Guinea pig hernias ??

[Katie]

Hi,

So I have a neutered boar whose been having a few issues... First we thought he had a bladder infection... He went on anti-biotics and this helped for a while. But then blood started again... Please note that his behaviour or general health etc hadn't changed, is still eating fine, drinking playing popcorning etc. So we took him back to the vets after we noticed his sac (where his testicles used to be) was very large and swollen...

So the vet massaged my wee man and got a tonne of poo out of him and then said he had a hernia and the poo had been getting caught in it, but he had never seen it in a guinea pig and didn't want to operate incase he did more harm than good. He told us to keep massaging it and making sure it's being emptied out.. So we have been doing that but it's now a case we have to do this every day and he isn't liking it very much at all.

I am now searching for an exotics vet or a guinea pig specialist nearby that we can take him to but was just hoping someone had some experience with this?

Like I said before he is still a chirpy happy piggie and still eats and drinks normally and still popcorns etc but it still worries me incase something more sinister is going on...

I'm just hoping someone has something they can add to this as it's a total mystery to us and the vets... He wanted us to get a urine sample as he was experiencing some blood in his pee but since we started massaging him this has stopped so I haven't managed to get a sample... But even then I don't think that's gonna help us find the diagnoses.

Any way hope someone has something to add to our mystery...

Thanks

Katie

[Pickles]

Guinea pigs have an anal sack that collects feces. Sometimes they can become impacted, where they are full, swollen, and need to be expressed. Usually seen in older males when perhaps their muscles are weaker.

From your description it sounds like that is what is going on. I would find a small animal/exotics vet and get a second opinion.

[Katie]

It's not impaction... As he is still pooping normaly without our help and they are all still very solid. One of my other boars had it before he was pts so I'm pretty sure it's not that... We will defo get him to an exotics for another opinion but he doesn't seem in any distress or pain just now which is good :-)

Thanks for your help though it's all really appreciated

Katie

[Orlaith]

I've never come across anything like that in pigs, just regular impaction. I hope he does well for you.

[Katie]

So after seeing an exotic vet, with a lot of experience in guinea pigs Well..

he definitely has a hernia, the vet this it is his bladder that is coming through which is why there is blood in his wee, it could also be his intestines but the vet is confident that it isn't and is the bladder. he also said there might be kidney crystals but he doesn't think this is true.

he said he has never done this surgery before but is confident that they can get him through it without complications, he has a surgeon who is qualified in keyhole surgery so wouldn't be too invasive on him which i think is good. the only thing is its going to be VERY expensive but because they are very qualified im very tempted to get it done to stop my wee man being uncomfy, the vet said he has an exotic certificate so he must be well trained.

After my last boar who went in this a tumor and didnt make it im still really weary but with this vet im more confident about getting it done. He said he had a guinea pig in there who had just had his eye removed so is clearly good with guinea pig surgery. They would take him in for the surgery and then keep him overnight and monitor him before sending him home, which also makes me a bit more comfy about it but i am worried about his Girlfriend Soo and if she be alright being away from him for a period of time..

Hmm i think we are defo going to go for surgery as i think My boy has suffered enough i just hope it all goes well.. the odds are for him as the vet said its 1 in 26 piggies that have complications in surgery so i think thats pretty good

Anyway heres hoping my wee man is okay.. will keep you updated

Thanks

Katie

[Orlaith]

I hope he's okay.

[lvandy4]

Hi I believe my male pig has a hernia also. I'm taking him to the vet tomorrow but I'm very concerned. He hutches over and I can see him trying to clean the hernia. His hair is puffed up so I think he is in pain. Any advice?? Thanks, lily