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Advice please

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half a dozen

half a dozen

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Hi,
It's been a while since I posted on her but I could use some advice for our 2.5 year old piggy Dawn. I noticed a lump near her nipple 10 days ago, monitored it for a few days then last week when touching it it leaked clear blood stained fluid from her nipple. I took her to vet who suggested a mammary tumour and had Cytology performed which was inconclusive but no malignancy in sample. Took her back today for what I presumed was a check up and the news was not quite so good. Looks like there may be some spreading into the tract which could suggest malignancy. So, now we have a decision...have the operation to remove it with all the complications this could bring or let her continue on until she becomes unwell. She is happy as a pig in hay with no other symptoms. How do you make a decision like this?
Your advice is very welcome x
 
HUGS

It is not easy and very heartbreaking to make a decision like that as there are simply no right and wrongs. It is a weighing up of factors and trying to come to a conclusion about what you feel would be in Dawn's best interest under the circumstances and how much you are prepared to put her through.

I have made different decisions at different times, each time trying to find the right balance for that individual piggy.
 
personally i would let her continue as she is, as the tumours grow keep a eye on them, IF they start to get sore were they are rubbing on the ground or they make moving around difficult then thats the time to call it a day.
 
Thanks for commenting. It is difficult to know what to do when it is not a clear cut diagnosis but I think you are right, wait and see is best. I have read through the cytology report which I have now and although inconclusive it does not shout panic! xx>>>
 
Mammary tumours are one of the most malignant tumours for guinea pigs. If it were my piggie I would opt to have it removed and , given the symptoms and tentaive diganosis, woud have it done straight away and wouldn;t "wait and see".

It 's easy for me to make this decision because I have a very cavy savvy vet who is brilliant with GA's and ops for my guinea pigs. If my vet weren't so experienced - I would nevertheless take them to vet who was experienced and get it removed sooner rather than later.

Whereabouts are you in the country - perhaps we can find a vet with a good record for guinea pig GA's for you.

Hope this helps
x
 
We are in hastings. The info I have read says that only 30% of mammary tumours are malignant and they rarely metastasise. Second opinion always helpful so if you can advise of another vet then that would be good :))
 
Regularly checking the growth of the lump (which hasn't grown so far). The report is on my work email..will post when I go in tomorrow. It does clearly state that a malignancy cannot be ruled out I guess I am just trying to weigh up all factors when making a decision. The vet also said if we decided to operate to have it done sooner rather than later. Thanks for your guidance.
 
Pebble,
See below the cytology report....
DESCRIPTION
There is low nucleated cellularity on a moderate background of red blood
cells. Cellular preservation is variable with some ruptured cells with
denuded nuclei. There are small numbers of clusters of tightly cohesive,
small to medium-sized, round cells throughout the preparations. These cells
have high nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio and minimal pleomorphism.

INTERPRETATION
Inconclusive

COMMENT
The cytological findings may be compatible with benign hyperplasia of the
mammary gland, but a well-differentiated epithelial neoplasm cannot be
completely ruled out. However, considering the very young age of this
guinea pig, mammary neoplasia is unlikely. No evidence of inflammation
and/or infection is seen.
 
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