Fatty lipoma and surgery for senior pig

[Distinguishedpig]

I have a 4.5 year old male pig who is in all-around great health. About 3 months ago I noticed a small lump on his backside and went to the vet. They took a sample and diagnosed it as a fatty lipoma. However, in the past 3 months it has tripled in size (currently about 1 inch diameter). It does not impede my pig's movement and his behavior has not changed, however I am concerned about how fast it has grown. I took him to the vet again and they are taking another sample to confirm lipoma before deciding whether to surgically remove it. The vet said on one hand if it is a benign lipoma and he is happy, then we do not need to do surgery; but on the other hand, given that he is getting older and the growth rate, it might be better to do surgery sooner rather than later. They have an experienced surgeon and the lump is close to the skin. I am so torn and afraid to make the wrong decision: do I opt for surgery and potentially risk complications/losing the time I have left with my pig or do I wait it out and just let him live out the rest of his life with the lump? Any advice or experience appreciated!

 

[YorkshireLass]

This is similar to an experience I had a couple of years ago. My boy’s lump was growing so I decided to have the surgery. When they removed it, they said it didn’t look like cancer, but it was up to me whether to have it tested. I knew I wouldn’t be able to afford serious treatment if it was cancer so I took the risk. He then started to lose weight although he seemed quite happy and passed away three months later aged just over 5yrs. I am not saying your piggy would do the same, and you’ve already had it checked, which wasn’t offered to me. I just wanted to share my experience and wish you well.

 

[Distinguishedpig]

This is similar to an experience I had a couple of years ago. My boy’s lump was growing so I decided to have the surgery. When they removed it, they said it didn’t look like cancer, but it was up to me whether to have it tested. I knew I wouldn’t be able to afford serious treatment if it was cancer so I took the risk. He then started to lose weight although he seemed quite happy and passed away three months later aged just over 5yrs. I am not saying your piggy would do the same, and you’ve already had it checked, which wasn’t offered to me. I just wanted to share my experience and wish you well.

Thank you for sharing this with me and I hope your piggy passed knowing how loved he was!

 

[weepweeps]

I have a 4.5 year old male pig who is in all-around great health. About 3 months ago I noticed a small lump on his backside and went to the vet. They took a sample and diagnosed it as a fatty lipoma. However, in the past 3 months it has tripled in size (currently about 1 inch diameter). It does not impede my pig's movement and his behavior has not changed, however I am concerned about how fast it has grown. I took him to the vet again and they are taking another sample to confirm lipoma before deciding whether to surgically remove it. The vet said on one hand if it is a benign lipoma and he is happy, then we do not need to do surgery; but on the other hand, given that he is getting older and the growth rate, it might be better to do surgery sooner rather than later. They have an experienced surgeon and the lump is close to the skin. I am so torn and afraid to make the wrong decision: do I opt for surgery and potentially risk complications/losing the time I have left with my pig or do I wait it out and just let him live out the rest of his life with the lump? Any advice or experience appreciated!

I’d be guided by your vet. Good luck.

 

[Claire W]

I had a guinea pig, Elizabeth who had a lump grow in an awkward place on her hind leg. It started off the size of a grape and was soft and mobile. My brilliant vet took a fine needle biopsy and it came back as a fatty lipoma. Due to the location, my vet advised that she may end up having her leg amputated if he operated or die by losing a lot of blood so we had to weigh up the pros and cons especially as she was at least 4 and a half at the time although she could have been older. I had an honest discussion with my vet who I trusted completely and he advised that we didn’t operate and monitor her. She was checked regularly and the lump did continue to grow although regular samples still confirmed a fatty lipoma. It did eventually grow to the size of a tennis ball but she lived a happy 8 months until it started to affect her mobility and we had had to sadly have her pts after she developed a blood clot in her brain. Whether it came from her lump we’ll never know but I know I made the right decision for her by not operating.

If I were you, I would have an honest discussion with your vet and be guided by them just like I was with Elizabeth

There really is no right or wrong answer but only you can decide what to do going forward (((hugs))) x

 

[Distinguishedpig]

I had a guinea pig, Elizabeth who had a lump grow in an awkward place on her hind leg. It started off the size of a grape and was soft and mobile. My brilliant vet took a fine needle biopsy and it came back as a fatty lipoma. Due to the location, my vet advised that she may end up having her leg amputated if he operated or die by losing a lot of blood so we had to weigh up the pros and cons especially as she was at least 4 and a half at the time although she could have been older. I had an honest discussion with my vet who I trusted completely and he advised that we didn’t operate and monitor her. She was checked regularly and the lump did continue to grow although regular samples still confirmed a fatty lipoma. It did eventually grow to the size of a tennis ball but she lived a happy 8 months until it started to affect her mobility and we had had to sadly have her pts after she developed a blood clot in her brain. Whether it came from her lump we’ll never know but I know I made the right decision for her by not operating.

If I were you, I would have an honest discussion with your vet and be guided by them just like I was with Elizabeth

There really is no right or wrong answer but only you can decide what to do going forward (((hugs))) x

Thank you for sharing your story with me and the advice. Rest in peaflakes Elizabeth <3

 

[Claire W]

Thank you for sharing your story with me and the advice. Rest in peaflakes Elizabeth <3

Thank you and you’re welcome. Good luck with whatever decision you make for your boy x