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Breast Cancer.

Pinki

Pinki

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Aug 17, 2014
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Location
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Hi
My guinea has had a big lump on her belly and it burst last night. Went to vet this morning and she said it's cancer and nothing to be done. So guinea is back home now but the wound is open. So her time is up but I want her to live her last days with her cage mate and at home. She is on pain killers and we are going to keep the wound clean and hopefully she will pass on without too much distress. Any thoughts are very welcome. Thanks
 
I'm sorry for your sad news :(

How does the vet know for sure that it is cancer, was a biopsy taken?

If it is cancer, all I can suggest is to spend as much time with her as possible, take lots of photos and keep her comfortable.

(((Hugs))) xx
 
Pinki said:
Hi
My guinea has had a big lump on her belly and it burst last night. Went to vet this morning and she said it's cancer and nothing to be done. So guinea is back home now but the wound is open. So her time is up but I want her to live her last days with her cage mate and at home. She is on pain killers and we are going to keep the wound clean and hopefully she will pass on without too much distress. Any thoughts are very welcome. Thanks
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Hi! I am very sorry about the mammary tumour.

Please consider euthanasia whenever she loses her appetite and will to live in order to spare her any unnecessary suffering. That at least is the single most loving and caring gift we can give a suffering pet even if it is hard on ourselves. Personally I'd rather bear the emotional pain of it than let a piggy of mine suffer phyical pain needlessly! You will know when the time has come.

The one good thing about terminal illness is that you can do and say all the important bits and not leave anything unfinished. You can pack a whole life's worth of love into a surprisingly small moment. It is always a bitter-sweet time, but it is as bitter or as sweet as you make it. You can either fixate on the end and bemoan that it is imminent, or see every extra day she has without being badly as a blessing.

Please keep her normal as possible under the circumstances and be prepared to help her over the Rainbow Bridge when her time comes. Cancer can be very painful in the later stages.
Euthanasia - What happens when it's time to say goodbye?
 
Thank you so much. Very sad now but I will take your words.
 
Claire W said:
I'm sorry for your sad news :(

How does the vet know for sure that it is cancer, was a biopsy taken?

If it is cancer, all I can suggest is to spend as much time with her as possible, take lots of photos and keep her comfortable.

(((Hugs))) xx
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Thanks Claire, appreciated.

Not 100% sure it's cancer but there is lots of black in the wound and the vet seemed certain though she did not take a biopsy.
 
I don't want to upset you but couldn't the vet take a biopsy to be absolutely sure. I know I wouldnt rest until I knew for certain.
 
Thank you everyone for your support. Tiamolly yes you are right I need to confirm with a biopsy before I do anything. It could be a cyst. Lots of blood and fluid came out and its smelly.
 
Pinki said:
Thank you everyone for your support. Tiamolly yes you are right I need to confirm with a biopsy before I do anything. It could be a cyst. Lots of blood and fluid came out and its smelly.
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It sounds gross but what did it smell like? Did any pus come out?

I’m just asking as abscesses smell really bad especially if they burst.

I’m with @Tiamolly123 and couldn’t rest without a biopsy being carried out or at least a second opinion xx
 
Not a cyst. I sent a picture to someone who knows and it is a burst tumour. A biopsy will have to happen next. And then operation.
 
So she's going in for an operation tomorrow morning. The vet says the tumour needs removing as soon as possible.
 
Good question Claire! It's a different -recommended- one, who I've sent a picture too and spoken too. He's a very experienced guinea pig vet so it's her best chances.
 
Sending heartfelt hugs. I am always so sorry to hear when a beloved guinea pig and their family is going through this much stress. I do hope the very best for your little one and for you as well.
 
Thank you so much. It really helps to know that we're not the only ones who adore guineas. All we can do is love them and give them the best life possible. What more is there?
 
This sounds awful. Hope this new vet is able to help and that your poor piggy feels better soon.
 
Hope all goes well tomorrow.
There’s a lot of people here who will be supporting you with our thoughts tomorrow and waiting for the results.
@Betsy has just been through a similar stressful op with her Christian
 
Hi. What a very powerful thread.
You are very very brave to share this and i for one will follow this. I'm not morbid but throu your brief message it's so clear how much you love your piggie. I hope when I'm called upon I would do the same.
The op tommorow is massive and be very very strong if the worse is a blessing to her. What a very lucky piggie to have a slave as you.
Keep her comfortable and tell her to be brave.We here on this forum so use us and hopefully we can help. Bless x
 
I for one know what you are going through. Last week Christian had a HUUUUUUUUUGE abscess removed and I have had the stress of it all. I'm sure your little one will be fine being looked after by an experienced vet. Christian has only just started eating properly today 5 days after the op and so I have been syringe feeding him. I followed the guides on here as I had never done it before and they were really clear and easy to follow. I will be thinking of you tomorrow and will be supporting you all the way as I and my piggy have just been through it. This forum is a wonderful place to hang out and the support I've had has be AMAZING!
 
Will be thinking of you tomorrow, hope all goes well. I'm so pleased you have found an experienced piggy vet.
 
Hi everyone thank you for your kindness...it worked! Just back from a 5 hour round trip with a very grumpy but alive Amla who had a huge tumour removed and was able to be stitched up..this was the reason the first vet said there was nothing to be done, because she though there was not enough skin. But the very wonderful Amir too one look and didn't hesitate.
So now it's post op water and food so must dash.
Hurrah!
 
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