Surgery aftercare and stitches itching

[Lauraspigs]

Hello, Saffie had an operation on Monday to remove a cyst on her back. She had internal stitches and glue.

After a rough start, I syringe fed her every couple of hours through the night and she started eating on her own, then we had a set back but by Tuesday night she was back to normal. Had a post op check on weds and wound is looking good and healing well.

5 hours after the vet check she started running around the cage, in circles and trying to get at the wound (luckily she can’t reach it) i think it must be really itching, is there anything I can do, is this normal?

ive managed to get some food in her and she’s calmed down a bit. Metacam is due in the morning.

I called the vet but the on call vet was useless, no help at all. I tried vetfone which is provided with my parents dog insurance and she suggested cold compresses but it says in the notes I was given to keep the wound dry so not sure this is a good idea. Tried to ask the call vet but he didn’t understand - going to put in a complaint tomorrow.

will get her an appointment in the morning if she isn’t any better.

has anyone tried a photizo on guineas?

they are indoor pigs so I haven’t left her side/the sofa since she came home but not sure whether I can go back to work or not. Terrified of leaving her and she had been doing so well.

 

[Wiebke]

It sounds like something may not quite right with the wound healing if this behaviour continues.
Normally by that stage the operation scar is starting to knit quite quickly and there should be no discomfort/irritation from it. Can you see whether a bandage can prevent her from getting at the wound overnight and then see how she is tomorrow morning?

No, I have never heard of photizo in guinea pigs and I would very wary of doing therapies on spec - you can easily make things worse than better.

 

[Lauraspigs]

It sounds like something may not quite right with the wound healing if this behaviour continues.
Normally by that stage the operation scar is starting to knit quite quickly and there should be no discomfort/irritation from it. Can you see whether a bandage can prevent her from getting at the wound overnight and then see how she is tomorrow morning?

No, I have never heard of photizo in guinea pigs and I would very wary of doing therapies on spec - you can easily make things worse than better.

She can’t get to it so think it’s ok to leave her overnight. I’ll phone the vets first thing. So disappointed with the vet on call, he was useless. It was checked at 2.30pm today and she said it was healing nicely. It’s clean and dry and no discharge/redness that I can see. Could it be a sign that there’s an infection starting? Thought it might be like it is for people when the stitches cause Itching.
She I be asking for any other meds along with the metacam?

 

[Wiebke]

She can’t get to it so think it’s ok to leave her overnight. I’ll phone the vets first thing. So disappointed with the vet on call, he was useless. It was checked at 2.30pm today and she said it was healing nicely. It’s clean and dry and no discharge/redness that I can see. Could it be a sign that there’s an infection starting? Thought it might be like it is for people when the stitches cause Itching.
She I be asking for any other meds along with the metacam?

Just see how she is by tomorrow morning. If the strong irritation/discomfort is still there, then it is time to act and to book an appointment during regular visiting hours. It is very difficult to say what is happening right now, especially if your vet thinks that the scar is healing and knitting nicely. It can well be some wound itching that is irritating her because she can't get at but if it is that, it will hopefully settle soon as guinea pigs heal very quickly.