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Risky operation

Hi and welcome to the forum! This is a great place to ask questions. Your situation sounds like quite a difficult one. I hope you and your piggy are not too unhappy.
 
PhoniDunedain said:
If an exotic specialist vet recommended that you not go through with an operation - on account of it having a low chance of success - would you follow it?

The alternative being that the guinea pig would be put to sleep.
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For me it would really depend on what the recovery and quality of life may be after the op. What is the op? You could ask for a second opinion if you are unsure.

I had my Pumpkin put to sleep because she needed too many operations and it was likely to keep reoccurring and she had already had 3 ops.
 
Piggies2023 said:
For me it would really depend on what the recovery and quality of life may be after the op. What is the op? You could ask for a second opinion if you are unsure.

I had my Pumpkin put to sleep because she needed too many operations and it was likely to keep reoccurring and she had already had 3 ops.
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My (4 year 2 month old) spayed female guinea pig has a mass that is (likely) cancerous which is putting pressure on her bladder and making it difficult for her to urinate. As a result her bladder is often full (she still pees, but not enough to empty it) and she has a fair bit of sediment within the bladder. The exotic vet wasn't too sure what the mass is attached to.
 
PhoniDunedain said:
If an exotic specialist vet recommended that you not go through with an operation - on account of it having a low chance of success - would you follow it?

The alternative being that the guinea pig would be put to sleep.
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome

HUGS

I am very sorry that you are in this difficult situation.

Personally, yes, I take the considered opinion of my vets, whose experience, knowledge and honesty I fully trust after discussing politely what has gone into their recommendation - but usually it tallies with my own assessment (after 15 years on this forum and about 100 piggies passing through my life).
I have had piggies dying during an operation or not recovering from operations so that is also weighing on my own mind about how much I would want to put a piggy of mine through. If a vet is not sanguine about operating then it is unlikely to come off, even if the piggy makes it through the operation itself; especially when it is more likely a very expensive way to pts (putting to sleep).

Internal masses (which are usually cancerous) don't generally have a good record because of adhesion to one or several organs - this means that these organs will be damaged/majorly impacted during the operation in order to excise the mass. You can also never tell whether any cancer has already seeded around or has spread to other organs.
Like one of the best UK guinea pig operating vets explained it to me once with a piggy of mine with a likely internal mass: 'It's all very tightly packed and messy in there and an operation is not making it any better'.

However, the decision is always yours as the owner. Your vet can only recommend. If you strongly feel that you want to give your precious girl a last chance at life, then by all means do so. There is no right or wrong in these situations because they highlight different welfare aspects; I have opted for operation when the odds were better and it felt right for the piggy (usually a younger one).
Just as long as you are clear about the fact that with make or break operation you can only ever buy your piggy a chance but never the right of success.

But I feel for you. It is hard to grapple with when you get the kind of news no loving owner ever wants to hear and it comes as a real shock to the system. :(
 
I am sorry about the situation you are put into. It is definitely a difficult one. No one is better equipped to make that decision than you,because you know your piggy best. I think that whatever you chose, as long as it is made out of love and in the piggy's best interest you can't go wrong.

I personally would push for the surgery, given that the only other option is to pts.
 
I’m so sorry you are in this difficult situation. Sending hugs to you ❤️
 
I'm sorry to hear this. Sending you hugs.

It’s a difficult position to be in but, yes, I would be guided by the vet.

Being able to enjoy whatever time you have left on palliative care, no matter the length of that time, is very valuable.
 
I am sorry that you have such a difficult decision to make. I generally go with the advice of the vet and what is in the best interest of my piggy. As long as you do this you can't go wrong. Sending big hugs. xx
 
PhoniDunedain said:
My (4 year 2 month old) spayed female guinea pig has a mass that is (likely) cancerous which is putting pressure on her bladder and making it difficult for her to urinate. As a result her bladder is often full (she still pees, but not enough to empty it) and she has a fair bit of sediment within the bladder. The exotic vet wasn't too sure what the mass is attached to.
Click to expand...
Oh no. I'm so sorry. With her being spayed that rules out it being in the uterus. My Pumpkin had cancer months before I put her down, but it was in her uterus only. My vet said if when she opened her up it had spread to the abdomen then she wouldn't wake her up and would be put to sleep and I agreed. The reason being is the chances aren't good. And unfortunately it sounds like you are in the situation where it's in abdomen.

I am so sorry. It's so heartbreaking to have such a difficult diagnosis.
 
For me, I would personally try the surgery if the only other option is PTS.
At least then you know you've tried everything, and she can be let go peacefully under the anaesthetic if the vet deems the surgery will not be successful.
So sorry you're having to make this decision, and whatever you decide, it will be with love for your piggy - you know her best ❤️
 
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