[Gpdd] [HEALTH] Ovarian cysts - another option

[Dr Kay Dudman]

Dear Nicholle and Joan

Sorry to hear about the ovarian cysts that Ryvvir and Lady Bug have.  I hope
my Patchouli's story will help.  I adopted Patchouli just over a year ago,
when she was 6 years old; teenage daughter had "lost interest", her mother
claimed to be allergic and granny was cleaning piggy out once a week.  

I always take my new piggies straight to the vet for a check up.  I am so
glad she came to me; little Patchouli felt a bit lumpy, and it turned out
she had some benign fatty lumps (lipomas) which were successfully removed
surgically, as well as ovarian cysts.  As Patchouli was 6 years old at the
time, my vet opted to drain the cysts by drawing the fluid off with a
hypodermic needle.  From time to time I would take her in again to have the
cysts drained, until one day she became lumpy rather sooner after the last
draining session than usual.  Back to the vet again.  This time Simon (vet)
decided it would be better to spay her in spite of the risks due to her age
(by now she was much fitter and much less shy).  Patchouli had the surgery
earlier this year, and she is now 7 years old and is doing really well.  She
has even put on a little weight (like Lady Bug, she is fairly petite) and
now weighs just over a kilo, whereas before she was always just under.

As Penny says, the only safe anaesthetic for GPs is isoflurane, used with
oxygen.  As it is inhaled, once the anaesthetic is no longer being
administered recovery is rapid, unlike injectable anaesthetics where the
body has to metabolise the agents which can lurk in the liver and kidneys
for some time.

Ask your vets whether draining the cysts would be an option for Ryvvir and
Lady Bug; it is less intrusive than surgery and avoids any complications
that may arise from hormone therapy.

I hope Patchouli's story is helpful for Ryvvir and Lady Bug.  Oh, and
Patchouli says she's lost interest in teenagers who don't care for their
piggies.

Lady Bug, Patchouli says how about a Dainty and Petite Society (DAPS) for
those of us who are small but oh-so-cute?

Best wishes

Kay