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Possible Spay For Beans

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Beans&Toast

Beans&Toast

Adult Guinea Pig
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I've not posted much on here lately as I've been kept so busy with the pigs, they've both got a lot going on at the moment.

For months now Beans has been having hormonal issues, no hair loss but she's been very aggressive when she comes into season and it lasts longer each time.

She's had 3 hormone injections over the space of around 6 weeks I think, they seemed to work at first but now she's back to being aggressive and seems to be in some pain from the growing cyst(s).


I was given the option of more injections or a spay. The injections didn't work for very long at all so I'm not convinced there's any point, but I'm so scared of putting her through a spay.

She's around 4-5, and apart from the cysts she has no other health issues, she's never been off her food, never had bloat and never lost any weight so my vet is happy she's a good candidate for surgery but I'm just terrified it won't go well, or if it does and there will be post op complications.

Anyone with any advice? :(
 
I had Tilly spayed this summer, I was terrified :(

However, it went really well, removed 2 massive cysts. She was quiet and a little cold on the evening after the spay so I put a snugglesafe under her bed. She ate a small amount.

The next day she was more or less back to normal, eating, weeing and pooping. Her wound healed really well with no complications.

She was on Metacam and Baytril for a week afterwards.

Hope this helps x
 
I'm not sure if keyhole surgery is possible but I will be asking.

With a spay, does both the uterus and ovaries both have to come out or can/should the uterus be left?
 
Beans&Toast said:
I've not posted much on here lately as I've been kept so busy with the pigs, they've both got a lot going on at the moment.

For months now Beans has been having hormonal issues, no hair loss but she's been very aggressive when she comes into season and it lasts longer each time.

She's had 3 hormone injections over the space of around 6 weeks I think, they seemed to work at first but now she's back to being aggressive and seems to be in some pain from the growing cyst(s).


I was given the option of more injections or a spay. The injections didn't work for very long at all so I'm not convinced there's any point, but I'm so scared of putting her through a spay.

She's around 4-5, and apart from the cysts she has no other health issues, she's never been off her food, never had bloat and never lost any weight so my vet is happy she's a good candidate for surgery but I'm just terrified it won't go well, or if it does and there will be post op complications.

Anyone with any advice? :(
Click to expand...

Here are our post-op care tips: Tips For Post-operative Care

I know that it can be a bit of a problem in Scotland, but you do have a good vet?
 
Both Violet and Connie were spayed earlier this year by keyhole surgery. They both made an amazing recovery after the operation. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again if I had a piggy showing signs of cysts and hormonal behaviour. Both were over 4 at the time of the spay.,
 
Beans&Toast said:
I'm not sure if keyhole surgery is possible but I will be asking.

With a spay, does both the uterus and ovaries both have to come out or can/should the uterus be left?
Click to expand...
I think they remove just the ovaries .
 
As I understand it is just the ovaries when they do the keyhole spay.
 
Wiebke said:
Here are our post-op care tips: Tips For Post-operative Care

I know that it can be a bit of a problem in Scotland, but you do have a good vet?
Click to expand...
I use Glenn from Apex vets. He's recommended on here and I've used him loads since I've had the pigs, so far he's been amazing. He did say he's done loads of rabbits and neutered hundreds of boars but only around 10 sows as it's not as common, but he does feel confident doing it. Should I ask for keyhole or find another vet for this or is the normal surgery for a spay okay as well with a good vet?
 
*kate* said:
I had Tilly spayed this summer, I was terrified :(

However, it went really well, removed 2 massive cysts. She was quiet and a little cold on the evening after the spay so I put a snugglesafe under her bed. She ate a small amount.

The next day she was more or less back to normal, eating, weeing and pooping. Her wound healed really well with no complications.

She was on Metacam and Baytril for a week afterwards.

Hope this helps x
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Thanks.:nod: Was this a normal spay or keyhole surgery? X
 
I think since you have a good vet you are at the safest point you will ever be to go agead with it whilst shes still well in herself.

Crunchie was spayed for the same issues at 4.5 years old- she was fine. Both uterus and ovaries where removed (ovaries where cystic and uterus was badly diseased), personally i think its best to get it all out whilst they are in there!

Me and you seem to have similar luck with our girls- that luck being non existant!

Hope it all goes smoothly should u go ahead with it x
 
Adelle said:
I think since you have a good vet you are at the safest point you will ever be to go agead with it whilst shes still well in herself.

Crunchie was spayed for the same issues at 4.5 years old- she was fine. Both uterus and ovaries where removed (ovaries where cystic and uterus was badly diseased), personally i think its best to get it all out whilst they are in there!

Me and you seem to have similar luck with our girls- that luck being non existant!

Hope it all goes smoothly should you go ahead with it x
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Thanks. I do feel like the best thing would be to go ahead with the surgery as it's not going to resolve itself but I don't know if I should try the injections again or just go for the surgery.. I'd never forgive myself if it went wrong.


I know our pigs seem to have a lot of the same problems! :doh: X
 
If it's looking like the injections are wearing off and she is in pain, I think spay does need to be the next step. Usually I would recommend Simon but as you are so far away and Glenn has done the op before I think you are in safe hands.
 
All 4 of my sows (2 now sadly departed ) were spayed - 2 by Simon Maddock at 18 months and 2 by my exotics specialist Rachel Mowbray when they were both 5 - the oldies came through with flying colours - Rachel says that the risk of complications from anaesthetic is tiny - and if a piggy doesn't make it through 99.9% of the time it is because there is an underlying health issue that the owner and the vet are not aware of - age really doesn't come in to it ( she keeps her own piggies and spays all her females ) - sounds like you have a good vet - am sure it will go finexx
 
Thanks everyone. I do have a good vet, but even if I had the best vet in the world I'd still be doubting my decision.

I'm just so worried for her but I know it's the only option. She's in some pain right now and very agitated and it's not fair to keep her like that so she's booked in for Wednesday morning. I'm off Wednesday until Sunday so I'll be able to look after her. X
 
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