[Gpdd] Health; Charlie has a tumor

[Sandra Oliver-Poore]

Dear Christine. I am extremely pleased to receive your reply. It is nice to know you remember Sammy and me and that I have been able to help now and again. You are so very kind. I noticed Penny’s advice was pretty much the same as mine and you have confirmed that Charlie and Archie have fought in the past so I am pretty darned sure this is the reason for the abscess. 
About the vet. Watch him like a hawk, the vet Should NOT have missed this diagnosis and he was unsure about operating on it, this is not a good sign at all. I just don’t get how he thought it could be a tumor or that he could nick the jugular. I think he doesn’t even to do an aspiration unless he proposes the culture and sensitivity but Penny named the antibiotic so maybe not even then. Of course, the aspiration will prove its puss inside but he should be prepared to do the surgery at the same visit (I don’t want to encourage delays). It would be best if you can ask him how many abscess surgeries he has done on piggies. If its zero, please look for an alternate, piggies aren’t dogs or cats, but I might count successful bunny surgeries.
I do advise a second opinion, just to be sure look around for an exotics or pocket pet specialist and be sure to inquire what animal is their main interest. If he prefers amphibians or birds that won’t help much. See if he will do phone consultation to access how he talk about an abscess, of course he will correctly point out that he can’t make a firm diagnosis without seeing Charlie. A visit would be better but I’m not sure I can convince you do that. Ask this new vet straight out how he would propose to treat an abscess and make sure it matches pretty close what you have learned from us. I don’t insist you switch but a second opinion would be nice and you can usually tell right way if a vet knows his stuff or not, so you would be able to compare the two. You did say it the abscess is growing quickly so you don’t want to waste time so make your choice and let’s get Charlie well. This should be a pretty simple fix, but still, this vet makes me nervous. Penny and Ann are both more experienced than I am so if they don’t recommend a second opinion go with their advice.
One other piece of advice. Charlie’s care after surgery is just as important as the surgery; he will need very close attention for 6 to 8 weeks. You will need to weigh him every day. Now that I think about it, he probably can’t go back in with Archie, as Archie will sense Charlie’s vulnerability. Do try to keep them side by side, the ability to touch noses through the cages is the best situation.
After Charlie is completely up to full strength, you must evaluate if there are any further hostilities likely and if so they will have to live side by side. Reintroductions are tricky but can work. Piggies are very smart and I have had some boars understand the reason for separation and stop fighting in order to live together. You can tell this if they are distressed by the separation. It must be the aggressor that shows signs of giving in. This is fairly rare and most likely the decision is irreversible however, Charlie can’t live under the threat of attack, the stress would be hard on his health as well as actual attacks. They may have already settled their differences; maybe Charlie accepted the secondary position in which case there may be no more reason for fights unless Archie is a bully. Also, some piggies love their cage mates so much that they are happier together. Just watch them closely and try to understand their current and changing relationships. I don’t mean to make it seem complicated, but emotions are complicated so just watch them closely until you are as sure as you can be about their safety and happiness.
Best regards
Sandy with Sammy at the bridge
 
 


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