Q's to ask a vet before neutering a guinea pig?

[CiaraPatricia]

So I have four female pigs and one male, who doesn't really like other males. He's scared of them and acts defensive so they fight with him

I really want to get him neutered. My own vet hasn't done guinea pigs but a vet nearby has done loads, so my vet said to go there.

But I'm still worried. I know that vet uses halothane gas, and isofluorene is better. But is there any reason that halothane is especially bad for smaller animals? My vet said you can't use halothane to mask animals, but that vet does for puppies (my friend did work experience there, that's how I know). I think iso is just faster and that's why it's better for masking?

But maybe the vet would just neuter them under injectable anaesthetic. I'll ask her. But that would be a lot more risky, wouldn't it?

So maybe I should just go to another vet, who will use isofluorene . . . ?

 

[AudioHeart]

This website, John Hopkins University, explains Anesthesia and if you click down to Anesthesia there is a small section on Hypothermia and rodents:
http://web.jhu.edu/animalcare/procedures/survival-rodents.html#anesthesia

I looked on cavy spirit:

"Isoflurane gas is preferred. Halothane and methoxyflurane gas are NOT considered safe. Injectable methods are NOT recommended either. A new "isoflurane" called "sevoflurane" is being marketed. It takes them up and down faster than isoflurane, making it more safe or dangerous, depending on the anesthesiologist. "

All I know is my vet uses Isoflurane gas, and will be for Percy-Roos neutering.

Have you tried ringing your local RSPCA for good guinea pig neutering vets? I did they gave me a list of vets they've used in the past, and vets they use currently. Might be worth a try

 

[Bailey]

There are some useful Qs here http://www.guineapigwelfare.org.uk/guinea-pig-care/health/questions-to-ask-your-vet/

 

[Abi_nurse]

Dont go to a vets that uses Halothane. Its so ancient i havent even heard of anywhere up to date using the gas. I cant imagine them being a fab vet if they still use this (no offence), i didnt even this it was legal to use anymore. The best gases are Isoflurane or even better Sevoflurane which is really quick acting. Injectable isnt used very often although i have seen and used it in aneathatising rabbits. Best practice would be to give your piggie a premed to calm him down and means you use less gas.

An experienced and good vet will be able to castrate your piggie with a relatively small risk. So the key is to definatly find a good vet.

Good luck with it all. Let us know how you get on.

x

 

[CiaraPatricia]

Thanks guys

I'm really surprised the vet uses halothane. I find it weird because it's actually a vet hospital with good facilities, and my own vet just works at a vet clinic with very few facilities, but she uses isofluorene (but doesn't do guinea pigs).

I know the vet using halothane doesn't really like halothane so half the time uses injectable instead, for things like neutering male dogs. But I really don't like the idea of injectable.

I'll ask around other vets a bit further away, I'm sure I can find a good one.

 

[Abi_nurse]

Just injectable for castrating dogs? Thats really not good practice. Sorry, I'm moaning. They need to get more up to date gases. Its not that expensive. Where is this place out of interest? Sorry I'm nosey.

x.

 

[CiaraPatricia]

Just injectable for castrating dogs? Thats really not good practice. Sorry, I'm moaning. They need to get more up to date gases. Its not that expensive. Where is this place out of interest? Sorry I'm nosey.

x.

It's in Ireland, in Cork. I definitely agree with you, the vet herself doesn't like halothane and that's why she doesn't bother using it for male dogs. I wouldn't go there to get my own dogs or cats neutered, I much prefer going to my own vet even though she doesn't have as good facilities, at least she uses isofluorene.

My friend did work experience there so I just asked her how long it takes the animals to wake up after halothane and she said 10-20 minutes but sometimes up to 30 minutes and they're very groggy afterwards. And where I do work exp (studying to be a vet nurse) they use iso, and they wake up much quicker . . . so I'm definitely not going to that vet now.

I'm asking around with animally people I know to find a good place

There is an exotics vet really far away that I'd love to go to, she's meant to be brilliant with guinea pigs, but the travelling would probably stress him There are a lot of good places around in the city about 45 minutes from where I live though, or even a town about 20 minutes away has good places, so I think I'll just ask around and call places and ask about their experience with neutering GPs.

Thanks for the advice