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Cookies eye removal update not good need advice.

C

CTWC

Adult Guinea Pig
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Good evening so those of you who don't know our lovely guinea baby Cookie had to have an eye sadly removed last Monday yesterday we returned to the vets as I was worried about the wound and he was squeaking whilst going to the loo so he was given an antibiotic injection and course for me to give him. So all going as well as can be expected until an hour ago I went to give him his next lot of medicine and his wound is clearly opened up although how much I can't tell I've rang the vet another appointment tomorrow which I can't see being good news I don't know what to do for the best please don't judge me me I love him very much and we lost another guinea baby in December which I'm still heartbroken about but is it fair to put him through this? And the vet said he will have to live alone for the rest of his life. Honest opinions please as to what you would do if he was yours and don't get me wrong it's not the money although I'm not rolling in it there was no question about the first operation regardless of cost but now I just don't know what is best for Cookie 😢
 
CTWC said:
Good evening so those of you who don't know our lovely guinea baby Cookie had to have an eye sadly removed last Monday yesterday we returned to the vets as I was worried about the wound and he was squeaking whilst going to the loo so he was given an antibiotic injection and course for me to give him. So all going as well as can be expected until an hour ago I went to give him his next lot of medicine and his wound is clearly opened up although how much I can't tell I've rang the vet another appointment tomorrow which I can't see being good news I don't know what to do for the best please don't judge me me I love him very much and we lost another guinea baby in December which I'm still heartbroken about but is it fair to put him through this? And the vet said he will have to live alone for the rest of his life. Honest opinions please as to what you would do if he was yours and don't get me wrong it's not the money although I'm not rolling in it there was no question about the first operation regardless of cost but now I just don't know what is best for Cookie 😢
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CTWC said:
Good evening so those of you who don't know our lovely guinea baby Cookie had to have an eye sadly removed last Monday yesterday we returned to the vets as I was worried about the wound and he was squeaking whilst going to the loo so he was given an antibiotic injection and course for me to give him. So all going as well as can be expected until an hour ago I went to give him his next lot of medicine and his wound is clearly opened up although how much I can't tell I've rang the vet another appointment tomorrow which I can't see being good news I don't know what to do for the best please don't judge me me I love him very much and we lost another guinea baby in December which I'm still heartbroken about but is it fair to put him through this? And the vet said he will have to live alone for the rest of his life. Honest opinions please as to what you would do if he was yours and don't get me wrong it's not the money although I'm not rolling in it there was no question about the first operation regardless of cost but now I just don't know what is best for Cookie 😢
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CTWC said:
Good evening so those of you who don't know our lovely guinea baby Cookie had to have an eye sadly removed last Monday yesterday we returned to the vets as I was worried about the wound and he was squeaking whilst going to the loo so he was given an antibiotic injection and course for me to give him. So all going as well as can be expected until an hour ago I went to give him his next lot of medicine and his wound is clearly opened up although how much I can't tell I've rang the vet another appointment tomorrow which I can't see being good news I don't know what to do for the best please don't judge me me I love him very much and we lost another guinea baby in December which I'm still heartbroken about but is it fair to put him through this? And the vet said he will have to live alone for the rest of his life. Honest opinions please as to what you would do if he was yours and don't get me wrong it's not the money although I'm not rolling in it there was no question about the first operation regardless of cost but now I just don't know what is best for Cookie 😢
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An eye removal is a big operation but usually piggies get through it fine. And there is no reason for Cookie to live alone. Only during the time until the wound has healed.
Good luck for the next appointment! It's always such a worry when they don't leave their wounds alone to heal nicely.
 
Viennese Furbabies said:
An eye removal is a big operation but usually piggies get through it fine. And there is no reason for Cookie to live alone. Only during the time until the wound has healed.
Good luck for the next appointment! It's always such a worry when they don't leave their wounds alone to heal nicely.
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You really think he can back to the others? The vet seemed quite sure. Thank you for giving me hope x
 
Gem789 said:
I'm sorry you're going through this,I hope your vet can help but can I ask why they said he needs to live alone? I see no reason for this.
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Because if one of the others comes up on his blind side he may lash out and he said they might see him as vulnerable and pick on him. 😢 So you don't think he needs to live alone if he makes it through? X
 
We'd never judge you (especially not considering you're giving your piggy the best possible chance anyway!) :)
I hope the vet appointment goes well for you tomorrow. I have no experience of this issue (but if you search 'eye removal' in the forum you might find some previous threads). Just offering support. Xx
I agree with the others though- I would ask for a second (third, or fourth) opinion from your vets regarding separation. Missing an eye is typically not a reason to permanently separate. Guinea pigs really are better off in groups.
 
Yes well from the start I read they are very sociable animals so I've been thinking what a very lonely life he will have in addition to what he has been through. Thank you all for your quick replies I really was very low and felt I was failing him keep your fingers and guinea paws crossed for us tomorrow please and thank you again for your support 🌈
 
My Eliza had an eye removal back in 2013. She had complications as her eye socket became infected so we had to keep it open and flushed the pus out several times a day. Granted, we had to keep her separated for a few weeks but as her socket began to heal, we bonded her back with her friends and she lived with them happily until she died from an unrelated issue the following year x
 
Good luck at the vets today. Sending healing vibes. You’re doing a fantastic job. ❤️
 
Aw I’m so sorry you’re going through this it is so difficult, and the costs of vet bills can just add so much stress to an already worrying situation. I hope he is on the mend and good luck at the vet. I am not an expert in this area whatsoever but one of my oldest girls Penny, almost seven, is almost blind now due to her old age and she lives quite happily with two other girls. I think piggies really rely on scent and their little whiskers!
Personally if it were me, because it is an eye, I would be hopeful for recovery, I feel when it is internal such as respiratory or bladder issues these could be much more risky to resolve whereas superficial injuries/wounds/operations such as an eye (as long as there is no infection) could be worth the risk? It is worth asking the vet for their opinion as often these decisions are so hard and emotional and sometimes asking the professional to take the decision out of your hands can ease your stress, the vet will give you their honest opinion. Fingers and paws all crossed for you x
 
Hi all just back from the vets you are all so helpful and kind and keeping me strong. The vet said the wound Lu kilt hasn't opened up completely thank goodness so no more surgery and to keep his area as clean as I can which I've been obsessing over since the operation anyway to avoid any complications so huge sigh of relief to say the least all of your prayers, thoughts, finger and paw crossing must have helped. I will definitely message again once I've had a coffee or ten to discuss the reintroduction x🌈
 
Hi

It sounds like their is a pain/major discomfort issue with the eye and needs to see the vet again. Is your pigy on painkillers? And how experienced is your vet with guinea pigs? Guinea pigs are classed as exotic pets and do not feature much in a general vet's curriculum unless they do a working practice in a clinic that regularly sees them.

As to eye removal and companionship: Here is the story of my Meleri's eye removal recovery straight back from the op with her group: Please keep your fingers crossed for Meleri's eye removal operation! | The Guinea Pig Forum

It very much depends on the nature of the bond and the relationship; if it has been somewhat controversial and rough, then it could be a problem initially. The medical separation may however have broken the bond in this case anyway.
Guinea pigs in general are however very tolerant and caring of companions with obvious disabilities that can keep up with a group.
I have also had quite a few piggies with very fast developing cataracts/nuclear sclerosis and that went totally blind on both eyes eventually. The transition period when losing both eyes could be tough in an active youngster but once the other senses had taken over brain function, there was no issue - including shallower ramps covered in a scent retaining material or even jumping on a platform or free roaming in the safely enclosed garden under my supervision and returning to their moved run with the help of me standing next to opening and giving them constant vocl feedback.

All the best for the recovery and your vet trip. I hope that it is not an infection but please also raise the issue of pain/discomfort.
 
When I had my two boys Eric and Larry, Larry had to have an eye removed. They were only separated for a few days to make sure the wound was healing well, then they went back together and lived together happily until Eric passed away.
There's absolutely no need for him to live alone so don't worry about that. What a strange thing for a vet to say 🙄
Anyway I hope you can get him on the mend again, Larry did really well with one eye - especially since he had poor sight in his other eye too!
 
I hope that Cookie is now out of the worst and on course for a full recovery.

Please contact us for advice before trying to re-introduce your boars since a medical separation can be a bond breaker. Do they have contact through the bars?
 
Wiebke said:
I hope that Cookie is now out of the worst and on course for a full recovery.

Please contact us for advice before trying to re-introduce your boars since a medical separation can be a bond breaker. Do they have contact through the bars?
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Hi any advice will be greatly appreciated Cookie has been in their standard cage/house with a C n C type enclose off it for the other 2 can pictures be sent on here? 🌈
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
I run a sanctuary for guinea pigs with ongoing health issues. I’ve dealt with a lot of piggies who have had eye removal and all live with other piggies. I don’t even separate for a short while post surgery.
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What advice would you give then also bearing in mind that as we lost our guinea baby in December it makes them a group of 3 x
 
CTWC said:
Hi any advice will be greatly appreciated Cookie has been in their standard cage/house with a C n C type enclose off it for the other 2 can pictures be sent on here? 🌈
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Just use the attach files button and you can upload photos
 
CTWC said:
What advice would you give then also bearing in mind that as we lost our guinea baby in December it makes them a group of 3 x
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I’m afraid a trio of boars will not work out - I don’t know all your circumstances but 3 boars together simply is a recipe for disaster.
 
VickiA said:
Just use the attach files button and you can upload photos
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I was only going to upload a photo of their set up although it would now mean 3 boars living together as we sadly lost one of our other guinea babies a wwwk before Christmas 😢
 
CTWC said:
I was only going to upload a photo of their set up although it would now mean 3 boars living together as we sadly lost one of our other guinea babies a wwwk before Christmas 😢
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Putting three boars together rarely ends well.
You can of course try it if you wish but do prepare that it is likely to fail. Not only that it can also bring about the downfall and ruin the bond of the original pair as well (meaning you are left with three single piggies).
Generally speaking, we would advise you to not attempt a trio and instead keep the pair in one cage, and keep the single permanently alongside in a separate cage.

For you to attempt a trio, the c&c would need to cover at least three square metres (so approximately be a 9x3 c&c cage), and any attempt at bonding must be done on neutral territory, with the preparation to split the cage back up.

Very occasionally somebody will get lucky with a boar trio, and you never know you may end up being one of them, but it’s best to prepare for it not to work. Sorry we cant give better news on that front

Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?
 
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