Guniea pig just got back from operation! Update

[Gadzy]

@furryfriends (TEAS) I believe Baytril, but they were very very close to introducing another antibiotic if the pus didn't get any better.

They had to drain seroma (on alot of occasions) and pus a couple of times. They think an infection may have got in from draining the wound frequently. The pus started to reduce and today they said it looked like it was drying up, so they said to continue with the Baytril. I was surprised the Baytril worked as I've heard alot on here that it's not very good with most stuff. Unless it just healed and the antibiotics didn't do anything, but I doubt that.

I also wonder why her breathing was very funny. It was either the fluid build up and start of infection or a post GA thing. I'm just worried that maybe she didn't need to be monitored over night for three nights and what they did I could have done myself, but I knew she was in good hands 24 hours a day and they were assessing her and flushing the wound frequently too. I know it was an extra 115 pounds on top of the operation, but what can you do. She definitely wasn't right, but I just don't know if I could have saved the 115 and did what they did at home... Who knows. I wasn't sleeping worrying and checking on her so I guess it was best she went in? @Wiebke @Roselina @Eddie & Elvis @PigglePuggle

At the end of the day, she is recovering well and I guess money shouldn't matter in this situation as this is what comes with pets. It's just the first drama I've had with guniea pigs and at such a young age of under 12 months. I just felt they could have charged abit less for what they did as it was post op and had just forked out 340!

Thanks again everyone and I'm happy to have the two girls back together popcorning!

 

[Wiebke]

@furryfriends (TEAS) I believe Baytril, but they were very very close to introducing another antibiotic if the pus didn't get any better.

They had to drain seroma (on alot of occasions) and pus a couple of times. They think an infection may have got in from draining the wound frequently. The pus started to reduce and today they said it looked like it was drying up, so they said to continue with the Baytril. I was surprised the Baytril worked as I've heard alot on here that it's not very good with most stuff. Unless it just healed and the antibiotics didn't do anything, but I doubt that.

I also wonder why her breathing was very funny. It was either the fluid build up and start of infection or a post GA thing. I'm just worried that maybe she didn't need to be monitored over night for three nights and what they did I could have done myself, but I knew she was in good hands 24 hours a day and they were assessing her and flushing the wound frequently too. I know it was an extra 115 pounds on top of the operation, but what can you do. She definitely wasn't right, but I just don't know if I could have saved the 115 and did what they did at home... Who knows. I wasn't sleeping worrying and checking on her so I guess it was best she went in? @Wiebke @Roselina @Eddie & Elvis @PigglePuggle

At the end of the day, she is recovering well and I guess money shouldn't matter in this situation as this is what comes with pets. It's just the first drama I've had with guniea pigs and at such a young age of under 12 months. I just felt they could have charged abit less for what they did as it was post op and had just forked out 340!

Thanks again everyone and I'm happy to have the two girls back together popcorning!

In view of her breathing not being right (the breathing you were describing was pointing to a fluid build up somewhere) and the developing infection, she was best under supervision at the vet's, especially with you not coping well. I am sorry about the extra cost!

PS: Yes, you hear a lot negative about baytril but it would not be still in use if it was really as bad its online press makes you believe! Unfortunately the problem with online medical information is that you get all the horror stories and the miracle cures, but not the vast majority of perfectly fine recoveries because they are not considered worth posting about... This gives you usually a distorted view.
But at least you have the comfort that the heavy - and generally more expensive - guns in terms of antibiotics can still be brought into battle if that should become necessary. Which we all very much hope won't be the case!

 

[Gadzy]

Thanks @Wiebke for all your hard efforts replying and time on the case. Also to anyone who has contributed (you know who you are!)

In terms of the extra 115 for the overnight stays and treatment, do you think most vets would of done the same and charged this amount? I didn't know if I could try and argue that it should be included in the operation costs, but other vets have said they would of done the same and charged also

 

[David Piggie Lover]

Thanks @Wiebke for all your hard efforts replying and time on the case. Also to anyone who has contributed (you know who you are!)

In terms of the extra 115 for the overnight stays and treatment, do you think most vets would of done the same and charged this amount? I didn't know if I could try and argue that it should be included in the operation costs, but other vets have said they would of done the same and charged also

It's a lot and I've in the past have said so and managed to get a reduction.
Well done with piggie. .it's hard when they poorly.

 

[PigglePuggle]

Hi @IzzyGad glad to hear your piggy is doing much better and is now home with you!

In terms of the costs for the post-op care, I think the vets have probably charged you as little as they can- they have to charge for any drugs used, and they will have had to pay the nurses- I think an extra 115 is quite reasonable for 3 nights of round the clock care, and especially with the breathing problems I think you did the right thing letting the vets look after her.

Hope the rest of her recovery is straightforward and stress free now! X

 

[piggieminder]

I am s pleased to hear your piggie is doing better @IzzyGad you must be so relieved to have her home.

When Rusty had complications in January after a bladder stone removal he stayed 2 extra nights and it added an extra £180 to the bill, taking the total to £2,000. I'd like to say that's my largest vet bill but it's not, the record stands at £5,000. It's a good job we love them so much !

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks @Wiebke for all your hard efforts replying and time on the case. Also to anyone who has contributed (you know who you are!)

In terms of the extra 115 for the overnight stays and treatment, do you think most vets would of done the same and charged this amount? I didn't know if I could try and argue that it should be included in the operation costs, but other vets have said they would of done the same and charged also

I have been charged for having piggies of mine staying on after an operation because my husband was not well enough to drive an hour back and fro twice in a day (4 hours in all). Paying for a train ticket and a taxi at both ends would have cost me pretty much the same if I had gone by public transport to pick them up in the evening during rush hour.

 

[David Piggie Lover]

@IzzyGad how is piggie. .

 

[Merab]

Just caught up here.
What a week you’ve had but so glad to hear things are improving.
Your vet costs seem quite reasonable to me for what they have done.
The meds can be quite a chunk of the cost.
Hope you are feeling less anxious now.

 

[Roselina]

Hello IzzyGad sorry I’ve only just picked this up - I was expecting your Vets to charge more than £115 - I thought possibly another £340 - I agree with everyone else .....I think the Vets have tried to charge as little as they could as Pigglepuggle said - Although you say you maybe could have managed at home and saved the money - I think it would have been more stressful and worrying for you and your piggie would have picked up on that - I think you would have been contacting the Vets alot for advice - I was worried for you both ! She was in the best place if any extra meds/ treatment was needed.
I’d put it all behind you and ....know that you did the very best you could for your piggie and she is now much better and most importantly ... home! You can relax .... and enjoy your wknd -
(I’m glad the people on this forum could help you as it’s so important to have the support/ understanding and advice ! )