• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Been To The Vets With Biscuit

Katiedid

Katiedid

Adult Guinea Pig
Joined
Mar 20, 2014
Messages
1,265
Reaction score
1,640
Points
725
Location
Jersey - Channel Islands
To recap, Biscuit is a adoption from neglect. She is 5 maybe 6 and has issues. She was a dump and run.

Good news, mites are under control, the foot treatment has worked well.

Medium news - she has some back molar issues which are ok at the moment but if the bad news doesn't get her first she will need treatment.

Bad news - she is a lumpy pig, very lumpy. She has mamary lumps. She also appears to have 2 ovarian cysts but she is old. The vet has said that the lumps that are external all appear to be mamary related. It could be because of the cysts she has these lumps, it could be because she is lumpy, it could be cancer, who knows.

So this is the decision - leave it (probably his preference), give hormone injections or spay. He was very dismissive of hormone injections when I mentioned it, said they were hit and miss. My gut isn't to try hormone then spay if that doesn't work. Is that reasonable. He seemed to indicate we would have months with her rather than years which is fine.

Any thoughts? - I've only had boys before so help.

Should add save for that she is fine.
 
Poor Biscuit. I can't advise you as I've never had experience of these issues but I just wanted to say well done for giving her such a lovely caring home.
 
Ovarian cysts in older sows are not all hormonal; many of the larger ones aren't, which is why you rarely see any typical signs of ovarian cysts in connection with them. My Iola required a spaying op for her two large cysts in May because hormone treatment would not work; thankfully she was seen by an experienced vet who could tell the difference. She has made a good recovery despite one the cysts having become attached to the bowel (which meant that the op was rather touch and go); her back legs are a bit weaker since.

However, it is ultimately your own decision whether you want to risk an operation or not; you have to have full trust in your vet for that. There is no blame attached if you'd rather have her live out her life without any massive intervention and a struggle for recovery. Depending on the piggy, the age and a risk assessment, I still go either way in my decisions, as there isn't a one size fits all scenario in these situations.
Your girl has reached a normal life span. This is about quality of life as much as giving her a chance at prolonging it. But it is also about making the decision that you can live with better in the long term. For some that is a longer life, for others it is to give their piggy a well cared for end to their life, but to not put them through a wringer.
 
I don't have any advice, but just want to say it's wonderful you took in an older piggy with health problems and that you're caring for her so well. Whether she's with you for months or years, she's lucky to have found you and to spend her "retirement" loved and comfortable :roll:
 
Well done you for rescuing this wee lady. I also took in an older piggy with health problems although not as severe as yours. Maisie is on Baytril off and on for an ongoing infection that the Vet is reluctant to put her under anaesthetic for due to her being over 7 and very thin.
She appears very happy, eating well and enjoying her adopted babies so as long as she remains stable, I'm just following the Vets advice. Only you can make this big decision as you know how well she's keeping on a day to day basis.
Good luck and again thanks for caring enough to look after her so well.
 
Hi

Thank you both.

So if they are not hormonal are they cancerous or can the be benign and non hormonal? The vet was talking months to live, my guess is with this information he feels they aren't hormonal hence not wanting to do the injections.

I've seen mention of draining them, is there any benefit in this if they are non hormonal cysts?

If a they are hormonal is it still hit and miss as to whether they will respond to injections?

Thank you
 
She is lively, feisty adorable. At the moment she is eating well however when I got her they said she was eating but her poops were small and dry. They are now normal - but she is getting meadow hay (she has Timothy hay too but is ignoring it) and I wonder if she prefers the softer food because of her teeth.
 
I've had a sow with what I thought was van ovarian cyst due to her losing hair at her sides. And becoming thin and bad tempered. Unfortunately I didn't have a very knowledgeable vet at the time who dismissed my concerns re Could it be a cyst. And sent me away with antibiotics!
My understanding is that they use HCG hormones to shrink tumours if concerned about operating though spaying is best.
 
Sorry my iPad is correcting, originally I meant to say my gut IS to try hormonal injections then possibly spay, but if they are cancerous and now I know they aren't all hormonal I'm not sure about the spay.
 
Blooming IPads! They're always changing words!
Not being hormonal won't necessarily mean that the cysts are cancerous. If they continue growing though they can interfere with other organs in the body, causing bowel or urinary problems. As @Wiebke said they can attach to the other organs too so that can be a reason to have them removed.xx
 
I have had a piggy with ovarian cysts successfully spayed at 5.5 years old. However, she didn't really have any other problems. No teeth problems and no other lumps. I would personally try the injection and then consider a spay depending on her health at the time. You will need to have full confidence in your vet with this. If she does end up with a spay at least they could remove one of the lumps to test for cancer to see what you are dealing with. Piggies are prone to fatty lumps and although unusual I have had one pig riddled with fatty lumps to the extent my vet was 99% sure from the op that she was going to have to give me bad news.
 
Katiedid said:
Sorry my iPad is correcting, originally I meant to say my gut IS to try hormonal injections then possibly spay, but if they are cancerous and now I know they aren't all hormonal I'm not sure about the spay.
Click to expand...

It is certainly worth to try hormone injections, as they are much less invasive before you work your way up the list. As your girl has got mammary issues as well, there is much more likely a hormone link.
 
She is such a sweetheart (even if she did pee on me in the vets) - she is beautifully bold and brave! When I let her out to explore she certainly does, then she comes back nose in the air to chat to me as if to say I'm doing well aren't I mum?

I think we will try the hormone injections then take it from there. If they don't work and her teeth can be solved as well while she is under then we will go for a spay, I may also see how her teeth are and if she needs to go under for them then we may spay at the same time even if the hormones work.

My next challenge is bathing her this weekend whilst retaining both hands She has matts of crud on her belly, the clearly bathed her before she came but didn't manage to get them all out. I've got some out while doing her feet but there is still some and she still pongs!
 
Katiedid said:
She is such a sweetheart (even if she did pee on me in the vets) - she is beautifully bold and brave! When I let her out to explore she certainly does, then she comes back nose in the air to chat to me as if to say I'm doing well aren't I mum?

I think we will try the hormone injections then take it from there. If they don't work and her teeth can be solved as well while she is under then we will go for a spay, I may also see how her teeth are and if she needs to go under for them then we may spay at the same time even if the hormones work.

My next challenge is bathing her this weekend whilst retaining both hands She has matts of crud on her belly, the clearly bathed her before she came but didn't manage to get them all out. I've got some out while doing her feet but there is still some and she still pongs!
Click to expand...
Could you try cutting off the cruddy bits if she really doesn't take to the bath?

Katiedid said:
I only noticed because it changed is to isn't again and got to hit - I sounded like some dragon who took on this piggy to abandon her when she needed me, whilst hitting her! I hate this iPad!
Click to expand...
I hate auto correct. The favourite auto correct moment so far is when my God daughter texted her Mum she was at assassination roundabout instead of Asda roundabout!
 
Just to update you. She had an ultrasound this morning. It's not ovarian cysts - she has a growth on her kidney and an enlarged liver to go with the mammary tumours. My poor abused little Biscuit.

Its been a few days so far as my piggies are concerned. I almost don't want to take Jet for his teeth check up on Wednesday - being told that all 4 are at deaths door would be the final straw.
 
Sorry to read this. It sounds like you're giving her a wonderful retirement and I think that's lovely. And she's clearly loving life at the moment despite the complications surrounding her health.

I have no advice as my girl (and previous girls) has always been well up until now so I have no experience to offer. It's so hard to see our little ones not at 100%.
 
Thank you. I just want to get through this week, it has been an awful few days. I will give her everything she needs and more, I adore my little Biscuit Bear.
 
Katiedid said:
Just to update you. She had an ultrasound this morning. It's not ovarian cysts - she has a growth on her kidney and an enlarged liver to go with the mammary tumours. My poor abused little Biscuit.

Its been a few days so far as my piggies are concerned. I almost don't want to take Jet for his teeth check up on Wednesday - being told that all 4 are at deaths door would be the final straw.
Click to expand...
Oh I'm so sorry! I've been through one with kidney tumours too. What is the prognosis now for her?
I know when I go through spells of illness with some of mine, I do question Why I do it? We all know why though - we just love these little creatures. Although I've two unwell at the moment being with them all can get you through the tough times. My heart goes out to you and Biscuit. Xx
 
We just need to look after her while she is enjoying life, he can't give a prognosis - she is happy and active at the moment - things haven't rapidly deteriorated while I've had her (so three weeks now) - so we just wait and see. I adore my little bear - she so funny, and a real moody cow towards Jet, who just wants to be loved.

The 2 mini pigs need to get better
 
Katiedid said:
We just need to look after her while she is enjoying life, he can't give a prognosis - she is happy and active at the moment - things haven't rapidly deteriorated while I've had her (so three weeks now) - so we just wait and see. I adore my little bear - she so funny, and a real moody cow towards Jet, who just wants to be loved.

The 2 mini pigs need to get better
Click to expand...
I know that when I adopted Maisie that her time with me would be limited but 3 months later she's still with me despite her advanced age and health problems! Like you, the day will come to make the heart rending decision but not for a while, eh? Well just continue to love, care for and enjoy their super personalities. Xx
 
Katiedid said:
We just need to look after her while she is enjoying life, he can't give a prognosis - she is happy and active at the moment - things haven't rapidly deteriorated while I've had her (so three weeks now) - so we just wait and see. I adore my little bear - she so funny, and a real moody cow towards Jet, who just wants to be loved.

The 2 mini pigs need to get better
Click to expand...


Janice C said:
I know that when I adopted Maisie that her time with me would be limited but 3 months later she's still with me despite her advanced age and health problems! Like you, the day will come to make the heart rending decision but not for a while, eh? Well just continue to love, care for and enjoy their super personalities. Xx
Click to expand...


Each time I come on the Forum, I am impressed by the courage, strength, kindness and generosity of so many piggy lovers. Both of you are stars for doing what you are doing for your piggies. Good luck to both of you, and your wonderful little piggies.
 
Malunkers said:
Each time I come on the Forum, I am impressed by the courage, strength, kindness and generosity of so many piggy lovers. Both of you are stars for doing what you are doing for your piggies. Good luck to both of you, and your wonderful little piggies.
Click to expand...
Thank you!
 
Malunkers said:
Each time I come on the Forum, I am impressed by the courage, strength, kindness and generosity of so many piggy lovers. Both of you are stars for doing what you are doing for your piggies. Good luck to both of you, and your wonderful little piggies.
Click to expand...

Thank you.
 
Just spent an hour in the Vets, Jet had the URI and Biscuit was sneezing. I am quite upset about their treatment (they were given antibiotic injections and only 4 days of Baytril, he suggested a nebuliser - they have only started with symptoms last night they aren't that congested), I don't know if it was the right treatment or not, I'm waiting for my preferred vet to call me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top