• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

What to expect and what to do after neutering

Status
Not open for further replies.
Lisajazz

Lisajazz

Senior Guinea Pig
Joined
Jul 11, 2009
Messages
6,072
Reaction score
14
Points
675
Location
Cardiff
Tuesday morning Mork is going in for his op. What can I expect him to be like afterwards?

What exactly does the operation involve? (ie what does the vet do / remove)

Will he be in alot of pain afterwards?

Will his appetite be affected?

What's best for his bedding afterwards?

How often should I clean him out afterwards to ensure best hygeine in the cage vs disturbing him? Right now I am sweeping every day and full change every 2 or 3 days.

Will there be any medication I need ot give him afterwards?

Handling? Yes or no and for how long?

How long before I can breathe a sigh of relief (fingers crossed) that the op has gone well?

I think that's all.
 
Firstly I want to say good luck! He won't be in the best of moods when he comes round as my dog took a good day to get to his normal self, he was sulking and asking why I made him have an operation.

You can't really compare a dog to a piggy normally but my lad was classed as a high risk to operate on so as you can imagine, I was beside myself! If you think something isn't right, then get in touch with the vet right away. My lad was miserable for the whole day afterwards but he ate really well so that was a good sign.

With piggy's, they only have tiny parts so I am assuming it will be an extremely short operation with not much anaesthetic needed. My dog had a tumour removed that turned out to be seriously complicated but he was fine. :)

I can only imagine this will be simple, especially for a boar.

Good luck to Mork. x
 
Lisajazz said:
Tuesday morning Mork is going in for his op. What can I expect him to be like afterwards?
Click to expand...

Mork, will likely appear to be somewhat withdrawn, Lisajazz. However, once the anesthetic has completely "worn off", he should revert to his typical self.

Lisajazz said:
What exactly does the operation involve? (ie what does the vet do / remove)
Click to expand...

The operation involves removing the reproductive organs (testicles).

Lisajazz said:
Will he be in alot of pain afterwards?
Click to expand...

Mork, will likely be in some discomfort. However, your veterinary surgeon should provide yourself with pain relief for Mork, Lisajazz.

Lisajazz said:
Will his appetite be affected?
Click to expand...

Again, once the anesthetic has completely "worn off", Mork, should revert to his typical self - and should exhibit his normal appetite.

Lisajazz said:
What's best for his bedding afterwards?
Click to expand...

I would advise yourself to provide, Mork, with a basic type of bedding, that will prevent infection and a type of bedding that will not irritant the operated site. For example, newspaper and hay.

Lisajazz said:
How often should I clean him out afterwards to ensure best hygeine in the cage vs disturbing him? Right now I am sweeping every day and full change every 2 or 3 days.
Click to expand...

I advise daily cleaning for a period of no less than seven to ten days, Lisajazz.

Lisajazz said:
Will there be any medication I need ot give him afterwards?
Click to expand...

Your veterinary surgeon should provide yourself with pain relief for Mork, Lisajazz.

Lisajazz said:
Handling? Yes or no and for how long?
Click to expand...

You will be required to handle Mork daily, to check the stitches/ the operated site has not become infected, Lisajazz. However, I would advise minimal handling for the first day or two.

Lisajazz said:
How long before I can breathe a sigh of relief (fingers crossed) that the op has gone well?
Click to expand...

I believe you can "breathe a sign of relief" after a ten day period, Lisajazz.

I hope all goes well, Lisajazz.

P.S. Please note the above are simply my opinions.
 
Last edited:
Vetbed is good post-op bedding Lisa; it's what the vets generally use for animals recovering from surgery. Complete change daily for at least 2-3 days, then every second day if it has healed well after that.

If you've not seen the sticky already, there is one link that may give you a bit of info:
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=31509

Good luck for Tuesday. :)
 
Thanks everyone.

I did read that sticky Laura and it's got loads of good stuff i will be asking when I take him Tuesday but not much in the way of aftercare, that's what I want to make sure is right as that's MY bit. The vet is supposed to be great with rodents and has specialised in them so he's the least of my worries (Touch wood)
 
"With piggy's, they only have tiny parts so I am assuming it will be an extremely short operation with not much anaesthetic"

The bits and pieces are small but it is still an operation under a general anaesthetic and it is not a short operation just because a pig is a small animal.

If the vet uses the most apprpriate type of general anaesthetic for a pig, the recovery time should be very quick, typically 15 minutes or so. Unfortunately, not all vets use the recommended anaesthetic agent and recovery time can then be somewhat longer with the attendant risk of post operative shock which is usually fatal.
 
Lisajazz - a few things worth considering which may help.

Take along a small bag of hay and some fresh veg for your piggy when you drop him off at the vets tomorrow. (Label it too if poss)
When they phone to say he's ok ask whether he has eaten any of the veg etc as it's important his gut is functioning.

I assume he will be kept indoors? It's essential he is warm but not hot.

Use either vet bed or towels only - do not use hay, shavings or straw for bedding. Make sure you have plenty of them as he will need to be kept very clean with changes at least every day for the first week or so. His hay can be provided in a rack or else just give him small amounts throughout the day. It's quite important that his stitches are kept clean and hay free.

He may be off colour for the rest of the evening but should be eating as normal by the next day. Syringe feeding may be needed if he doesn't eat too well the first night. A Vit C supplement is worthwhile for a few days too as their Vit C supplies are in great demand after an operation of any kind, including neutering. Check poos and wees are normal too. Fresh foods are a must of course. A probiotic can be of benefit too.

His incision site will be swollen and slightly bruised - that's normal. However, check it every day at least three times so that you can get used to it and monitor any changes in it. Any reddening or discharge - back to the vets.

When the initial swelling has reduced check very carefully either side to make sure there are no lumps deep in the body cavity. Abcesses are common and can form quite some time after the initial operation. They are treatable though and with a guinea pig savvy vet I'm sure you will be given advice and support anyway.

Stick to his usual routine and I'm sure he will settle fine - hope some of this helps.

Louise x
 
:):):)i had my boy done 10 days ago and he was a little groggy when he came home but was eating fine,,he was a little sore for 2 days but no pain relief is needed the vet told me but you could give him 0.2mls of calpol twice a day starting the day after..i put mine on fleece ..hay in hay racks.. and a pillow to sleep on and changed it daily for the first 4 days..you will have a bit of swelling for around 4days after then it starts to go down.pick up to check he has no infection coming every day even after the op after 2 days you can handle but still be a little careful..keep an eye on him to see if he wees ok and poos ok my guinea had very hot ears the next day so i rang the vet has i was worried about a temp,,i gave him a clean down there with salt water as he had a lot of gunky stuff there only did this the once then with in a few hours he was fine and his ears were cooler..also they need to be kpt in over nite if they live outside
 
Last edited:
Well he's in eeek. Bless his heart he just sat there like a star being examined and having his health check before they operate. He's such a sweetie.

VERY worried but at least hes with a good rodent vet.

He's apparently very healthy and being 21 weeks is at an excellent age for it too. Good lungs too apparently (not like my poor Lotta)

I should know by lunchtime how he's done. FINGERS CROSSED!
 
Fingers crossed Lisa, Wishing Mork a speedy recovery! :)!

It'll be worth it once he gets all his wifeys! :))
 
Yes it will be when he's in with his girls. Scary stuff and I have a ton of stuff to do today and i'm stressed anyway so this is just one thing too many.

Right better get on and stay busy until I pick him up.
 
well finger crossed for your little guy! and a big hug to you!
 
Fingers crossed for Mork!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 
It will all be worth it to see the smile on his face when he gets to play with his girlfriends! Hope he comes round OK!
 
Lisa I'm waiting for news of a boy going through the same op today so I'm empathizing with your anxieties. Will be keeping fingers crossed for you as well.
 
Ahh Lesa I will be thinking of you and your guinea baby too. When will you know?
 
Ditto - he's home and has had a munch on one of those herb filled cigar shaped treats. He has some fresh herbs in his cage too but not started on those just yet.

He was apparently not under for long and came round very quickly afterwards. Has had a munch on some greens before coming home.

I am cautiously happy and will keep my fingers firmly crossed for no complications. TOUCH WOOD.

Glad to have him home I have to say.

When do you get yours home?
 
Lisajazz said:
Ditto - he's home and has had a munch on one of those herb filled cigar shaped treats. He has some fresh herbs in his cage too but not started on those just yet.

He was apparently not under for long and came round very quickly afterwards. Has had a munch on some greens before coming home.

I am cautiously happy and will keep my fingers firmly crossed for no complications. TOUCH WOOD.

Glad to have him home I have to say.

When do you get yours home?
Click to expand...

Woohoo, I'm glad it all went well! LOts of cuddles x)x)
 
Well he's polished off the herbs and has started on the nuggets now.

Is that a good sign? I am assuming it means he feels well?
 
Okay it's 2 weeks today since his op. I have been worrying every day.

Can I relax now? Is he in the clear?
 
Thanks for asking about Mork he's very chuffed to have people who care!

Mork is right as rain. I am very pleased and i feel so blessed.

Introductions are happening this weekend as I have consulted Guinea Lynx and they say 3 to 4 weeks. We are at 3 and a half weeks so going to bite the bullet and do it. I can't see him in his tiny space any more, he needs space and friends.

I'll let you know how we get on.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top