Am I Causing My Guinea Pigs' Cancer?

[Liane]

Nearly two weeks ago, Peri had a lump removed from under her armpit. Although we decided not to get it tested this time, both myself and Simon suspected it was cancerous.

I've just felt Peri and there has been a little bit of regrowth, and now the other side has a solid lump. I can also feel lumps on either side of her back end. Experience tells me this is lymphoma - again. And it's far more aggressive than River's. The only small mercy is it doesn't appear to have spread to under her chin, like River's did.

Peri is the fourth Guinea pig of my 16 to have cancer in the lymphnodes. Ace and River had lymphoma, and Glinda had growths in her kidneys which are apparently from lymphoma. Ringo had a brain tumour, and I had another two who died of unknown causes.

Why is this happening to me? Am I exposing them to something carcinogenic? Are there certain foods that cause cancer in Guinea pigs? It breaks my heart to see my beautiful piggies succumb to cancer.

 

[Wiebke]

Nearly two weeks ago, Peri had a lump removed from under her armpit. Although we decided not to get it tested this time, both myself and Simon suspected it was cancerous.

I've just felt Peri and there has been a little both of regrowth, and now the other size has a solid lump. I can also lumps on either side of her back end. Experience tells me this is lymphoma - again. And it's far more aggressive than River's. The only small mercy is it doesn't appear to have spread to under her chin, like River's did.

Peri is the fourth Guinea pig of my 16 to have cancer in the lymphnodes. Ace and River had lymphoma, and Glinda had growths in her kidneys which are apparently from lymphoma. Ringo had a brain tumour, and I had another two who died of unknown causes.

Why is this happening to me? Am I exposing them to something carcinogenic? Are there certain foods that cause cancer in Guinea pigs? It breaks my heart to see my beautiful piggies succumb to cancer.

HUGS! I am so sorry.

We are seeing a steep surge in lymphoma cases, especially in the last 2-3 years, on this forum. Something is clearly going on, but there is no research so far and therefore no idea what is causing/promoting it. There are obviously various forms; some can be extremely aggressive while others take longer.

@Abi_nurse @furryfriends (TEAS)

 

[Liane]

HUGS! I am so sorry.

We are seeing a steep surge in lymphoma cases, especially in the last 2-3 years, on this forum. Something is clearly going on, but there is no research so far and therefore no idea what is causing/promoting it. There are obviously various forms; some can be extremely aggressive while others take longer.

@Abi_nurse @furryfriends (TEAS)

I wish there was something I could do. I fear that the sudden acceleration in her cancer is my fault, because I opted to have the lump removed, thus releasing the cancer cells into her lymphatic system.

I'm also worried I won't be able to tell when she is suffering. I only adopted her in August last year, as one of a trio of extremely nervous Guinea pigs, and I don't feel I am attuned to her as I was with Glinda and others before her. I could tell instantly how Glinda was feeling, but I'm struggling to gage how Peri is. She's a very quiet Guinea pig, didn't complain at all when being prodded and squeezed at the vets - had a stone popped out without so much as a squeak.

 

[Swissgreys]

It is nothing that you are doing.
Be kind to yourself.
Maybe one of the reasons we are seeing a surge in cancer in guinea pigs is that more people are taking their guinea pigs to the vet when they find a lump, and more vets are equipped to operate on guinea pigs,and more people are prepared to pay for analysis to be done on the lumps.
Maybe guinea pig cancer rates are not really increasing at all, we are just 'seeing' more of them because people are noticing the lumps and taking the time to seek medical care for them.
Maybe with increased knowledge of care and nutrition for our guinea pigs they now have a longer life expectancy, which provides more opportunities for illnesses like cancer to develop.

It sounds like you have offered a wonderful home to a lot of guinea pigs, and no matter how they died I am sure they were grateful for your love and care.

 

[oxtinamona]

Hi Liane,

I just wanted to say I'm sorry and sending virtual hugs...I'm not an expert on medical cases by all means, but I lost 2 Guineas to cancer some years ago, so I know how you feel... And the guilt - but please don't. I'm certain it's not your fault - you're a fabulous Guinea Pig mum by sounds of it x keep fighting x

 

[Wiebke]

You are a very caring and observant owner, so you will know when things get bad. You will never had the smae close bond with every guinea pig, even though you don't love them any less, just different.

Please try not reflect everything back on you; especially not what is not in your control. If it is aggressive lymphoma, it is a) rather likely that the lymphoma had already started to spread into the system and b) that without an operation, it would likely spread into the system very quickly, so it doesn't really make much of a difference. You do what is the best at the time; and you did your best to give Peri a chance for the longer term.

What really makes a difference is your loving care - and that is not a matter of always doing the right thing, but of being there for support and making any choices with your piggies' wellbeing upmost in mind. You are not God who has the whole roadmap of events open to him at all times. You are human who has to follow the arrow of love as best as possible to drive a piggy through its life without any forewarning of accidents, jams, roadworks and closures.

You can't choose what your guinea pigs die from and how soon. Sometimes, a certain issue keeps cropping up more than you would expect, but in most cases it has nothing to do with you, it just happens. Statistical distribution is even only in large numbers, not in small batches. For instance, I seem to be a magnet for cataracts, congenital and old age ones...

Just be there for Peri and speak to Simon in case it is an infection and not lymphoma.

 

[Liane]

Thank you for your kind words and reassurances. I was very upset last night but am able to think a bit more rationally this morning.

I've booked an appointment with Simon, but it's not until next Wednesday as they are on a course this week. I ummed and ahhed about seeing the locum, but thought it'd be better to see Simon as he did her op. I'm 99% confident that the lumps are cancer rather than an infection, based on feel and location. So really I'll just be discussing how best to keep her comfortable.

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

Thank you for your kind words and reassurances. I was very upset last night but am able to think a bit more rationally this morning.

I've booked an appointment with Simon, but it's not until next Wednesday as they are on a course this week. I ummed and ahhed about seeing the locum, but thought it'd be better to see Simon as he did her op. I'm 99% confident that the lumps are cancer rather than an infection, based on feel and location. So really I'll just be discussing how best to keep her comfortable.

Kim is there this Friday morning if you need to go sooner. X

 

[cassybaby89]

Try to go easy on yourself. As caregivers and people with huge hearts we tend to be very hard on ourselves if something we are caring for turns for the worse or has an issue. But you must remember you are an amazing care giver and have given so much love and attention to your pigs. There are some things we have no control over. Sending healing love and light!

 

[Wigwig]

I am so sorry to hear this, must be heartbreaking for you, sending lots of hugs and love your way <3

I had no idea guinea pig cancer rates were seemingly on the increase. As has been said, is this because they werent checked so well in the past, and if it is, I would be very interested to know what a guinea pigs life expectancy was in the past.
I know rats are very prone to tumors and their life expectancy is very short. Perhaps guinea pigs have shorter life expectancy than the 6 - 8 years that is commonly said and are more prone to cancers and tumors, much like rats?
The cancer increase might be increase of stock, if there are more guinea pigs in existance than there used to be then of course there will be more opportunities for a medical problems to arise.