Spaying a 4 year old female guinea pig with cystic ovaries.

[Xmolxlie]

Hi! I have two guinea pigs that I’ve had since May 2018, I got them from a friend who couldn’t take them with her when she moved, and I know they are a little over 4 years old. My friend had Foxy, the male pig, neutered before he turned 1, and recently I took Kovu my female pig to the vets, and found out she has large cysts on her ovaries. Initially the vet I saw said they would do scans to check they were cysts, and then likely remove the cysts and spay her at the same time. However when she went in today, the surgeon rang me and gave me two options; stating that he had never performed a surgery like this on a guinea pig (which I did find irritating, as it had been booked in advance it wasn’t an emergency situation, and I would have thought they would’ve assigned her a surgeon that had dealt with guinea pigs in the past as I know they have some that do - I also felt uncomfortable with her being in the hands of someone who didn’t seem to know what they were doing with guinea pigs) and with the anaesthesia and operation, it would be very risky to operate on her and there was a large chance she could die as a result. He said he would do the surgery if I chose, or he could drain the cysts and see how quickly they came back. The vets I’ve seen are from the same veterinary practice, but have given very contradictory information, one saying it was a fairly standard procedure and while carrying risks like every surgery, and she thought that would be the right thing to do, and then one today saying what I’ve written above. I opted to have her cysts drained for now, to relieve any discomfort and I also didn’t feel comfortable with this vet performing the surgery given the fact he admitted he’d never done it before. They drained about 30ml of fluid from her cysts, so quite a lot, and she’s definitely a bit thinner afterwards, though still quite chubby. I guess I’m just wondering has anyone dealt with cystic ovaries in an older guinea pig, around 4 years old, and what were your experiences with whatever options you went with. Was an operation/spaying successful? Does anyone have any experience in this area? I don’t want to not do the surgery if it’s what is right for her, but I don’t want to risk her life either. I’m just confused with the conflicting information given to me from the vets. If it makes any difference, as far as I can tell the cysts haven’t actually been bothering her, she’s still been her normal self - but given the amount they removed from them it must have been pretty uncomfortable. These are the first two guinea pigs I’ve had in my life, so I am in no way an expert on these kinda issues. I can afford to keep getting them drained regularly at the vets if needed, I just want to make the right decision for her health! Any advice is greatly appreciated, thank you!

 

[Siikibam]

I’m afraid I don’t have any experience. However, if I were going for the spaying option, I would choose a vet who is more experienced in treating guinea pigs and, more importantly, has experience of spays etc.

Has she changed in demeanour/behaviour? I’ll also tag @Wiebke @VickiA

 

[Xmolxlie]

I’m afraid I don’t have any experience. However, if I were going for the spaying option, I would choose a vet who is more experienced in treating guinea pigs and, more importantly, has experience of spays etc.

Has she changed in demeanour/behaviour? I’ll also tag @Wiebke @VickiA

Thank you, yes I was thinking of researching specialised guinea pig vets in my area and seeing if I can find some nearby, and maybe talking it over with them. I wouldn’t mind paying extra for someone who was more specialised towards guinea pigs, and travelling a bit if it meant I was sure she was getting the best quality care!

Not really no, she is still the same in her demeanour, however I did notice after having her cysts drained today she was running around her cage more already again, and more generally active which leads me to believe maybe they were a bit bothersome for her - honestly she hadn’t changed that much and I think I equated her not running around as much to the fact I just upgraded their cage to a larger one with more space, and maybe she was a bit more hesitant while she got used to it. Thank you for tagging people too

 

[Deleted member boohoo]

Thank you, yes I was thinking of researching specialised guinea pig vets in my area and seeing if I can find some nearby, and maybe talking it over with them. I wouldn’t mind paying extra for someone who was more specialised towards guinea pigs, and travelling a bit if it meant I was sure she was getting the best quality care!

Not really no, she is still the same in her demeanour, however I did notice after having her cysts drained today she was running around her cage more already again, and more generally active which leads me to believe maybe they were a bit bothersome for her - honestly she hadn’t changed that much and I think I equated her not running around as much to the fact I just upgraded their cage to a larger one with more space, and maybe she was a bit more hesitant while she got used to it. Thank you for tagging people too

Where about are you in UK ? Don't have to be accurate. It's just 4 isn't that old really and I know a very very good vet who has done countless spays . He spayed my sow , ok she was 2 but he did the full spay . She had a uterine tumour and took the ovaries out whilst he was doing the tumour

 

[Featheryfriend]

Hi! I have two guinea pigs that I’ve had since May 2018, I got them from a friend who couldn’t take them with her when she moved, and I know they are a little over 4 years old. My friend had Foxy, the male pig, neutered before he turned 1, and recently I took Kovu my female pig to the vets, and found out she has large cysts on her ovaries. Initially the vet I saw said they would do scans to check they were cysts, and then likely remove the cysts and spay her at the same time. However when she went in today, the surgeon rang me and gave me two options; stating that he had never performed a surgery like this on a guinea pig (which I did find irritating, as it had been booked in advance it wasn’t an emergency situation, and I would have thought they would’ve assigned her a surgeon that had dealt with guinea pigs in the past as I know they have some that do - I also felt uncomfortable with her being in the hands of someone who didn’t seem to know what they were doing with guinea pigs) and with the anaesthesia and operation, it would be very risky to operate on her and there was a large chance she could die as a result. He said he would do the surgery if I chose, or he could drain the cysts and see how quickly they came back. The vets I’ve seen are from the same veterinary practice, but have given very contradictory information, one saying it was a fairly standard procedure and while carrying risks like every surgery, and she thought that would be the right thing to do, and then one today saying what I’ve written above. I opted to have her cysts drained for now, to relieve any discomfort and I also didn’t feel comfortable with this vet performing the surgery given the fact he admitted he’d never done it before. They drained about 30ml of fluid from her cysts, so quite a lot, and she’s definitely a bit thinner afterwards, though still quite chubby. I guess I’m just wondering has anyone dealt with cystic ovaries in an older guinea pig, around 4 years old, and what were your experiences with whatever options you went with. Was an operation/spaying successful? Does anyone have any experience in this area? I don’t want to not do the surgery if it’s what is right for her, but I don’t want to risk her life either. I’m just confused with the conflicting information given to me from the vets. If it makes any difference, as far as I can tell the cysts haven’t actually been bothering her, she’s still been her normal self - but given the amount they removed from them it must have been pretty uncomfortable. These are the first two guinea pigs I’ve had in my life, so I am in no way an expert on these kinda issues. I can afford to keep getting them drained regularly at the vets if needed, I just want to make the right decision for her health! Any advice is greatly appreciated, thank you!

I would definitely pick a different surgeon who is familiar with guinea pigs if you decide to spay!

I'm curious as to why one of them would call it a high-risk surgery with a substantial chance of death. One of my guinea pigs is having a complicated spay for impressively huge cysts soon and the vet was not worried about it. She's a little younger (2) but that shouldn't make such a huge difference, I'd think. It's on the 30th, I'll try to remember this thread and let you know how it goes.

 

[Betsy]

My Betsy was 4 when when she had her spay. My vet is very experienced with guinea pigs and I trust her so that helped. Betsy's ovarian cysts were VERY large at 7cms long (each one) and very round. She recovered well. She was a right moody old cow and had lost so much fur in places she looked like a skinny pig when normally she has the most luxurious fur. She recovered well and after a few weeks after all the hormones had calmed down went back to being not quite such a moody old cow that she had been, was clearly a lot happier and her personality came back much to the relief of her (now Rainbow Piggy) husboar Dennis who she put through hell but as he loved her so much he just put up with it.

 

[VickiA]

I’ve had a few older sows spayed for ovarian cysts. My vets are experienced in guinea pig surgery and I trust them implicitly. Have you checked our vet locator for a cavy savvy vet near to you? Recommended Guinea Pig Vets

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you, yes I was thinking of researching specialised guinea pig vets in my area and seeing if I can find some nearby, and maybe talking it over with them. I wouldn’t mind paying extra for someone who was more specialised towards guinea pigs, and travelling a bit if it meant I was sure she was getting the best quality care!

Not really no, she is still the same in her demeanour, however I did notice after having her cysts drained today she was running around her cage more already again, and more generally active which leads me to believe maybe they were a bit bothersome for her - honestly she hadn’t changed that much and I think I equated her not running around as much to the fact I just upgraded their cage to a larger one with more space, and maybe she was a bit more hesitant while she got used to it. Thank you for tagging people too

Hi

Please have a look at our vet locator whether you have one within your reach. You are always within your rights to ask them how many guinea pig spays they have done, and how many have been successful.
Recommended Guinea Pig Vets

With a good vet, a spaying op at that age is certainly possible. I have had several five year old sows spayed over the last few years; the majority for large fluid filled non-hormonal cysts and one over pre-cancerous hard cysts.

If you do not feel happy about an operation, the alternative would be hormone injections although they do not always work with non-hormonal cysts although they can reduce the size in a number of them.
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)

Ovarian cysts are one of the areas where it is really worth seeing a vet with experience with guinea pigs over.

 

[FlowerGirl]

I would consider it a high-risk surgery if the practice is inexperienced with guinea pigs. I say "practice" beccause the nursing care after surgery is also incredibly important for a good outcome. For an experienced team, it's a fairly straightforward surgery and not massively high risk unless your guinea pig has other health issues which make surgery more dangerous (which it doesn't sound like she does). It IS more complicated than a dog or cat spay and obviously no surgery is without risk, but personally I do think it's worth trying to find an exotics specialist and go ahead with the spay, if you can. Draining the cysts is a very short term solution which can make your pig more comfortable prior to surgery but the cysts will probably refil within days.

 

[Xmolxlie]

Where about are you in UK ? Don't have to be accurate. It's just 4 isn't that old really and I know a very very good vet who has done countless spays . He spayed my sow , ok she was 2 but he did the full spay . She had a uterine tumour and took the ovaries out whilst he was doing the tumour

I’m in Derbyshire, near Sheffield. The vets practice I go to is one that has a smaller branch out here and a main one in sheffield, and this was from the Sheffield branch as they’re the branch that do surgeries etc. I did have a look online and found The Guinea Pig Vet | Matlock, UK | The Guinea Pig Vet which her practice in Matlock isn’t far from me at all, and she seems to have a good rapport online when I’ve looked into her. I’m thinking about booking a zoom consultation with her and discussing things with her. I would definitely be willing to travel a bit (obviously not too much that it was stressful for Kovu) if it meant she got the best quality care!

 

[Xmolxlie]

I would definitely pick a different surgeon who is familiar with guinea pigs if you decide to spay!

I'm curious as to why one of them would call it a high-risk surgery with a substantial chance of death. One of my guinea pigs is having a complicated spay for impressively huge cysts soon and the vet was not worried about it. She's a little younger (2) but that shouldn't make such a huge difference, I'd think. It's on the 30th, I'll try to remember this thread and let you know how it goes.

Thank you so much, I hope your pigs surgery goes well! I definitely was confused as the vet I spoke to prior said it was pretty low risk, and I was honestly just so shocked when he said that. I’m not sure whether it was just due to his lack of experience, I have a follow up appointment to check how quickly the cysts are re-filling on the 8th, so I’ll be sure to update on here when I know!

 

[Xmolxlie]

My Betsy was 4 when when she had her spay. My vet is very experienced with guinea pigs and I trust her so that helped. Betsy's ovarian cysts were VERY large at 7cms long (each one) and very round. She recovered well. She was a right moody old cow and had lost so much fur in places she looked like a skinny pig when normally she has the most luxurious fur. She recovered well and after a few weeks after all the hormones had calmed down went back to being not quite such a moody old cow that she had been, was clearly a lot happier and her personality came back much to the relief of her (now Rainbow Piggy) husboar Dennis who she put through hell but as he loved her so much he just put up with it.

Thank you so much, that’s reassuring to hear that some older piggys have had successful spays, I’m definitely searching for a vet who is very experienced with guinea pigs. Kovu has definitely been happier and more active since the cysts have been drained, and she’s got more energy now; I would just love to be able to take away the problem for good so she can stay this way!

 

[Xmolxlie]

I’ve had a few older sows spayed for ovarian cysts. My vets are experienced in guinea pig surgery and I trust them implicitly. Have you checked our vet locator for a cavy savvy vet near to you? Recommended Guinea Pig Vets

Thank you so much! The vet I found online the other day after making this post is on that list which is reassuring, she’s Ellie Whitehead who has the exclusively guinea pig vet practice in Matlock, Derbyshire. That’s definitely reassuring to see her on there, and once Kovu has had her check up to see how fast the cysts are refilling in a couple of weeks, I will get in contact with her and organise a zoom consultation to see what her advice would be, and take Kovu there if needed!

 

[Betsy]

Have you checked out our Vet Locator List for a Forum Recommended vet near you?

 

[Xmolxlie]

Hi

Please have a look at our vet locator whether you have one within your reach. You are always within your rights to ask them how many guinea pig spays they have done, and how many have been successful.
Recommended Guinea Pig Vets

With a good vet, a spaying op at that age is certainly possible. I have had several five year old sows spayed over the last few years; the majority for large fluid filled non-hormonal cysts and one over pre-cancerous hard cysts.

If you do not feel happy about an operation, the alternative would be hormone injections although they do not always work with non-hormonal cysts although they can reduce the size in a number of them.
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)

Ovarian cysts are one of the areas where it is really worth seeing a vet with experience with guinea pigs over.

Thank you so much for this! I did some research after making this post, and one of the vets on that list is a vet I found locally, she runs a specialist guinea pig practice in Matlock which isn’t too far from me. So it’s definitely reassuring to see she is on that list. Once Kovu has had her checkup in a couple weeks I’m going to reach out to her and see if she can give me her opinion on what would be best for Kovu, and if she thinks surgery is the way to go then I’ll feel more comfortable with her being seen by a specialist.

Thank you so much for sharing your own experience too, it’s super reassuring to see many people have had successful surgeries on older sows.

It sounds silly, but I wasn’t actually aware there were specialist guinea pig vets in my area, as it’s fairly small and we’ve used our local vets practice for all of our animals. However definitely from now on I will be reaching out to our local specialist with any issues. Thank you again, this whole thread has really put my mind at rest.

 

[Xmolxlie]

I would consider it a high-risk surgery if the practice is inexperienced with guinea pigs. I say "practice" beccause the nursing care after surgery is also incredibly important for a good outcome. For an experienced team, it's a fairly straightforward surgery and not massively high risk unless your guinea pig has other health issues which make surgery more dangerous (which it doesn't sound like she does). It IS more complicated than a dog or cat spay and obviously no surgery is without risk, but personally I do think it's worth trying to find an exotics specialist and go ahead with the spay, if you can. Draining the cysts is a very short term solution which can make your pig more comfortable prior to surgery but the cysts will probably refil within days.

Thank you so much! I have now found a specialist and she is one of the forum recommended specialists. I’m going to wait until Kovu has her checkup with my local vets practice on the 8th to see how fast the cysts are refilling, as they don’t seem to have come back just yet, but after that I’m going to inform them I’m going to be switching to a guinea pig specialist for their care and contact my local specialist.

 

[Siikibam]

I would book to see the other vet rather than wait for the next appointment. You could perhaps book it around the same time and then cancel that one. All the best.

 

[Xmolxlie]

Have you checked out our Vet Locator List for a Forum Recommended vet near you?

I just have thank you, and I’ve found out the specialist I found after researching local guinea pig specialists is on that recommended list, and once Kovu has had her check up on the 8th to see how the cysts are refilling (as it’s already booked with my local vets) I will be contacting her and having a consultation with her.

 

[Xmolxlie]

I would book to see the other vet rather than wait for the next appointment. You could perhaps book it around the same time and then cancel that one. All the best.

Thank you, I think I might actually - I’ve seen she does zoom consultations so I might book in for one of those in the next few days, and then take it from there and see what she recommends!

 

[Xmolxlie]

Thanks so much for the advice everyone! I was really worried and you’ve all been super helpful, I’ve decided I’m going to look at what days and times the specialist vets is open, and ring up when they’re next open and book both of my pigs in for a health check, and explain about Kovu’s cysts and what has been done so far, and see what her advice is. I’ll update once I’ve spoken to her and let you all know how everything has gone!

 

[Betsy]

The vets in Matlock should ask for the notes on your gp's to be sent over to them so they can see exactly what has been done. It's as simple as asking your old vets to send them over to your new vet. Don't feel embarrased about asking your old vet. You just want the best care for your piggies.

 

[Deleted member 114675]

The vets in Matlock should ask for the notes on your gp's to be sent over to them so they can see exactly what has been done. It's as simple as asking your old vets to send them over to your new vet. Don't feel embarrased about asking your old vet. You just want the best care for your piggies.

…. And the Guinea Pig Vet practice will do this

@Xmolxlie ..I can highly recommend The Guinea Pig Vet for treatment of ovarian cysts ….

here is an old thread that was posted when she was at Alfreton

Information About 'keyhole Surgery' To Treat Ovarian Cysts

 

[Xmolxlie]

The vets in Matlock should ask for the notes on your gp's to be sent over to them so they can see exactly what has been done. It's as simple as asking your old vets to send them over to your new vet. Don't feel embarrased about asking your old vet. You just want the best care for your piggies.

Thank you! I will definitely ask them to, it’s been a hectic week, I tried to use their online registration and booking system to get them registered but I couldn’t see any availability for her, however I’m going to ring up first thing Monday morning and see if I can get them in, and I will ask my vets to send over their info once I have them registered and booked in for an appointment. I have been closely monitoring them and thankfully Kovu’s cysts don’t seem to have refilled too rapidly yet, and she’s still her happy bubbly self so I want to get her in before that changes! This thread has been super reassuring

 

[Xmolxlie]

…. And the Guinea Pig Vet practice will do this

@Xmolxlie ..I can highly recommend The Guinea Pig Vet for treatment of ovarian cysts ….

here is an old thread that was posted when she was at Alfreton

Information About 'keyhole Surgery' To Treat Ovarian Cysts

Thank you so much! That is super super reassuring to see and I’m going to get them booked in with her ASAP! I’ve been monitoring them and they both seem happy and healthy so far, but I’m definitely going to get them in with her hopefully this week!

 

[Xmolxlie]

Hi everyone! Little update about Kovu, I took both my piggies to see the Guinea Pig Vet in Matlock and she was as great as everyone here has claimed! She was super helpful and friendly, and she checked Kovu’s cysts over, they’ve currently refilled to the size of ping pong balls, however she said she’s not worried about them as they didn’t seem to be causing her any pain or discomfort at all at the moment. She said that she was 50/50 on what the best option was, as seeing as they aren’t causing her any discomfort currently it’s not worth the risk to her to operate, however the best option if they do start causing her discomfort is to operate and remove the ovaries themselves to eliminate the problem but not the uterus etc as with a normal spay as it’s less invasive for her. She told me to come back in three months, or sooner if needed, and she’ll check how the cysts are growing and whether they’re causing her discomfort then, and we’ll decide on treatment options then, or keep coming back every few months to monitor it. So thankful for everyone’s input on here and advice, as I wouldn’t have found her without it! Kovu is doing well, and she also picked up on a couple small but treatable issues with my other piggie Foxy too that my other vets missed, she’s really worth the hype and I highly recommend her! Thank you all again

 

[Xmolxlie]

Here’s a picture of Foxy and Kovu for you all too! This is a super old photo from when I first got them, Foxy is on the left and Kovu is on the right!