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Question about surgery/anaesthetic tomorrow

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Leigh P

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Have another thread on here about Pip and his cyst/absyss (surgery tomorrow am)... but not sure if anyone would pick up on my question, so have started a new one here.

My query is (as I cannot speak to the vets now before I take Pip in tomorrow morning)... do I take some of his usual food in with him? I have a sheet explaining to feed him his breakfast, and that GPs need to eat every 2-3 hours to keep gut working, but no notes to say whether or not they feed them? I am unsure what time his surgery will be, and am dropping him off at 08.30 - picking him up at about 17.00.... suppose I could take a bit in just to make sure.

Another question, he has a cage mate who is quite "fiesty" (ie, thinks Pip is a girl most of the time!).... as Pip's absyss is by his bottom and will probably have a stitch or two, should I separate them for a few days? I was thinking of setting up our indoor cage so that it is in two sections, so they can see each other but cannot actually get together. Don't want to separate them for too long and thought that this would be a good alternative.

Also, had a lot of comments from the vet about how some GPs just don't react to anaesthetic well, ie that he may not make it (she was quite firm about this) which made me feel that I was taking quite a huge risk... does anyone know what sort of percentage this is? Do others have positive answers about GPs and anaesthetic (ie all theirs have had surgery and been fine afterwards?). The vet did say that the lump would undoubtedly get bigger, and as Pip gets older he would definitely need something done at some point in the future, so to do it now while its not too big and he is young is the best option... I'm still not sure!


Any thoughts will be very much appreciated! I am so worried about the surgery as I couldn't bear to lose him.
 
When my Patrick went in for his bladder surgery, I fed him as normal but left his friend at home and he was kept separate well his stitches healed.

He also took a goodie bag with him of all his favourite tasty treats for when he came round.

I hope Pips's surgery goes smoothly.

x
 
This may be of use to you:

http://www.guinealynx.info/postop.html

I have had post op piggies and never separated them as I found having their buddy around helped the convalescing. Just keep a close eye on them and if you feel Pip needs to have more rest etc. perhaps pop a divider in so he can still see, hear and smell his buddy.
Have you researched your vets success rates...no vet can guarantee any animal pulling through from anaesthesia so will explain this but you would be amazed how hardy piggies are :)
One of my boys was skin and bone before his bladder stone op and we had to intensely feed him up with CC before the vet would operate and I worried myself so much, it made me physically vomit but he pulled through and was running around within 24 hours the little monkey rolleyes
Can totally understand how you feel - these little ones are our babies and having to put them through surgery is horrible.
In all fairness, if you feel that your vet is not the right person for the procedure, I can only advise finding a more experienced person - is she an exotic ?
We are registered with 3 practises and only two I would trust 100% with surgery, Pip is your pet so do what you feel is right for your boy and yourself.
Sending hugs x
 
My Eleanor went in for surgery to remove lumps at the end of August. She had her breakfast as normal here and I was asked to take a bag of her usual dry food with me purely for the fact that she would have familiar food to eat afterwards. I also took Eliza to keep her company during the day. The vet explained that they only time they would be separated would be during the procedure and whilst Eleanor was coming round. Erin and Ena stayed at home.

Most vets should phone you after the surgery or give you a time to phone them although if something happened, they would inform you straight away. My vet phoned me during the surgery to inform me he had found further lumps and asked my permission to remove them.

When Eleanor came home, she stayed indoors for the weekend with Eliza by her side. Once I was happy she had recovered and she had had her post op check, both her and Eliza moved back in to the shed with Erin and Ena.

I have witnessed operations taking place at vets and I can assure you they are in good hands. As the vet is performing the surgery, there is at least one nurse keeping constant visuals on the animal.

Good luck for tomorrow xx
 
Thanks for all the positive stories. I am confident that this vet is very experienced as I used to take my cats to her about 15-20 years ago (she's been around for ages!). I asked her yesterday if she actively treats lots of piggies, and she said that she sees quite a few (along with rabbits), but she isn't what I would call an "exotic" vet, just an all-rounder. This was my second opinion as I wasn't confident with the first vet we saw (and have heard stories about some animals still bleeding when they are picked up by their owners after surgery at this particular vet), so am happy (as I can be) with Pip seeing this lady. She also confirmed that it would be her performing the surgery with a nurse present.

I know I am probably worrying unneccessarily, but I just can't help it!

I won't take Eddie in with Pip, but will certainly take a few of his favourite foods and dry food, just to be sure. I will also clean out the cage and put Pip back in with Eddie when he gets home, unless the vet says otherwise.

Thanks again for all the replies, it really helps.
 
Good luck for tomorrow!

I have had 2 piggies have surgery for abscesses last year, both operated on by Simon Maddock at the Cat & Rabbit clinic, & although it is some way away from where I live, I am setting off tomorrow to see him again as my oldest pig may have a bladder stone & I wouldn't trust anyone else but him regarding surgery.

Both mine came around very quickly afterwards, I separated them from their cage mates by putting more grids in their C & C cage so they were in a confined space for the first night or so, but could still see each other. Their recovery is much better if they can still see their friends. Monitor their eating & pooping, drinking etc for about 48 hours, poop production is vital :) If you can try to get the antibiotic Zithro-max for use afterwards, I have seen excellent results on both my piggies from this, the second one didn't even need a post op check as she healed so quickly, but then Simon's skill as a surgeon is incredible, I have joked that he should have been a cosmetic surgeon for humans as his incisions are so neat :)
 
Good luck for Pip for tomorrow.

I have had surgery done on three pigs over the years & took dry food, veggies & hay with them for after the surgery in each case. Take their favourite food if you can; the sooner they can be tempted to eat the better. Your vet will probably want to see that they are eating a little before discharging them anyway.

I would keep him with his cagemate but be prepared for some major sniffing & possibly them avoiding him for a bit when he gets home - he will smell funny & a bit scary at first to your other guinea. If there is any scrapping between them or Pip is becoming stressed then obviously think again & maybe separate with a barrier they can see / smell through in the same cage & gradually reintroduce them. A key thing will be to keep the cage nice & clean & make sure Pip can get comfortable when he lies down & to avoid any infection; towels can be useful for him to lie on & if they are pale coloured you will be able to see if the wound is oozing or there is any blood which is always useful.

I would make sure to have Critical Care, syringes (without needles!) & a probiotic (we use Bio-Lapis which your vet may have in sachets) on hand in case you need it. The Bio-Lapis is great for if they are on antibiotics. I would monitor weight carefully after surgery for a week or so just to make sure he is eating again ok & maintaining / regaining any body weight loss. I would want to see a guinea pig eating again really soon after surgery & definitely expect them to have some appetite by the time you have them back home.

Please do let us know how Pip gets on, hope you are ok tomorrow too, it's such a worrying time when you are waiting to hear from the vets. Best wishes, shiny :)
 
Take some of his normal dry food, and also some of his favourite veg, just a small amount, sometimes they need a bit of persuading to eat afterwards.

I've always separated with some kind of divide for at least 24 hours after an anaesthetic, mainly so you k ow what the pig that's had the anaesthetic is eating and what's coming out the other end!
 
Lots of vibes for Pip x x
 
An update on Pip. He had infected cysts in some of his anal glands, so am really pleased that he had the surgery. The glands have been removed from that area so hoping that he won't have the problem again, but there is no guarantee. He has stayed overnight at the vets as the wound is still weeping a bit, and I should be picking him up tomorrow. Apparently he woke really quickly from the anaesthetic, so thats good.

Thanks everyone for your positive thoughts and wishes.. it really helped me get through a very emotional time.
 
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