Erika Has A Lump - Reassurance Please?

[Claire W]

Erika has a fatty lump on her side which we are monitoring but now she has another small lump near (but not in) her right armpit. I have had it checked by my vet who says it is either a fatty lump or a cyst and for now, we just monitor it and remove it further down the line if it grows big.

Now, I know I'm being paranoid and anxious but can someone please reassure me. The lump isn't attached to anything and you can feel it move under the skin. I have had lumpy pigs in the past and it feels exactly the same but as my last lumpy piggy (Ena) died from lymphoma my paranoia is at an all time high. Is the lump safe to leave? I obviously do not want it removing either if it doesn't need to be. Do fatty lumps and cysts tend to grow or do they generally stay the same? The one on her side hasn't changed in size or shape for almost two years.

 

[Wiebke]

Erika has a fatty lump on her side which we are monitoring but now she has another small lump near (but not in) her right armpit. I have had it checked by my vet who says it is either a fatty lump or a cyst and for now, we just monitor it and remove it further down the line if it grows big.

Now, I know I'm being paranoid and anxious but can someone please reassure me. The lump isn't attached to anything and you can feel it move under the skin. I have had lumpy pigs in the past and it feels exactly the same but as my last lumpy piggy (Ena) died from lymphoma my paranoia is at an all time high. Is the lump safe to leave? I obviously do not want it removing either if it doesn't need to be. Do fatty lumps and cysts tend to grow or do they generally stay the same? The one on her side hasn't changed in size or shape for almost two years.

It is normal practice in these cases where a small lump is sitting loose and is not connected to the body or any lymph nodes or glands. These harmless lumps only need attention/removal if they suddenly start growing. They are not rare; my Tanni has two that have been under observation for the last couple of years.

You have done the right thing to have them checked by a competent vet as soon as you noticed.

It is always much tougher when you have lost a guinea pig to an issue with similar symptoms.

 

[7squeakers.]

My Sheltie girl Bonnie has a similar lump in the loose skin behind her left elbow. It is the size of a small hard pea. She has had it for more than three years and it has never changed or affected her in any way. Suzie had a lump on her left shoulder that got bigger over four years and finally started to leak. Again, it never bothered her. (I squeezed out the stuff inside it and it did not fill up again.)
Just keep monitoring Erika's lump. If it gets too big for her to move or attaches to the muscle, have your vet look at it again.

 

[Claire W]

Thank you both. I know I'm being paranoid but it's the way I am The one on her side is pea sized, the one near her armpit is slightly bigger. It hasn't changed over the last few days so I'll keep an eye on it as advised x

 

[7squeakers.]

Worrying about it just shows that you care.

 

[Chief Guinea Pig]

 

[Midge&Panda]

Sorry to read this, I have the same problem with Rosie. About 3 years she had 2 armpit lumps removed as well as a lump near her tummy and a spay. A huge op , it was all done together. I have just found a couple of small ones near her nipples but because of her age as well that she has had 2 bladder ops in quick succession we have been advised just to keep an eye on them . They are loose and movable so hopefully just fatty lump/ cysts. Hugs to you and Erika xx

 

[gizzy]

Hi there , do's it feel like a little bag of fluid /water ?

 

[Claire W]

Sending vibes to Rosie @Midge&Panda sounds like she's been through a lot xx

Yes @gizzy both lumps feel just like that. You can feel the lump moving around under the skin

 

[pig in the city]

It doesn't sound a worrying lump Claire. You would be very unlucky to have another piggy with Lymphoma. I am sure its just a harmless lump but keep an eye on it. Well done for spotting it early xx