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Should we operate?

M

Maggie-Mabel

New Born Pup
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Hello,
I’m just looking for some advice.I have two female guinea pigs and the youngest (3 years 10 months old) took poorly yesterday and we noticed a lot of blood around her private parts and in the cage. I took her to the vets last night and they gave her anti-inflammatory and pain relief injections and asked me to bring her back this morning for an x Ray.
Maggie has had her x ray and they couldn’t find bladder stones which the vet suspected. Our options now are for her to be operated on to open her up and see what the problem is or to visit a vet who specialises in guinea pigs which is over an hour away.
She’s not great in the car but I don’t mind making the journey. I’m really not sure what to do for the best for her and really don’t want her to suffer. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
Personally, I would seek the advice of the cavy savvy vet . They may save lots of stress and money for you and pain and risk for your piggie. If they too suggest surgery you can be sure that its required and that you will have the best possible outcome.

At about 4 yrs old she's not a 'senior' pig yet, although maybe 'middle aged' and should do well in an op if it's needed.

Good luck
 
p.s. reading your post more carefully, I had exactly the same problem with my first guinea pig. We tried everything including surgery to find out what was wrong but couldn't find the problem, only treated the symptoms. She was a very expensive piggy due to this, and possibly there would have been a much better outcome if we'd seen an exotic specialist - but I didn't know about them then!

The story is a happy one though; she lived to the grand old age of eight and had a very short last illness - I took her to the emergency vets in the morning as she didn't seem right and she died that evening. So, your piggy might live to be an old lady.

Fingers and paws crossed for you xx
 
Personally I would take Maggie to the piggy savvy vet then you can be sure she is in the best possible hands. If this vet says an operation is necessary then it will be.
 
I would definitely see a piggy savvy vet. Have you had a look at the vet finder here on the forum. It may help choose were to go.
Hope your piggy is ok.
 
I agree with the others; I’d see the piggy savvy vet before deciding :)
Could it possibly be Pyometra?
Good luck!
 
Maggie-Mabel said:
Hello,
I’m just looking for some advice.I have two female guinea pigs and the youngest (3 years 10 months old) took poorly yesterday and we noticed a lot of blood around her private parts and in the cage. I took her to the vets last night and they gave her anti-inflammatory and pain relief injections and asked me to bring her back this morning for an x Ray.
Maggie has had her x ray and they couldn’t find bladder stones which the vet suspected. Our options now are for her to be operated on to open her up and see what the problem is or to visit a vet who specialises in guinea pigs which is over an hour away.
She’s not great in the car but I don’t mind making the journey. I’m really not sure what to do for the best for her and really don’t want her to suffer. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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I would see a specialist if you can get there safely.
- Make sure that they check the reproductive tract (womb, ovarian cysts).
- bladder trauma in the wake of passing a stone. An x-ray will come back clean, but the damage/irritation to the bladder/urethra walls can cause heavy bleeding in the wake.
- kidney problems?

Travelling with guinea pigs

@Jaycey @helen105281 @Freela
 
I would definitely see the guinea pig vet before making a decision, partly for their expertise in this specific species, and partly because surgery (if needed) is apt to be safer with a vet with more guinea pig experience. I regularly drive to see an exotics specialist vet, and it is a hassle, but my pigs have always traveled very well in the pet carrier with me and the vet's experience is definitely worth the drive (I had one pet with chronic bladder and dental issues and I don't think she would have lived to a ripe old age without our very competent vet.) Best wishes and I hope the appointment goes well- wishing your piggie all the best! Please keep us posted!
 
Thank you everyone for the replies to my post. Unfortunately Maggie deteriorated very quickly last night and sadly we have had to put her to sleep so that she wasn’t suffering anymore. We are devastated but know we made the right decision for her and just concentrating on looking after our other guinea pig now who is missing her little friend.
Thanks again x
 
Thank you, it’s so awful losing them and she’s such a huge miss in our house.
We will have a think about getting a companion for Mabel as we really don’t want her to be lonely. Thank you for the advice and kind words. X
 
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