Farley is being neutered today

[jessegee]

I'm worried, as is normal I guess, and felt quite tearful as I left him at the vets, having told them how he likes to be petted , and also how he doesnt . The staff there seemed very kind and looked gentle in the way they went about things , so thats a good sign

I chose this vet from recommendation , apart from being local, because he performed a very difficult op on my freinds injured ex battery chicken.

Now I know thats a world apart, but he showed concern and professionalism, and didnt charge an expensive bill
( and the chicken has recovered fully fit )

He has said he'd like to keep Farley all afternoon to make sure he is okay, and he talked at length about the risks involved.

He also asked me why I was having him neutered, and I think for a lesser reason he would have advised against it , so it shows some knowledge of the animal

He has performed many ops on guineas including castrations, and all in recent years have been sucecsful, but he did say he has had one or two with complications , although not recently
He was specific on aftercare, bedding , feeding, types of stitches he would use, and amount of painkillers, he wont provide any to take home because he says the one he will have should last 24hours after he leaves, but I am wondering if he should have a little calpol on the second day?

what do you think?

jessegee

[badger]

Hi, fingers crossed Jessegee, try and keep busy..

Charlie was given pain killers to have at home, but I had to give them to him the following morning, and rest of next (2?) days. However, he certainly did not appear upset or in pain, if that helps, and if your vets lasts 24 hours, then I guess that is a good strong one. ITs hard cos they can't tell you they're in pain, but if looks were anything to go by, honestly the 2nd day, he was running about on the carpet, then climbing up the wire, trying to get in with his 'wife' Queenie!

I didn't realize you could give piggies calpol, but I'd trust your judgement Jessegee, you are really knowledgeable, and no one knows him like you, so I'd go by your instinct.

You'll probably find him quiet and slow/sleepy tonight, so I'd settle him down on his vet bed/cuddle cup, leave a bit of his favorite food, then let him sleep it off. I am sure you will be surprised and relieved in the morning when you see him, as Charlie seemed to come back to life with evengance the next day! Obviously you need to take extra care when picking him up, and you may be shocked at how much he will swell up, but that is completely normal, so long as his wound is dry, and nothing stuck to it.

In fact, I have to say, Charlie is still 'quite big' in that area now, so whether that is the effect of the op, or just him I'm not sure!

Try not to be tearful, I know its so so hard, but its so he can be happier at the end of the day.

Here's a piccy of him with his girls, post op, perhaps his smile may cheer you up:



Keep us posted, Ange xxx

(PS Charlie is the white one on the LHS, Queenie is the one on the left 'his wife' and love of his life. Chloe in the middle now lives with Squirrel, as when I had to separate Queenie out when she had bad skin, Queenie decided she hated Chloe, and wanted Charlie all to herself

[jessegee]

Aw thats wonderful Ange, youre so kind, thats has cheered me up no end, thank you , I am constructing a vet bed palace for him

Charlie does look really content, I hope Farley is that happy too

Is Queenie on the end or in the middle? I cant work it out lol!

jessegee

[jessegee]

Great news so far, Farley has just had his op, and he is in recovery, and he's okay, though still drowsy, bless him, hope he can sleep it off this afternoon until they ring to say he's ready to come home

It is a huge relief

His cage has a double layer of vet bed for comfort, and a big toy to lean against

Cant wait til he's home again

jessegee

[Niki]

Wonderful news Jesse

Give him a from me

Niki x

[jessegee]

Will do Niki, thanks

jessegee

[badger]

Queenies the one on the RHS ;D

Bet your feeling lots better now, have been thinking about Farley all day! He'll appreciate a soft bed, and I gave Charlie a cuddly toy to cuddle up to as well -

Won't be long now and he'll be home, sending hugs from us too, Ange xx

[jessegee]

Thanks Ange, the news is good and not quite so good, he is home and so am I now ( been at work and Johns been looking after him)

The vet told John that during the op he accidentally nicked his anus, and had to put a stitch in it, I wont get to talk to him til tomorrow now, but I'm quite worried about the implications of that, incase any foreign matter had seeped into the cavity, I just really hope it hadnt and its all clean inside . I'm taking him back on weds for a check up, so fingers crossed he continues to recover

He looks quite well, moving gingerly around the cage but keen on his toys, he keeps kissing them like old friends, he's eaten and drunk plenty of water, and he pooped at the vets although not since he's been home, thats 4 hours now, is that unusual?

Theres one spot of blood on the paper, which came out early on, but none since, so I hope thats a good sign

I'm pretty disappointed in the vet, but glad he came clean, he could so easily have lied or not mentioned it, so I guess its better to know

jessegee

[badger]

*sending hugs to you both*

Glad the actual op went okay Jessegee, but sorry to hear about the nick, I hope nothing comes of it, bless him.

Hopefully by the time you read this, they'll be lots of poops so that'll put your mind at rest. I seem to remember lots in the cage the following morning after Charlie had his op.

Animals do seem to recover remarkably quickly following ops, so I hope this is the case with Farley too - he's got a very good mummy, and I know you will be giving him the best care.

Please let me know how things go, I just can't wait for him to be well and happy for you, Ange x

[jessegee]

Farleys pooped alot, phew, and seems okay this morning, although he is still walking very carefully

I checked him underneath and managed to get this photo, best I could do without hurting him



I didnt realise there would be stiches on both sides....

jessegee

[badger]

That doesn't look too swollen Jessegee, Charlie ballooned! Glad he pooped, that is a good sign.

Hopefully after a days rest, he will be pretty much back to normal tomorrow apart from his stiches.

Ange

[jessegee]

Thanks Ange, fingers crossed. Poor Charlie, did he have stitches like Farley has?

He still has an appetite for food bless him



We're going to the vets again tomorrow morning, I think to check stitches and make sure he isnt getting an infection

jessegee

[badger]

yes, exactley the same, and it took a while for them to dissappear, but he wasn't bothered by them or anything, although I didn't give him any hay for the first couple of days as I was paranoid a bit would get stuck and he'd scratch or somthing.

(I gave him parsley instead, which he has as a special treat!)

The swelling did reduce, although I am sure he is larger now than he was previously, but seeing as he's long haired, its not something you notice until you pick him up!! He does occasionally 'mount' his wife, but not very much, and as she's bigger than him anyway, he rarely gets away with it!

Send lots of hugs to Farley, he's through the worst, and I am sure tomorrow he will be back to himself, just needing the extra care until the wound has healed.

ITs good you've got a follow up appt at the vets, that will put your mind at rest. I hope the other cut is okay, like you said at least they told you about it, but even so, you must have felt awful for him.

*hugs again!* Ange

[Dawn - Admin]

Awww.... I am so glad Farley came through the op ok but sorry the vet made a mistake Poor Farley. I am glad he has been pooping I am sure he will be more like the old Farley very soon.

Dawn

[Niki]

How is he Jesse?

He's looking lovely, bless him

Niki x

[jessegee]

Thank you guys, Farley is looking much like his old self thismonring, doing his favourite trick of knocking off the hay rack and demanding greenery!


We went to the vet yesterday, who was really nice, and gave him a thorough check ( and didnt charge me ) and was happy with his recovery so far

Farley has some bruising over the area, but he said that was normal , and there was no additional swelling or redness, so thats a good sign, the stitches were clean too, so phew!

We had a manic day yesterday, with our new washing machine arriving in the morning, and me going to work in the afternoon !

We have another appointment in a weeks time to check all is well and remove any stitches that have not dissolved, so all is well in our little guinea household, and Farley is enjoying all the extra special attention

jessegee

[badger]

Thats great news Jessegee

He;s looking good, bet your well relieved thats over now, and I am sure he is enjoying all the extra special attention!

Ange x

[josie]

Really pleased he's doing well. If you lived near me I'd have him in a heartbeat he's such a gorgeous little man.