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6yo male has one hard testicle.

Erikac

Erikac

New Born Pup
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Hi,

Every year my guinea pig gets his annual check up. Recently, I read you’re supposed to take them twice a year after 4yo. So, since he’s 6yo, I scheduled his visit sooner than his annual was due. His annual would actually be due in May, not March. Well, we’re at the vet now and he said everything is great except one of his testicles is hard, and I felt it, while the other one is squishy. Anyway, has this happened to anyone’s piggy before? They took him back for blood work and an x-ray :( He’s eating and moving around normal. Sleeping a little deeper than usual for the last few months, he is a senior though.

Thanks
 
I've had no experience of this with any of my boars but just wanted to offer you support. I hope the vet will be able to give you some answers and your boy is okay.
 
Thank you so much, means a lot 💞 His blood work came back great, so his organs are functionally properly, and no signs of infection. Based on the x-ray, there were no other tumors anywhere else in his body, so whatever it is, it hasn’t spread. The only bad thing is that although he’s been eating more, he’s been losing weight, so that’s not a good sign. Usually, that’s the C word. The vet suggested surgery asap, in case it is, we’ll catch it on time. They’re going to neuter him. I feel bad, maybe I should have neutered him when he was younger and this wouldn’t be happening.
 
Erikac said:
Thank you so much, means a lot 💞 His blood work came back great, so his organs are functionally properly, and no signs of infection. Based on the x-ray, there were no other tumors anywhere else in his body, so whatever it is, it hasn’t spread. The only bad thing is that although he’s been eating more, he’s been losing weight, so that’s not a good sign. Usually, that’s the C word. The vet suggested surgery asap, in case it is, we’ll catch it on time. They’re going to neuter him. I feel bad, maybe I should have neutered him when he was younger and this wouldn’t be happening.
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HUGS

I am very sorry about the not so good news. Please do not feel guilty; testicular cancer is actually very rare. We have certainly seen less than a handful of cases in the nearly 20 years of existence with tens of thousands of enquiries, just to put it into a bit of perspective.

If helps you, I know of several older boars that have been successfully neutered, including a 6 year old, but any operation at this age is generally more risky and recovery is slower because the metabolism is that bit slower at that age.
It is up to you to consider whether you'd rather would like your boy to just live out his life as it is - seeing that 6 years is a very good healthy life span or whether you want to risk an operation that may not come off. If you wish, we are here to talk the different aspects through with you so you can opt for what feels best for you and your boy with a clearer mind.

My own two 6 years olds that needed an emergency operation were both sows with burst, infected cysts that could not be left (one of them just short of her 7th birthday whose cyst under observation put on a sudden growth spurt during my vet's summer holiday absence and because of some heavy bleeding there were cancer concerns, which thankfully didn't come true...); but both sows made a good recovery and lived for several months longer to celebrate their 7th birthday.

Here is the link to our boar neutering operation guide, which you may find helpful:
A Guide to Boar Neutering Operations (Considerations, Post-op Care & Complications and Success Story)
 
Thank you so much 💞 I’m a little anxious, but he’s going in tomorrow for surgery, I’m still thinking though. So, how many 6yo boars have you known of, that have been successfully neutered?😬 Thanks for the link. Will read in a little bit.
 
Erikac said:
Thank you so much 💞 I’m a little anxious, but he’s going in tomorrow for surgery, I’m still thinking though. So, how many 6yo boars have you known of, that have been successfully neutered?😬 Thanks for the link. Will read in a little bit.
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About two or three - it is rare to neuter boars that old in the first place. However, cancer (and that was my first though as well when you mentioned a hard testicle is a valid reason for buying him a chance at a longer life.

I am keeping my fingers crossed for you and your boy tomorrow!
 
Wiebke said:
It is up to you to consider whether you'd rather would like your boy to just live out his life as it is - seeing that 6 years is a very good healthy life span or whether you want to risk an operation that may not come off.
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I decided to have the vet do the surgery because I trust he is a great exotic vet, I trust that he wouldn’t suggest the surgery, if he didn’t think Biscuit wasn’t healthy and strong enough to make it, and I sincerely would never forgive myself if I later found out it did turn out to be the C word and it spread because I decided not to have the doctor remove it. If it turns out to be a benign tumor, I at least stopped his now or future discomfort and/or pain. I’m pretty sure the vet mentioned the tumor was going to keep growing whether it was benign or not and that it would eventually cause him excruciating pain and would probably need to be put down. I know that there is always going to be risk with any surgery and especially at 6yo, but I just love my little munchkin so much, and want to fight to have him as long, healthy, and pain free as I can. Thank you so much for this forum. It’s nice to have piggy parents to talk to.
 
Wiebke said:
About two or three - it is rare to neuter boars that old in the first place. However, cancer (and that was my first though as well when you mentioned a hard testicle is a valid reason for buying him a chance at a longer life.

I am keeping my fingers crossed for you and your boy tomorrow!
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Thank you 🙏🏼
 
Wiebke said:
My own two 6 years olds that needed an emergency operation were both sows with burst, infected cysts that could not be left (one of them just short of her 7th birthday whose cyst under observation put on a sudden growth spurt during my vet's summer holiday absence and because of some heavy bleeding there were cancer concerns, which thankfully didn't come true...); but both sows made a good recovery and lived for several months longer to celebrate their 7th birthday.
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That’s a lovely story about your girls making a good recovery and celebrating their 7th birthday 💞
 
Do people post pictures of them and their guinea pigs on here or just their guinea pigs?
 
[QUOTE="CTWC, post: 3006831, member:
Morning how is your boy today? 💐

I don’t know why this reply looks like this, but he’s good. Resting now, since I did lights out. Poor thing doesn’t know what he’s in for tomorrow 🫢It’s 3:30am over here in Orlando, Fl, USA. Drop off time for surgery is 8:30am-11am. Thank you for asking 😊
 
What is his name?
I'll will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers try to keep busy whilst he's at the vets 🌈🙏💐
 
CTWC said:
What is his name?
I'll will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers try to keep busy whilst he's at the vets 🌈🙏💐
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Aww thank you 🙏🏼 His name is Biscuit. This is us spending some time together before “bed” because I’m still up (don’t judge the mess in the back ground 🫣😅:
 

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Good luck for Biscuit tomorrow! My two boys send healing wheeks 🥰 take some comfort knowing you’re doing everything you can for him. He’s a lovely boy 😍
 
Hi everyone! Thank you all for the prayers and well wishes 🫶🏻The vet called before expected at 2:45pm and said Biscuit was doing good, however I will have to keep him extra clean when he comes home because he has two incisions, instead of one. I’m going to have to make sure he stays dry and clean his cage at least 3 times a day. His antibiotic should also help with keeping him healthy from any infection. The tumor was too big to be removed through his abdomen, which is what the doctor preferred, so he wouldn’t have an incision too close to where he 💩 and urinates. My heart is full just knowing my baby was slowly waking up from anesthesia and that the tumor/testicles were successfully removed. Can’t wait to pick him up tomorrow. 💞
 
Good going Biscuit, you brave, beautiful boy! Sending lots of virtual :hug::hug:cuz virtual ones don't frighten piggies.

You look scrumptious btw, no wonder your slave named you Biscuit.
 
Erikac said:
Hi everyone! Thank you all for the prayers and well wishes 🫶🏻The vet called before expected at 2:45pm and said Biscuit was doing good, however I will have to keep him extra clean when he comes home because he has two incisions, instead of one. I’m going to have to make sure he stays dry and clean his cage at least 3 times a day. His antibiotic should also help with keeping him healthy from any infection. The tumor was too big to be removed through his abdomen, which is what the doctor preferred, so he wouldn’t have an incision too close to where he 💩 and urinates. My heart is full just knowing my baby was slowly waking up from anesthesia and that the tumor/testicles were successfully removed. Can’t wait to pick him up tomorrow. 💞
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Great news. I hope Biscuit had a smooth and speedy recovery ❤️
 
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