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Surgery scheduled tomorrow

serendivinity

serendivinity

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
May 5, 2026
Messages
13
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30
Points
125
Location
London
Hey everyone

I posted a couple weeks ago about my boy biscuit and discovering a lump just near his chest in the fatty area.

We saw the vet and she said he actually has 2 tumours. Surgery is tomorrow and I'm nervous.
Biscuit is still 100% himself, eating, drinking, peeing on me during snuggles 🤣 He's 3 and a half so not a senior piggie.

My anxiety stems from last month losing one of my pigs to a routine x-ray under anesthesia, but turned out he had issues with his kidneys and while he survived the anesthesia he never recovered. We thought it was dental related and turns out his issues were stemming from that, so we would have lost him anyway I just feel like I will relive that trauma tomorrow and I'm apprehensive. I still miss Gary so much it hurts, but I have to be a good piggy mum and get these tumours removed from Biscuit before they become an even bigger problem.

Well wishes appreciated.

Should I also cancel my client on Friday to monitor him me and my partner both work, and he unfortunately can't get the day off but I have some flexibility to be off.

Anyone had anytbing similar with positive stories? (I can read bad all day but that won't do me any good)
 
serendivinity said:
Hey everyone

I posted a couple weeks ago about my boy biscuit and discovering a lump just near his chest in the fatty area.

We saw the vet and she said he actually has 2 tumours. Surgery is tomorrow and I'm nervous.
Biscuit is still 100% himself, eating, drinking, peeing on me during snuggles 🤣 He's 3 and a half so not a senior piggie.

My anxiety stems from last month losing one of my pigs to a routine x-ray under anesthesia, but turned out he had issues with his kidneys and while he survived the anesthesia he never recovered. We thought it was dental related and turns out his issues were stemming from that, so we would have lost him anyway I just feel like I will relive that trauma tomorrow and I'm apprehensive. I still miss Gary so much it hurts, but I have to be a good piggy mum and get these tumours removed from Biscuit before they become an even bigger problem.

Well wishes appreciated.

Should I also cancel my client on Friday to monitor him me and my partner both work, and he unfortunately can't get the day off but I have some flexibility to be off.

Anyone had anytbing similar with positive stories? (I can read bad all day but that won't do me any good)
Click to expand...
I have had a similar experience, i had a piggy get blood work and my vet didn’t tell me but they gave him a reversal thing to combat the sedation used. He ended up having kidney disease and had a reaction because of it. He had a seizure and passed as i held him. I understand the trauma, i have a fear of taking any of mine to the vet now but i try to remember that as long as i ask questions, there won’t be any surprises. The more you take him to the vet, the more you’ll sort of lose that anxiety about something bad happening again. It’s like rebuilding trust. Ask as many questions as you want because it’s your right. You can even express to them you’re having anxiety because of what happened last time. You can also call them to check on his status and how he’s doing for peace of mind. Good luck to your piggy, it’s amazing the tumors are operable ♡
 
serendivinity said:
Hey everyone

I posted a couple weeks ago about my boy biscuit and discovering a lump just near his chest in the fatty area.

We saw the vet and she said he actually has 2 tumours. Surgery is tomorrow and I'm nervous.
Biscuit is still 100% himself, eating, drinking, peeing on me during snuggles 🤣 He's 3 and a half so not a senior piggie.

My anxiety stems from last month losing one of my pigs to a routine x-ray under anesthesia, but turned out he had issues with his kidneys and while he survived the anesthesia he never recovered. We thought it was dental related and turns out his issues were stemming from that, so we would have lost him anyway I just feel like I will relive that trauma tomorrow and I'm apprehensive. I still miss Gary so much it hurts, but I have to be a good piggy mum and get these tumours removed from Biscuit before they become an even bigger problem.

Well wishes appreciated.

Should I also cancel my client on Friday to monitor him me and my partner both work, and he unfortunately can't get the day off but I have some flexibility to be off.

Anyone had anytbing similar with positive stories? (I can read bad all day but that won't do me any good)
Click to expand...

HUGS

If you can be flexible, please make use of that.

As long as the cancer has not spread, the lump removal is comparable to those of other lumps with a better than average outcome ratio to other operations. If it has, then the longer term outlook is sadly not good. Cancer is not yet something that can be successfully treated in guinea pigs. :(
But that is something your vet can tell you only after the operation. All you can is do is give Biscuit a chance. The good thing is that he is still fit.

It is however always much more difficult to commit again after a bad experience and having the jitters in this case is very normal for all of us; including me. Unpredictable adverse reactions to GA can and sadly do happen even to the best of vets or human anaesthetists and surgeons.

Here are our very practical tips:
Tips For Post-operative Care
Travelling with guinea pigs
Pet Owners Anxiety - Practical Tips For Sufferers and For Supporters (those tips also work for during an operation which is the time when we all face our worst fears)
Hot Weather Management, Heat Strokes and Fly Strike

I am going to keep my fingers very firmly crossed for Nugget and you.
 
serendivinity said:
Hey everyone

I posted a couple weeks ago about my boy biscuit and discovering a lump just near his chest in the fatty area.

We saw the vet and she said he actually has 2 tumours. Surgery is tomorrow and I'm nervous.
Biscuit is still 100% himself, eating, drinking, peeing on me during snuggles 🤣 He's 3 and a half so not a senior piggie.

My anxiety stems from last month losing one of my pigs to a routine x-ray under anesthesia, but turned out he had issues with his kidneys and while he survived the anesthesia he never recovered. We thought it was dental related and turns out his issues were stemming from that, so we would have lost him anyway I just feel like I will relive that trauma tomorrow and I'm apprehensive. I still miss Gary so much it hurts, but I have to be a good piggy mum and get these tumours removed from Biscuit before they become an even bigger problem.

Well wishes appreciated.

Should I also cancel my client on Friday to monitor him me and my partner both work, and he unfortunately can't get the day off but I have some flexibility to be off.

Anyone had anytbing similar with positive stories? (I can read bad all day but that won't do me any good)
Click to expand...
Good luck Biscuit.

Definitely take Friday off if you can. Sending you hugs at this stressful time. ❤️
 
I'm so sorry that happened, it's horrible isn't it? I felt guilty and still do, but as he was experiencing kidney issues I don't think even without the anesthesia and x-rays he would be here today. It wasn't until I rushed him back to the vets they did an ultrasound, found another issue (he already had arthritis) and sadly it declined from there and we had to make that god awful decision. I'm praying for a different outcome this time around.
 
Hopefully it hasn't, he's not losing weight, he's a chonky boy, still happy. Thankfully they have labs on sight to test so I will know fairly quickly. Hopefully the tumours are benign, or we caught them in time.
Need a miracle after a crappy month.
 
serendivinity said:
Hopefully it hasn't, he's not losing weight, he's a chonky boy, still happy. Thankfully they have labs on sight to test so I will know fairly quickly. Hopefully the tumours are benign, or we caught them in time.
Need a miracle after a crappy month.
Click to expand...

No, your other boy would not be around any more, even without the GA. He sounds like was already rather frail and had underlying issues. :(

HUGS
 
Wiebke said:
No, your other boy would not be around any more, even without the GA. He sounds like was already rather frail and had underlying issues. :(

HUGS
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Yeah the only indicator he gave me was a very weepy eye one day and I noticed his tooth haf broken, they hide things so well it's crazy. I miss him every day.

Feeling optimistic about Biscuit's outcome, it's just the GA woes thanks to last time. It's costing me a fortune (Not much change out of a grand lmao) but worth it for my boy.

I'll contact my friday client and reschedule I think it's the best option for peace of mind.
 
serendivinity said:
I'm so sorry that happened, it's horrible isn't it? I felt guilty and still do, but as he was experiencing kidney issues I don't think even without the anesthesia and x-rays he would be here today. It wasn't until I rushed him back to the vets they did an ultrasound, found another issue (he already had arthritis) and sadly it declined from there and we had to make that god awful decision. I'm praying for a different outcome this time around.
Click to expand...
You couldn’t have possibly known what would happen. Keep us updated with how Biscuit does. ♡ thinking of you today
 
Quick update for everyone!

His surgery was successful on Thursday, they did keep him in overnight and he came home yesterday. Started eating solids (veggies, hay and the occasional pellet) immediately but I am also giving him critical care on top of his eating because it isn't his full monstrous appetite yet (About 10ml a time because any more and he gets wiggly and says stop)
He's acting completely normal aside from the occasional daze moment, but no hunching/facing off just 'whuuuut' kinda glances, and then just goes back to munching.

He has been pooping but a lot less. He's maybe done 20-30 since being home and they are big and solid but a bit funky shaped. I am having to give him some belly rubs to help stimulate them though which isn't ideal because he seems to be having a little bit of difficulty on his own at the moment I think the medication definitely upset his tummy a bit and maybe he's still a bit stressed it was a lot for my little guy. His stitched are also doing good, he has internal ones? Like a teddy bear stitching I'm guessing.

He has pain relief and gut stimulant and a post surgery check up on Monday.
He's running around and almost as lively as he was!

Will keep everyone posted again on Monday when he's had his checks.

Much much better outcome than last time! And hopefully fingers crossed a positive outcome when the results come back!
 
Glad to hear Biscuit is comfortable and recovering nicely. I found Biolapis Fibreplex probiotic good. I hope Biscuit is back to normal really quickly ❤️🙏
 
Merab said:
That’s good news.
Hoping for a full recovery now.
Thanks for the update
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Me too! Little guy is holding up really well, I have every faith in him 💙
Truffolo said:
Glad to hear Biscuit is comfortable and recovering nicely. I found Biolapis Fibreplex probiotic good. I hope Biscuit is back to normal really quickly ❤️🙏
Click to expand...

I'll have to look into this one, I'm using oxbow since it's all I've ever used.
Me too, he just took the most normal poo I've seen since bringing him home, still not as frequent as I'd like but this is only 2 days after his op so from what I've read this is common.
 
serendivinity said:
Quick update for everyone!

His surgery was successful on Thursday, they did keep him in overnight and he came home yesterday. Started eating solids (veggies, hay and the occasional pellet) immediately but I am also giving him critical care on top of his eating because it isn't his full monstrous appetite yet (About 10ml a time because any more and he gets wiggly and says stop)
He's acting completely normal aside from the occasional daze moment, but no hunching/facing off just 'whuuuut' kinda glances, and then just goes back to munching.

He has been pooping but a lot less. He's maybe done 20-30 since being home and they are big and solid but a bit funky shaped. I am having to give him some belly rubs to help stimulate them though which isn't ideal because he seems to be having a little bit of difficulty on his own at the moment I think the medication definitely upset his tummy a bit and maybe he's still a bit stressed it was a lot for my little guy. His stitched are also doing good, he has internal ones? Like a teddy bear stitching I'm guessing.

He has pain relief and gut stimulant and a post surgery check up on Monday.
He's running around and almost as lively as he was!

Will keep everyone posted again on Monday when he's had his checks.

Much much better outcome than last time! And hopefully fingers crossed a positive outcome when the results come back!
Click to expand...

Glad that all has gone well. keep weighing him first thing in the morning on your kitchen scales for best day to day comparison and if needed, top him up with some extra feed. What you cannot control by eye is the over three quarters of hay that make the bulk of a piggy's food intake.
Weight and Weight Loss Explained: BMI, Weighing, Poos and Feeding Support Levels

Please be aware that the poo output is always running 1-2 days behind the input - it takes that much time to pass from mouth to anus. What you are seeing now reflects the lack of input before and during; brace for some funny poos at first (reflecting the operation). What is good to see is that he is making pre-op poops, which means that the internal conveyor belt is working normally.

Please be also aware that the first day after an operation is often worst one because the medications cocktail for the operation has worn off, he is all sore but the healing process will set in fully only from day 2-3 post-op. That is perfectly normal.

Wishing your boy a good recovery and you finally some good sleep without big worries.
 
Forgot to update yesterday!
Trip to the vets went well, they are happy with his recovery and we can stop the meds tomorrow!
He's pooping properly again and it's normal finally, he's back with his brothers today! I kept them partially separate so I could keep a closer eye on his poops/eating. I was also worried Gizmo would make a fuss of his stitches which he did so I decided to keep them apart for a couple days. Thankfully they are chill piggies so it's like he never left.

We have another post op checkup in a week, but so far happy with his progress!
 
serendivinity said:
Forgot to update yesterday!
Trip to the vets went well, they are happy with his recovery and we can stop the meds tomorrow!
He's pooping properly again and it's normal finally, he's back with his brothers today! I kept them partially separate so I could keep a closer eye on his poops/eating. I was also worried Gizmo would make a fuss of his stitches which he did so I decided to keep them apart for a couple days. Thankfully they are chill piggies so it's like he never left.

We have another post op checkup in a week, but so far happy with his progress!
Click to expand...

I am glad that all is going well!
 
serendivinity said:
Forgot to update yesterday!
Trip to the vets went well, they are happy with his recovery and we can stop the meds tomorrow!
He's pooping properly again and it's normal finally, he's back with his brothers today! I kept them partially separate so I could keep a closer eye on his poops/eating. I was also worried Gizmo would make a fuss of his stitches which he did so I decided to keep them apart for a couple days. Thankfully they are chill piggies so it's like he never left.

We have another post op checkup in a week, but so far happy with his progress!
Click to expand...
this makes me so happy! I’m so glad he did well, and glad you had a good experience this time :)
 
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