Spike Back From Throat Op

[worried val of york]

I just collected Spike from the vets today. He has had a large cyst removed from under his chin. The vet says it went quite deep and was really near his esophagus. He has given me instructions -
to syringe feed up to 70-80 ml a day
give 0.3 ml metcam once daily with or after food
Baytril 0.3 ml twice daily.
Spike's throat has four stitches and looks a bit horrific.
But I have already given him some cut grass which he couldn't get down fast enough.
I have been advised to keep his hutch free from hay (edited from straw) and sawdust and not to put him back with his cagemate yet.
I must say I am very worried about him because the wound is huge if you compare it the equivalent of a human operation.

I have to take him back to the vets on Monday pm.

 

[piggyfan]

Poor little man. I hope he recovers soon. Do you use straw? Straw is not a suitable bedding for guinea pigs as it is too rough and likely to cause injuries.

 

[worried val of york]

Sorry it's me. No I have never used straw for them. I get Dust Free Hay. Luckily I had ordered to fleece cage liners last year from Hammocky Hammocks so he is on that at present in his hospital cage.

Poor little man. I hope he recovers soon. Do you use straw? Straw is not a suitable bedding for guinea pigs as it is too rough and likely to cause injuries.

i

 

[GPTV]

Bless him hope he gets well soon, poor little man with a sore throat
think we would pass out if we had wounds the equivalent size on us.
Healing vibes from the girls & I. xx

 

[Pebble]

Post-op care in my house involves the following:
a) piggie is on fleece indoors in a small cage to restrict movement (80-100cm width) and observed every 2 hours
b) antibiotic and pain meds given according to vet prescription
c) extra fluids in the form of diarolyte and water 10ml every 2hours for first 24-48 hours ****
d) syringe feed mushy pellets or critical care with probiotic and extra Vit C - 20ml every 4hours for as long as it takes
e) any bathing/topical treatment of wound according to vets instructions

Extras that might be necessary:
a) Tramadol pain relief in addition to metacam (tramadol is better for deep-seated surgical or organic pain)
B) Gut stimulants at the ready (metoclopromide or cisparide...and zantac) to keep the guts moving whilst food ingestion is low

Most important atm is to keep flushing through the anaesthetic with fluids.****.......I lost one guinea pig but subsequently saved another owing to doing this soon after the op.

If he is eating grass etc then that is a very good sign. Don;t be put off by the wound size - if he is perky, eating and bright-eyed then he will recover - just keep an eye open for possible infection of the wound as that is your greatest risk it seems from hereon.

*** - fluids at this level only necessary if piggie is still woozy after being discharged. Otherwise 10ml every 4-6hours would be better.


HTH
x

 

[doglovinpiggylover]

good luck with his healing poor fella x

 

[worried val of york]

Thanks @Pebble for the more detailed information. I am feeling a bit out of my depth as I know he has had major surgery. He's by my side in a fleece bed at present. He is eating grass, romaine letter and a bit of timothy grass (which I hand feed him). I have given him some syringed water but will take your advice of doing it 2 hourly. The vet hasn't advised me about bathing the wound. But I do intend keeping the fleece as clean as I can by frequent changes. I'll mention tramadol when I see the vet on Monday. I was told as he had eaten whilst at the surgery I would need to start critical care tomorrow, and also the metacam and baytril. I was told to put a bit of blackcurrant juice with the baytril tomake it more palatable.

 

[Pebble]

Good he's on fleece and by your side. yes - keep it clean and change daily
Excellent! - that he is eating grass romaine etc
You don;t need to syringe water 2hourly unless you feel he is still not bright and alert after the GA - in which case go ahead.
If vet has not advised, then don;t bathe/touch the wound but keep an eye for signs of possible infection (swelling/redness/pus )
He may have eaten at the vets, but you still need to top him up every 4 hours to keep his guts going and not wait til tomorrow
Blackcurrant or anything else you can think of to make baytril more palatable is AOK.

HTH - PM me for my phone number if you want a chat

x

 

[LeahsPiggies]

I'm glad Spike's surgery went well and he is awake and eating, that's the main thing

I hope he continues to improve and that the wound heals nicely. Lots of vibes sent from my wheekers

 

[worried val of york]

Thanks for the further information. If things don't go as I hope I will take you up on the offer to talk.