EllaBellaMuffin
Cavy Star, Video Contest Winner
Cavy Slave
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2013
- Posts
- 353
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2013
- Messages
- 353
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Sorry to hear she has to have surgery. Just curious, how much did she weigh? She doesn't look all that fat to me.
Thank you so muchMuffin is precious, I hope all goes well!
She is beautiful. I agree, from those pictures she doesn't look overweight. I'll keep her in my thoughts and prayers for a uneventful surgery and a speedy recovery.
1240 grams is NOT overweight. Too many vets take their weight recommendations from veterinary books, which are reporting on the weights of lab animals, not pets. Guinea pigs lose weight very quickly when they're ill, and having a few extra ounces at the onset may make a difference in life or death if it's a serious illness. I would NOT put my pig on a diet at 1240 grams. In fact, both my sows are nearly 1350 grams, and they're just fine.
Also, I wouldn't be putting my pig through surgery for a "possible" ovarian cyst. She'd have to have a verified one, or other mass, before I'd do that.
We have a great exotic vet that does spay and removing of cyst. 2 of my piggies both had cyst and they were spayed in the process. She was scheduled
What's most worrisome is that this was apparently diagnosed by x-ray, which is ineffective for soft tissue problems. The method of choice for diagnosing cysts/tumors/unknown masses is ultrasound.
Is this an exotic vet? If not, how many guinea pigs does s/he see, and how often/how many times has s/he done this surgery?
I'd be asking a LOT more questions before I took my pig in for this operation.
Why is your vet starting with surgery? Have you tried injections? Around here surgery is saved as a last resort since death is always a real risk for surgery. Even minor surgery can result in death. We had a horse die who had her tooth pulled.
I live in New York and we have some great exotic vets here. My vet recommended surgery he does them weekly and his very good. He also operated 2 other of my piggies and they were both success. I mean the risk is always there for any surgery, but my vet said injections do not take issue away and spaying is good for females generally.
Injections don't take away the cyst, but they stop the symptoms and keep it from growing. I've used them on two pigs. I've had a pig spayed, so I know the process, but her's was because of a tumor. I'd never do it as an elective, or as the first step in the case of a cyst. But, that's just me and the experiences I've had with my vets who are at a very well rated vet med program (so I trust them). I grew up on a large farm, and have dealt with hundreds of animals over my life, so I tend to prefer to be cautious because I've seen just about everything go wrong that can go wrong and when they die because of a choice you've made... it's very unsettling.
You're response is unsettling and extremely rude. I love my pets and take very good care of them.
@EllaBellaMuffin at the end of the day she is your baby, so you do what you feel is right. At least if she's spayed you never have to worry about cysts again. If you trust your vet, go for it. Some rescues spay and neuter all their pigs, so while it can be risky, there are some who think it's worthwhile. I'm still on the fence myself.
Praying for a successful surgery! Just wondering (off topic) are you @Guinea_Pigs_Ella_Bella_muffin from Instagram?