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Don't know what to do about Christian.....

Betsy

Betsy

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Some months ago I let you know that my handsome silver agouti Christian had developed a lump on his right side where his bits would have been if he hadn't visited the plum fairy. I took him straight to the vet and she thought it was a benign tumour as it hadn't stuck to anything and felt like a little ball about an inch across. After a chat I opted to just keep an eye on it. Well for months it stayed the same (I monitor each week at the weekly check) and this morning I noticed another little lump just behind it (either that or the original lump has grown). He is acting the same, eating, weeing and pooping it doesn't seem to be bothering him at all. I have spoken to my OH in the past about operating on him and when he asked me the price he said "you're not paying that much on a guinea pig!" and that was the end of the discussion. I love Christian and he is Tom's favourite piggie. I can't have Christian operated on as my OH won't allow it and as I don't earn my own money I can't afford to get it done (I do have a vet fund where I put by some money each month but there is not enough in there to cover an operation). I don't want to pts an otherwise healthy piggie. I have a dilemma and I don't know what to do ..........
 
I'm so sorry to hear about Christian's newest difficulty, poor little guy. That is really a tough situation for both of you. Have you asked your vet about other resources that may be able to help out for such an operation or what she thinks your options can be in that situation? I honestly feel you; it's a situation I can very well see my hubby and I being in with our guinea pigs and think about it sometimes.

I can't help so much with what to do but am really thinking of both of you and wishing you both well through this. Maybe it just requires a little bit more time and talking to your OH. These little ones can sometimes be a bit overwhelming in shock value at the amount of sacrifice it can require to anyone.

Sending hugs to a special little family.
 
fanniephina said:
Maybe it just requires a little bit more time and talking to your OH.
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Have tried that in various ways @fanniephina over the last few months and the answer is still the same. Basically "It's a guinea pig! you have to be mad to consider spending that much money on a guinea pig! It's not happening!"
 
Sorry to hear about Christian. Try not to zoom ahead with your thoughts and just see what is in front of u for now.
I have had to deal with really bad news lumps and also nothing to worry about lumps - you just don't know initially.
A new additional lump is a change and worth a vet visit for them to examine and discuss. The fact he is behaving normally and eating is really good. I assume you are fine about going to vet for examination it is more the op cost u are worried about? You can also talk to the vet about a talking a needle sample of lump - not always conclusive but can tell the vet info and is usually done conscious.
 
lauraboara said:
Sorry to hear about Christian. Try not to zoom ahead with your thoughts and just see what is in front of you for now.
I have had to deal with really bad news lumps and also nothing to worry about lumps - you just don't know initially.
A new additional lump is a change and worth a vet visit for them to examine and discuss. The fact he is behaving normally and eating is really good. I assume you are fine about going to vet for examination it is more the op cost you are worried about? You can also talk to the vet about a talking a needle sample of lump - not always conclusive but can tell the vet info and is usually done conscious.
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That is some really fantastic advice on this. Right now focus on what you can do and take it one day at a time. I can only imagine how helpless and frustrated you can feel but you're doing the very best you can possibly do for him.
 
Poor Christian, I’m sorry to hear this.Hopefully it won’t need operating on.I would discuss with your vet what the options are x
 
lauraboara said:
Sorry to hear about Christian. Try not to zoom ahead with your thoughts and just see what is in front of you for now.
I have had to deal with really bad news lumps and also nothing to worry about lumps - you just don't know initially.
A new additional lump is a change and worth a vet visit for them to examine and discuss. The fact he is behaving normally and eating is really good. I assume you are fine about going to vet for examination it is more the op cost you are worried about? You can also talk to the vet about a talking a needle sample of lump - not always conclusive but can tell the vet info and is usually done conscious.
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Betsy has a couple of nothing to worry about lumps and I hope Christian's is the same. The problem with his is it's position underneath his leg and near his willy. It also may get large enough that it pushes his leg out (something I'd not thought about just the vet mentioned it initially when the lump first appeared). I'll mention the needle sample and see what she says. Thanks for the suggestion.
 
I would ask the vet to do an ultrasound to see if they can tell what the lump is. Obviously if it is going to continue to grow then it will need surgery, but it if it benign and slow growing as long as he is happy, healthy, eating etc then try the avenues to find out what it is first?
 
Oh @Betsy , so sorry to hear about Christian’s lump.
Let’s hope and pray that it’s nothing to worry about.
Merab has had a lump on her tummy for over a year now.
Let us know how you get on at the vet tomorrow.
 
Massive hugs Betsy :hug::hug: Paws crossed it is nothing to worry about, keep us posted ma dear xx
 
Hope all goes well tomorrow x
 
So sorry to hear this Betsy. It's a tough place to be in when you don't work and there's vet bills to pay. I just hope you can find out what the lump is without it costing the earth - hopefully it'll be nothing to worry about and won't need surgery at all.
 
Well we're back from the vets.

Christian's lump is a big abscess I know this as Rachel stuck a needle in and drew up a lot of thick yellow pus:vom:. Christian bless him was as good as gold and only squeaked a little bit and didn't wriggle at all:wub:. She said that it would need to be surgically removed and then marsupialised so that it drained. I have been given Sulfatrim at 0.2ml twice a day to start tonight. The surgery will be £100 fixed cost. Luckily I have that in my vet fund:tu: Just have to figure out a way to tell the OH:hmm:.

Bad news is that Rachel is leaving in 4 weeks.:soz: I have got to trust her over the last 2 years. I'll have to see what her replacement is like.
 
Hi @Betsy
Good to hear Christian lump is treatable and budget cost are ok. :hmm:
How to tell oh. @Hoppity.K when a cost is high used the trick "well it was reduce from £240 to £6. bargin Dave" or I go without for a while etc.
What about paying and get vets to print out smaller bill. :))
 
David Pet Lover said:
Hi @Betsy
Good to hear Christian lump is treatable and budget cost are ok. :hmm:
How to tell oh. @Hoppity.K when a cost is high used the trick "well it was reduce from £240 to £6. bargin Dave" or I go without for a while etc.
What about paying and get vets to print out smaller bill. :))
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I'll just pay in cash and won't tell the OH the real cost!:shh:
 
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