Guinea pig to possibly have surgery this Thursday... catheter or no catheter?

[Tish_uh]

So my guinea pig might have surgery this Thursday to have a tumor removed from his lower breast. The vet office doing the surgery itemizes the procedure to better assist people financially. One option, if you couldn't tell by the title of the thread, is to have a catheter.

I was informed it is strictly an option because it's meant to be safer but isn't required.

I can see why it's safer but at the same time seems more stressful on him afterwards.... it just seems so invasive. After the surgery, if I opted for it, am I going to have to worry about him being sore on his privates and not just his stitches? Don't catheters have an unsafe side?

I'm on the fence because I don't need him anymore stressed out than he already would be after surgery and the whole optional side to it makes it seem so unnecessary but I just don't know.

Anyone with experience in this area?

[bpatters]

I've never heard of a urinary catheter for a breast tumor surgery in a guinea pig. If it were me, I'd already be on my way to another vet.

[Paula]

I don't understand if you're being given an option to have a catheter just during the surgery or during and after. If it's the latter, I had a guinea pig released to me with a catheter after a surgery once. The pig was miserable. He couldn't move either way more than an inch or so and was generally uncomfortable the entire time. I can't say how it would have worked out, he died that night, but if you are being given an option to catheter or not to catheter during and/or after the surgery, I'd guess it isn't necessary and would not put a pig through that unnecessarily.

If it's after the surgery, it's likely that he can and will pull the catheter out (mine did) even if they do put him in an e-collar, so I just wouldn't do it.

[englishdaffodil]

My Rosie just had a tumor removed about a month ago, and didn't have a catheter. We are lucky to have an extremely cavy-savvy vet, and she didn't even offer us the option. Rosie is doing very well post-surgery. I'm no expert, but this was our experience.

[Tish_uh]

@bpatters , Unfortunately she is the only exotic vet within a 50 mile radius of me. But her office has been there for over 10 years and she has done the same procedure many times so I trust her. She didn't stress on the catheter and now that I look back barely mentioned it at all so maybe I'm just over- thinking it. She was more focused on having me pay extra for necessary things like a biopsy of the tumor and such.

Thanks everyone for your input, I now feel at ease not choosing the catheter option.

[Tish_uh]

Oh I should also mention I was mostly confused because it isn't unheard of. Researching online, I'd come across one or two articles stating a catheter use during abdominal surgeries for rats and guinea pigs.

[Tish_uh]

Quick Update: I'm a total moron. Turns out the catheter was an IV catheter - not a urinal one.

Anyway, the day of the surgery the vet tech informed me that they were useful because it allows the surgeon to quickly be able to give the guinea pig fluid or medicine he/she may need in a quick second and has often been life saving for some patients. I went ahead and agreed to it but Lawrence ended up not needing it at all apparently.

He's been home since yesterday - eating regularly and full of energy. =] Once I've caught him curled over licking his staples and quickly corrected him. Other than that, he doesn't seemed to be much more bothered or interested in them. In 2 weeks, he should be able to have them removed and in the next day or so I find out the results of his biopsy... really nervous but trying to stay positive. I just love him so much.

[kananaka]

So glad he did well with the surgery. Hope it turns out OK, keep us posted!

[Tish_uh]

Will do! =]

[Tish_uh]

His vet informed me yesterday that the tumor was in fact cancerous - but she was successfully able to completely remove it. He should be fine but I was instructed to always keep a close watch on any growths that might come back.

I'm thankful it seems fixed for now - I'm sad at the fact it has the potential of returning. =[