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Very hormonal Holly

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pelicano

pelicano

Adult Guinea Pig
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I'm really worried about Holly. She is 3.5 years old and has always been a bit of a feisty madam, but she has gradually become more hormonal over the past few weeks. All last night she was chasing and humping Cassie, and she also refused a piece of cucumber this morning, which really scared me.

I already have a vet appointment for tomorrow, but I'm so hoping I won't end up needing to see an emergency vet today. She is nibbling away on some hay, so is still eating, but I'm obviously keeping a close eye on things (I need to check something is coming out of the other end too).

I lost a piggy years ago who was very hormonal (at the age of only 18 months), so I'm very scared. Do you think it is ovarian cysts? Is she likely to need spaying?

Thanks for any advice.
 
Ok, update is that she has not pooed yet. :( She is still nibbling hay and has also just tucked into a pile of grass, but no poos yet.

Any thoughts?

edit: have just syringed some water and probiotic, which she loved.
 
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Extremely hormonal behaviour that lasts more than 24-48 hours can indicate ovarian cysts. Spaying is far from necessary, Sarah. Hormone injections should be the first port of call - Chorulon is usually used in this country at the dose rate of 0.2ml. One injection, repeated at four week intervals (depending on the severity, only one repeat may be needed). If cysts are very large, they can be drained via a needle directly into the cyst through the abdomen - no anesthetic (though I highly doubt most vets would be willing to even try this). A hysterectomy is really not the best solution when there are other, less risky options.

Is there any more news on the poops side of things this evening?
 
Thanks for the info. :)

Sorry for the lack of update. I've been out all afternoon, but she started pooing not long after she'd tucked into the grass and had the probiotic. She's still stable, but the vet appointment tomorrow can't come soon enough for me.

Difficult to know what this vet will be like, as my trusted vet has left the country and I've had to change. I've booked in with one that was recommended to me by another piggy owner, so have my fingers crossed...
 
CCC4 should you be describing how a cystic ovary can be drained, just in case some irresponsible owner tries it at home? As you know the admin/moderators are not too keen on the posting of treatment which is inappropriate for the forum. Maybe pm is the better way to go?
 
Sarah, do let us know how you get on today at the vets with Holly. I hope she's sorted quickly.

AP, I am outlining one method of treatment, not giving instructions on how to do it. I also mentioned vets in that particular sentence. The pig is already with a competent owner and long-standing member, and is booked in at the vets for today. There is nothing to suggest that any of the above is to be tried at home, especially given that vets are mentioned to the degree they are in this thread. Private Messaging defeats the object of posting in a public forum. On a similar note, advising a "do nothing" policy is equeally questionable. The admin and mods are the best people to go to if you believe someone is breaking the rules.
 
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I don't see how posting a description of what a vet might choose to do is inappropriate. :{ I really can't think that anyone would be brave/mad enough to try it themselves.

Will update after my vet appointment.
 
Latest news is that the vet could feel ovarian cysts, and wants to spay her. Tomorrow is therefore spay day, and I'm going to be a nervous wreck. :(
 
I did post on one thread what could be done for a particular condition and was told off for doing so AND I was "awarded" one infraction point. Just helping others to avoid the same problem!
Did the vet mention the other possibilites as outlined by CCC4, if so what was the deciding factor for spaying?
 
pelicano said:
Latest news is that the vet could feel ovarian cysts, and wants to spay her. Tomorrow is therefore spay day, and I'm going to be a nervous wreck. :(
Click to expand...

Is there absolutely no way the vet can drain/ treat with hormone jabs?

I'm only asking as last year I took Stupes for a "routine" spay for the same condition, and due to her rather unusual anatomy (she was a small and quite oddly shaped piggie) the operation created insurmountable complications :(
 
Sarah, is there a particular reason for the vet spaying Holly - did the vet mention any other possible treatments, or did you ask about hormone injections/draining? If you can possibly change your mind at the eleventh hour (if she's not already in surgery), I do feel Holly (and you!) would be better off trying the less risky solutions first.

At least you have a diagnosis and a reason for the hormonal behaviour, that is an important step.
 
I'm sorry to hear that your Holly is having surgery :( Like as already been asked, is it really necessary to have her spayed as I have heard that Cysts can be drained? Good luck if she is already at the vets xx
 
Latest update is that I've just got her home from her spay. Today has been a really tough day, so I'll update better another time.
 
She's doing quite well, thanks. :) Obviously she's not back to normal, but she is eating and pooing, so not too many worries there so far.
 
Just to update, Holly is doing well and her wound is healing OK at the moment. She's being a bit picky with her food, but is eating plenty of her favourite hay. Her favourite food is grass, so I wish we actually had some in the garden - it's growing sooooo slowly. I grow cereal grass indoors (from Planet Guinea), but she prefers the outdoor stuff.

The operation turned out to be standard, in the sense that they found what they expected to find (ovarian cysts, with no other problems). I hope it turned out to be the right thing to do, but who knows? It's all made doubly difficult when I'm forced to try out new vets that I don't know too well yet (haven't built up a trusting relationship with etc).

Can anyone please tell me how long it takes for the hormone levels to come down? When I had my rabbits spayed it took quite a few weeks, so I'm wondering what to expect with Holly.
 
No idea on the hormone levels...having said that, from other medical conditions involving hormones (alopecia, thyroid etc.) I know it does take a little while for the symptoms to stop and then correct themselves. I found, with thyroid (thus hormone) related alopecia, the condition stopped worsening after about 2 weeks.

Glad Holly is doing well thus far. Fingers crossed for a complete and quick recovery!
 
Hmm... I'm not sure what to think today, as I've just checked Holly's spay wound, and it has bled a little. She is going back to the vets tomorrow for her check up, and I can't easily get there this afternoon instead. Not having had a piggy spayed before, I don't know if this is cause for alarm or not. :{

Edit: I think it is where the glue is coming off.

Update: I'm going to the vets at 5 pm. I'd never forgive myself if I chose to wait till tomorrow and it turned out to be a bad decision.
 
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Latest update is that the vet seemed to think Holly's wound looked OK. The blood had dried by the time I got her to the vets. I am worried that she is doing it to herself though, through itchiness - I caught her having a little nibble earlier.
 
If she really pulls and scratches at it, and is worsening the wound, a body bandage may have to be considered. For the pigs own good, though try telling them that. :))

Here's hoping she leaves the wound well alone!
 
Thanks - I'm really hoping she'll leave it alone, as she'll hate a bandage. The wound looks the same today and the blood is dried, so no fresh bleeding (she's on vetbed, so it's very easy to spot). Phew...
 
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