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Bladder stones/bilateral cysts

The vets called this morning, she said scruff is doing well but she wants to keep her in for most of today so she is coming home at 5pm! :)

I will take off the ramp in the cage for maybe 3 days to stop Scruff from running up it and hurting her surgical site etc. I presume I don’t need to separate her and Ginger? They can go back in together tonight?

Unfortunately she has ulcers on both eyes from her eyes being open in surgery as the surgery was more complicated/longer than they originally thought, so I’ll have some drops or something to put in, poor girly :(

I did notice her critical care has Anise in it which I believe is high calcium? Is this a good idea after stone surgery? As I’m meant to reduce the calcium. Thanks all, you’ve helped more than you could ever realise x
 
Aw so glad Scruff is now on the path to a good recovery, I wouldn’t worry about the critical care, most of the calcium in their diet comes from the water they drink.
 
I am pleased to hear Scruff is doing well. I didn't seperate my boys after surgery, I am sure they recover quicker in their own home with their friends. I don't know which syringe food you have but Highcroft exotic vets reccommend Science Selective Plus as the main ingredient is timothy hay. Scruff could well be eating enough when she comes home that you won't need to syringe feed for long if at all. I don't think I did with Bracken, you wouldn't have believed he'd had anything done the way he just went straight back to normal life. Rusty did need syringe feeding for a while, each piggy is different.
Sending Scruff healing vibes and hugs to you, I know how hard this journey with our little furries is.
 
piggieminder said:
I am pleased to hear Scruff is doing well. I didn't seperate my boys after surgery, I am sure they recover quicker in their own home with their friends. I don't know which syringe food you have but Highcroft exotic vets reccommend Science Selective Plus as the main ingredient is timothy hay. Scruff could well be eating enough when she comes home that you won't need to syringe feed for long if at all. I don't think I did with Bracken, you wouldn't have believed he'd had anything done the way he just went straight back to normal life. Rusty did need syringe feeding for a while, each piggy is different.
Sending Scruff healing vibes and hugs to you, I know how hard this journey with our little furries is.
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Thanks so much, glad to hear your piggies recovered well, that’s reassuring. She was having is it oxbow critical care? (I think that’s what it’s called), I am so excited to have her home, but nervous about post op care. I’ll make sure I weigh her every day and that’ll hopefully help me decide how much to syringe feed her.

I saw oxbow do a urinary support buiscuit type thing, not sure if they are any good! Poor scruff’s bladder is incontinent currently, but I’m hoping that will only be a temporary thing bless her!
 
Tips For Post-operative Care

I've not had a guinea pig that liked the Oxbow Critical Care but I know some do. I'm sure you will be fine, having a sick piggy is draining but it won't be for long. The first few days I check and change the pee pad under them regularly if they aren't moving around much. Vet bed is the best thing for them to sit on, it keeps them nice and dry. It's all common sense really, we are all here for you don't hesitate if you need to ask. I've not used the Urinary Support biscuits, I've heard mixed reviews. I suffer from stones myself and my specialist is very sceptical about anything like that for humans so puts me off for piggies. His mantra (he says mine should be too!) is hydration, hydration, hydration!
 
Very glad to hear scruff is doing well, she has such a caring and loving owner. Hope she continues to improve x x
 
piggieminder said:
Tips For Post-operative Care

I've not had a guinea pig that liked the Oxbow Critical Care but I know some do. I'm sure you will be fine, having a sick piggy is draining but it won't be for long. The first few days I check and change the pee pad under them regularly if they aren't moving around much. Vet bed is the best thing for them to sit on, it keeps them nice and dry. It's all common sense really, we are all here for you don't hesitate if you need to ask. I've not used the Urinary Support biscuits, I've heard mixed reviews. I suffer from stones myself and my specialist is very sceptical about anything like that for humans so puts me off for piggies. His mantra (he says mine should be too!) is hydration, hydration, hydration!
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Thank you! Maybe I’ll leave the biscuits for now and just do extra hydration like you said! I’ll look into vet bed, thanks for the recommendation. For now I’ve just got loads of towels I’ve just washed and dried as the vet advised against her being on her usual soft paper bedding for now. Only a few hours to go until pick up 😍 🎉
 
Hi all, I’ve just sent this email to the vet, awaiting a reply, slightly worried-

“It was Scruff’s first night last night with us post op. We are getting the critical care and medication down her.

I have noticed she isn’t really moving. As far as I can tell she didn’t move from where she was all of last night. This means she isn’t moving to then get water, so when I give her critical care (5 times a day), I will also syringe her some water.

Is it normal for a guinea pig to not really want to move at all after her op? She also becomes very distressed and quite violent with her movements when picked up. I have noticed when we put her back she staggers into her hideout house and her back legs seem to look a bit funny, like she’s dragging them slightly”
 
Have you heard back yet @Pigmom ? Hopefully it's just because she's feeling sore and her legs are stiff from not moving much. Some of mine have moved around after ops as if nothing has happened and other's have been immobile and sleepy for a few days. Like humans I think they all react differently to GA and pain meds.
 
piggieminder said:
Have you heard back yet @Pigmom ? Hopefully it's just because she's feeling sore and her legs are stiff from not moving much. Some of mine have moved around after ops as if nothing has happened and other's have been immobile and sleepy for a few days. Like humans I think they all react differently to GA and pain meds.
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Not yet! She nibbled a little pepper which is progress! Her poo’s are still quite hard despite me giving her the critical care and water though.

Hopefully like you said it’s just a side affect of the GA, I just put her back in then after her feed and she was dragging her back leg quite badly, but we’ll see how she is tomorrow ❤️
 
I've got everything crossed for her that she picks up quickly. I just looked at my diary for the days after Rusty's op - day 6 it says 'still not eating normally for himself but seems a bit brighter. Still syringe feeding top ups to maintain weight.' I didn't stop top up syringes until day 10 so it took a while for him to pick up again. I hope the vets get back to you soon and can put your mind at rest.
 
piggieminder said:
I've got everything crossed for her that she picks up quickly. I just looked at my diary for the days after Rusty's op - day 6 it says 'still not eating normally for himself but seems a bit brighter. Still syringe feeding top ups to maintain weight.' I didn't stop top up syringes until day 10 so it took a while for him to pick up again. I hope the vets get back to you soon and can put your mind at rest.
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Thanks so much piggieminder, that’s very reassuring, bless Rusty. Yes I really hope they reply soon as her dragging leg is a concern, I’m sure they’re just very busy what with everything going on!
 
Update on Scruff-

Her surgery went fantastic and her scar looks amazing, which makes this next part so frustrating and upsetting..

It seems as though the GA has potentially given her a stroke. Both her back legs are semi paralysed and she is struggling to walk. I am hoping this is something which could get better (humans can fully recover from strokes), however I have my doubts. I cannot believe against all odds she made it through her operation despite how poorly she was, for this to now happen. She has a vet appointment on monday. If she can’t walk again however much it breaks my heart it is not the life for a piggie 😢. She seems very depressed as she used to be a very active pig who enjoyed running around like crazy. I can’t believe this has happened despite her surgery being a complete success. I’m also very concerned that the vet did not pick up on this as it was the first thing we noticed when we got her home (we thought it was just the GA wearing off at first). My poor baby girl 😢❤
 
I am so sorry to hear this, I was thinking of you and wondering how you were getting on this afternoon. @Betsy had two piggies with paralysed back legs. Fingers crossed for her, I hope it's a temporary paralysis.
 
piggieminder said:
I am so sorry to hear this, I was thinking of you and wondering how you were getting on this afternoon. @Betsy had two piggies with paralysed back legs. Fingers crossed for her, I hope it's a temporary paralysis.
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I hope so too, it’s just so hard knowing how long to leave it to see if it hopefully improves, when she clearly is depressed and not her usual piggy self ☹️ Will see what the vets say on Monday, thanks so much for thinking of us x
 
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