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Spaying sows

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The Potteries Guinea Pig Rescue

The Potteries Guinea Pig Rescue

GUINEA PIG RESCUE
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Hello
My sow is being spayed due to cystic ovaries.Can any one advise me as to whether she is best left on he own for couple of days or back with her hubby.
My gut feeling is she will feel better with Darcy around and he does fret when he is away from her.
What have other forum members found best ?
Thanks
Helen:)
 
Hi Helen,

Will the vet not consider other treatments? Spaying is rarely necessary for ovarian cysts - hormone treatments and draining the cyst via a needle are both thought to be much "safer" options. Ovarian cysts are not life-threatening, and although the symptoms can become fairly "severe" they can be treated with hormone injections.
 
I understand. I just wanted to make sure you were aware that surgery wasn't the only option. Too many vets jump immediately to an ovariohysterectomy when faced with ovarian cysts!

If the vet lets you take Lily home with you the same day following the surgery, I'd be inclined to let her rest on her own overnight at the very least. You will need to monitor her food and water intake, as well as checking that she is peeing and pooping, and her bedding (towels are ideal post-op) will need changing fairly frequently.

Do make sure the vet provides you with some pain medication to bring home with you. A spay is invasive surgery, some sows do not eat in the days after the operation due to the pain.
 
Give your girl a good, solid breakfast before you take her to the vets, as you don't know how soon he'll operate. Grazers need regular food, and piggies can't vomit (which is the reason for fasting before an op).

Make sure that Lily has plenty of rest for the first two or three days. Don't worry, if she doesn't eat lots, as long as she nibbles a bit, especially on the first day - her whole inside is pretty churned up and it takes time to settle! She should get perkier with every day, but sleep a lot at first. Give her cucumber to nibble, so she had fluids until she feels like getting up for a drink.

Please make sure that you have probiotic, critical care and painkiller (metacam or rimadyl; or calpol from the pharmacy, if the vet refuses to) to make her as comfy as possible and get her bowels going as quickly as possible. She won't poo much or have funny poos at first, until she eats fully again.

See how Darcy gets on with her when she perks up - he may be too much for her at first. If you can keep them close for company that would be good. Be aware that Lily will smell strange after the op, and Darcy might react funnily or go overboard. O the other hand - he can be very sweet and cuddly; you have to see!

My guinea pigs loved a soft, covered cuddle cup to sleep and recover in after the op.

Wishing her all the best and a good, speedy recovery.

We will be here to "hold" your hand, if you wish! It helped me a lot while I was worried sick about one of mine at the vet's!
 
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"ovariohysterectomy"
Do you swallow many medical dictionaries?
Most lay-people prefer everyday language and are not impressed by big words, which are better kept for professional use.
 
I was not aiming to impress anyone. Many owners learn by reading through random threads; if one person learnt that a spay is sometimes referred to as an ovariohysterectomy, then surely that is not a bad thing? I find alternating between the medical terms and the layman terms is rather effective for learning!
 
Don't you find when dealing with other people about health matters, either their own or that of an animal, that they want everything in language they can understand, without having to run to Google for an interpretation?
The proper words are shorthand and accurate and obviously have their place when dealing with other people in the same profession or trade.

To go back to the thread proper:
Why not consider a bi-lateral oophorectomy?
 
This has been an interesting thread. I like to learn the medical terms for conditions too, being a nurse I come across them often and it's always good to learn a new one. An oophrectomy is not necessarily the removal of both ovaries - it can be just one. I learned that whilst working on a gynaecology ward -c

When is your piggy having her op? It will be a stressful day but I am sure the op will go well, I wish you both the best of luck x
 
Lily darling

Well thank you for all your kind words,i have worked in theatres for 20 years and have seen all the body inside out but its always different when its your own 8...i am use to dealing with post operative humans !
Lily is booked in next Tue with her ususal vet and i will take on board all your kind suggestions.
Thank you so much and i will keep all of you posted.
Helen xx
 
CCC4 said:
Hi Helen,

Will the vet not consider other treatments? Spaying is rarely necessary for ovarian cysts - hormone treatments and draining the cyst via a needle are both thought to be much "safer" options. Ovarian cysts are not life-threatening, and although the symptoms can become fairly "severe" they can be treated with hormone injections.
Click to expand...



I agree 100% with this post.Spaying-hysterectomy,is a very major op for a gp, and I know from experience,that even with a gp expert vet doing the surgery,the prognosis is poor.A lot of spayed sows do not live for more than a few months after the op.

Over the years I have had several girls with ovarian cysts and many of them have responed very well to Chorolan injcs.I have had 3 sows with very large cysts that did not respond to Chorolan and the cysts were drained(without aneasthetic) and they all lived from 18 months to 3 years after the draining.Only in one case did the cyst recur.
I would only allow a sow to be spayed if there was a life threatening tumour.


Maryh
 
To be accurate, if pedantic, I did specify bi-lateral oophorectomy, implying that there is also uni-lateral oophorectomy.
 
CCC4 said:
I was not aiming to impress anyone. Many owners learn by reading through random threads; if one person learnt that a spay is sometimes referred to as an ovariohysterectomy, then surely that is not a bad thing? I find alternating between the medical terms and the layman terms is rather effective for learning!
Click to expand...


I agree with you.Often using the correct term signals to people that you are treating them as an equal,not talking down to them.If this was a childrens forum it would be different but most of the members,I presume,are responsible adults.

Maryh
 
There are some children on the forum from time to time. Whether all adults are responsible is open to debate!
 
alcesterpigs said:
"ovariohysterectomy"
Do you swallow many medical dictionaries?
Most lay-people prefer everyday language and are not impressed by big words, which are better kept for professional use.
Click to expand...




Ovariahysterectomy simply means a combined removal of the uterus and ovaries.This is the proceedure that is done on sows,rather than oophorect0my.

I must just say that I used to be on this forum as a moderator and the reason I left was because of the number of spiteful ,petty posts that were spoiling the forum.They are not helpful to people seeking help with a sick piggy.I am on 3 other gp forums and none of them have spite messages.If you have an issue with someone better to address it by private message rather than on an open forum.

We all have our own way of phrasing and explaining things.

Maryh
 
I agree. This thread was actually posted by someone requiring practical and moral support, not to debate over whether we as a forum should be using medical or every-day terms for surgical procedures!

So to get back on track I wish the original poster the best of luck with their piggy, it can be so frustrating and hard trying to decide what to do for the best for a beloved pet. The forum is always here to support you :)
 
All I asked was whether the owner had been offered the choice of her pig having everything removed or just the ovaries.
I am sure that none of us wishes to be thought as a sciolist.
 
because of the anatomy of gp`s,I do not think just removal of the ovary/ies is viable.I think hysterectomy is the only surgical option.I am not 100% sure on this because I am not a surgeon.



Maryh
 
I was wondering why remove the uterus if there is nothing wrong with it?
 
good luck with your piggys operation it must be nerve wracking for you :)
us non profesional people and children like to learn new things too :)
 
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alcesterpigs said:
I was wondering why remove the uterus if there is nothing wrong with it?
Click to expand...




I agree,but I think it is something to do with the gp anatomy.Good point,will try and find out more.Possibly it is just as quick or maybe quicker to take the whole lot rather than just the ovary.This could be an issue with pigs and aneasthetic.

My vet is an acknowledged gp expert and she always does a complete hysterectomy ,but she only uses surgery for ovarian cyst as a last resort.,if the less invasive treatments have not worked and the cyst has started to press on another organ.


Maryh
 
Be sure about spaying

Lily did pass away following surgery unfortunatly she had complications and adhesions.She lost a alot of blood.That was a couple of months ago now and was a very hard time.
I would say to anyone considering spaying just ensure you get all the facts you need to make a decision in the best interests of your cavie.It is a serious operation and should only be done if there is no other safe alternative.
Many thanks for all comments to this thread.
Helen xx>>>
 
kidsgrovecaviemad said:
Lily did pass away following surgery unfortunatly she had complications and adhesions.She lost a alot of blood.That was a couple of months ago now and was a very hard time.
I would say to anyone considering spaying just ensure you get all the facts you need to make a decision in the best interests of your cavie.It is a serious operation and should only be done if there is no other safe alternative.
Many thanks for all comments to this thread.
Helen xx>>>
Click to expand...

I'm very sorry to hear about Lily. Run free at the bridge beautiful girl..
 
I am so sorry for your loss.
RIP Lily
 
kidsgrovecaviemad said:
Lily did pass away following surgery unfortunatly she had complications and adhesions.She lost a alot of blood.That was a couple of months ago now and was a very hard time.
I would say to anyone considering spaying just ensure you get all the facts you need to make a decision in the best interests of your cavie.It is a serious operation and should only be done if there is no other safe alternative.
Many thanks for all comments to this thread.
Helen xx>>>
Click to expand...

Sorry Helen , to piggyback your post , it’s just that I thought this bit of info might help others

I am so sorry for your loss , and grateful that you have shared you heartbreaking experience with us .

I am searching for a neutered sow(medical i.e. c sec) to go with a old guy I have , and a member kindly gave me a name of a rescue that neuters both boars and sows before they are re homed .

I phoned up and talked to the proprietor , who told me that there success rate for sows was good , as the vet they use, has done so many sows that they have lessened the mortality rate through experience ,

I was told that out of over 200 sows neutered , 25 died .

So that would be a 12-13% mortality rate for a vet who has done the opp many times .

I dread to think what it is for a none pig savvy vet , food for thought perhaps .

I am still looking for a sow!
 
Thank you for your kind words.
I did rehome Toffee from the rngp in rugby and she has been wonderful.Toffee is the sheltie in my photo.
Toffee had been spayed at age 5 ! but fortunatly it went well.Her sister did not survive though and Toffee found herself on her own after 5 years together.
She is very happy now with Greg.
I hope you get sorted soon,is your chap too old for neutering ?
I have had my 3 boars done with no problems.
Helen
 
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