Fatty lump getting bigger

[Black piggies]

Last year my 3 year old sow had a lump monitored, it was pea sized, a needle aspiration showed all fatty liquid. Vet advised that wasn't totally conclusive but likely positive. He offered to remove lump under GA but said prob not necessary. The lump has grown, it's on her backbone, I'm worried it could be pressing and sore. I'm wondering why the vet offered removal rather than scan? Any thoughts for upcoming vet appointment? Thanks.

 

[Wiebke]

Last year my 3 year old sow had a lump monitored, it was pea sized, a needle aspiration showed all fatty liquid. Vet advised that wasn't totally conclusive but likely positive. He offered to remove lump under GA but said prob not necessary. The lump has grown, it's on her backbone, I'm worried it could be pressing and sore. I'm wondering why the vet offered removal rather than scan? Any thoughts for upcoming vet appointment? Thanks.

Hi!

Any lumps in sensitive areas that could impede body functions or mobility- irrespective of whether they are harmless or not - should be ideally removed, especially as soon as they start growing. The spine is a very sensitive area - it is not an area where a vet wants to operate unless necessary while a lump is stable, but they will want to remove any lump as soon as it starts growing and before it can cause damage.
A scan is not the most effective method for monitoring lumps.

All the best!

Here are our post-op care tips: Tips For Post-operative Care

 

[Black piggies]

Last year my 3 year old sow had a lump monitored, it was pea sized, a needle aspiration showed all fatty liquid. Vet advised that wasn't totally conclusive but likely positive. He offered to remove lump under GA but said prob not necessary. The lump has grown, it's on her backbone, I'm worried it could be pressing and sore. I'm wondering why the vet offered removal rather than scan? Any thoughts for upcoming vet appointment? Thanks.

That's very helpful thanks. I feel able to proceed with removal now. Because the lump was aspirated the pet insurance renewal excluded covering this problem. I assume it'll cost many hundreds?

 

[Merab]

It will be expensive but hopefully not too many hundreds.

Do you have a date for surgery yet?
Will be keeping you in my thoughts

 

[Lady Kelly]

That's very helpful thanks. I feel able to proceed with removal now. Because the lump was aspirated the pet insurance renewal excluded covering this problem. I assume it'll cost many hundreds?

You can always ask your vet for an estimate of the cost in advance. I've always had vets give me an idea. If you see a specialist vet the cost is likely to be more than a general vet. I believe I paid around £120 for a general vet to remove a lump, send it off for testing and pain relief to come home with but that must have been 5 years ago

 

[Black piggies]

Thanks :-) Not made vet apnt yet but will do.

 

[Black piggies]

You can always ask your vet for an estimate of the cost in advance. I've always had vets give me an idea. If you see a specialist vet the cost is likely to be more than a general vet. I believe I paid around £120 for a general vet to remove a lump, send it off for testing and pain relief to come home with but that must have been 5 years ago

Thanks good to have some idea.

 

[Wiebke]

That's very helpful thanks. I feel able to proceed with removal now. Because the lump was aspirated the pet insurance renewal excluded covering this problem. I assume it'll cost many hundreds?

It depends on the vet and how long/how tricky the operation is, but it won't be cheap. Anaesthesia drugs are usually the most expensive part in any operation.

You can always ask the vet for an estimate during the pre-op examination or even ring up and ask for an estimate.

My Gethin needed an emergency op last month for a run-away fatty lump on his chest that had grown out of nowhere from less than pea size to (by the time he was operated on within 24 hours of me noticing) 5 cm width and about 3 cm height. Thankfully, it was not a tumour as initially feared and it didn't adhere to the ribs or had spread into the chest. But it's cost me about £320 by a general vet specialising in guinea pigs in Northampton due to the tricky location. He has made a full problem-free recovery.
The Cat and Rabbit Care Clinic

 

[Black piggies]

It depends on the vet and how long/how tricky the operation is, but it won't be cheap. Anaesthesia drugs are usually the most expensive part in any operation.

You can always ask the vet for an estimate during the pre-op examination or even ring up and ask for an estimate.

My Gethin needed an emergency op last month for a run-away fatty lump on his chest that had grown out of nowhere from less than pea size to (by the time he was operated on within 24 hours of me noticing) 5 cm width and about 3 cm height. Thankfully, it was not a tumour as initially feared and it didn't adhere to the ribs or had spread into the chest. But is cost me about £320 by a general vet specialising in guinea pigs in Northampton. He has made a full problem-free recovery.
The Cat and Rabbit Care Clinic

Wow :-o Thanks good to be prepared. Glad he's recovered.

 

[Piggy foster mum]

It depends on the vet and how long/how tricky the operation is, but it won't be cheap. Anaesthesia drugs are usually the most expensive part in any operation.

You can always ask the vet for an estimate during the pre-op examination or even ring up and ask for an estimate.

My Gethin needed an emergency op last month for a run-away fatty lump on his chest that had grown out of nowhere from less than pea size to (by the time he was operated on within 24 hours of me noticing) 5 cm width and about 3 cm height. Thankfully, it was not a tumour as initially feared and it didn't adhere to the ribs or had spread into the chest. But it's cost me about £320 by a general vet specialising in guinea pigs in Northampton due to the tricky location. He has made a full problem-free recovery.
The Cat and Rabbit Care Clinic

I have just found 2 fatty lumps on my female rescue piggy. We have no idea how old she is and we’ve only had her since July. The 2 have appeared quickly. I handle her and stroke her every night. She’s not bothered by them but I’m concerned and we are due to be going away for 3 weeks over Christmas and our neighbour is looking after both. Can a vet tell what they are just from handling them or would she have to have an anaesthetic to find out.

 

[Wiebke]

I have just found 2 fatty lumps on my female rescue piggy. We have no idea how old she is and we’ve only had her since July. The 2 have appeared quickly. I handle her and stroke her every night. She’s not bothered by them but I’m concerned and we are due to be going away for 3 weeks over Christmas and our neighbour is looking after both. Can a vet tell what they are just from handling them or would she have to have an anaesthetic to find out.

Vets can often tell from feel, or if necessary, a needle aspiration and lab test.

Fatty lumps tend to come up quite quickly in my own experience and often in clusters; however so can occasionally tumours, so it may good to have her vet checked sooner rather than later so you have time for recovery (which will hopefully not necessary!) before you have to go away. Some piggies seem to have more of a genetic disposition to lumps than others.