Possible ovarian cyst issue, how'd your pig do?

[bobbieszoo]

Noticed swollen, crusty teats on Katrina last night, vet appoint. for Monday.  Everything seems to point to ovarian cysts and a spay as the only option.  Looking for others who have dealt w/this and how did your pigs do?  Are there other options?  I read a little about hormone therapy, some said, yeah, that's the way to go and others say a spay is it.

[Bean]

I'm sorry to hear Katrina looks like she's having problems with ovarian cysts, what a worry for you. She's quite young isn't she?

I don't have any experience on this myself, but 3piggles should be able to add her experiences. Have you found the info over at Guinea Lynx? I think it's a topic that's been well discussed on the forums as well as on the medical guide.

Good luck for the vet tomorrow - I will keep my fingers crossed for Katrina.

[jolovespiggies]

I have never had a piggy with this problem either sweetie but lots of love on its way and good luck for tomorrow.

Hugs
JO xx

[bobbieszoo]

Yes, asking around on GuineaLynx as well.  Vet visit today, they did scrapings of the crusty teats and her vulva, as well as an ultrasound.  Vet is going to consult w/others, to be sure a spay is necessary.  I have some stuff to clean off her "area" twice a day.  I got a estimate for the spay, over $300, ouch!  Called around to other exotic vets and found one that quoted me $125.  Big difference.
What have any of you paid for this procedure?

[Bean]

I've never had a spay done on any of my pigs, only castrations (which have been around £60/ $80). Spaying is a much more complex operation, so I'd expect it to be more than that, and given the fact that it is far riskier surgery (especially in terms of post-op complications), I'd be going for the vet who has lots of experience and a good success rate spaying small animals - one who understands what pain relief they'll need after too.

The price won't necessarily reflect anything other than that surgery's fees - more expensive doesn't mean better, so the cheaper option might be the better one. But ask questions about their experience in this procedure on guinea pigs so you know the risks to Katrina are no higher than necessary.

Are the scrapings to test for it something else like a fungal infection? I thought the diagnosis of ovarian cysts was confirmed by x-ray/ scan (and possibly by feeling them if they're big enough).

Have you noticed any signs of ovarian cysts such as hair loss, behavioural changes (getting more hormonal) or weight loss, or is she otherwise normal? I'm assuming there are no obvious lumps around the nipples that would point to a mammary tumour?

Hope she's otherwise okay.

[3piggles]

I paid $1200 for the first spay, so $300 is a great price. I paid less for the other two spays, performed by less savvy vets. My first pig live and thrived. My other two didn't.

I'm not saying it's the cost of the surgery that guarantees a good outcome, but if there is a marked difference in cost, I'd have to ask what you aren't getting for the lower cost. The surgery is very stressful to their bodies and their immune systems. They need a great deal of savvy care during the surgery and after.

Pigs can need a lot of post operative care, and can die without it. Vets should be prepared to keep the pig at the clinic, providing subQ fluid (subcutaneous fluids), regular monitoring or body temperature and level of activity, etc. Some vets figure once the pig has had a few pellets and some water, pooped and peed, it's doing well enough to go home. Others will monitor the pig much more closely, make sure it's body temperature is back to normal and stabilized, make sure it's not showing any signs of internal distress, or having any problems coming out of the anesthetic. So there are possible reasons why one charges less, and you need to make sure the less expensive vet is as good as the more expensive vet. Also make sure the more expensive vet is actually better.

If you haven't, put her on white bedding. The process with ovarian cysts and tumors starts with the crusty teats, advances to potty bleeding with spots that get bigger and more numerous. A blood spot has a dark center, and get lighter the closer it gets to the outside of the blood circle. Surgery should be performed as early in the process as possible.

My UK friends who have used the hormone treatments said the treatments don't cure, only postpone the process. There are also enough guinea pigs in the UK that the hormone treatments are an inexpensive option to treatment. In the US, the hormones cost $500-700 per bottle, of which you'd probably use $20 worth, then when the cycts and tumors return, she'll need the surgery anyway. There doesn't seem to be a benefit to using the hormones before surgery, such as making her stronger and more able to survive surgery, so I would skip the hormone treatment.

Put her on white bedding. Watch for blood spots. If the blood spots are sizable, at least the size of a dime, and numerous, consider getting an ultrasound, but it may not be conclusive. Guinea pig innards are so tiny and tightly packed, it can be difficult to tell exactly what is where.

Good luck!