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What Would You Do In My Position?

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Sian25 said:
Thank you, that means alot as I really do love them! I don't think I would have changed vet if Molly was in full time but I've received very fragmented care as I had a bad experience with Alan
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Alan looks after any of Molly cases that require treatment/advice in her absence on days she works elsewhere. ..so yes, if you don't want to use Alan then it would be fragmented care

Luckily it sounds you are really happy with the care provided at you new vets so hopefully that will be a good fit for you are the boys :love::love:
 
pig in the city said:
I know that abscesses are a recognized complication of neutering but to have them both develop them makes me wonder what went wrong? If it were me, once they are fully recovered (and they will be Sian, don't worry, they will not die), l would make an appointment to speak to the vet who did the surgery. I would ask them to explain why this has occurred, ask them how many neutering operations they do and how many have had post operative complications. They need to review their surgical technique and the suture materials they have used. You have been put through extra stress and expense and your piggies have suffered unduly. You deserve an apology at least, even if it was unavoidable. Sending hugs xx
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I totally agree with this! I have had many guinea pigs neutered (both castrates and spays) over the years, and have never had a post op abscess, or any other complication. I definitely think you have the right to ask questions about the surgical technique, suturing materials and post op problems they have. This has been such a dreadful and anxious time for you, and hopefully it will be resolved very soon. xx
 
Widdy555 said:
I know both Molly and Alan (the other exotic vet) professionally, they are dedicated, diligent and know more about exotics in their little finger than I could ever dream of knowing. Post operative complications are an unfortunate occurrence...but sometimes not avoidable despite taking all known precautions to do so with neutering guinea pigs.

As an owner you need to have faith in your vet, if not you'll drive yourself crazy worrying and secind guessing... I'm so pleased it sounds like you have found a vet that you trust at Cheshire pets :hug:that's great news

One thing is obvious Sian. ....you love them boys and they could not ask for a better, more diligent and caring mum than you .... I think you need to realise what a great job you are doing with them....They are lucky boys :hug:..... I hope both of them are back to full health asap and that you get a well earned rest too :luv:
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Yes, l have taken pigs to Molly in the past and l think l recommended her to you Sian? I am so surprised that this has happened as she is such an excellent surgeon. Its just the two of them being affected that makes it seem more than just bad luck. I would say about 1 in 10 of the piggies l get neutered gets some sort of post op infection. You are incredibly lucky to have Simon at TEAS Debbie
 
Sian25 said:
Thank you. I will definitely be making an appointment with her. I remember pre op and Molly said 'in guinea pigs, I make one incision down the middle of their Lower abdomen as guinea pigs are for abscesses' they were her words and it didn't ring any alarm bells for some reason, I just trusted her reputation and didn't think anything of it :( but it now leads me to think she has a lot of abscesses. But surely abscesses are more to do with the cleanliness of their cage? I feel terrible and to blame, although I was permanently cleaning and changing their cages so I don't understand
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Abcesses are due to the trauma of surgery not your care (other vets have suggested this to me but it is just not true! ) l used to do minor surgery as a GP so l know all about wound care!
 
pig in the city said:
I know that abscesses are a recognized complication of neutering but to have them both develop them makes me wonder what went wrong? If it were me, once they are fully recovered (and they will be Sian, don't worry, they will not die), l would make an appointment to speak to the vet who did the surgery. I would ask them to explain why this has occurred, ask them how many neutering operations they do and how many have had post operative complications. They need to review their surgical technique and the suture materials they have used. You have been put through extra stress and expense and your piggies have suffered unduly. You deserve an apology at least, even if it was unavoidable. Sending hugs xx
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Sian25 said:
Thank you. I will definitely be making an appointment with her. I remember pre op and Molly said 'in guinea pigs, I make one incision down the middle of their Lower abdomen as guinea pigs are for abscesses' they were her words and it didn't ring any alarm bells for some reason, I just trusted her reputation and didn't think anything of it :( but it now leads me to think she has a lot of abscesses. But surely abscesses are more to do with the cleanliness of their cage? I feel terrible and to blame, although I was permanently cleaning and changing their cages so I don't understand
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I really feel for you Sian . I have empathy for you as I remember how I felt when both by boars developed abscesses after they were neutered. Please don't feel you are any way to blame . You are giving great post op care. I am really hoping they both recover soon.

I agree with Pig In The City that you need some answers from your vet about why both your Guinea Pigs developed abscesses.
 
When I was discussing having my boys neutered my vet informed me of a new technique which was being used to neuter guinea pig's. The technique was to reduce post operative complications ie abscesses - and the above technique is the one he was referring to one incision in the abdomen. I wonder just how new this technique is?

The good news is post operative complications are easily dealt with, however abscesses are gross and I do feel for you Sian. As I know how precious your boys are and how difficult a decision this was for you. We can only make an informed decision which is what you did and it really will be worth it once your little one's recover and have new friends.
Just sorry things have went so wrong in the recovery.
 
Thanks everyone :( I've just spoken to the new practise and they want to lance under anaesthetic on Tuesday instead. However, they want to keep the boys in for 24 hours or so. Is this normal? I know it's for the best but I'd be so lost without them. Also does anyone have a rough price for lance under anaesthetic plus overnight stay? Just so I can prepare- I did ask but they didn't know
 
I'm afraid I'm unable to help much regarding the cost as when Eliza had her eye socket lanced under GA, I didn't have to pay as it was included in her post op after care following her eye removal.

My cat Dexter cost about £90 when he had his abscess lanced under GA but as he is a cat, the price obviously varies.

As for the boys staying in overnight, please try not to worry and remember that they will be in safe hands.

I've never had a piggy stay overnight at a vets before but I have heard some members have paid around £20 - £25 for an overnight stay. As it is the vet who wants to keep them overnight, the overnight cost may already be included in the operation cost but you would need to check.

As your boys live separately, it may be wise for you to remind the vet of that so that they are not housed in the same accommodation at the vets. I know that whenever one of mine has had to stay at the vets for a few hours / a day, I have taken a friend for company and they have been housed together.
 
@Claire W very good thinking about reminding the vet that they are housed separately! I don't think that would have even crossed my mind. Thank you!

I will obviously pay whatever it takes for them to get better but it's so frustrating when this wouldn't be the case if I was to keep them at the same vet. Molly won't be in until Thursday so that will be too long to wait won't it
 
I guess you need to weigh up whether you would rather the boys stay under the new vets care at Cheshire pets or continue using Molly. I doubt anything would happen between Tuesday and Thursday but I know how anxious you are feeling about the abscesses not being lanced yet.

Molly I guess may still charge you for lancing the abscesses as all vet practices are different but you wouldn't have to pay extra consultation fees. Again, you would need to phone Molly's clinic and check how much it would cost.

It is clear how much you love your boys but it is frustrating how much extra money you are having to pay out by having to use another vet practice :(
 
I'm sure I've paid around £25 for overnight boarding. The good news is the boys will have the best care and the nurses will be able to syringe feed the boys well they recover from the Ga. They will also be able to flush the abscess.

If you ask the vet, they should be able to give you an estimate of the cost. The other thing to weigh up if something additional was to happen and you needed a vet, you would have to go back to Molly's practice even if she wasn't available if she did the procedure. As vets generally don't like you going between two different practices as the notes have to be transferred.
 
pig in the city said:
Yes, l have taken pigs to Molly in the past and l think l recommended her to you Sian? I am so surprised that this has happened as she is such an excellent surgeon. Its just the two of them being affected that makes it seem more than just bad luck. I would say about 1 in 10 of the piggies l get neutered gets some sort of post op infection. You are incredibly lucky to have Simon at TEAS Debbie
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1 in 10 seems an awful lot. Simon was saying he's prob had about 2 in 10 years and he does them so frequently. He doesn't use this new fangled way. Says he prefers the other way and it works well for him and the piggies. One tiny stitch each side! X
 
I don't think this is down to hygiene etc during the ops, rather a set of unfortunate circumstances post op :( Personally I don't think Milan needed a needle inserted to check if he also had an abscess. He seemed to be healing well up to that point. Sadly because piggies aren't the cleanest animals if they lay in wee or poo at any point (And there is no way to avoid this even with the cleanest cage they are dirty beggers lol) any bacteria from that or a lick or a nibble at the wound, a reaction to the sutures etc can cause infection.

My last trio had 5 ops bewteen them, 2 done by Simon & 3 by my current vet (I found as she was much closer). Of the 2 ops Simon did on abscesses that suddenly appeared on them, he removed both, the stitching was beautifully done & there were no complications. However one of them did have a slight infection in the wound afterward & it was cleared with antibiotics. This was no-one's fault, it was high up on the leg so couldn't have had contact with the cage floor. My piggy could access it though & most likely had a little nibble or lick. So far I've had no post op infections with my current vet. That doesn't mean I won't in the future though. You've just been very unlucky & having both with problems has made it worse. There will always be some piggies more susceptible to infection than others. There are also a few boars that don't make it through surgery too :( Take comfort from the fact they both made it through & an infection is easily treated & although it's a tough time at the moment, it will soon pass x
 
Oh £25ish is fine, I was thinking 100's just for the overnight stay.

I do understand it's for the best that they stay but sleeping without them will be near impossible. I very nearly pulled out of my Las Vegas holiday last year last minute as I could face leaving them but my partner forced me so I settled on my sister and mum sending constant photos so I could see that they're okay. I suppose it didn't help that Hugo snapped his tooth somehow while drinking the day before i went away but luckily my sister monitored him and it grew back fully within a few days with no problems
 
Also, when I rang the vets earlier, the receptionist spoke to the vet and she confirmed what I thought about Milan- he has a scab on his abscess so if it were to rupture it would be more likely to rupture outside of the body. But Hugo's second abscess feels quite far under the skin so that worries me more so
 
Also, The opening to Hugo's ruptured abscess is getting very small now so I don't think I'll be able to flush for very much longer.. There's no scab etc but the opening it healing up. It's been a week tomorrow since it ruptured. Is this okay?
 
Sian i am very sorry you have had a difficult time.i agree with pig in the city it would be wise to make an appointment at vet who did the neuter proceedure.you have been very unlucky.you will see light at the end of the tunnel,when your boys get girlfriends.it is a lovely sight to see when they are so happy.its all the rumblestrutting and flirting .it is very entertaining.you are a very dedicated caring owner.please take it from me,these experiences are rare that you have encountered.Big hugs to you.xx
 
eileen said:
Sian i am very sorry you have had a difficult time.i agree with pig in the city it would be wise to make an appointment at vet who did the neuter proceedure.you have been very unlucky.you will see light at the end of the tunnel,when your boys get girlfriends.it is a lovely sight to see when they are so happy.its all the rumblestrutting and flirting .it is very entertaining.you are a very dedicated caring owner.please take it from me,these experiences are rare that you have encountered.Big hugs to you.xx
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Thank you. I'm looking forward to seeing their little happy faces once their wives come along. Just trying to figure out a way to ensure Milan shares his nuggets haha! The boys get an egg cup of nuggets split into 4 feeding a day.. Milan scoffs them all each time he is fed! So if his wife is not equally enthusiastic and greedy I fear Milan will scoff the lot!
 
maybe give two seperate bowls,and feed as you have been ,four times aday!you have coped very well,but i feel you have had a raw deal.you will be very confident and competent to look after post operative piggies now.though you could have done without learning the hard way.:roll:.xx
 
Claire W said:
I tell you what @Sian25 of I'd have been through half of what you had these past few weeks, I would have fallen apart well before now. You are stronger than you think and your boys are very lucky :) x
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My boys have definitely kept me going! I can't help but smile when I see them popcorning round happy as ever and shouting at me for their veg after all they've been through.

I've just realised though that they will be going to the vets to have their abscesses lanced on Tuesday- which is Hugo's 2nd birthday/gotcha day! :(
 
Sian25 said:
My boys have definitely kept me going! I can't help but smile when I see them popcorning round happy as ever and shouting at me for their veg after all they've been through.

I've just realised though that they will be going to the vets to have their abscesses lanced on Tuesday- which is Hugo's 2nd birthday/gotcha day! :(
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Don't let that bother you. I once had to take a piggy to the vets on her 3rd gotcha day.

May be you can have a special celebration for Hugo the day after :) I know that you and your boys have been through a lot, but despite the abscesses, they're doing really well and so are you :) x
 
Thank you so much @Claire W and thanks again to everyone else! :D You've all been amazing honestly and I literally don't know what I would have done without this forum
 
On tonight's inspection of the boys abscesses, I have noticed that milans has started to repture.

Can anyone advice me what to do? Squeeze it and flush myself, leave it until Tuesday or is it an emergency for vet treatment?

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I would get some warm water and hibiscrub and some cotton wool, gently bathe the area and apply gentle pressure. The pus should ooze out like toothpaste. Clean as much out as he will tolerate and repeat again twice daily. I assume he still on metacam to help ease any discomfort?
 
Unfortunately milans abscess hasn't ruptured properly as I thought. I got my hopes up that it wouldn't need lancing

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Sian25 said:
Thank you. I'm looking forward to seeing their little happy faces once their wives come along. Just trying to figure out a way to ensure Milan shares his nuggets haha! The boys get an egg cup of nuggets split into 4 feeding a day.. Milan scoffs them all each time he is fed! So if his wife is not equally enthusiastic and greedy I fear Milan will scoff the lot!
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She will learn - and two bowls is the way to start! ;)

All the best with that abscess... :(
 
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