Should I take both piggies to the vet?

[RainbowPiggie]

Hi everyone.
My first post! We have two very cute piggies (as we call them) Tomorrow one of our piggies needs to go to the vet for an operation to remove a cyst that has very quickly become infected. Apparently, some owners prefer for their other guinea pig to accompany the poorly pig - in case they reject each other afterwards. Has anyone had any experience of this?
Thank you!

 

[Black piggies]

Good luck for the operation. I've taken a piggy's sister to the vet with her for an op when I had those two, as I didn't want them alone.
When there were three, I've taken a boar for ops on his own and everything was fine putting him back in the cage.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Check with your vet for their policy, but my animals always go to vet trips with their cage mate.

 

[Merab]

I usually take a companion along too.
I think most vets encourage this where possible.
Hope all goes well.
Let us know how the op goes.

Welcome to the forum

 

[Wiebke]

Hi everyone.
My first post! We have two very cute piggies (as we call them) Tomorrow one of our piggies needs to go to the vet for an operation to remove a cyst that has very quickly become infected. Apparently, some owners prefer for their other guinea pig to accompany the poorly pig - in case they reject each other afterwards. Has anyone had any experience of this?
Thank you!

Hi!

Please make sure that your vet allows you to bring both piggies; vets seeing piggies regularly will be more encouraging than general vets who are not very familiar with piggies and prefer to err on the side of caution.
A companion won't bite open scars; these wounds - if they happen (thankfully not too often) - are self-inflicted because of major pain.

I generally prefer mine to come with a companion unless it is very much a make-or-break emergency operation with a rather uncertain outcome or for pts/euthanasia, the companion has got massive stress issues or in a trio where is actually better to keep the remaining couple at home than having them jostle in a confined space with a lethargic friend - especially in a more cantankerous trio. In larger groupings, a piggy will usually come with their best friend as 'paw-holder' to help keep the stress down and provide comfort.

It does make a difference. I reunite my operated piggies as soon as I am satisfied that they are eating on their own with their mates and keep them as normal as possible. That can be even straight back into the cage if everything is in the green zone. If there are issues, I prefer to create a hospital corner with vetbed bedding but the operated piggy being able to nibble from their mates' hay tray through the bars and to feed their veg and pellets right by the divider to keep the community going as much as possible.

The actual arrangement very much depends on the dynamics in the pair or group and can differ because of that. You go by your gut feeling what is best in the current situation. There is no absolute right or wrong; it needs to be judged on the situation, the kind of operation and the dynamics between the piggies.
Fall-outs generally only happen if there is an already underlying rift or long standing rivalry; otherwise the piggies will generally go back together happily with a modicum of dominance (more so if an operated leader is claiming back the reins again).

You may find our post-op care guide helpful; it has a chapter on companionship: Tips For Post-operative Care

 

[Betsy]

I used to take a paw holder with me. Now I have 3 piggies I only take one as I can't leave one on her own. I take the piggie to the vet in the carrier with a hidey and a bit of hay that smells like all three of them so that the ill piggy has familiar smells around and something to munch on too. I always put an extra special something to munch on like some cucumber or pepper.

 

[RainbowPiggie]

Thank you for the replies. The vet mentioned this as an option, so is okay with this. I’ll let both girls go together

 

[Viennese Furbabies]

Usually it's better to take a companion along. It helps to reduce the stress a little bit.

 

[artcasper]

All the best for the operation x

 

[Merab]

Hope everything has gone well today and your piggy is recovering from the op