Looking for thoughts post surgery

[Willow819]

My 7 year old guinea pig Hazel had surgery 10/22 to remove a mammary mass. A year and a half earlier she had a uterine tumor removed but that operation took too long so the mammary mass was not removed. It had to be removed now because it grew. The day of surgery and the day after she was eating on her own but tired as to be expected. Day three she looked to be in increased pain so they gave her buponorphine and Reglan. 10/27 she looked horrible so we went to the emergency vet and he gave her fluids and an antibiotic (TMS) for a suspects uti. The next day we went to her regular vet and he kept her for the day to give her fluids and feed and monitor her. We went back yesterday because she was chewing weird. He used minimal anesthesia to file a few sharp teeth. Since day 3 after surgery, she has not really wanted to eat on her own except a few bites of lettuce and cucumber here and there. She is extremely tired and doesn’t seem herself. I had asked about whether she potentially had a stroke because she doesn’t use her left arm right and the left foot seems more floppy (surgery was on the right). He didn’t think so but couldn’t give me a strait answer. She seems like she is with it at times and totally not with it at other times. I’m at a loss and don’t know whether this is her new baseline and she needs to just rehab (assuming there was a stroke) or if it is just taking her a very long time to recover because of her age. It has been so heartbreaking. I’m just looking for others thoughts on this because we are all at a loss.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Truffolo]

Sending comforting thoughts. I hope sweet little Hazel gets better soon

 

[weepweeps]

I hope Hazel starts to improve soon. If you’re worried about her I’d take her back to the vets. Good luck.

 

[Roselina]

Sorry to hear about the lovely Hazel - I’d take her back to the vets if you’re worried - you could try a probiotic which might help
Sometimes a piggy’s appetite is diminished after surgery and with meds etc
Take of you as I know how upsetting and worrying this is

 

[Wiebke]

BIG HUGS

I am very sorry.

Post-op recovery is the other big hurdle with any operation and sometimes it sadly doesn't happen. Opiates may help but they can also affect piggies quite a bit with making them spaced out or very sluggish. 7 years is at the upper end of the average life span. The impact of a major operation or illness on an already frailer balance of ageing organs can sadly knock out more bricks in a wall where the mortar has gone brittle with age.

We tend to often forget that when the chips are down, guinea pigs are still small animals with a very fast metabolism that can turn against them because they are such great personalities.

The healing process - which would be noticebly slower at this age anyway - may not have kicked in and/or the use of even more GA drugs for another medical intervention could have made things worse. There is unfortunately no magic wand measure or medication that can pep her up.

Here are practical tips for looking after piggies that do not move around much, which includes post-op care, mobility issues etc.

Thread 'Looking After Guinea Pigs With Limited or No Mobility'

Jun 13, 2019

Introduction
1 Why can guinea pigs stop moving around?
- Animal attacks, severe illness or pain
- Back leg paralysis with list of potential causes
- Post-op, sudden illness or acute pining after bereavement
2 Adapting the living space
- Bedding and cosies
- Everything within reach
- Warmth and stable conditions
3 Weight monitoring and feeding support
- Weighing...

• Wiebke
• Replies: 5
• Forum: Wiebke's Home Care Guides

• 

You can support Pigeon with feeding but there is sadly nothing you can do if the small, old body decides it cannot cope and is stsrting to close down, I am ever so sorry to say. I know myself just how gut wrenching this realisation can be. But clutching at increasingly thinner straws can unfortunately make the aftermath even more traumatic and soul destroying for you. Make or break operations are sadly exactly that. You can buy your frail piggies a last chance but you can never buy them a guarantee for success.

This guide here contains all our care guides and information for crisis care:

Thread 'Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment'

Mar 14, 2019

1 Statement
2 Emergency assessment and accessing vets
- How urgent is my guinea pig's problem?
- Finding an emergency vet
- Seeing a vet not familiar with guinea pigs (including lists of safe and dangerous medications)
3 First Aid care and easily available products
- General 'always have at home' stuff and comfort measures for very ill guinea pigs
- Improvising support feed; recovery formulas...

• Wiebke
• Replies: 4
• Forum: Emergency Information and Care

• 

I want to make clear that I am never happy having to link in this guide here, which has been by far the most difficult I have ever written; but it may give you some helpful guidance in this desperate, stressful time. It doesn't make for easy reading but it attempts to tackle an area that most prefer to skim over in a practical and constructive way to give you a bit of a handle when you feel so desperate and overwhelmed as you are right now. The guide contains a chapter on how to spot when your piggy is crossing the line of no return.

Thread 'A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs'

Feb 20, 2020

1 Your mental health, sensitivities and work commitments
- Mental health and support resources
- Sensitivity aspects
- When work and other commitments clash
2 Life or death emergency – Can my piggy be saved?
- Contacting a vet clinic at all times and link to life and death emergencies list
- What to do if I cannot access vet care instantly?
- The need to save up for emergency vet access
3 Is my...

• Wiebke
• Replies: 6
• Forum: End of Life and Bereavement Support Corner

• 

My thoughts are with you and I am keeping my fingers finger firmly crossed that Pigeon will perk up again.

 

[piggieminder]

Is she still on Buponorphine? It can make them very tired.

 

[Melxava]

I’m in a similar boat with my boy Kevin who is 5.5, he had tooth extraction surgery on the 21/oct and hasn’t been right since .

I am wishing your little one a speedy recovery x

 

[fluffysal]

My boys send healing rumbles

 

[Willow819]

Is she still on Buponorphine? It can make them very tired.

No we stopped that Saturday.

 

[Willow819]

I’m in a similar boat with my boy Kevin who is 5.5, he had tooth extraction surgery on the 21/oct and hasn’t been right since .

I am wishing your little one a speedy recovery x

Hope your little one makes a recovery

 

[CTWC]

Sending healing wishes from Staffordshire from myself and the boys

 

[Willow819]

BIG HUGS

I am very sorry.

Post-op recovery is the other big hurdle with any operation and sometimes it sadly doesn't happen. Opiates may help but they can also affect piggies quite a bit with making them spaced out or very sluggish. 7 years is at the upper end of the average life span. The impact of a major operation or illness on an already frailer balance of ageing organs can sadly knock out more bricks in a wall where the mortar has gone brittle with age.

We tend to often forget that when the chips are down, guinea pigs are still small animals with a very fast metabolism that can turn against them because they are such great personalities.

The healing process - which would be noticebly slower at this age anyway - may not have kicked in and/or the use of even more GA drugs for another medical intervention could have made things worse. There is unfortunately no magic wand measure or medication that can pep her up.

Here are practical tips for looking after piggies that do not move around much, which includes post-op care, mobility issues etc.

Thread 'Looking After Guinea Pigs With Limited or No Mobility'

Jun 13, 2019

Introduction
1 Why can guinea pigs stop moving around?
- Animal attacks, severe illness or pain
- Back leg paralysis with list of potential causes
- Post-op, sudden illness or acute pining after bereavement
2 Adapting the living space
- Bedding and cosies
- Everything within reach
- Warmth and stable conditions
3 Weight monitoring and feeding support
- Weighing...

• Wiebke
• Replies: 5
• Forum: Wiebke's Home Care Guides

• 

You can support Pigeon with feeding but there is sadly nothing you can do if the small, old body decides it cannot cope and is stsrting to close down, I am ever so sorry to say. I know myself just how gut wrenching this realisation can be. But clutching at increasingly thinner straws can unfortunately make the aftermath even more traumatic and soul destroying for you. Make or break operations are sadly exactly that. You can buy your frail piggies a last chance but you can never buy them a guarantee for success.

This guide here contains all our care guides and information for crisis care:

Thread 'Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment'

Mar 14, 2019

1 Statement
2 Emergency assessment and accessing vets
- How urgent is my guinea pig's problem?
- Finding an emergency vet
- Seeing a vet not familiar with guinea pigs (including lists of safe and dangerous medications)
3 First Aid care and easily available products
- General 'always have at home' stuff and comfort measures for very ill guinea pigs
- Improvising support feed; recovery formulas...

• Wiebke
• Replies: 4
• Forum: Emergency Information and Care

• 

I want to make clear that I am never happy having to link in this guide here, which has been by far the most difficult I have ever written; but it may give you some helpful guidance in this desperate, stressful time. It doesn't make for easy reading but it attempts to tackle an area that most prefer to skim over in a practical and constructive way to give you a bit of a handle when you feel so desperate and overwhelmed as you are right now. The guide contains a chapter on how to spot when your piggy is crossing the line of no return.

Thread 'A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs'

Feb 20, 2020

1 Your mental health, sensitivities and work commitments
- Mental health and support resources
- Sensitivity aspects
- When work and other commitments clash
2 Life or death emergency – Can my piggy be saved?
- Contacting a vet clinic at all times and link to life and death emergencies list
- What to do if I cannot access vet care instantly?
- The need to save up for emergency vet access
3 Is my...

• Wiebke
• Replies: 6
• Forum: End of Life and Bereavement Support Corner

• 

My thoughts are with you and I am keeping my fingers finger firmly crossed that Pigeon will perk up again.

Thank you for the above information. I will look over it all. I’m a physical therapist in the states and did acute rehab in a stroke unit for awhile and as each day goes by I’m more convinced it was a stroke. I have had many piggies I had to let go and if it comes to that, I will but she is making slow progress. At this point, I am going to try to build her strength back up and do some rehab. Thanks so much for all the above references. I appreciate them!

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for the above information. I will look over it all. I’m a physical therapist in the states and did acute rehab in a stroke unit for awhile and as each day goes by I’m more convinced it was a stroke. I have had many piggies I had to let go and if it comes to that, I will but she is making slow progress. At this point, I am going to try to build her strength back up and do some rehab. Thanks so much for all the above references. I appreciate them!

That is great to know. I hope that she can make it. It is always such an anxious time. Strokes do happen.

One of the drawbacks of giving remote support is that we do not have direct access and are dealing with very different levels of experience and people from often very different time zones and vet access. That is why I prefer to rather cover all possible bases in terms of practical support guides rather than too little. Nobody wants to dig around for urgent information in a panic; especially when it is the first encounter with a life or death emergency or a loss.

We also have a number of followers and searchers who may profit from coming across the extra information somewhere down the line.

Anyway, my fingers are still firmply crossed!

 

[Willow819]

I totally get that and really appreciate all the info. Sometime we fool ourselves into thinking it’s not the end so a refresher is always good. We do have an amazing very experienced vet (40 years exotic only) and he is a very skilled surgeon. He is just at a loss. She is still tired most of the time and is having some oral motor issues but is trying to eat some stuff on her own. It is almost like she needs a “sugar” boast. They gave her dextrose when they did subq fluids and it perked her up a lot. I have given Sherwood appetite restore today so we will see if that helps. It will be two weeks this Tuesday from the surgery and one week Wednesday since she had additional anesthesia for a tooth file. I’m just not super experienced with 7 year old guinea pigs and recovery time in terms of how long it takes to not be tired. She wasn’t the most active piggy prior to surgery but did get around ok and ate pretty good. She is maintaining weight with supplemental feeds but I would like her to gain some as well. Thanks everyone for their support and input

 

[Wiebke]

I totally get that and really appreciate all the info. Sometime we fool ourselves into thinking it’s not the end so a refresher is always good. We do have an amazing very experienced vet (40 years exotic only) and he is a very skilled surgeon. He is just at a loss. She is still tired most of the time and is having some oral motor issues but is trying to eat some stuff on her own. It is almost like she needs a “sugar” boast. They gave her dextrose when they did subq fluids and it perked her up a lot. I have given Sherwood appetite restore today so we will see if that helps. It will be two weeks this Tuesday from the surgery and one week Wednesday since she had additional anesthesia for a tooth file. I’m just not super experienced with 7 year old guinea pigs and recovery time in terms of how long it takes to not be tired. She wasn’t the most active piggy prior to surgery but did get around ok and ate pretty good. She is maintaining weight with supplemental feeds but I would like her to gain some as well. Thanks everyone for their support and input

I am very sorry. Think of your lady as an 80 or 90 years old human granny if that helps you. Guinea pigs can live longer (I had a few over the years) but it is generally the upper end of the average life span outside dedicated not for sale breeding circles. The vast majority of pet piggies don't live as long.

Unfortunately all you can do is hang in there and try to stay aboard the tiger, wherever it takes you in these kind of situations. None of us has a crystal ball for a sneaky peek at the outcome.

What I can say from my own experiences with frail oldies is that when the end comes, it usually comes very quickly because the body has no longer got the resilience. You can never predict which part of the body or the immune system is giving way first. I hope that by having that in the back of your mind, it won't come as such a bad shock for you when it is 'her day', hopefully later than sooner. Bless every day she is there to greet you in the morning and make it special in a small way. I've had oldies who hung on for months and with others it was just a matter of days but I find that treating this as 'extra time' gives me more emotional freedom to make the most of it. My fingers are crossed for you.

 

[Merab]

Just want to offer support

 

[Willow819]

Wanted to give an update. Little miss Hazel is 3 weeks and one day post surgery. Once we stopped the Baytril for the UTI, there was improvement but she was still not herself and eating hay. I had her front teeth trimmed (no one thought that was the issue) but once she got her front teeth trimmed, it was a 180 degree difference. She eats everything now and is gaining weight and is completely her normal self. I gave her other piggies poop and that has helped the GI issues immensely and we are almost 100% in that area. The only issue we are facing now is her right leg has gotten weaker due to what I’m still convinced was a stroke so she is having trouble standing. I’m doing physical therapy on her (I’m a licensed PT for humans in the states) but if anyone knows any experts in this area for guinea pigs or has ideas, I would love to hear them. I’m completely amazed bc I seriously thought at one point she had days left but is now her old self minus the leg issue.

 

[Willow819]

Wanted to give another update on little Hazel. She is eating up a storm, gaining weight, pooping 100% normal and is able to stand but not walk. We have been doing laser therapy and gentle stretching of the leg. Today the vet told me that it is severe arthritis in her right knee that is causing her not to put weight on it and the front leg is going out to the side to try to stabilize. It doesn’t appear she had a stroke, which is what I was assuming based on what I was seeing. She will be starting Adequan injections into the muscle to try to help the arthritis. We will do one a week then every other week and hopefully get down to once a month. I added a picture to show how much better she looks

 

[CTWC]

Morning what a wonderful update to wake up to not to mention the adorable photo. Well done both of you

 

[Willow819]

Sad update…everything was going well and we were set to start the adequan injections tomorrow. At 3:00pm her belly started to distend and despite treatment for what we assumed was bloat, she passed away at 7:39pm pacific time. I will miss her so very much and am heart broken.

 

[weepweeps]

I’m so very sorry. Popcorn high over the bridge gorgeous Hazel

 

[LucyP]

I’m so sorry for you, it’s heartbreaking after all the amazing care you gave Hazel, and losing a beloved piggy like this really hurts. Having myself lost a pig 10 days post op and another one to very sudden bloat despite excellent vet care in both cases and trying so hard to do all the right things, I can only imagine some of the rollercoaster of emotions you may be going through. You did everything you could to give her the best chance and most importantly, you gave her a really happy life. She knew she was very loved and cared for. Rest easy lovely little Hazel. Take care of yourself as you grieve.

 

[CTWC]

Oh no I am so very sorry to hear this heartbreaking news please be kind to yourself as you grieve the loss of your beloved Hazel and try to take some comfort in the fact that she felt loved every day from you and she will take this love with her as she popcorns Over the Rainbow Bridge

 

[sport_billy]

I am so sorry for your loss. You did all you could. Massive hugs x

 

[Willow819]

I’m so very sorry. Popcorn high over the bridge gorgeous Hazel

Thank you

 

[Willow819]

Oh no I am so very sorry to hear this heartbreaking news please be kind to yourself as you grieve the loss of your beloved Hazel and try to take some comfort in the fact that she felt loved every day from you and she will take this love with her as she popcorns Over the Rainbow Bridge

Thank you for your kind words. She took a piece of my heart with her.

 

[Willow819]

I’m so sorry for you, it’s heartbreaking after all the amazing care you gave Hazel, and losing a beloved piggy like this really hurts. Having myself lost a pig 10 days post op and another one to very sudden bloat despite excellent vet care in both cases and trying so hard to do all the right things, I can only imagine some of the rollercoaster of emotions you may be going through. You did everything you could to give her the best chance and most importantly, you gave her a really happy life. She knew she was very loved and cared for. Rest easy lovely little Hazel. Take care of yourself as you grieve.

Thank you for your kind words I got her on Easter Day 2022. Her owner was going to send her to a high kill shelter by May 1 if no one took her. I feel in love with her the moment I saw her story. A year after I had her, she developed a massive uterine tumor and the odds of surviving surgery were not great. The amazingly skilled vet was able to remove the tumor that was almost 2/3 the size of her. He was not able to get the mammary tumor at that time because it took so long for the uterine surgery and spay. The mammary tumor was tiny and encapsulated and without hormones he felt it wouldn’t grow. It was stable until this summer and then started filling with fluid. We drained it twice but it filled back up on 8 hours the second time. She was uncomfortable and we knew it was a risk going into surgery at age 7. She had a very rough few weeks following but I had her front teeth trimmed 11/10 and she made a 180 degree turn around. She started eating everything on her own, putting on weight, etc. she was just at the vet yesterday and he said she was doing so well and it was just the knee arthritis keeping her from walking. She had veggies for breakfast this morning and saw the lady at the rescue at 1:00 to check her teeth. By 3:00 her stomach was bloated and it progressed rapidly despite meds. I’m not positive what caused the bloat but I feel there was something beyond a GI issue bc she was pooping fine up until the morning. The only thing I can help my very broken heart is that she lived a good 2.5 years with me to the ripe old age of 7 and was so very loved and cared for.

 

[CTWC]

It is often said that guinea pigs measure the quality of their life in the love and happiness that they receive each day and from that point of view Hazel has had a magnificent life filled with love because of you..Maybe in time you would like to share some more beautiful photos of her, we all sympathise with you as we know how heartbreaking it can be

 

[LucyP]

Thank you for your kind words I got her on Easter Day 2022. Her owner was going to send her to a high kill shelter by May 1 if no one took her. I feel in love with her the moment I saw her story. A year after I had her, she developed a massive uterine tumor and the odds of surviving surgery were not great. The amazingly skilled vet was able to remove the tumor that was almost 2/3 the size of her. He was not able to get the mammary tumor at that time because it took so long for the uterine surgery and spay. The mammary tumor was tiny and encapsulated and without hormones he felt it wouldn’t grow. It was stable until this summer and then started filling with fluid. We drained it twice but it filled back up on 8 hours the second time. She was uncomfortable and we knew it was a risk going into surgery at age 7. She had a very rough few weeks following but I had her front teeth trimmed 11/10 and she made a 180 degree turn around. She started eating everything on her own, putting on weight, etc. she was just at the vet yesterday and he said she was doing so well and it was just the knee arthritis keeping her from walking. She had veggies for breakfast this morning and saw the lady at the rescue at 1:00 to check her teeth. By 3:00 her stomach was bloated and it progressed rapidly despite meds. I’m not positive what caused the bloat but I feel there was something beyond a GI issue bc she was pooping fine up until the morning. The only thing I can help my very broken heart is that she lived a good 2.5 years with me to the ripe old age of 7 and was so very loved and cared for.

Oh wow, she did land on her paws with you then. You literally saved her life and then helped her live to a long age, despite all those difficulties. Sometimes I think genetics are really not on the side of these delicate little fur babies, so to give her so many happy days where she was safe and loved was quite an achievement and one that you should be proud of. I know it doesn't take away the heartache though.

 

[Willow819]

It is often said that guinea pigs measure the quality of their life in the love and happiness that they receive each day and from that point of view Hazel has had a magnificent life filled with love because of you..Maybe in time you would like to share some more beautiful photos of her, we all sympathise with you as we know how heartbreaking it can be

The first picture was the day I got her. She didn’t get many veggies before she came to me and lived in a small cage. From that day on, she lived in a 6’x3’ enclosure with her 3 sisters and had any veggies she wanted. She loved green and red leaf lettuce and ate it up until the morning she passed. The second picture was from her first trip across America to meet her grandparents. They loved her as much as I did. I have had several pass but her death has been one of the hardest because she helped me make the others breakfast every morning and dinner every night. I miss her so much and making breakfast without her was heart breaking this morning. Thank you for your kind words. I’m trying to find comfort in the happy life she lived and I do but the pain of not having her here is also immense. She will always be loved and never forgotten.