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Boar with a delicate problem

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lizzie_71

lizzie_71

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When I was drying Charlie after his bath today I noticed that one of his testicles is very swollen and looks bruised (sort of bluey black colour). He is showing no signs of pain and behaving normally. Do you think I should take him to a vet?
 
Charlie is 3. He is a cream coloured short haired piggy.

The testicle is about twice the size of the other and it didn't look like that before. I rarely look at the underside of them so it could have been like that for a while without me noticing.

He seems happy enough and is still eating and behaving like his normal cheeky self.
 
Sorry, I can't help with this one.

Hopefully, some more knowledgeable people will come on eventually - it's weekend and we are all just members!
 
If there is no sign of a nick or cut, then it may be adviseable to get him to a vet. Good luck and let us know how he gets on..
 
Just a thought, is it definitely his testicle that is swollen?
A mammary gland tumour can be quite large in that area.
 
I haven't encountered this before with any of my boars. But, it's always worth a check at the vets - just to make sure there isn't a torsion (twisting) of the testicle, which would mean the blood supply being reduced - and could become serious. I would think he would be in pain if this is the case, but maybe it's different for guineas than for humans (used to be a human nurse, see.)
 
Charlie and I are going to the vet this morning. Wish us luck! The lump looks as if it is getting bigger :(
 
Best of luck! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the two of you!
 
Toffee&Teddy said:
Good luck!

Let us know how he gets on. x
Click to expand...

Thanks. The good news is it isn't his testicle. But the bad news is that he has a hernia :... As he is still eating and drinking and not in pain (even when the vet prodded him lol) we are leaving it for now. But if it gets bigger or he is in pain, I have to take him back to be 'reassessed'.

The vet said that the operation to repair it is not viable in a guinea pig, so 'reassessed' could be a euphemism for 8...

Not good news really.
 
surely if he is not bothered by the hernia and not in pain, and the vet does not want to operate, then things can be left well alone?
i don't know if GP hernias can strangulate (normally a medical emergency if strangulation happens in human's hernias), but many humans have longstanding hernias in the same area and are left without treatment at all quite safely.
if alcesterpigs is around, you could ask his advice
big hugs to you both
B
 
Yes, the plan is to leave things alone unless it gets worse. He is still the first pig to the food bowl, and seems happy enough in himself so unless his quality of life takes a nosedive, I will leave him be.

Apparently what can happen is that organs can start to protrude through the hernia and if that happens then it is very serious. But I'm sure I will soon know if he is distressed, and then I can take him back.

I hope he will be able to carry on indefinitely as it is, but I was advised to check him every day, so the vet is obviously concerned it could get worse quickly.
 
I'm so sorry to hear about your pig :( Definately wait around for Alcester pig to comment as if any can advise you AP knows just about everything health and illness wise about piggies :) Hopefully things won't be so bad. Maybe see if you can put a picture on here of your piggies problem :)
 
I'll try and get a picture this evening. I will need an assistant as it will be impossible to hold the pig upside down and hold the camera at the same time lol.
 
boozyfruits said:
many humans have longstanding hernias in the same area and are left without treatment at all quite safely.B
Click to expand...

That's really the case, I think. I had a hernia and only because I was young they operated. BIG HUGS and good luck. He should be fine.
 
I have no experience of a gp with a hernia. However, I am surprised that the vet. said it is inoperable.
Give Vedra at the CCT a call on 07721026401, I do know she has had experience of pigs with this condition.
 
Thanks will do. I might have to shop around for vets, I got the impression this guy doesn't like to operate on small animals at all.
 
Depending on where you are, Vedra should be able to point you in the right direction!
 
If you place the pig on his back the hernia should get smaller as everything goes back into the abdominal cavity.
 
Here are a couple of photos of the lump. Hope it is reasonably clear.

It does go back into the abdominal cavity if you press it gently or turn him over. I think hernia is the correct diagnosis but he is still perfectly happy and not at all bothered, so we will leave him be for now.
 

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A hernia can become strangulated ie the blood supply is cut off and the affected part of the gut will die, become infected and, in turn, this will kill him. Have you contacted Vedra?
 
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