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Anyone hear about similar symptoms - 2 females with ongoing URI both grow mammary tumor in one week ?

tinkergirls

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Hi Everyone, I am desperately looking for anyone who have seen similar symptoms and could help. We have 3 female guinea pigs (Abyssinian, smooth and Rex), all 2.5 year old living together. 3 weeks ago they all started sneezing, Winnie more than two others - Bramble and Honey. Winnie had also slightly crusty eye. Winnie was sneezing every 15min and others twice in a an hour.

Vet prescribed Bactrim for all 3. After 7 days on Bactrim they were slightly better and sneeze once in a few hours. Eye was almost normal. Vet advice to take Bactrim 7 more days. After 3days I call him again telling that they are slightly worse Winnies eye more crusty again, more sneezing, small discharge form the nose) and Honey now had one eye red and swollen slightly. Vet changed med. to Baytril for all but low dose 0.2ml (2.5%oral solution). It helped again - slightly only, after 7 days dose was changed by another vet to 0.5ml (my pigs are around 1.3kg each).

After 6 days they were getting much better, Bramble (the only one whiteout eye infected) looks healthy (no sneezing no other symptoms), Winnie sneezing once in a 2 hours, Honey no sneezing and eye almost looks normal. And then we noticed Winnie has a large lump under her nipple, the size of a flat walnut. We are sure it wasn't there week ago as we were checking on his tummy then (me not vet as all consultations were by phone due to Covid), or it was very small. It grow really fast. I have checked other piggies they were ok. I was last night.

Today Winnie (and only she as others look healthy) was in the clinic and vet said it is probably mammary tumor and needs to be removed. They booked surgery for Thursday. We were shocked, sad but hopeful. Winnie and Honey were left on Baytril, Honey till Monday to make sure the eye looks good and Winnie until surgery).

Tonight I have checked on Winnie and she has a small tumor in the same place where Winnie, just under right nipple. I am almost sure it wasn't there 36 hour ago. Don't know how explain this. Why they are both having exactly the same symptoms including tumor. Tumor looks not painful as they not care about touching it, the skin around look normal, no redness, no signs of infection on the skin - just lump.

The last 3 weeks they all are energetic as always, eating a lot, pooping normal, chasing and bossing each others. No change in anything. Winnies tumor looks bigger than yesterday so its visibly growing. Yesterday was softer and more loosely moving under skin, now more attached and harder, more round. I have separated healthy Bramble from others and will call vet Monday morning.

Now I am looking what connection could be between respiratory infection symptoms and mammary tumors and cant find anything about guinea pigs. If anyone hear anything similar or had similar experience I will be very very grateful!

ps. I am sorry for my grammar, English is not my first language, hope is readable.
 
I’m sorry for the triple whammy you find yourself hit with. I’ve no idea if there’s a connection between antibiotics and lumps. I’ll tag @Wiebke @PigglePuggle @Piggies&buns

Please can you add your location to your profile - county/state or country. It makes it easier when advising you.
 
Hi Everyone, I am desperately looking for anyone who have seen similar symptoms and could help. We have 3 female guinea pigs (Abyssinian, smooth and Rex), all 2.5 year old living together. 3 weeks ago they all started sneezing, Winnie more than two others - Bramble and Honey. Winnie had also slightly crusty eye. Winnie was sneezing every 15min and others twice in a an hour.

Vet prescribed Bactrim for all 3. After 7 days on Bactrim they were slightly better and sneeze once in a few hours. Eye was almost normal. Vet advice to take Bactrim 7 more days. After 3days I call him again telling that they are slightly worse Winnies eye more crusty again, more sneezing, small discharge form the nose) and Honey now had one eye red and swollen slightly. Vet changed med. to Baytril for all but low dose 0.2ml (2.5%oral solution). It helped again - slightly only, after 7 days dose was changed by another vet to 0.5ml (my pigs are around 1.3kg each).

After 6 days they were getting much better, Bramble (the only one whiteout eye infected) looks healthy (no sneezing no other symptoms), Winnie sneezing once in a 2 hours, Honey no sneezing and eye almost looks normal. And then we noticed Winnie has a large lump under her nipple, the size of a flat walnut. We are sure it wasn't there week ago as we were checking on his tummy then (me not vet as all consultations were by phone due to Covid), or it was very small. It grow really fast. I have checked other piggies they were ok. I was last night.

Today Winnie (and only she as others look healthy) was in the clinic and vet said it is probably mammary tumor and needs to be removed. They booked surgery for Thursday. We were shocked, sad but hopeful. Winnie and Honey were left on Baytril, Honey till Monday to make sure the eye looks good and Winnie until surgery).

Tonight I have checked on Winnie and she has a small tumor in the same place where Winnie, just under right nipple. I am almost sure it wasn't there 36 hour ago. Don't know how explain this. Why they are both having exactly the same symptoms including tumor. Tumor looks not painful as they not care about touching it, the skin around look normal, no redness, no signs of infection on the skin - just lump.

The last 3 weeks they all are energetic as always, eating a lot, pooping normal, chasing and bossing each others. No change in anything. Winnies tumor looks bigger than yesterday so its visibly growing. Yesterday was softer and more loosely moving under skin, now more attached and harder, more round. I have separated healthy Bramble from others and will call vet Monday morning.

Now I am looking what connection could be between respiratory infection symptoms and mammary tumors and cant find anything about guinea pigs. If anyone hear anything similar or had similar experience I will be very very grateful!

ps. I am sorry for my grammar, English is not my first language, hope is readable.

Hi!

As humans we are wired to see connections in everything. This is never more so when several coincidences happen at once - and that is what you are dealing. NOT your fault and definitely NOT a respiratory tract infection complication. Just what I call cosmic bad luck completely out of your control... It does happen more often than you think.

If your two sows are related, then a genetic disposition for a mammary tumour may be present, but it is still a coincidence that they are having it at the same time.

I had to pts three salivating piggies within 6 weeks; believe me, that did cause a wobble when Papi developed a large swelling at the back of her throat (not visible from the outside) only two days after I had had to put her 'husboar' Maelog to sleep for a blockage in the gut. And then 6 weeks later Angharad passed away when she lost the ability to swallow because of a neurological issue (most likely). Any of these is very unusual; having all three of them happening nearly at once is even more unusual; but these things happen.

I hope that this helps you? All the best with the operations!

PS: If you are in another country, it would help us if please added your country to location in your account details. You can find the account details when you click on your username on the top bar. This allows us to tailor any advice for wherever you are in the world to what is relevant and available for you - background, climate, vet access and medical brand names etc. can vary enormously but play a big role in our advice and support. We have members and enquiries from literally around the world.

Tips For Post-operative Care
 
Hi, I am Paisley , UK.

I understand it could be coincidence but I will fell better trying to check all options. Its unusual, 2 not related pigs (one smooth coat one Rex) get URI symptoms - one 3 days after another, both get eye infected one 3 days after another and both get identical lump in identical place almost 3 days one after another. Both did not lost any weight, active eating and no other symptoms.
I have read that mammary tumor its not very common, or that fast growing and even less common in pigs below age 4 (mine are 2.5). how it could happened identical way to two pigs sharing the same URI symptoms in the same week?
 
Hi, I am Paisley , UK.

I understand it could be coincidence but I will fell better trying to check all options. Its unusual, 2 not related pigs (one smooth coat one Rex) get URI symptoms - one 3 days after another, both get eye infected one 3 days after another and both get identical lump in identical place almost 3 days one after another. Both did not lost any weight, active eating and no other symptoms.
I have read that mammary tumor its not very common, or that fast growing and even less common in pigs below age 4 (mine are 2.5). how it could happened identical way to two pigs sharing the same URI symptoms in the same week?

URI is transmittable, some eye infections are transmittable (specially conjunctivitis etc) but mammary tumours are not to my knowledge and to any evidence on this forum in 10 years with literally ten thousands of piggies passing through. We have never seen any outbreaks of several mammary tumours at the same time in groups. ;)

Are your piggies outdoors or indoors? If they are outside hutch piggies, please bring them under cover and indoors. Guinea pigs are not winter hardy and need to be treated like tender plants. Their immune system will be under pressure and can allow opportunistic illnesses like URI a foot.
Cold Weather Care For Guinea Pigs
 
They are indoor all the time. I was thinking that maybe its not mammary tumor, maybe some kind of lymph glands infection? Vet who diagnosed it admit that he is not piggy specialist and he is not sure what it is just suspecting by the placement of the lump it could be mammary tumor. He only had a quick look at the lump, no test were done and he said test are pointless as whatever it is should be removed. He offered biopsy after surgery.
 
Sorry you have 2 piggies at once with lumps, that is bad luck!
I just wanted to say, it may not be a tumour. One of my sows, also called Winnie/Winifred, had a mammary lump last year, which a vet at my usual practice thought was a tumour and not worth removing. I took her for a second opinion and opted for surgery whatever, and it turned out to be a benign lump of some kind (possibly caused by a reaction to some minor injury). She has been fine since it was removed.
Could you take your pigs for another opinion, perhaps to one of the forum's recommended vets Vet Locator
Maybe one will have more experience with Guinea pigs and operating on them than your usual vet.
 
Thank you, that is something hopeful. About the vet - there are 2 in Glasgow area one is 35 miles away from my house and other one only a bit closer but both emailed me today that they are not taking new patients or taking on 2nd opinions right now as one have even a waiting list to register and second with 1/3 of the staff self isolating right now as 2 were tested positive with Covid.
 
They are indoor all the time. I was thinking that maybe its not mammary tumor, maybe some kind of lymph glands infection? Vet who diagnosed it admit that he is not piggy specialist and he is not sure what it is just suspecting by the placement of the lump it could be mammary tumor. He only had a quick look at the lump, no test were done and he said test are pointless as whatever it is should be removed. He offered biopsy after surgery.

It is good that they didn't do a biopsy while the lump is still in the body. Unfortunately, lumps can often only be diagnosed after removal but you are entitled to a second opinion if you are not happy.
 
Winnie is home again. Stitching's looks clean and nice (I will make a photo tomorrow). I was told the lump was kind of contained in the "capsule" and therefore easier to remove (it was large). Winnie was scared but start eating salad 5 min after she came back to her cage. she ate quite a few leaves, rest and walk to the hay rack and pellets and herb bowl. Eating a lot / all the time, pooping/weeing normally. She is walking slowly and you can see discomfort while sitting but we are proud how brave she is :love:
Still sneezing and eye looks watery. Honey - second guinea pig with smaller lump already booked for vet consultation next Wednesday (probable surgery soon after).
 
Sounds good, glad she is eating and pooping well. My Winnie's lump was encapsulated like that, it did make it easier to remove cleanly. Are you going to have the lump biopsies?
Hope she heals up well and quickly!
 
No painkillers. I was asking for some but vet said she got one after surgery and probably there will be no need for more. I am not sure myself, but piggy is walking from time to time. Not lying down instead she is sitting only so I imagine it is painful somehow.

I decided not to have the lump biopsies, mainly for financial reasons (it was an extra £150 and there is another surgery ahead of us + URI treatment) also knowledge what it was wouldn't affect future treatments (that's what vet said).
 
I was advised by vet to buy the nebuliser for stubborn URI treatment. Could anyone advise me please which machine is the best? I found few but have no clue what parameters is should have?

hhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/OMRON-Total-Nebuliser-Nasal-Shower/dp/B07FH9W3PJ

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beurer-601-06-IH18-Nebuliser/dp/B00NSXJMM8

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-InnoSpire-Essence-Nebuliser-3-pin/dp/B00MOYFJDI

https://www.amazon.co.uk/OMRON-DuoBaby-Nebuliser-Aspirator-Hygienic/dp/B073S5BMPH

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Omron-NE-C28P-Compressor-Nebuliser-White/dp/B0081EL4OS
 
also she made few very strange looking poos (sorry for pic but its hard to describe). Most of droppings are normal and there is plenty of them, but few like this. Should I worry?
20201126_235717.webp
 
No painkillers. I was asking for some but vet said she got one after surgery and probably there will be no need for more. I am not sure myself, but piggy is walking from time to time. Not lying down instead she is sitting only so I imagine it is painful somehow.

I decided not to have the lump biopsies, mainly for financial reasons (it was an extra £150 and there is another surgery ahead of us + URI treatment) also knowledge what it was wouldn't affect future treatments (that's what vet said).

Glad that you caught the lumps early enough when they are still encapsulated and easy to remove without any worries of spreading. Mammary tumours can be both benign and malign.

Analgesics (painkillers cum anti-inflammatories) are part of the operation cocktail and have to wear off before you can give more. Winnie is likely feeling rather sore and a bit hung over from the operation drugs on the day after the op. The fast knitting of the wounds won't yet set in until day 2-3 but will progess quickly from then on in. Operation scars should be fully knitted withing 10-14 days.

As stated in the post-op care guide, the first poos after an operation tend to look funny at first. No worry - they reflect the time your piggy was under and in recovery. It is also not unusual to have a gap in the output reflecting a longer period of her not eating yesterday. As long as she keeps eating today, you do not have to worry because a piggy will only eat if the internal conveyor belt is still in operation. ;)
 
Thank you for all the info. She is better today, pooping like crazy and eating a lot. She is sitting most of the time (surrounded by food) but when we were taking her out of the cage for meds she was much more wiggly and stronger than yesterday (she hates taste of the Baytril).

the wounds are much smaller/shrinked and look dry.

Anyone knows why she kind of 'rocking' back and forth while breathing - not every breath just average every 5th and not when she is eating? Is it possible its after aesthetic or her URI get worse?
 
A piggy can have mild wheezy etc. breathing issues in the first day or so after GA. Contact your vet if things don't settle down or are getting noticeably worse.
 
I was advised by vet to buy the nebuliser for stubborn URI treatment. Could anyone advise me please which machine is the best? I found few but have no clue what parameters is should have?

hhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/OMRON-Total-Nebuliser-Nasal-Shower/dp/B07FH9W3PJ

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beurer-601-06-IH18-Nebuliser/dp/B00NSXJMM8

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-InnoSpire-Essence-Nebuliser-3-pin/dp/B00MOYFJDI

https://www.amazon.co.uk/OMRON-DuoBaby-Nebuliser-Aspirator-Hygienic/dp/B073S5BMPH

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Omron-NE-C28P-Compressor-Nebuliser-White/dp/B0081EL4OS
Are you still looking for a nebuliser for your piggies? I have one which I used for one of mine a couple of years ago but not since which you could borrow. @Betsy has it at the moment but no longer needs it :( and I guess it would be no harder to send it on to you than it would be to send it back to me.
 
Are you still looking for a nebuliser for your piggies? I have one which I used for one of mine a couple of years ago but not since which you could borrow. @Betsy has it at the moment but no longer needs it :( and I guess it would be no harder to send it on to you than it would be to send it back to me.
That is very kind of you! I bought one already from the first link and its actually a good decision as I have someone close with hay fever and blocked nose for half of the year and it will be very helpful for her too. Thank you again 😘
 
Glad you're sorted, hope the nebuliser helps your piggy - and the hay fever sufferer!
How is Winnie doing after her surgery? I hope her poops are returning to normal x
 
Glad you're sorted, hope the nebuliser helps your piggy - and the hay fever sufferer!
How is Winnie doing after her surgery? I hope her poops are returning to normal x
Winnie is so much better and more her usual self (which means little weirdo :luv:)
She eats every 10 minutes, poops are normal now. She is much more energetic, digging in her blankets, flipping every object in the cage, shredding lettuce stems (she is so picky she will not eat them) and running through her favourite tunnel back and forward. And she cleaned herself for the first time from the surgery.

Stitches look even better now then in the morning, she let me touch them.

Her stitches last night aprox 10 hours after surgery:

20201127_004222.jpg


and today 24h after surgery:

20201127_104719.jpg

and her lump was where the green line is (the stiches were longer when I pick her up from vet but shortened/shrinked quite fast in the first 10 hours). The lump was around 45-50mm long

20201127_104719a.jpg
 
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