Crusty Nipples…….

[A Guinea Pig]

I found my two-and-a-half-year-old girl to have some pretty crusty nipples. I’ve read the guide to female reproductive problems multiple times now, suspect something like ovarian cysts or mammary tumors (being the crustiness is present on both sides).

I'm pretty sad about this discovery, along with some weight loss. I've also read the guide to critical care feeding, so she has begun getting that.

Will she be ok if she doesn't get into the vet for a week and a half?

Also, she has had no changes in behavior, she's extremely chill and easy going as she has always been like the other two girls.

Thank you

 

[Wiebke]

I found my two-and-a-half-year-old girl to have some pretty crusty nipples. I’ve read the guide to female reproductive problems multiple times now, suspect something like ovarian cysts or mammary tumors (being the crustiness is present on both sides).

I'm pretty sad about this discovery, along with some weight loss. I've also read the guide to critical care feeding, so she has begun getting that.

Will she be ok if she doesn't get into the vet for a week and a half?

Also, she has had no changes in behavior, she's extremely chill and easy going as she has always been like the other two girls.

Thank you

Hi

Please monitor her weight and see a vet sooner if the weight loss/need to feed more daily in order to stabilise the weight increases noticeably.

You may find this guide here helpful in putting any weight loss into the perspective that is right for your specific piggy. Just going by numbers can be misleading; both in terms of severity and urgency.
Weight and Weight Loss Explained: BMI, Weighing, Poos and Feeding Support

 

[A Guinea Pig]

Hi

Please monitor her weight and see a vet sooner if the weight loss/need to feed more daily in order to stabilise the weight increases noticeably.

You may find this guide here helpful in putting any weight loss into the perspective that is right for your specific piggy. Just going by numbers can be misleading; both in terms of severity and urgency.
Weight and Weight Loss Explained: BMI, Weighing, Poos and Feeding Support

Thank you @Wiebke

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you @Wiebke

The crustiness is very mild so I would not worry too much yet. The weight loss may caused by something else.

Weight loss less than 10% of a healthy normal body weight is also not critical yet if that helps you.

 

[A Guinea Pig]

I have another question: What tests or things might they do at the exam? Would that be like an X-ray or an ultrasound for cysts, if that’s what they believe? Also, should I bring my other two piggies in the carrier with her to the appointment?

 

[Wiebke]

I have another question: What tests or things might they do at the exam? Would that be like an X-ray or an ultrasound for cysts, if that’s what they believe? Also, should I bring my other two piggies in the carrier with her to the appointment?

Please bring all your girls together for comfort (I call the companions 'paw holders').

What your vet decides to do in case of any further investigations I cannot presume; it really depends on a first palpation (hands-on examination).