Should I Spay?

[Liane]

I'm wondering whether I should opt to have Clara spayed. It's a decision I would struggle with under 'normal' circumstances but there are additional factors to consider in Clara's case.

Bit of background - Clara has a really nasty case of cystitis (really bad, she had an awful lot of blood flushed out of her bladder last week) and a combination of straining and being in season caused a uterine prolapse. It was pushed back in and stay sutures were inserted. She'll have the sutures removed Thursday, but if the prolapse reoccurs, which from what I have read is very likely, it would be advisable to spay.

I was thinking, rather than waiting to see if she prolapses, and risking trauma if I don't spot it quickly enough, should I just go ahead and have her spayed?

She's a year and a half, a little overweight at 1.2kg normally, and has been otherwise healthy. As of this morning, she is still bleeding, but not as much. I'll hopefully know Thursday what effect the sulfatrim has had on her bladder.

 

[sport_billy]

Tagging in @Adelle @helen105281 @furryfriends (TEAS) @Elwickcavies @Abi_nurse for you x

 

[helen105281]

Would it be Simon doing the op? if so I would be more inclined to say yes. He knows her history too and he would not encourage you to go with an op that wasn't needed.

 

[Liane]

Would it be Simon doing the op? if so I would be more inclined to say yes. He knows her history too and he would not encourage you to go with an op that wasn't needed.

It would be Simon, yes. At Clara's emergency appointment he said spaying would be something we might have to do if the prolapse reoccurs, but it wasn't clear if he meant immediately reoccur or just later in her life. I suppose I could ask for clarification on this on Thursday.

The reason I was thinking about opting for the spay now is because she is young and healthy (excluding the cystitis). The prolapse could happen again almost immediately, or it could be a few years when she gets another infection maybe - she's theoretically in a better position to have it now than when she's older. Of course, it may never occur again, in which case the surgery was an unnecessary risk, but I have no way of knowing for certain I've never had a female spayed before and I know it's far more invasive than boars being neutered so I want to be sure I'm doing the right thing.

 

[helen105281]

See what Simon thinks then. If you did go ahead, she stands every chance with him doing the op. He got my 4 year old heart pig through a spay.

 

[Swissgreys]

If you have access to a good vet (and it sounds like you do) then I would say go for it as soon as she is well enough.
It isn't quite the same, but many years ago I had a gorgeous guinea pig called Rosie. She was a long hair and about 2 when I got her.
She had come from horrific conditions, and been used for breeding along with many, many other guinea pigs.

She suffered with several infections and eventually a prolapse.
Our vet was great (and at that time she had quite a lot of small animal experience) so she also did a stitch for Rosie to help control the prolapse.
But Rosie continued to suffer from repeated prolapses and infections, and although we did eventually opt to have her spayed, sadly she suffered too many complications and never recovered.
It is something I regret to this day.
If I had been more proactive and gone straight for a spay she might have survived and had a chance to enjoy at least some of her retirement.
If only this Forum has been around at the time.....

 

[Freela]

With a savvy vet and her young age, I would be more apt to risk a spay now and eliminate future problems then risk problems occurring later on it life that would lead to a surgery at a less idea time (i.e. when she was older or had gone through trauma of a future prolapse.) I would ask the vet to help you assess the risk and get their recommendation.

 

[GPTV]

I think I would opt for the spay if you have access to the cat n rabbit clinic.
Simons experience should reduce the risks involved significantly

One of my first ever guineas had a prolapse due to an unexpected pregnancy when I got her a few months after the birth.

The baby was born huge &late (82days) I had no experience at the time. I took her to my local vet &he stitched it for her.
Unfortunately I had advice afterwards from a friend who is a veterinary nurse that would have helped her. The vet just didnt mention anything

The prolapse happened again later &I wasn't given the option of a spay (or anything else) I took her back &the vet put her to sleep as he couldn't get the prolapse back in as it was stretched out over the stitch &had started to dry out where it was exposed.

She had pushed it back in herself one time. Clever girl

I discovered afterwards that he was not experienced in guineas &I think he found them as disposable pets, needless to say I always asked not to see him if I had a guinea that needed treatment

I would opt for the spay &risk it, I think her chances with Simon are far higher than if it was to happen again when u were out for the day or something &the same happened to you as me
The risk of it happening again are completely removed then

Good luck &healing vibes
Xx

 

[GPTV]

I think I would opt for the spay if you have access to the cat n rabbit clinic.
Simons experience should reduce the risks involved significantly

One of my first ever guineas had a prolapse due to an unexpected pregnancy when I got her a few months after the birth.

The baby was born huge &late (82days) I had no experience at the time. I took her to my local vet &he stitched it for her.
Unfortunately I had advice afterwards from a friend who is a veterinary nurse that would have helped her. The vet just didnt mention anything

The prolapse happened again later &I wasn't given the option of a spay (or anything else) I took her back &the vet put her to sleep as he couldn't get the prolapse back in as it was stretched out over the stitch &had started to dry out where it was exposed.

She had pushed it back in herself one time. Clever girl

I discovered afterwards that he was not experienced in guineas &I think he found them as disposable pets, needless to say I always asked not to see him if I had a guinea that needed treatment

I would opt for the spay &risk it, I think her chances with Simon are far higher than if it was to happen again when u were out for the day or something &the same happened to you as me
The risk of it happening again are completely removed then

Good luck &healing vibes
Xx

 

[Abi_nurse]

Yes, I would personally spay, if it's prolapsed once then likely hood of reoccurance is high and spaying has its benefits. Providing the vet is experienced in spaying then I would certainly go ahead. Spayed another of mine just yesterday, they take around a week to really get completely back to normal but it's worth it.

x