Hammy Takes Some Time for Herself

As our friends are well aware, Hammy the guinea pig underwent surgery for cystic ovaries on Wednesday, April 9.

As announced on Facebook and Twitter, the surgery was performed successfully and Hammy has continued to improve each day.

Surgery Procedure

The surgery, called ovariohysterectomy, is a procedure that removes the uterus and ovarian organs, and sometimes the cervix [1]. Ovariohysterectomies require anesthesia (in Hammy’s case, isoflurane was administered). The procedure generally takes an hour to perform.

Before the Surgery

April 1, 2014 – Cost of Care: $91.45 USD

What Was Done/Prescribed: Office visit/routine exam ($50.50), urinalysis screen with dipstick ($23.70), Baytril ($17.25)

To minimize the risk of complications from surgery — and to mitigate Hammy’s “advanced age” (5 years) — the vet recommended an extensive blood test (CBC, Chem 27) one day before the procedure.

On Tuesday, April 8, Hammy was whisked to the veterinary office for her test. The following morning, the results were delivered to Human #2, just prior to surgery: The blood test indicated Hammy’s levels within normal ranges. She was a healthy surgical candidate.

The Procedure

April 8, 2014 – Cost of Care: $232.50 USD

What Was Done/Prescribed: Spay ($179.50); complications due to disease charge [HC note: due to enlarged ovaries] ($27.50); Baytril ($14.00); Metacam ($11.50)

The procedure was a success. Shortly after, the Good Doctor called the Humans to explain that he removed Hammy’s ovaries and uterus without complication. Also, during the surgery, he noticed abnormal cells on Hammy’s cervix and removed as much of her cervix as he was able. His recommendation was to bring Hammy back for a follow-up appointment in 6 months.

After the Surgery

After the procedure, the HappyCavy family doctor informed The Humans that he was able to successfully remove the ovaries and uterus. One ovary was slightly enlarged, while the other was described to be about the size of a golf ball (~1.5 inches in diameter).

During the surgery, the doctor noted abnormal cells in Hammy’s cervix, which he presumed to be pre-cancerous changes. Thus, he removed as much of the tissue as possible. Dissolvable sutures were used to close the muscle layer; medical glue was used externally. Click here for a photo of Hammy’s sutures, taken Sunday, April 13.

Hammy will be have a 6-month follow-up appointment for a general evaluation.

Post-Operative Medication

Hammy was sent home with several medications to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation. Hammy was also directed to continue her antibiotic treatment, which she began before the procedure. Hammy’s post-op medications are as below.

Metacam (meloxicam) (1.5mg/mL), pain reliever, to be given orally 0.7mL every 24 hours for 5 to 7 days.

Baytril (20mg/mL suspension), an antibiotic, to be given orally at 0.28mL every 12 hours. Hammy will continue to take Baytril for 14 days after surgery. A probiotic was also recommended to be given at least 45 minutes before the Baytril to encourage strong gut health during the antibiotic course.

Post-Operative Care

Hammy arrived home after surgery on April 9 at about 5 pm. She was placed in a small cage that was set-up next to the HappyCavy Forever Home and furnished with water, hay, pellets, and a pigloo. This is done after a guinea pig undergoes surgery to give them a private place to heal and to isolate them for signs of bleeding or other post-surgery complications. A white fleece is used as bedding and is inspected throughout the day to detect any signs of blood or other fluids. Hammy will continue to remain in isolation from her cage-mates until at least Wednesday, April 16.

Hammy the guinea pig came home from surgery at 5pm Pacific Time today! Yay!!

— HappyCavy (@happycavy) April 10, 2014

After surgery, it is vital that a guinea pig resumes eating and maintains regularity (read: normal wee and poo behavior). During the first several hours after returning home, Hammy was reluctant to eat, as the anesthesia hadn’t completely worn off. However, within one to two hours, Hammy began to pick at hay, and by night-time she resumed her regular eating and potty habits.

Below are a few other points of interest for Hammy’s post-surgery care.

• Inspect incision daily to check for swelling, redness, inflammation, odor, discharge, pus, or other fluid. Alert vet if any of these signs appear.
• Be aware that most guinea pigs experience the most difficulty post-surgery for 24 to 60 hours [1].
• Monitor Hammy closely for food and water intake during her recovery.
• Keep Critical Care on-hand in the event that Hammy ceases regular eating patterns.
• Understand that the sutures will dissolve and do not require manual suture removal.
• Administer probiotic at least 45 minutes before antibiotic treatment.

Hammy’s Private Healing Room

Hammy’s Special Healing Quarters

Saturday night, April 12, a section of the HappyCavy Forever Home was isolated and set-up as a special in-cage healing area for Hammy. As Hammy’s recovery progresses, it is important to keep her familiar with her Herd-mates. Having an in-cage room allows the other guinea pigs to interact more with Hammy as she heals, hopefully making the re-introduction process a smooth and uneventful one.

Keep Hammy Company!

Hammy has been lonely since her post-surgery isolation. Leave a special message in the comment section below to help keep Hammy company during her recovery! She would love to hear from you!

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