Guinea pig - ovarian cysts

[CherryMaple]

Our guinea pig (aged 3.5 years) has a large ovarian cyst, and may have another on the other side. She is booked to have it drained under anaesthetic on Monday. The vet has said 85% of GPs survive the draining, but the draining will need to be repeated monthly with further risks each time.

The vet would prefer us to have the ovaries and uterus removed, but says only 50% of GPs survive this because of surgical complications. This seems very high risk 😔

The vet says the hormone injections are ineffective. (It’s a specialist exotics vet.)

Has anyone else been through this? She’s a lovely GP in great physical condition otherwise, and - obviously - we really don’t want to lose her.

Thanks.

[ForestBather]

One of my girls had this. I was never given such scary statistics. There's a risk with any small animal being given anesthetic but I've never lost one this way. Our guinea pig had ovaries and uterus removed and no more bleeding. We found it worth doing for her.

[DoubleBingo]

Risk of surgery for small pets like guinea pigs is now far far lower than it used to be and I would say the benefit of not having to put your piggie through the monthly stress of having drain carried out will outweigh that risk.

[CherryMaple]

Many thanks to you both.