Eye Tumor/Surgery- Any advice please

[Saysie]

Hello,
Its been a long time since I last posted on here. I hope everyone is well and happy.

One of my piggies Louise has developed a lump on her eye. I took her straight to the vet, who had a good look. She couldn't find anything that would be the cause of it e.g a hay poke injury, and thinks it may be a tumor of some sort. She also applied dye which showed up more dark patches, which could be the beginning of more tumors. My poor baby!

I have been given drops (Fucithalmic)to give, to try and make it bit more comfortable for her, and we are to go back next week to see a different vet who is more experienced with piggies to talk about possible surgery to have it removed :... She is otherwise fine in herself, still managing to boss the others around and still has her huge appetite

Has anyone on here had to deal with anything similar? Also is there anything I can do in the meantime to prepare her immune system etc for the operation, like extra vitamin C or something? I have already looked on Guinea Lynx and got some help, and would be really grateful for any personal experiences and advice.

I have attached a picture of what it looks like.

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Thanks in advance
Saysie

 

[Pebble]

Is the lump actually on the eyeball itself or is it the tissue next to/surrounding the eyeball?

When the vet put the stain in, were the dark patches on the eyeball itself?

Sorry to be a pain but need these answers before i can comment as
from your photo - her eyeball looks clear...but it's the tissue inside the eyelid surrounding the eyeball that looks affected

x

 

[Saysie]

Hi Pebble,
Thanks for your reply.
The lump is not on her eyeball, but at the side in the corner of her eye, however the dye showed dark patches across her eyeball -but the vet had to put quite a bit of dye on before they showed. She really wasnt sure what it was and was going to have to discuss it with her colleague, who I am going to see on wednesday.
Thanks again x

 

[Pebble]

Yay...thanks for the answers....That could now mean a much better prognosis!

OK, let's deal first with the tissue at the side....it can become fattier or tumerous - but normally if it is a tumour it is a lipoma (fat tumour) and therefore benign....and removal is only necessary if it is impinging on piggies eyesight/wellbeing. I have piggies with fatty eye and we won;t even consider operating on them.

Also, fatty deposits in the tissue beside the eye is indicative of perhaps a pig with early heart problems...so keep an eye out....(oops sorry for unintended pun). We can provide info/X ray measurements if you think this needs to be followed up with your vet....the earlier a heart pig gets put on medication (1mg/kg fortekor and 2mg/kg furoseamide)..the better. I have heart piggies with fatt eyes...happy to provide my vets phone number to your vets if they need convincing.


The tissue surrounding the eyeball could alternatively be a swollen conjunctiva....due to dryness of the eye or infection....or entropion (inward turning eyelashes)....your piggie doesn;t look like they have entropion. Fucithalmic should therefore sort this out within 7 days.

Re the eyeball...I suspect you piggie has been scratching the irritable area and has inadvertantly scratched their eyeball to cause a light ulcerous/keratinosis on the eyeball itself as has shown up with the fluorscene dye. Again...this can be transient and cleared up with fucithalmic easily.


Bottom line therefore is....from what you have described.....fucithalmic should clear the problems. If it doesn;t and your vet suggests an op...I suggest you get a second opinion before proceeding. Having said that, I note your vet is referring to someone else.....but they are in the same practice. So see what they say...if you have any concerns at all then please come back before committing yourself to an expensive op..... and we will find vet to give you a second opinion before you proceed.

From what you have said....I'm relatively sure that the fucithalmic should sort all the problems..Fucithlamic is the best in my experience of many different eye treatments.....you only need to apply a very small quanitity...(despite how bad their eye may be looking)...it;s the frequency that is important...try giving a little and often 3-4 times a day..so keeping my fingers crossed for you.

HTH
x

 

[Pebble]

P.S. When you see new vet next week, it is very important that you get them to also check your piggies lymph nodes in the neck/foreleg areas........because if they tell you there really IS tumour WITHIN the eyeball and you need an op..but don;t check the lymph nodes....then you either need a new vet....or you need to let me know so I can talk to your vet.

Please don;t worry about this post...I'm just trying to empower you to be able to cover every eventuality for you and your piggie and prevent any unecessary ops....(and expense)


If you want to talk to me about this to set your mind at rest or get further info, then happy if you PM me for my phone number this weekend
x

 

[Saysie]

Thank you so, so much for all your helpful info! It certainly has put my mind at ease that she may not need an operation.

I have been using Fucithalmic twice daily (as recommended) since tuesday and so far there as been no improvement and the lump is still the same size. The vet I'm seeing on wednesday comes highly recommended by Reading Guinea Pig Rescue, I have seen her before and she really knows a lot about piggies, she is also very good at listening to other possible ideas. I will definitely mention what you have told me about her heart, lymph nodes etc. The lump itself doesn't seem to be causing her any discomfort or visual impairment. So hopefully she may not need an op after all.

I will let you know how I get on, and if I need your vet's phone number for a second opinion.

Thanks again so much!
x