To spay or not to spay?

[Gem789]

I finally got cheese seen at the cat and rabbit clinic today and she does have ovarian cysts.Kim said they could be left or I've got 3 options, to spay, to have an implant or hormone injections (which I asked about as they've never administered them there).As this is the 1st time for me dealing with it I'd like some help to choose which would be the better option.The spay would be the same price as 3 hormone injections.Kim said Simon has a 95 percent success rate with spaying sows so that's encouraging.Kim said I could leave her be but it depends on how it's affecting the rest of the herd.She seems to be in season practically everyday so I imagine it must be annoying for her and her cage mates who she's constantly chasing and mounting so I'm edging towards a spay but I'm a bit worried as all operations carry risks.
Any advice would be appreciated

 

[Merab]

I can't really advise you but can tell you about my 2 girls.
Jemimah was found to have rapidly growing ovarian cysts when she was given her pre-op check for abscess surgery. The upshot was a spay as well as the abscess surgery. It went very well and she's her normal, chunky, happy self.

I had discussed spay vs injections with regard to Merab and with my vet's advice opted for a spay.
My vet said that with the injections there is still the possibility of the cysts regrowing and that a spay removes the problem once for all.

Whatever decision you make for Cheese will be the right one for you and her.

 

[Wiebke]

I finally got cheese seen at the cat and rabbit clinic today and she does have ovarian cysts.Kim said they could be left or I've got 3 options, to spay, to have an implant or hormone injections (which I asked about as they've never administered them there).As this is the 1st time for me dealing with it I'd like some help to choose which would be the better option.The spay would be the same price as 3 hormone injections.Kim said Simon has a 95 percent success rate with spaying sows so that's encouraging.Kim said I could leave her be but it depends on how it's affecting the rest of the herd.She seems to be in season practically everyday so I imagine it must be annoying for her and her cage mates who she's constantly chasing and mounting so I'm edging towards a spay but I'm a bit worried as all operations carry risks.
Any advice would be appreciated

Four of my sows have been spayed by Simon, and another one will need a spay for a cyst that is likely turning into cancer into some point. I have more sows with 'normal' cysts which can hopefully be kept under control by occasional draining.

When it comes to spaying, you are in the safest hands with Simon. He used to spay all sows coming into now defunct RNGP Welfare rescue in Rugby for nearly 15 years (the only UK rescue with a spaying policy), which means that he is the vet with the most experience in this area in this country.

PS: All of my spayed sows have made a good recovery and have lived a good life span. They have all died from unrelated issues.

But the decision has to be yours. All three options have their pros and cons. An operation is the most radical, but it is a permanent solution.
Tips For Post-operative Care

 

[Gem789]

Four of my sows have been spayed by Simon, and another one will need a spay for a cyst that is likely turning into cancer into some point.
When it comes to spaying, you are in the safest hands there. He used to spay all sows coming into now defunct RNGP Welfare rescue in Rugby for nearly 15 years (the only UK rescue with a spaying policy), which means that he is the vet with the most experience in this area in this country.

All of my sows have made a good recovery and have lived a good life span. They have all died from unrelated issues.

Thanks, that's very reassuring to read that.

 

[Gem789]

I can't really advise you but can tell you about my 2 girls.
Jemimah was found to have rapidly growing ovarian cysts when she was given her pre-op check for abscess surgery. The upshot was a spay as well as the abscess surgery. It went very well and she's her normal, chunky, happy self.

I had discussed spay vs injections with regard to Merab and with my vet's advice opted for a spay.
My vet said that with the injections there is still the possibility of the cysts regrowing and that a spay removes the problem once for all.

Whatever decision you make for Cheese will be the right one for you and her.

Thanks, I'm definitely edging more towards a spay as it is a permanent solution.I'll have a good think over the next week or so and hopefully come to a decision.