Damien Has A Lump :(

[LisaBelfast]

I found a pea sized lump on Damien's hind quarters around a month ago. I took him to the vet and he used a needle so see if it was maybe just an abscess. Nothing came out of it and he said that he will have to get operated on to get it removed. I booked an appointment but freaked out the day before and cancelled it because on a guinea pig Facebook group they advised me to monitor it for a month and see if it grew any bigger. So its been a month now and it has grew nearly double the size... I also found a very very small lump close to his spine in the middle of his back.

I am so worried because I've heard that they can react bad to the anaesthetic and with my concern I did phone the vet I booked the appointment with but they were not very assuring and were quite flippant with me... I did not feel confident with them.

Damien is still acting as normal and eating and drinking and is still a very happy piggy.

Here's a photo of Damien. He's my pig that has to live alone due to not getting along with the other boys. He sits on the sofa with me every morning having his breakfast and keeps me company while I watch Jeremy Kyle and really don't want anything bad happening to him.

Just looking some advice or story's you might have.

Thanks,

Lisa Marie
xx​

 

[Lady Kelly]

They can react to GA but if he's otherwise healthy, young and a good weight he stands a better chance. Depending on how knowledgeable your vets are they might have an idea of what they are dealing with but if not then this might be the only way to find out. My Peter had inconclusive biopsies done of his lump nearly 2 years ago so had the operation and luckily he just has fatty lumps which aren't dangerous unless they get big enough to impact movement etc.

 

[LisaBelfast]

Yes he is and I thought that just very scared. And I think I'm going to ring around other vets to see who I feel most comfortable with. And what is an Inconclusive biopsie ? And did he recover well from the GA?

 

[BossHogg]

My Rebel had a GA when he was neutered and came through it ok.

 

[LisaBelfast]

Ohh really. Thats good to hear. I think I will have to put him in because of the size increase in such a short time.

 

[flintstones]

Might be worth contacting Assisi to ask what vet they use as they take in guinea pigs and rabbits on a regular basis. I know they also have some males neutered so imagine they have a good vet who is confident in small animals.

Having a good vet certainly reduces the risks of GA and operations.

 

[aimzer]

Aww your piggy is lovely! Sorry to hear about his lumps! Have you had a look at the recommended vets search button on here? x

 

[Lady Kelly]

Peters had two GAs. He was neutered at 1 yrs old and bounced back without any problems. 18 months ago he would have been 3.5-4 yrs and was more sluggish but no post op complications still. The biopsy of the lump was inconclusive which meant the lab tests weren't able to determine the nature of the lump as to whether it was benign, fatty or cancerous unfortunately hence the operation. Each pig is different though and there can be complications such as infections and abscesses so you are right to be concerned.

Best tip is to have a good vet who you trust and to keep a very close eye on them in the weeks following surgery

 

[LisaBelfast]

Might be worth contacting Assisi to ask what vet they use as they take in guinea pigs and rabbits on a regular basis. I know they also have some males neutered so imagine they have a good vet who is confident in small animals.

Having a good vet certainly reduces the risks of GA and operations.

That's a really good idea I will contact them on Monday Thank you very much for that <3

Aww your piggy is lovely! Sorry to hear about his lumps! Have you had a look at the recommended vets search button on here? x

I did yes and nothing came up

Peters had two GAs. He was neutered at 1 yrs old and bounced back without any problems. 18 months ago he would have been 3.5-4 yrs and was more sluggish but no post op complications still. The biopsy of the lump was inconclusive which meant the lab tests weren't able to determine the nature of the lump as to whether it was benign, fatty or cancerous unfortunately hence the operation. Each pig is different though and there can be complications such as infections and abscesses so you are right to be concerned.

Best tip is to have a good vet who you trust and to keep a very close eye on them in the weeks following surgery

Awk that's really good to know. Yea I will defenately keep looking around and going to contact Assisi because they seem like the most experienced option Thanks all xx

 

[LisaBelfast]

Update :

Damien is booked in with Pets at Home in Lisburn to get the lump removed. I spoke with the vet before hand and he was very reassuring and I inquired about getting Damien neutered as well as getting the lump removed as they are in the same area and he said that would be fine. I want him neautered as he lives alone and doesnt get on with the other male pigs so was thinking of getting him a Wife to spend his days with

Does anyone have any experience or information on having two operations done at the same time?
I have bought him vitamin c drops that are to be added to his water. What other ways can I prepare him for this op?

He is booked in for next Friday.. So all prayers are appreciated <3

x

 

[BossHogg]

Just make sure you keep the area scrupulously clean after the op. Even though I did with Rebel after he was neutered, he still developed an abscess 7 weeks post op.

 

[LisaBelfast]

Just make sure you keep the area scrupulously clean after the op. Even though I did with Rebel after he was neutered, he still developed an abscess 7 weeks post op.

What would I clean it with? I was also going to change his bedding to fleece instead of sawdust just incase it hurts the wound .

 

[BossHogg]

I cleaned Rebel 3 times a day with an iodine solution provided by the vet. I also put him on fleece whilst his op scars healed.

 

[aimzer]

What would I clean it with? I was also going to change his bedding to fleece instead of sawdust just incase it hurts the wound .

This would be a good idea. Also a light coloured fleece would be good so you will notice any bleeding. Hope it all goes ok for you and Damien!