Vet Took Niko and Henry to the vet!

[aspecht]

umbilical hernia

So, I realize that this is an umbilical hernia. I'm just curious if it looks severe? Does it appear that it may require fixing? He is going to the vet Tuesday, but just wondering if it looks like a problem?

 

[GuineaLoveer]

Re: umbilical hernia

i don't have the slightest clue just thought id bunk this up
keep us updated
hope the vet visit goes well

 

[bpatters]

Re: umbilical hernia

I've never seen a guinea pig with an umbilical hernia. I'm sure it happens, because it does in most mammalian species. How old is he?

Let us know what the vet says.

 

[pinky]

Re: umbilical hernia

Is it a prolapsed colon where the intestine is protruding?

 

[bpatters]

Re: umbilical hernia

It's not necessarily the colon. It's just the muscle doesn't completely heal where the umbilical cord was attached. Something in the abdomen is poking through the hole -- could be colon, could be small intestine, could be omentum, could be fat. He'd likely be in some abdominal distress if it were either the colon or the small intestine, and could be with the others but not necessarily so.

 

[aspecht]

Re: umbilical hernia

He is little. I don't have an age on him. He was not planned lol. I found him in a pet store, being chewed up the other larger piggys. He was filthy. I don't feel anything there besides a bump honestly. Just feels like the muscles protrude a little, much like my baby's does. I've seen several puppies with this same type of hernia, and it never caused an issue, but I don't know if it will in a piggy or not.

 

[foggycreekcavy]

Re: umbilical hernia

I haven't had experience with this in guinea pigs either. I am interested in what the vet will have to say! Please keep us updated.

 

[pearlsmom]

Re: umbilical hernia

If it is hard and you cant push anything back in then it will not cause any problems, meaning it prob already healed on its own. But... If its squishy and you can push anything back in/ liquid/ intestines or anything at all and it flattens out and then when u let go it fills back up then it can certainly cause a problem down the road hope this helps! I was a vet tech for almost 15 years

 

[madelineelaine]

Re: umbilical hernia

Felix actually had a hernia! His was as a result of neutering. We got the vet to fix it and it was only fat and muscle protruding. He healed from it well. Watch for his eating and pooping, and make sure the area isn't hot. Also, watch the size. If it gets bigger then you could be in some trouble. Felix still has a bump because the vet replaced the fat pads normally around the testicles, to keep things from slipping thorugh. There is also scar tissue keeping things in place.

 

[aspecht]

Re: umbilical hernia

It is hard, doesn't go back in but isn't getting bigger. He's eating and pooping like normal. He's a vigorous little piggy.

 

[foggycreekcavy]

Re: umbilical hernia

What did the vet say?

 

[aspecht]

Re: umbilical hernia

What did the vet say?

We will hopefully go tomorrow. I had to switch vets. Glad I did though, I found one that only charges $25 for office calls, which means I can afford to take both boys in right away.

 

[aspecht]

Very worried, please help!

What I thought was an umbilical hernia, is now an open sore?! I checked him today, like I do everyday, and it is open where the lump had been. The lump seems to be smaller, but now there is a scab over it. I'm trying my best to get him into the vet today, but am still waiting on my money. I called the pet store and quite obviously, they aren't going to do anything except extend his warranty. (This is not the time to bash me, I did what was best for HIM by taking him from that situation). Does this sound like a huge problem? Or could it have just been a little abscess that has ruptured? He's acting completely normal, eating and drinking and playing like normal. I'm so worried about him!

 

[bpatters]

Re: Very worried, please help!

I'd take him to the vet if it's an open sore. Pigs develop deep abscesses very quickly, and they can be treated more easily and cheaply if you treat them early. You often avoid surgical intervention that way.

If an abscess had ruptured, you'd have a lot of very thick, very cheesy, very smelly pus coming out.

And while I do understand your impulse to "rescue" a pig in a pet shop, you just create a space for another one to be bred in horrible conditions to take its place. The only way the breeders, and apparently the pet stores, will stop is if there's no market for their animals. That means not buying them from breeders and/or stores.

 

[aspecht]

Re: Very worried, please help!

I'd take him to the vet if it's an open sore. Pigs develop deep abscesses very quickly, and they can be treated more easily and cheaply if you treat them early. You often avoid surgical intervention that way.

If an abscess had ruptured, you'd have a lot of very thick, very cheesy, very smelly pus coming out.

And while I do understand your impulse to "rescue" a pig in a pet shop, you just create a space for another one to be bred in horrible conditions to take its place. The only way the breeders, and apparently the pet stores, will stop is if there's no market for their animals. That means not buying them from breeders and/or stores.

That's great that you feel that way, and I do not normally "impulsively" buy petstore animals, but I wasn't going to leave him there to be killed. Plain and simple. I did call the vet, and he is going first thing in the morning. There is no pus, no bleeding even. It isn't deep. Just like a round scab. It's about half the size of a pencil eraser. The vet is prepared to do surgery on him tomorrow i f need be.

 

[aspecht]

And thankfully, she said they both look very healthy, minus the abscess on Niko's belly! She said that the abscess if very small and superficial and will heal on its own. She prescribed him some Bactrim, and said to put some Neosporin on the spot for about a week to keep it clean. The vet said that otherwise, they look very good. Clean ears, clear eyes and nose. I'm so glad that surgery wasn't needed! Now, to finish their cage! I need to figure out what pads to use in it!

 

[aspecht]

How to give oral med?!

So, Niko is on oral Bactrim. They gave me a small syringe, but I have no idea how to give him the medication! LOL! This sounds stupid I'm sure, but this is my first go around with guinea pigs. With my dogs, and foster dogs I'd just squirt the medicine into the back of their throat and they would swallow it. I just don't want to hurt Niko, he's only like two months old the vet thinks. Very little still. I have to start the med this morning though. Suggestions? Ideas? How does it work best for you?

 

[Wildcavy]

Re: How to give oral med?!

Works best for me to put it in their mouths from the side, directing it into the cheek / rear of mouth so they naturally swallow it back, and it reduces leakage / drooling it out. I don't try to do it all at once, though I imagine with a little pig the dosage of Bactrim is small enough that you can probably do it in one shot.

Some pigs are easier than others, and also sometimes they get more used to it over time and become cooperative.

 

[foggycreekcavy]

Re: How to give oral med?!

Here are some tips--
http://www.guinealynx.info/tips.html

Please post all your medical information and questions about these pigs on this thread. No need to start a new one.

 

[aspecht]

Re: How to give oral med?!

Here are some tips--
http://www.guinealynx.info/tips.html

Please post all your medical information and questions about these pigs on this thread. No need to start a new one.

Thanks! I actually don't know how to use this site well yet, but I will remember that for future posts