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Ben has a worrying lump!

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snugglesbaby

snugglesbaby

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Hi all, it has been ages since I last came on here talking about my eldest piggy snuggles who had an ear infection. Snuggles survived the ear infection but I sadly lost him 5th Oct this year to a big nasty bladder stone. I decided to get a rescue pig called Ben. I have had him about 1 month, he is 19 months old. the other day I was grooming him, and I noticed a lump above his back leg, at the time I could move the lump freely and it was not attatched to anything under neath like muscle etc and it did not bother Ben me touching it. I decided to book him in at my vet anyway, and the soonest they could get him in is 12th december! I thought it would be ok becuase it is not bothering him, he is eating and drinking etc but today I noticed that this lump has grown slightly and Ben is starting to get a bit aggetated when I touch it. Does any one know what this might be? I am very concerned! Any help would be fantastic!:{
 
There are a vast majority of lumps that piggies can get - and without anyone seeing it is difficult to diagnose!

What sort of level of agitation does he get when you touch it? How does he react? Annoyance? Pain? How badly does he react?

Is there any other vets locally that you can get to have a look at it sooner if your concerned that it's growing? Thats all I can really suggest. Sorry your boy has a worrying lump! Its' never fun to not know whats going on.
 
Here is some info about lumps - guinea pigs can get lumps of all descriptions quite easily. If there are noticeable changes (like with an abscess blowing up), you can hopefully book him in as an emergency or look around for a different vet?

http://www.guinealynx.info/lumps.html
 
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susie_q said:
There are a vast majority of lumps that piggies can get - and without anyone seeing it is difficult to diagnose!

What sort of level of agitation does he get when you touch it? How does he react? Annoyance? Pain? How badly does he react?

Is there any other vets locally that you can get to have a look at it sooner if your concerned that it's growing? Thats all I can really suggest. Sorry your boy has a worrying lump! Its' never fun to not know whats going on.
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I have just spoken to my vet, described the lump and she thinks its a lipoma (fatty lump) I am taking him in tomorrow! She has manged to get us in. He reacts ok, he just sits there in a trance, but sometimes he will pull away from me and turn around so I can't touch it. He does not wheek or chatter. I hate not knowing, just glad I can get him there tomorrow, btw thought I post a pic so you could put a face to the name lol
 

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Lipoma/fibroma/sebaceous cysts are all easily removed, under a local anaesthetic. Often they can just be kept under observation and do not require active intervention.
 
Thought I would let you know that Ben has been to the vets today. The vet had a good feel, She said that he is a perfect weight, he has excellent back muscles and everything else is fine with him. The lump is not attatched to anything underneath, and she thinks it is a cyst. She gave me three options
1) Monitor it, check it once a week and keep a diary-if any bad changes to the lump or his behaviour go back to vets
2) Have a biopsy on it- cost £70 and only a 40% chance it tells me exactly what it is
3) Have an operation to have it removed- cost £190 and there are bad risks and then also pay for a biopsy.

I have chosen to monitor it, not because it is the cheaper option, because I could afford the op and the biopsy but I thought it would be the best thing for Ben, it is not affecting him in any way. Do you think I made the right decision?Will welcome your opinions :)
 
its aways a big choice to make with op's you'll notice straight away if something changes with him as get the feeling you are watching him like a hawk (but dont we all with poorly piggies!)
i think you've done the right thing just watch ben then take him to the vet if something changes

jo xx
 
Thankyou :) I am watching him too much I think, that's why the vet told me to check just once a week. His behaviour is fine, eating,drinking,playing etc I will keep a diary and hopefully it will just stay the way it is!
 
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