• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

My Guinea Pig Has Pyometra

Status
Not open for further replies.
Esta de Mello

Esta de Mello

New Born Pup
Joined
Jan 17, 2016
Messages
6
Reaction score
6
Points
70
Location
United Kingdom, London
Hi all, I'm new here.
I have a 2 year old guinea pig called Ripley. I took her to the vet on Friday because I noticed that shes been losing her fur around the sides and her tummy seemed a bit too big. Turns out she has pyometra and she had a bloody discharge whilst we were at the vets which helped him to diagnose her.
At the moment she is eating well, drinking plenty and she's on antibiotics. The vet said to bring her in on Tuesday to discuss whether or not she should be operated on.
I am unsure as to what I should do. I really don't want to lose her and I know that if she isn't operated on I will, but I've heard that the operations are usually 50/50 so there's also a chance I could lose her.

I would really appreciate your help with this :(
 
I will tag @Abi_nurse as I think she may be the best person to advise here, but if I remember correctly I think it matters whether it is open or closed Pyometra? I am thinking as there is discharge it is open but did the vet confirm? I used to help at a piggy clinic at a vets and I am sure that the pigs that came in with Pyometra were operated on, there were only a couple while I was there and they were referred straight to the vet.

Please could you update your location on your profile as it will help us tailor any advice to your country.
 
Esta de Mello said:
Hi all, I'm new here.
I have a 2 year old guinea pig called Ripley. I took her to the vet on Friday because I noticed that shes been losing her fur around the sides and her tummy seemed a bit too big. Turns out she has pyometra and she had a bloody discharge whilst we were at the vets which helped him to diagnose her.
At the moment she is eating well, drinking plenty and she's on antibiotics. The vet said to bring her in on Tuesday to discuss whether or not she should be operated on.
I am unsure as to what I should do. I really don't want to lose her and I know that if she isn't operated on I will, but I've heard that the operations are usually 50/50 so there's also a chance I could lose her.

I would really appreciate your help with this :(
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome!

I am very sorry for your dilemma. It is the kind of nightmare that we all dread. :(

Could you please tell us what antibiotic she is on and what dosage? It also depends on how quickly the pyometra has been caught. If it is in the early stages, then there is a good chance that she may recover medically, especially with a stronger antibiotic (which are off licence, so you may have to sign a form). if it is already advanced, then an operation will be necessary - and it will give her a chance to live.

With a good vet, the operation risk for a spay is actually much smaller. Your girl is still a very good age. Most sows needing a spay are older.
If it is any help to you, my Cariad has made it through a full spaying op due to her womb going wrong without any problems (grossly enlarged, fluid filled with a lump in it and borderline pyometric, despite her being nearly five years old, only 700g and having made it through a bladder stone operation just months ago. She never lost any weight at all (apart from the organs that have come out). But I was lucky to have an vet that is experienced in operating on guinea pigs.

As we have got members from all over the world, we find it very helpful if you please added your country, state/province or UK county so we can tailor any advice that it takes available brands and vet access into account straight away. Click on your username on the top bar, go to personal details and scroll down to location. thank you!
 
Hi thanks so much for replying!

She's on Baytril 0.4ml twice day for ten days, and 0.15ml of Metacam for pain relief. :)

The vet I go to is specialised in small animals and reptiles but he said that theres a 50% chance she wouldn't make it.


just updated my details! thanks!
 
Very sorry for your dilema :( pyometra is horrid and is one of the reasons I won't purposefully get female small animals. I have had it in a number of hamsters (all been spayed) and a Guinea pig. I really can't give full advise as some other members can, but would suggest you consider changing her antibiotic to septrin, i have found baytril yo be mext to useless for serious infection :( .I can also give a little re-assurance. I had my 6 year old sow spayed a similar time that weibke had her Cariad spayed for similar reasons and she was absolutely fine. If it comes to it, and you do have to spay her (fingers crossed you caught it early and she will recover with antibiotics) then just quiz the vet.
 
Yes mine had Pyometra too & ended up having a full spay. Baytril is not the best ab for the job, Zithromax might help but my sow's was too severe even for that one. How cavy savvy is your vet? Unless you are confident in the vet's ability to spay I think you might need to look for an Exotic or cavy savvy vet if it turns out she needs the op.
 
I believe/understand that the recurrence of pyometra is relatively high. . . Therefore, an ovariohysterectomy (Spay), might be preferable.
 
I'm afraid baytril is not going hit a pyometra well enough, and if it's closed (Ie. No discharge from her vuvla) then it's pretty much useless. I'm not sure where you got the 50/50 chance of survival from. In general practice the mortality rate in Guinea pigs is around 3% (3 in every 100 anaesthetics) but this will be considerably less with a piggie savvy or exotic specialist vet.

I would seriously be considering surgery in her case. I've had two of my own spayed at 5 years old this last year. And tomorrow I'm helping spay a chinchilla with a pyometra. Don't be disheartened, it can be done.

I would either get some stronger and better antibiotics (there still might be a chance that you cannot fight the infection off, even more so if the pyo is closed - eg there is no pussy discharge) or personally at 2 years old I would spay her, she's still very young.

If your vet is not happy with the surgical route then I can recommend the Beaumont sainsbury animal hospital (RVC) in Camden where we have an exotic specialist service.

Good luck in your decision. Hope she gets better soon.

x
 
Hi everyone
Thank you for your help I really appreciate it!
She has got blood and pus coming out so I agree that surgery is the best route.
The vet said 50/50 and he's a small animal specialist but I'm not sure if he said that because of how bad ill my piggie is.
Her tummy is very swollen and it almost looks like shes pregnant, she's also very hot to the touch so I'm not sure if that indicates a temperature.

Today is her check up and I have to make the decision as to whether she will be operated on. She's very lively and is still eating and drinking as usual.

I'm just so scared of losing her and I want her to have the best chance of survival.
I will update you all on what happens today.

Once again, thank you so much you have really helped me
 
Good Luck, if your confident with the vet I would go ahead with the spay. As it will give her the best chance.
 
Hi everyone!
Just wanted to update you all as you had been so helpful and kind to me during the pre op decision making!
Its been two days since the operation and Ripley is drinking on her own, eating hay (though not as much as she did before) and some pellets. I am also syringe feeding every few hours :)
The vet said he's extremely pleased with how she is doing and her wound is healing nicely!
She had loose stools yesterday but that cleared up today! :)
She does seem to be in a bit of pain and whimpers at times whilst grinding her teeth. She is on Metacam for pain relief, but I was wondering if there is anything else I can do for her? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
 
I'm so glad she's doing well! Thanks for keeping us posted! :)

Incidentally, one of my pigs had 'Ripley' in the short-list for potential names (my son is a huge Alien fan and pulled the name from that film series.) However, one of the other kids kept downvoting it and we ended up naming her Hadley instead.
 
Both my Pen and P, had Tramadol which is an opiate pain killer. If you feel Metacam is not dealing with her pain Ot maybe worth mentioning to your vet. Glad she's on the mend.
 
That's wonderful she is doing well. I agree with the Tramadol recommendation just while she is getting over the op. Rimadyl is an option too which is a stronger version of Metacam. She may even need her Metacam dose increasing. Are you giving it once or twice a day and at what dose? Also is it dog or cat?
 
Hi everyone, I wanted to let you know that Ripley passed away today in my arms.
She cuddled up to me and took her last breaths.
Thank you everyone for all your support and help, she fought to stay and I'll never forget her strength
 
oh i'm so sorry, i have just caught up with this thread, i was hoping that her spay would sort her out & after this amount of time it must have really knocked you for six.
She must have cuddled up, knowing you were there for her. RIP Ripley, Popcorn pain free over the bridge. xx
 
Oh I'm so sorry - I have just caught up,with your thread. You must be gutted. Popcorn free beautiful girl. Hugs to you.
When you feel you would like to, perhaps you could post a tribute on our Rainbow Bridge forum thread. X
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top