Housing after eye removal surgery

[4boipigs]

Not sure if this section is the right one or if the housing one would be better.

So, the vet has decided my pig's eye needs to be removed due to eyelid paralysis, unending infection, and it is recessed. We have been at this since Feburary. We even did a bacteria culture which came back negative for antibiotic resistent bacteria, and only had bacteria that should have been handled by standard meds. I am saving up for surgery (1200 usd), and by next month I should be able to get it scheduled. Before then, I want to prepare for the aftercare. I'm very scared of the surgery and complications, so I want to get this set up first.

The surgery pig and his brother live in a 2x4 c&c cage. They get along incredibly well and never bicker, argue, or do anything aside from just a bit of rumblestrutting. I DREAD them being alone during and after the surgery. The vet will not allow them to come together for the surgery. I want to keep them in the c&c during recovery.

How much space does a recovering pig need? Should I half the cage, or do less? I figured a plastic laundry basket with holes on the side would be easy, as I'm going to need one anyway for transporting to the vet - they are requesting I bring him w/ food, water bottle, etc. Or should I just get some extra grids and section off the cage?

What kind of hide should I use? This pig is already blind, so the loss of an eye is not going to make a difference in vision. I'm more worried about him poking the surgical area. Is the normal plastic house okay, or should I find something made of fleece?

My estimate for surgery already includes critical care, pain meds, and an antibiotic, so we're okay on the medication part.

I have read the surgery aftercare faqs, already...mainly just don't want my boys to be alone during recovery.

 

[Piggies&buns]

It’s best to keep them together as much as possible. He should ideally be eating and a bit brighter before the vet discharges him, so bringing him back home and reuniting him with him companion then is best. Keep the cage as is, given he is already used to the layout.

If you must have them separate once you bring him home from surgery, then it would be best to add some grids on to the cage (to make it bigger) dividing a 2x4 would mean his brother won’t have enough space. They can still interact through the bars

Tips For Post-operative Care

 

[4boipigs]

I decided to just section off the cage with more c&c grids. I'll see how they do like that and go from there.

 

[Guinea Slave]

I have had one lose an eye through surgery. She coped incredibly well and the other one supported her throughout. I kept her in a smaller indoor cage for the first week (equivalent size to your C&C) but her normal pen was huge (25 sq feet) so I didnt want her getting disorientated, she also had her other sisters in there and one companion I felt was enough for recovery. 2x4 should be fine as it is.

Personally I wouldn't separate them as this will cause more stress, unless they squabble (one of her sisters saw it as an opportunity to climb the hierarchy so she was swiftly removed and exchanged for another!), just keep an eye on them for a while. The wound itself should be fine and heal well even if they disturb it slightly. As said above, keep everything the same so it's all familiar and hopefully all will be well. In terms of hideys, again as long as the entrance is large enough then I wouldnt change it.

Its a shame the vet wont allow the companion to come along, my vets actively encourage it as it keeps them calmer. But each vet has their own way I guess.

 

[Swissgreys]

I decided to just section off the cage with more c&c grids. I'll see how they do like that and go from there.

If possible I would put them back together as soon as possible.
A 4 x 2 isn't huge, and if you keep the layout the same and don't clean it more than necessary for a day or two before the surgery your boy will be most comfortable with his companion in totally familiar surroundings.
He will easily be able to orientate himself through smell and memory.
Separating or putting him in a smaller cage may just cause him additional stress and confusion.

I made this mistake when dealing with a rabbit with eye issues, and I tried to put him in a smaller area in his main (very large) cage. He ended up running into the divider wall on his blind side, and totally panicked. It was awful, and I still feel bad about this over 2 years later.
I would try him with his brother and be prepared to split the cage if necessary.