI. He hasn’t had any toilet problems since the op until now. The Vets said there was no need to continue with antibiotics so I have stopped from today. They recommended carrying on with pain relief once per day for 5 days. Eeyore last had this last night and is due more this evening. Should I be concerned?

This is very common after castration. I think the bladder and nearby tissues get a reactive inflammation after surgery. It' all a bit close together down there!
Continuing the metacam should settle the inflammation and relieve his pain. In my experience it settles quickly. If it persists them contact your vet again.