Best treatment for ovarian cysts in 5-year old ladies?

[Helen333]

We have just registered with a new vet, Battle Flats in Stamford Bridge Yorkshire, where there is a "good" guinea pig vet who had been recommended to us. We took our three little ladies (aged 5, 5 and 3) for a routine check and were distressed to be told all three had ovarian cysts, in the case of the two older girls, "massive" ones (nearly 7cm). The vet is recommending surgery, but we are very nervous about this. I've been reading different threads and forums all over the web and there seems such a split of opinion over a) the dangers of surgery and b) whether hormone treatment is a good alternative. One reason we are reluctant to operate is that at present neither girl has any symptoms, with the exception that one 5yo and the 3yo have both been a bit sexually aggressive recently - which we had put down to them readjusting for position in the pack after our 4th guinea pig recently died. They have no hair loss, no sign of pain or discomfort, are not off their food .... The vet recommends taking out just the ovaries, which he says is safer than a full spay, but I don't know if this would be "keyhole" surgery, and there are surely risks to any surgery?

I'd love to hear any views. Thanks, Helen

 

[Wheekallweek]

Our 6 year girl Toffee has very large ovarian cysts, and like your girls health wise she’s fine so we’ve chosen to leave them

 

[Helen333]

Thanks for your reply. Glad to hear your Toffee is happy and healthy! We have always been lucky til now with health in these 3, who are Polly, Cecilie and Jasmine.

 

[Claire W]

I once had a piggy with an ovarian cyst. As she was 5 at the time and had cancer, we decided to leave it and my vet checked it every time we went to the vets which was every few weeks at the time.

Like your girls, she showed know symptoms what so ever and she didn’t suffer with it which is why we decided to leave it

 

[Merab]

Interested in this as my 3 year old Keziah has recently started rumbling and popcorning much more than usual. She’s always popcorned but rarely rumbles unless she’s having a favourite veggie.
She’s not chasing or mounting either of the others, there’s no loss of fur and she doesn’t feel any different around her sides or tummy.
I’m eager to hear any advice you are given too

 

[Wheekallweek]

Thanks for your reply. Glad to hear your Toffee is happy and healthy! We have always been lucky til now with health in these 3, who are Polly, Cecilie and Jasmine.

Aw lovely names! Yes Toffee is fine, very lovable although a little hormonal with her sister Fudge occasionally haha

 

[VickiA]

I have spayed 5 sows in total for ovarian cysts and other health reasons (pyometra). I have had spays done both keyhole and open surgery. All my sows have done well from the surgery including 2 older ladies.

You have to be guided by your vet and make the decision as to whether you feel the sow is suffering at all. In my view a 7 cm cyst must be causing discomfort even if your sow isn’t displaying signs of pain that you recognise.

 

[Helen333]

Thanks everyone for replies. Vicki, I hear what you're saying. This is a difficult decision and we will be talking some more to our vet. Can I ask what your experience was of recovery times for your sows after the surgery? We have a holiday booked at the end of July with the girls booked into small animal boarding! If we decide on surgery, we are going to need to make some careful decisions around timing because obviously we can't leave them in boarding if they are either poorly waiting for an operation, or just recovering from one!