2 of my 3 girls have gone through this surgery now (and I've promised myself I'm going to get the 3rd spayed BEFORE next breeding season). All 3 have laid a clutch per year for several years now but both who ran into problems, are getting up in years which I think was the real root of their problems. When it happened to us the first time “very worried” is a mild way to describe my feelings (and, in reality, I imagine yours too). However, since it’s all over, I’m so glad not to have to worry about them laying eggs each year. I mean….there’s always the potential for egg problems….until they don’t lay eggs anymore that is. …..and I feel like, once they have problems the first time, they’re more likely to have them again.
Speaking of which. . . the first time, it took us awhile to figure out what was going on w/Shirley because the follicles had broken so badly in her abdomen that Xrays didn’t show definite egg shapes. . .and the chaos all this was playing w/her system caused her bloodwork to be all out of skew too. We weren’t sure if it was kidney problems (not uncommon in an Ig of her age) or egg issues or what. . . . .so by the time I finally agreed to go ahead with an invasive procedure. . . she was already weaker that I feel like she should have been. With Romeo, having seen the symptoms first hand before, and knowing my Ig’s as well as I do, I didn’t waste time letting her get weak.
From what you describe, you’re in scenario #2. You absolutely know there is an egg problem going on . . .she’s lethargic but not yet really ‘weak’. When you go into this Monday, rest easy know now’s the time to do it. Shirley’s recover took twice as long as Romeo’s. I remember both myself AND the vet being really worried about Shirley during the initial stages of her recovery. . . .but Romeo was a breeze.
Anyway. . . my advice is to:
1.) MAKE SURE THE VET SENDS YOU HOME W/PROPER MEDs. For both my girls operations, my vet sent home:
a.) 3 days worth of injectible pain meds (6 small needles, to be given every 12 hours). Keeps them comfortable & calm (mostly seeping) for the worst of the pain. . . helping the incision get a bit of a hold on itself before they start moving at all.
b.) 7 days antibiotics (7 big shots to give once daily). As I understand it, in these non-calcified follicle situations, once the vet gets inside they often find follicle(s) have broken and introduced yolk into the abdominal area. Happened to both my girls. My vet repeatedly flushed the abdominal cavity w/saline, to clean out as much as possibly but, was adamant about the heavy antibiotics dosage to battle infection that might occur as a result of microscopic yolk traces left behind.
2.) PREPARE A PLACE FOR HER RECOVERY before you bring her home. The first time, I dedicated my 2nd bathroom to Shirely’s recovery. I made a pallet of soft towels (covered by a smooth sheet….so as not to irritate the incision) in my high sided bathtub, and suspended a heat lamp over it. I didn’t bother w/UV because I’d taken off work to be with her for the first week, I was able to take her outside for daily basks. It was August (in Texas). I was in HELL (on me) but the sun is magic for them….so I stayed outside w/her several hours every day.
The 2nd time. . . knowing better what to expect. . . I bought a really huge Rubbermaid storage container that fit in the window seat of my bedroom window. . . .and took time off work to do the sun magic again.
Well. . .I’ve written a book here . . .so better sign off. Will check back later tonight in case you post questions or something. I remember feeling so helpless the first time I went through this w/Shirley. My biggest comfort was communicating w/other folks on this list . . . who’d either gone through the same thing or just really understood how/why I could be so upset & worried about ‘a lizard’. . . . and would follow up to ask how she was doing after the surgery etc. . .
Take Care,
Rebecca (Shirely, Romeo, Lil’Girl & Lil’Boy)
