Hello. I am trying to come to a final decision on whether or not to go have one of my guinea’s spay and tumour done as soon as. Over the last two vet appointments, in which she had GnRH injection/hormone treatment, the verdict was monitor it closely and how it goes. The soonest the surgery can be done to remove the small mammary tumour is next Saturday. Though, the week after, we could have it done by the same vet who removed her abscess last year. Is it best to wait as long as it doesn’t grow or should we book for Saturday? At the minute it has not grown, due to the hormone injections, but the longer she’s without theM the worse it might get. She is over 4 years old and even though our exptic vet is trustworthy he says that even this, a routine procedure, is risky due to her being middle aged. She weighs around 1kg, is eating and drinking and pooping as normal, so we’re not expecting the worse either way.
please share your advice if you have anything. I would greatly appreciate it.
Hi
Any operation success depends to a good deal on your vet's confidence. You can ask them for a referral if they are not quite happy to do it themselves.
There are now several possible operation methods with a less invasive ovariectomy from the back to a full spay with removal of the womb and ovaries through the belly. I can't of course say which would apply to your sow.
Unless your vet has recommended an emergency operation, I would recommend to not wait too long but to take the time to think things through.
Keep in mind that every surgery is essentially a leap of faith in which you have to weigh up the benefits against the risks. The ultimate decision always lies with you as the owner.
As to my own experiences:
I have had three five years olds so far that needed an urgent spaying op and that have all made a full recovery. Iola lived for another year to 6 1/2 years old, Mererid died shortly before her 8th birthday in February and her sister will hopefully live to celebrate her 8th Adoption Anniversary in a week's time - something Morwenna would not have been able to without her spaying op, as she would have developed ovarian cancer.
Iola and Mererid had both problems with fast growing very large non-hormonal fluid filled cysts and would have otherwise died or required euthanasia in the near future while Morwenna's cysts were hard and causing hormonal symptoms; they would have turned cancerous around the age of 6 years.
My Cariad was just 700g in 2013 when she needed an emergency spay for her womb going badly wrong although the vet also found some nasty looking cysts - just half a year after a major bladder stone operation. Despite her ongoing bladder issues and the need for several bladder flushes, she lived for another year until she became too frail for any further treatment for what was most likely a genetic issue. Despite her apparent frailness, Cariad sailed through her spaying op, didn't loose any weight and was back with her group within 2 days.
I do however have access to a good and experienced operating vet.
Here is some more practical information:
Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
Tips For Post-operative Care
I hope that this helps you.
