Specialist Rose Cottage Vets? (lump On Ovaries)

[Florrieberry]

Hi, I see you have Rose Cottage Vets in your recommended list. Has anyone used them to spay a guinea pig please?

 

[poppypoppy4321]

Rose cottage is a good vets, expensive but a good . but the last time l went there they had no vets that were pig sav . A stones throw down the road
is Armadale vet center , Birch field road Widnes , but I would only recommend John Dinsdail , and a vet named Jill

 

[poppypoppy4321]

N.B. l would only recommend two vets ,,,, John, D and Jill

 

[Wiebke]

The distance is not too far with an operated piggy. I have travelled further on public transport with mine. However, I cannot comment on the vets.

You may get more answers if you added your county to your details by clicking on your username, go to personal details and scroll down to location, so we know roughly where you are and can help you better in your request for local knowledge and tips.

 

[Florrieberry]

Rose cottage is a good vets, expensive but a good . but the last time l went there they had no vets that were pig sav . A stones throw down the road
is Armadale vet center , Birch field road Widnes , but I would only recommend John Dinsdail , and a vet named Jill

That's puzzling? I just rang Rose Cottage and they said that Mr. Robinson (whose name was mentioned on this forum) had been looking after piggies there for many years, and the lady very I spoke to said she had learnt everything from him. Is they maybe another Rose Cottage?

 

[Florrieberry]

The distance is not too far with an operated piggy. I have travelled further on public transport with mine. However, I cannot comment on the vets.

You may get more answers if you added your county to your details by clicking on your username, go to personal details and scroll down to location, so we know roughly where you are and can help you better in your request for local knowledge and tips.

Have done the location.
Also rang vets (open Sundays) and they got a lady vet to ring me back. She was very nice & gave me loads of info. Going for 2nd opinion Tuesday with Mr. Robinson. My vets did scan Tuesday, told us we had a lump on ovary, partly cystic partly unknown and they would read up & get back to us in 2 days. No reply as yet. Lost a bit of confidence as they didn't check for one of the signs of cysts (enlarged dry crusty nipples) despite us going with 1) gradual weight loss over 8 weeks 2) bare patch on back. 3) lump felt on right side which was put down to full bowel /stomach. I pushed for scan.
She is 11 months old and still bouncing & healthy weighing 900g.(She was always a petite piggy, never got over the 1 kilo mark) so we want to give her a fighting chance.
Vet number 1 seemed to discount use of hormones (even before scan and was a bit gung-ho about op for cysts instead) vet 2 will look at scan from vet 1and may offer hormones if appropriate first. But if op advised, they won't send her home unless she is eating, tho they like to send home same day if ok. Sound more caring. Fingers crossed. Would still like to know if anybody has had a piggy operated on there. I presume they only get on your list with good validated experience of piggy owners.
They also said people travel further a field than us to get their pigs operated on. It will only take 30-35 mins up motorway

 

[Wiebke]

Have done the location.
Also rang vets (open Sundays) and they got a lady vet to ring me back. She was very nice & gave me loads of info. Going for 2nd opinion Tuesday with Mr. Robinson. My vets did scan Tuesday, told us we had a lump on ovary, partly cystic partly unknown and they would read up & get back to us in 2 days. No reply as yet. Lost a bit of confidence as they didn't check for one of the signs of cysts (enlarged dry crusty nipples) despite us going with 1) gradual weight loss over 8 weeks 2) bare patch on back. 3) lump felt on right side which was put down to full bowel /stomach. I pushed for scan.
She is 11 months old and still bouncing & healthy weighing 900g.(She was always a petite piggy, never got over the 1 kilo mark) so we want to give her a fighting chance.
Vet number 1 seemed to discount use of hormones (even before scan and was a bit gung-ho about op for cysts instead) vet 2 will look at scan from vet 1and may offer hormones if appropriate first. But if op advised, they won't send her home unless she is eating, tho they like to send home same day if ok. Sound more caring. Fingers crossed. Would still like to know if anybody has had a piggy operated on there. I presume they only get on your list with good validated experience of piggy owners.
They also said people travel further a field than us to get their pigs operated on. It will only take 30-35 mins up motorway

11 months is rather young for cystic ovaries to be honest; she's not even a fully grown adult yet.
I am tagging our medical specialists for you: @Pebble @Abi_nurse @Elwickcavies

 

[Florrieberry]

11 months is rather young for cystic ovaries to be honest; she's not even a fully grown adult yet.
I am tagging our medical specialists for you: @Pebble @Abi_nurse @Elwickcavies

Thank you.
I did ask vet 2 for prices for various treatments as well , including possibility of a 2nd scan, just in case the first was not accurate. Have also messaged you

 

[biscandmatt]

i can't remember if i already mentioned this to you but ashleigh vets in manchester are very experienced and about an hour from you so not too bad, they actually have two vets who work there and travel from liverpool. they said it takes them about 45mins on the motorway.

can't remember if you said you drive or not, or would have to get a lift but might be worth thinking about as they're very very good

 

[Florrieberry]

i can't remember if i already mentioned this to you but ashleigh vets in manchester are very experienced and about an hour from you so not too bad, they actually have two vets who work there and travel from liverpool. they said it takes them about 45mins on the motorway.

can't remember if you said you drive or not, or would have to get a lift but might be worth thinking about as they're very very good

Thank you, I will keep them as the next option if not happy with Rose Cottage. My daughter (who owns this piggie) is in uni in Manchester, so I'm familiar with the drive, but the longer the journey the more difficult it would be to fit in around work, and the more difficult if there was a post op emergency.
However... I may yet have to stretch some more........ Thanks

 

[Abi_nurse]

Cystic ovaries at 11 months old is not impossible but highly unusual. And to add they don't always have other signs such as hair loss or crusty nipples.

I would certainly get a second opinion. I would be concerned with the potential of finding a 'lump' along with weightloss. I really wouldn't delay in seeing an exotics vet about this so that she can get a diagnosis.

I am not much help without further knowledge of your little ones case to be honest.

To add. I'm personally not a fan of the hormone implant. At 11months old spaying shouldn't be a problem in the hands of an experienced vet (if this is the problem that is)

x

 

[Florrieberry]

Cystic ovaries at 11 months old is not impossible but highly unusual. And to add they don't always have other signs such as hair loss or crusty nipples.

I would certainly get a second opinion. I would be concerned with the potential of finding a 'lump' along with weightloss. I really wouldn't delay in seeing an exotics vet about this so that she can get a diagnosis.

I am not much help without further knowledge of your little ones case to be honest.

To add. I'm personally not a fan of the hormone implant. At 11months old spaying shouldn't be a problem in the hands of an experienced vet (if this is the problem that is)

x

Thank you will keep all updated.

 

[Pebble]

Cystic ovaries at 11 months old is not impossible but highly unusual. And to add they don't always have other signs such as hair loss or crusty nipples.

I would certainly get a second opinion. I would be concerned with the potential of finding a 'lump' along with weightloss. I really wouldn't delay in seeing an exotics vet about this so that she can get a diagnosis.

I am not much help without further knowledge of your little ones case to be honest.

To add. I'm personally not a fan of the hormone implant. At 11months old spaying shouldn't be a problem in the hands of an experienced vet (if this is the problem that is)

x

Agree with all the above points and also agree re the value of the hormone implants in your case......

I do think that at 11months, cystic ovaries is not necessarily the cause so to opt for hormone treatment on a "subjective" diagnosis is risky and may not get you the right result . Personally given the young age of the lady piggie concerned, I would opt for a spay as it could be a tumour or other cause that only a spay can cure. That way you are subjecting the sow to just one proecdure which should be a "cure-all" rather than a multiple "trying and testing" regime of meds/diagnostics/ops etc to rule out each condition one-by-one...which is not fair on the pig or their slave.

For info: I choose to spay all my adopted Rescue girls rather than neuter my boys. Whilst a spay is considered more invasive than a castration, if done by an experienced vet it actually has far less risk of post-op complications than neutering a boy....and it also ensures you never have to "run the gauntlet" of sow health problems in the future such as cystic ovaries/uterine tumours/pyometra.

Best person for spaying piggies relative to your location is Molly Varga at Cheshire Pets in Holmes Chapel who has pioneered a less invasive technique.
http://www.cheshirepet.co.uk/contact-us/

If Ashleigh vets is better for you than I suggest you go there.

If you want to stay local....then questions to ask your local vet before you commit include:
a) how many sows PER MONTH do you spay (If <1, don;t use them - you need someone who has more experience, )
b) what type of post-operative complications could be expected/have you experienced and how are they resolved/treated (vet should at this point mention pain relief, gut motiltiy issues, syringe feeding, post-op abcesses with associated abx and probioitic treatments etc)
c) what is the percentage of successful spays you have conducted without post-op complications?

HTH in deciding how you want to proceed for your little girlie and wishing her an excellent recovery.
x

 

[biscandmatt]

agree that molly varga is also excellent. i never saw her before she left ashleigh vets as we started going there after, but aidan said she's excellent

 

[Florrieberry]

Agree with all the above points and also agree re the value of the hormone implants in your case......

I do think that at 11months, cystic ovaries is not necessarily the cause so to opt for hormone treatment on a "subjective" diagnosis is risky and may not get you the right result . Personally given the young age of the lady piggie concerned, I would opt for a spay as it could be a tumour or other cause that only a spay can cure. That way you are subjecting the sow to just one proecdure which should be a "cure-all" rather than a multiple "trying and testing" regime of meds/diagnostics/ops etc to rule out each condition one-by-one...which is not fair on the pig or their slave.

For info: I choose to spay all my adopted Rescue girls rather than neuter my boys. Whilst a spay is considered more invasive than a castration, if done by an experienced vet it actually has [you]far less risk of post-op complications than neutering a boy[/you]....and it also ensures you never have to "run the gauntlet" of sow health problems in the future such as cystic ovaries/uterine tumours/pyometra.

Best person for spaying piggies relative to your location is Molly Varga at Cheshire Pets in Holmes Chapel who has pioneered a less invasive technique.
http://www.cheshirepet.co.uk/contact-us/

If Ashleigh vets is better for you than I suggest you go there.

If you want to stay local....then questions to ask your local vet before you commit include:
a) how many sows PER MONTH do you spay (If <1, don;t use them - you need someone who has more experience, )
b) what type of post-operative complications could be expected/have you experienced and how are they resolved/treated (vet should at this point mention pain relief, gut motiltiy issues, syringe feeding, post-op abcesses with associated abx and probioitic treatments etc)
c) what is the percentage of successful spays you have conducted without post-op complications?

HTH in deciding how you want to proceed for your little girlie and wishing her an excellent recovery.
x

Thank you for this advice.
It seems that Homes Chapel is very slightly nearer than Ashleigh vets, tho still near an hours drive which is tricky fitting in with work etc.
I will see what Rose Cottage say as we have an appt Tuesday (got the name from the list on here, before Wiebke tagged you) and have those questions I will ask, tho they did cover some of that when I rang and they got a lady vet to ring me back. Thanks

 

[Pebble]

See how you go...

If you have any concerns about going with your local vets after asking them the questions......but are also worried about transport to another vets,....... then please come back to the forum before making a final decision.

We're all dedicated piggie slaves (and a helpful bunch)..and many of us have been in the position you find yourself in so completely understand the decisions/logistics etc you are having to face.. There are also other piggie owners who aren't regular members of this forum but who feel the same way and have set up a network to help @Stewybus

If you want to go to vets furthert afield for your girlie to get the best treatment...and the piggie community can help with the logistics,....... I'm sure we will!
x

 

[Florrieberry]

See how you go...

If you have any concerns about going with your local vets after asking them the questions......but are also worried about transport to another vets,....... then please come back to the forum before making a final decision.

We're all dedicated piggie slaves (and a helpful bunch)..and many of us have been in the position you find yourself in so completely understand the decisions/logistics etc you are having to face.. There are also other piggie owners who aren't regular members of this forum but who feel the same way and have set up a network to help @Stewybus

If you want to go to vets furthert afield for your girlie to get the best treatment...and the piggie community can help with the logistics,....... I'm sure we will!
x

Thank you. I appreciate your support, as well as that of other community members. Have only ever had dogs , cats and horses in my younger years, with piggies since last October and this forum has helped me learn a lot, especially seeing we only intended to have 2, which somehow rose to 6 as we rescued, so I needed to learn fast. So much more to learn though and this forum is invaluable. Unfortunately we are having to learn our way through what seems like something serious much sooner than we expected

 

[Stewybus]

If you do need any help with transport to get to an expert vet then The Piggy Train will certainly be there to help you x

 

[Florrieberry]

If you do need any help with transport to get to an expert vet then The Piggy Train will certainly be there to help you x

Thank you, very kind

 

[Florrieberry]

Visited Ted Robinson at Rose Cottage today. They had already got the history within 24 hours by emailing previous vet after I was talking to them Sunday. Very impressed with the huge amount of info & detail he gave us. Answered all our questions, very caring . He could also feel a small lump on the left ovary, as well as the obvious one which the previous vet discounted weeks ago.
He explained our choices and the details of each. She is still well & healthy otherwise. We were going to go away & think about it but both of us decided to try the hormone injections as we were there. If her symptoms go into remission all well & good, (if it lasts long enough) , if not, this is where we will go for surgery.
They take Guinea pigs from a massive area (2 hours away) for surgery, doing them regularly and although most go home same day, will not send a piggy home who is poorly. They use pain relief and inject to induce peristalsis if they don't eat straight after op. Also suggest taking a cage mate with her so she is not stressed being alone.
There was a big queue when we got out as he answered so many questions, but never tried to hurry us.
Very pleased so far.

 

[biscandmatt]

Visited Ted Robinson at Rose Cottage today. They had already got the history within 24 hours by emailing previous vet after I was talking to them Sunday. Very impressed with the huge amount of info & detail he gave us. Answered all our questions, very caring . He could also feel a small lump on the left ovary, as well as the obvious one which the previous vet discounted weeks ago.
He explained our choices and the details of each. She is still well & healthy otherwise. We were going to go away & think about it but both of us decided to try the hormone injections as we were there. If her symptoms go into remission all well & good, (if it lasts long enough) , if not, this is where we will go for surgery.
They take Guinea pigs from a massive area (2 hours away) for surgery, doing them regularly and although most go home same day, will not send a piggy home who is poorly. They use pain relief and inject to induce peristalsis if they don't eat straight after op. Also suggest taking a cage mate with her so she is not stressed being alone.
There was a big queue when we got out as he answered so many questions, but never tried to hurry us.
Very pleased so far.

x