Re: (UPDATE) Shirley's recovering from her hysterectomy (long)

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Posted by RJ Mello on September 17, 2001 at 22:32:15:

In Reply to: Re: (UPDATE) Shirley's recovering from her hysterectomy (long) posted by Diana on September 17, 2001 at 16:35:10:

Well. . .before now, I've always expressed opposition to elective hysterectomies. With the exception of Shirley's last batch of eggs (the ones that have caused all these problems) I've always been able to clearly tell when any of my 3 girls were carrying eggs and knew to take them to the vet if things were taking too long. Additionally, over the years, I've come to know the time of year they began thinking about egg laying and offered extra calcium. This year though, the mistake I made (assuming, and you know what they say about that, Shirley had re-absorbed) almost cost her her life.

The only difference, this year, was that she was a year older. She's a rehab Ig, and as close as I can figure she's at least 10 years old. Romeo is the same age and her last clutch differed in size & was laid over a week long period (instead of my girls normal 6 hours or so).

I guess, what I'm saying is the decision is different for every Ig. I find my girls starting to have trouble as they get older. That's why I'm considering going ahead w/the other 2, before they develop problems. I've had them for 5 years, now. They've laid for me every year (so you can see they were all pretty mature before I got them). It's only the last year anybody showed any problems.

If you do decide to do it electively, you have the advantage of being able to do some non-frantic research on good herp vets (w/surgical experience) in your area. . . and also the advantage of working w/an animal who's health isn't already compromised prior to surgery. Those 2 factors are definitely an advantage. On the other hand, I understand some females end up never laying eggs.

You can see, I still hesitate to recommend elective surgery . . . especially since your girl is still so young. I will tell you though. . .as concerned as I originally was about the surgery itself, incision management etc.... I think she came through that part really well. The difficulties we've encountered have been because of the complicating factors (including both the peritonitis AND the poop problems created by the fact I wasn't able to stay home with her till we could safely begin soaking again).

I'm afraid my reply may not have helped to much in your decision. . .but it's a hard one. I've read allot of other folks hysterectomy stories and, not having gone through this (which was even harder than making the decision) I still wouldn't be considering it. But...maybe I should have been. Ah, but if we had a crystal ball. Huh?!?!

Good luck w/whatever you decide. . .and let us all know.
Rebecca

: Wow, Rebecca
: It sounds like you've been having a rough go of it for a while. I am SO happy to hear, however, that Shirley is doing better and will soon be healthy again. You sound like a GREAT owner. You are to be commended for giving her such great care and consideration.

: Since you are now a female Ig "expert", I have a couple questions for you. I have a female and a male and have considered spaying our female before. She is three years old and has never yet laid eggs. I love my girl and would hate to lose her so spaying is an option I think I will consider.

: From what you know after what you've been through, would you say that it's best to have her spayed now while she's young and hasn't even laid eggs before? Or should we wait until she has laid a clutch?

: Thanks for your input,
: Diana

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Thanks RJ, for your input Diana 09/17/01 (0)

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: Well. . .before now, I've always expressed opposition to elective hysterectomies. With the exception of Shirley's last batch of eggs (the ones that have caused all these problems) I've always been able to clearly tell when any of my 3 girls were carrying eggs and knew to take them to the vet if things were taking too long. Additionally, over the years, I've come to know the time of year they began thinking about egg laying and offered extra calcium. This year though, the mistake I made (assuming, and you know what they say about that, Shirley had re-absorbed) almost cost her her life. : The only difference, this year, was that she was a year older. She's a rehab Ig, and as close as I can figure she's at least 10 years old. Romeo is the same age and her last clutch differed in size & was laid over a week long period (instead of my girls normal 6 hours or so). : I guess, what I'm saying is the decision is different for every Ig. I find my girls starting to have trouble as they get older. That's why I'm considering going ahead w/the other 2, before they develop problems. I've had them for 5 years, now. They've laid for me every year (so you can see they were all pretty mature before I got them). It's only the last year anybody showed any problems. : If you do decide to do it electively, you have the advantage of being able to do some non-frantic research on good herp vets (w/surgical experience) in your area. . . and also the advantage of working w/an animal who's health isn't already compromised prior to surgery. Those 2 factors are definitely an advantage. On the other hand, I understand some females end up never laying eggs. : You can see, I still hesitate to recommend elective surgery . . . especially since your girl is still so young. I will tell you though. . .as concerned as I originally was about the surgery itself, incision management etc.... I think she came through that part really well. The difficulties we've encountered have been because of the complicating factors (including both the peritonitis AND the poop problems created by the fact I wasn't able to stay home with her till we could safely begin soaking again). : I'm afraid my reply may not have helped to much in your decision. . .but it's a hard one. I've read allot of other folks hysterectomy stories and, not having gone through this (which was even harder than making the decision) I still wouldn't be considering it. But...maybe I should have been. Ah, but if we had a crystal ball. Huh?!?! : Good luck w/whatever you decide. . .and let us all know. : Rebecca : : : Wow, Rebecca : : It sounds like you've been having a rough go of it for a while. I am SO happy to hear, however, that Shirley is doing better and will soon be healthy again. You sound like a GREAT owner. You are to be commended for giving her such great care and consideration. : : Since you are now a female Ig "expert", I have a couple questions for you. I have a female and a male and have considered spaying our female before. She is three years old and has never yet laid eggs. I love my girl and would hate to lose her so spaying is an option I think I will consider. : : From what you know after what you've been through, would you say that it's best to have her spayed now while she's young and hasn't even laid eggs before? Or should we wait until she has laid a clutch? : : Thanks for your input, : : Diana

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