ThreeLilPeegs
New Born Pup
Hi everyone,
Hope you can help.
One of our rescue guinea pigs, Totoro, needs a spay as the vet can feel cysts and for the last few days these have been causing discomfort (sitting hunched/puffed up). She’s being given metacam twice a day and is booked in to be spayed this coming Wednesday (6th December) at Cambridge Veterinary Group surgery who have an exotic vet on staff.
Because she’s a rescue, we don’t know how old Totoro is — we think 3 or 4 as we’ve had her and her friends for 2 and a bit years.
We’re obviously really worried about putting Totoro under because we know how fragile pigs are, so we’ve asked our vet a number of questions to help us make the best decision for Totoro. We are also very aware that she cannot continue to live in pain just because of our fears of losing her.
Two things remain concerning following our vet visit:
1. The surgery’s protocol for guinea pig GA begins with an opioid pain injection and an injectable sedative (to relax the pig). This is then followed by gas throughout the procedure.
Our concern: we know that gas is the preferred route for piggies because it can be turned off/reduced if they start struggling. One of our other pigs, Matilda, had gas during a CT scan and no injectables— we’re assuming the injections are because Totoro will be under for longer and need deeper sedation? Matilda has had an opioid for a different issue and we actually found this quite scary — she just stood starring for hours.
In others opinion, does this protocol sound reasonable? I know all GA is risky, I think I’m just panicked by the combo of strong injections and gas.
2. We asked the vet how many spays she’s done on pigs and she said ‘a few’. On average the surgery spay a piggie once a month but perform several GA ops on pigs each month (dentals, abscess and lump removal). She has also spayed using the keyhole method and the front incision method. She says we can pick which one she does (I’d rather she did what felt best) but front incision is easier for removing the uterus too (which she recommends).
Our concern: does this sound like good enough experience or should we seek out a more cavy savy vet? I know this vet has her own rabbits and sees a lot of rabbits, some pigs and other exotics, but I don’t have a good sense of what being an experienced guinea pig vet would mean. She does have a certification in exotic husbandry.
Sorry, I know this is long and possibly pedantic, but I want to give Totoro the best chance, she’s a spicy little crested girl who has lots of life left to live.
Thank you,
Sarah
Hope you can help.
One of our rescue guinea pigs, Totoro, needs a spay as the vet can feel cysts and for the last few days these have been causing discomfort (sitting hunched/puffed up). She’s being given metacam twice a day and is booked in to be spayed this coming Wednesday (6th December) at Cambridge Veterinary Group surgery who have an exotic vet on staff.
Because she’s a rescue, we don’t know how old Totoro is — we think 3 or 4 as we’ve had her and her friends for 2 and a bit years.
We’re obviously really worried about putting Totoro under because we know how fragile pigs are, so we’ve asked our vet a number of questions to help us make the best decision for Totoro. We are also very aware that she cannot continue to live in pain just because of our fears of losing her.
Two things remain concerning following our vet visit:
1. The surgery’s protocol for guinea pig GA begins with an opioid pain injection and an injectable sedative (to relax the pig). This is then followed by gas throughout the procedure.
Our concern: we know that gas is the preferred route for piggies because it can be turned off/reduced if they start struggling. One of our other pigs, Matilda, had gas during a CT scan and no injectables— we’re assuming the injections are because Totoro will be under for longer and need deeper sedation? Matilda has had an opioid for a different issue and we actually found this quite scary — she just stood starring for hours.
In others opinion, does this protocol sound reasonable? I know all GA is risky, I think I’m just panicked by the combo of strong injections and gas.
2. We asked the vet how many spays she’s done on pigs and she said ‘a few’. On average the surgery spay a piggie once a month but perform several GA ops on pigs each month (dentals, abscess and lump removal). She has also spayed using the keyhole method and the front incision method. She says we can pick which one she does (I’d rather she did what felt best) but front incision is easier for removing the uterus too (which she recommends).
Our concern: does this sound like good enough experience or should we seek out a more cavy savy vet? I know this vet has her own rabbits and sees a lot of rabbits, some pigs and other exotics, but I don’t have a good sense of what being an experienced guinea pig vet would mean. She does have a certification in exotic husbandry.
Sorry, I know this is long and possibly pedantic, but I want to give Totoro the best chance, she’s a spicy little crested girl who has lots of life left to live.
Thank you,
Sarah
