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Spaying

Stayc1989

Stayc1989

Teenage Guinea Pig
Joined
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Location
Derbyshire UK
Hello, so last night I found blood in the piggies cage. At first I couldn’t tell who, or where it was coming from but then noticed it was coming from Florence’s bits or bum. Took her to the vets this morning and they’re unsure what it is but have found a grape sized lump in her tummy, her poops are good and normal and the blood is coming from her bits. They said they could either take a sample and send it off to see what it is, or to just go ahead and operate which would mean spaying her, to remove the growth. I opted for spaying her because it seems like the quickest option but obviously I am preparing myself for the worst just incase the lump for some reason cannot be removed or spaying her won’t make a difference, and at that point I would have to have her pts. Just really worrying about her because she’s quite old now and I know it’s quite invasive surgery for a little animal, but I don’t want her suffering maybe in pain until the biopsy results come back and then wait till we can get an appointment, just seems cruel to keep her waiting. Is there anything I should be doing either preparing for the surgery or after surgery?
 
@Stayc1989 There's not really anything we need to do for a piggy before surgery. If anything we have to prepare ourselves! Spoil her rotten and enjoy your time with her. Tell herbyou love her many many times. Surgery is a necessary evil and in some cases we do lose them during, so make sure you have a wonderful time before just in case.


After the surgery it's all about her. Make sure you listen to the vet/nurse when you collect her so you know how she's been and what you need to do medicine wise.
Make sure you have syringe feeding supplies on hand just in case she needs feeding.
Have lots of cleaning bedding to hand as her cage will need to be kept extra clean.
And try not to worry or panic. Times like this need a level head.

And feel free to come back onto the forum as there's lots of lovely people who will virtually hold your hand through it all.
 
Having just had my piggy spayed last week, make sure you have the means to start syringe feeding and watering. Have vetbed ready to bed her on as my piggy just sat in one spot for 3 days and was weeing on herself and soaking wet as a result. I changed the vetbed daily. If you don't have vetbed then fleece would probably be ok. It's easy to keep clean and easy to wash.

Get in some fresh herbs to tempt her to eat, although all my sow wanted was fresh cut grass and little gem lettuce leaves when she did eventually want to nibble on something.

Make sure your vet sends her home with Metacam to take twice daily. I have a very piggy savvy vet and my 1.1kg sow was on 0.25ml of dog Metacam twice a day - vets not very experienced with piggies often give a very low dose of painkiller.

A heat pad would probably be appreciated by her, but not until 24hrs after the anaesthetic. It's not advisable to place a sleepy pet on a heat pad as they tend not to move and can overheat. Once they're fully awake and able to move, a heat pad placed near them so they can choose to sit on it if they wish is nice. I assume she lives indoors but if not, you will need to bring her in to recover, and that probably means for the whole winter then.

Hope it goes well and sending good luck vibes.
 
Stayc1989 said:
Hello, so last night I found blood in the piggies cage. At first I couldn’t tell who, or where it was coming from but then noticed it was coming from Florence’s bits or bum. Took her to the vets this morning and they’re unsure what it is but have found a grape sized lump in her tummy, her poops are good and normal and the blood is coming from her bits. They said they could either take a sample and send it off to see what it is, or to just go ahead and operate which would mean spaying her, to remove the growth. I opted for spaying her because it seems like the quickest option but obviously I am preparing myself for the worst just incase the lump for some reason cannot be removed or spaying her won’t make a difference, and at that point I would have to have her pts. Just really worrying about her because she’s quite old now and I know it’s quite invasive surgery for a little animal, but I don’t want her suffering maybe in pain until the biopsy results come back and then wait till we can get an appointment, just seems cruel to keep her waiting. Is there anything I should be doing either preparing for the surgery or after surgery?
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Offering support - my Merab is being spayed tomorrow as she has ovarian cysts and possibly another underlying issue.
As has been said - make sure you get plenty of pain killers, plenty of recovery food and be prepared to be stressed out until she recovers.
We can virtually hold each other’s hands through this.
Hope all goes well for your girl
 
Thank
Jaycey said:
@Stayc1989 There's not really anything we need to do for a piggy before surgery. If anything we have to prepare ourselves! Spoil her rotten and enjoy your time with her. Tell herbyou love her many many times. Surgery is a necessary evil and in some cases we do lose them during, so make sure you have a wonderful time before just in case.


After the surgery it's all about her. Make sure you listen to the vet/nurse when you collect her so you know how she's been and what you need to do medicine wise.
Make sure you have syringe feeding supplies on hand just in case she needs feeding.
Have lots of cleaning bedding to hand as her cage will need to be kept extra clean.
And try not to worry or panic. Times like this need a level head.

And feel free to come back onto the forum as there's lots of lovely people who will virtually hold your hand through it all.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much, I’m just really worried about her. The bleeding has stopped now thank god, that was the worst part of it, but the fact that we don’t know what the lump is, is really worrying. I’ve got critical care and stocked up on syringes already, it helps that I’m off work for a week so I can give her all the attention she needs. Thank you for your reply :) I’ll definitely be back probably in a state of panic and asking ridiculous questions lol
 
Mackers said:
Having just had my piggy spayed last week, make sure you have the means to start syringe feeding and watering. Have vetbed ready to bed her on as my piggy just sat in one spot for 3 days and was weeing on herself and soaking wet as a result. I changed the vetbed daily. If you don't have vetbed then fleece would probably be ok. It's easy to keep clean and easy to wash.

Get in some fresh herbs to tempt her to eat, although all my sow wanted was fresh cut grass and little gem lettuce leaves when she did eventually want to nibble on something.

Make sure your vet sends her home with Metacam to take twice daily. I have a very piggy savvy vet and my 1.1kg sow was on 0.25ml of dog Metacam twice a day - vets not very experienced with piggies often give a very low dose of painkiller.

A heat pad would probably be appreciated by her, but not until 24hrs after the anaesthetic. It's not advisable to place a sleepy pet on a heat pad as they tend not to move and can overheat. Once they're fully awake and able to move, a heat pad placed near them so they can choose to sit on it if they wish is nice. I assume she lives indoors but if not, you will need to bring her in to recover, and that probably means for the whole winter then.

Hope it goes well and sending good luck vibes.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your reply, I’ll nip out and get a heat pad and vet bed tomorrow. I think they’re experienced because they said they do them all the time on gpigs and we also had our puppy spayed with them in July and they were amazing with the aftercare, I know they’ll definitely look after her I just get really paranoid about things like this and because of her age :( how is your piggy doing after her spay?
 
Merab's Slave said:
Offering support - my Merab is being spayed tomorrow as she has ovarian cysts and possibly another underlying issue.
As has been said - make sure you get plenty of pain killers, plenty of recovery food and be prepared to be stressed out until she recovers.
We can virtually hold each other’s hands through this.
Hope all goes well for your girl
Click to expand...

Thank you so much, I’ll definitely be on here worrying about something no doubt. Awww bless her I hope everything goes okay for her too. I’ll be messaging you asking if everything is normal and if I'm doing everything right lol
 
Good luck to you both. I had my boar neutered on friday and hes fine. I know this isnt as invasive as spaying and the recovery will be slower, but i kind of feel how nervous you must be. :nod:
 
Stayc1989 said:
Thank you for your reply, I’ll nip out and get a heat pad and vet bed tomorrow. I think they’re experienced because they said they do them all the time on gpigs and we also had our puppy spayed with them in July and they were amazing with the aftercare, I know they’ll definitely look after her I just get really paranoid about things like this and because of her age :( how is your piggy doing after her spay?
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She's almost back to normal now - 7 days after being spayed. Was a worrying first few days though.
 
Hope all goes well today, sending her lots of love and healing recovery vibes x
 
Just to let you all know that Florence has passed away, I’m picking her up from the vets at 3.45 so will update you later. I don’t really know what to say because I’m in total shock right now x
 
Stayc1989 said:
Just to let you all know that Florence has passed away, I’m picking her up from the vets at 3.45 so will update you later. I don’t really know what to say because I’m in total shock right now x
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I am so sorry, what an awful shock. Huge hugs x
 
Basically the operation went really well and they removed the lump, they had a good look at it and are certain it was cancerous. Her uterus was enlarged due to the size of the lump but said there would have been a good chance of full recovery if she hadn’t have passed away while coming around from the anaesthetic. I know they looked after her though and they were really upset, the vet said that the nurses had kept her in their top cuddled to their chest to keep her warm but unfortunately she didn’t fully come around. I’m such an over thinker and kind of prepared myself for the worst but I guess you never really understand why it happened. Still in total shock and shocked to hear about merab too. :(
 
BIG HUGS

I am so sorry she didn't make it. It is always very gutting.

Please keep in mind that you have given her a chance, and that she has been very likely spared a slower, but more painful and agonising death. Heavy bleeding from the anus is often the sign of a ruptured cancerous cyst. :(

You have done what every good owner would do. The outcome is sadly out of our hands.
 
Stayc1989 said:
Basically the operation went really well and they removed the lump, they had a good look at it and are certain it was cancerous. Her uterus was enlarged due to the size of the lump but said there would have been a good chance of full recovery if she hadn’t have passed away while coming around from the anaesthetic. I know they looked after her though and they were really upset, the vet said that the nurses had kept her in their top cuddled to their chest to keep her warm but unfortunately she didn’t fully come around. I’m such an over thinker and kind of prepared myself for the worst but I guess you never really understand why it happened. Still in total shock and shocked to hear about merab too. :(
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So sad :( I feel for both you and @Merab's Slave xx
 
Such sad news, what a sad day all round on the forum :( I'm sure you and the vets did everything possible for your girl, sounds like she was very ill, hugs and sad wheeks x
 
Sorry your piggy has passed away. You did your very best for her. Be kept to yourself.
RIP little girl. xx
 
Merab's Slave said:
How are you feeling today @Stayc1989
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Hello, the reality has sunk in now and I’m honestly heartbroken but trying to stay strong for my other piggies. I found it hard last night when I realised I’d cut 7 pieces of cucumber and there’s only 6 pigs now :( thank you for checking up on me. How are you doing? X
 
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