5 Year Old Piggy With Ovarian Cysts

[scpiggy]

I started a thread last week about my girls change in behaviour in the behaviour section of the forum.
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/forums/behaviour-and-bonding.21/
Well I had them both scanned today and it turns out my 5 year old Sherbet does have two ovarian cysts. Unfortunately I wasn't able to see the exotics specialist today like I planned, but the vet I saw seemed to know what he was talking about and agreed that given Sherbets age having her spayed would only be done if it was absolutely needed and hormone therapy will be tried first. Although he has had experience giving hormone therapy he wanted to check with the exotics specialist on the best hormone treatment before making any decisions. I should hear back from them by Friday at the latest.
Really not looking forward to the treatment as Sherbs is the biggest drama queen ever, she had an antibiotic injection once before and it sounded like someone was torturing her. So she's really not going to be impressed with having multiple injections. Plus my girls look so silly now with their shaved bellies.
I'd really appreciate it if any one could share their advice or experience dealing with ovarian cysts or just send my gorgeous girl some healing vibes.

 

[helen105281]

I have had a couple with cysts, Maddie had hers drained and they didn't come back but we lost her a few months later due to bladder issues (unrelated). Millie had them too but they burst on their own. Terk though had hormone injections for an ovarian tumour which did really help shrink it. They were Chorulon injections. I know there are lots with experience of hormone injections on here so you should get lots of advice.

Hope they aren't too traumatic for her.

 

[scpiggy]

I have had a couple with cysts, Maddie had hers drained and they didn't come back but we lost her a few months later due to bladder issues (unrelated). Millie had them too but they burst on their own. Terk though had hormone injections for an ovarian tumour which did really help shrink it. They were Chorulon injections. I know there are lots with experience of hormone injections on here so you should get lots of advice.

Hope they aren't too traumatic for her.

Thank you, that's been really helpful. Nice to know that there's a lot that can be done without spaying. Sorry you lost Maddie though.

 

[GPTV]

hi ther just a quick one but you may find some useful info in these two threads....
The first is my Ellie from about March time. The second is a recent thread by Becky3. this later post is quite informative.


http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/...-cyst-maybe-stones-suggestions-please.112412/

http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/experience-in-hormone-therapy.117520/

Good luck with your little lady & speedy recovery to her, whatever you decide. xx
...PS Ellie was a COMPLETE DIVA with her chorulon injections (talk about squeal the place down) a few chunks of cucumber later & i was partially forgiven
xx

 

[Lady Kelly]

Bless poor little Sherbet. I have had two with ovarian cysts, Bea is my eldest lady and hers luckily burst during physical examination so she was fine on that score although she does have renal disease so still isn't in complete health but doing well.

Bumble is the latest one to be treated for cysts, she unfortunately developed incontinence as a result and got scalds on her bum. She went in for an ultrasound and the vet rang me recommending emergency surgery to remove the ovaries but they went through her flank rather than belly. She is 4.5 years old and has actually recovered from the op really quickly and I'm amazed by how spritely and happy she is now she is back outside with her friends. I was worried about the operation because of her age but my vet was amazing and I don't regret the decision at all now.

Best of luck with the treatments and I hope they help her

 

[biscandmatt]

good luck with the injections. my maisie had a course of two injections 7days apart.

 

[TAN]

I have 4 sows and all have been spayed.two were spayed by the rescue they came from and my other two old ladies ,who will be 5 in a couple of months were both spayed last year by an exotics specialist who herself keeps guinea pigs and spays all her females - both my girlies were operated on and up and about within half an hour - and both had a very quick recovery - the more experienced the vet carrying out the procedure the better .,

 

[scpiggy]

Thanks GPTV those were some really useful links
And thanks to everyone who replied, it's great to hear some more success stories using hormone injections as well as older ladies getting spayed. My vets have performed a quite extensive surgery on my piggy Sookie when she was 4 1/2 which went as well as it could have done. So if it does come to having to get Sherbet spayed she should be in good hands.
Luckily Sherbets moodiness seems to be reserved only for Rio, she actually seems more cuddly with me than usual, but we'll see how quickly that changes once she starts getting the injections. I'll have to get some of her fav veg in so she wont be able to stay mad at me for long.

 

[scpiggy]

Starting to get really frustrated now, the vets have still not got back to me. I've rung twice since my last appointment and each time the receptionist has told me that the vet will ring me back that evening and both times I got nothing. I'm started to get really frustrated. As are both my piggies since Sherbet is very hormonal and poor Rio has to put up with her. And since they live in my bedroom Sherbs often keeps me up with all her grumbling.
Tomorrow I plan to go into the vets and speak to them in person so hopefully I will get somewhere. Rant over.

 

[WDMMBT]

My Mop had ovarian cysts. Sadly we were away at the time when it was diagnosed (we believed her to be pregnant after our boars got into her run) and overdue so my aunt took her to the vets. They were performing a caesarian to remove the pups and didn't find little baby piggies but two 'apple' sized cysts instead. She has been absolutely fine since her spay that day.
This incident occured about two years ago and she's an impressive 5 and a half years old now! :o