• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Found What Feels Like A Ball On Piggies Shoulder

Status
Not open for further replies.
ggreene

ggreene

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Oct 13, 2016
Messages
101
Reaction score
16
Points
160
Location
manchester, england
My partners noticed on speedy he has a lump on his shoulder, I've had a good feel - first thought broken :( he's walking fine using front paws ... I've had several good feels of this it's like a circle fatty lump just above his shoulder :( vets is closed its Sunday, he looks like he isn't in pain when I touch it. Please say this isn't life threatening :( anyone else had this?
 
ggreene said:
My partners noticed on speedy he has a lump on his shoulder, I've had a good feel - first thought broken :( he's walking fine using front paws ... I've had several good feels of this it's like a circle fatty lump just above his shoulder :( vets is closed its Sunday, he looks like he isn't in pain when I touch it. Please say this isn't life threatening :( anyone else had this?
Click to expand...

Please take a deep breath and calm down!

The majority of lumps are still harmless, especially those that are sitting loose in the skin and are not anchored deep in the body.
Unless you are confronted with a lump that is growing so fast that you can literally watch it blowing up, there is no need to see a vet outside regular hours. You usually get a bit of a shock when you notice a lump, but most lumps don't grow all that quickly and are not classed as an emergency. Lumps are not all that uncommon the older a guinea pig gets; you just want to make sure that they OK in each case.
 
proper mum mode :( never seen it before so it's come as a shock! He wasn't like that a few days ago. Thought he's broke his shoulder an would be pts + devastated child. It's a full ball shape, been looking on Google could be nothing or could be something I'll ring the vets tomorrow for a appointment any case. He's about 10/11 weeks old. He's eating fine an moving around, I know from my dogs to be on alert with everything an when you just get that gut feeling or find something - saved my golden oldie dog from prostate cancer at 10.. We found it very early.
 
Should say there's not a mark on speedy for it to be a abcess from a injury it's internal (gulp)
 
My 8 week old piggy Willow has just had an abscess removed - it was spotted on Wednesday, removed Friday, now it's Sunday and she's near enough back to normal.

I mention this as she had no external marks either for me to be sure it was an abscess, and the vet couldn't be sure until he did the op.

It's very scary, especially when it's such a young/small piggie, but if he's acting fine in every other way (sounds like he is with eating, moving etc), he has the best chance of getting through it might be.

Best of luck at the vets appointment :)
 
Going to monitor him closely this week, from what I can find on the net it's normal for piggies to get lumps? If it goes bigger straight to the vets or he looks poorly. Think I'll book him in Friday away vets is fully booked ATM need to take one of my dogs in for her check up (she's had a water infection) can't even get her in.. Must be from bonfire night :(
 
It's a good idea to get it checked out soon, that way if it's nothing it's nothing, if it's something it can be sorted ASAP and Speedy will have the best prognosis. With piggies, it's a real risk to wait, just because they can go downhill quite quickly. Best to get professional reassurance if possible :)
 
I'll try again tomorrow for an appointment *fingers cross for a cancellation* my vets is a animal trust I don't go anywhere else (learnt my lesson with private vets) I haven't got a pet carrier :/ don't want to scare him half to death as I'll be on foot, if I take him away from his siblings (both males) he goes bananas squeaking. Best way?
 
You need to get a pet carrier or something secure and take him to get that lump checked out- lumps are common but doesn't mean they don't need treatment.

Please don't put your pig in something he can jump out of and make sure he has plenty on blankets and hay to keep him warm if you are going on foot.
 
I agree with others about getting it checked asap.
It doesn't mean it's life threatening, but even if it is fairly harmless the bigger it is the harder it will be to treat.

To transport him you will need a proper, sturdy carrier or box, and as @Adelle said make sure it is well lined and he also has hay.
If you an get one that is big enough I would consider taking along one of his cage mates, or possibly all 3 together if you think they will be fine n the carrier.
We always take the ill piggy + a companion when we have to visit the vet.

Good luck and don't forget to update us.
Get well soon Speedy.
 
Thanks, got back on to the vets he's booked in midday :) he's eating alright/drinking .. They had a cancellation (peace of mind/empty purse I see) have one of my kids toy boxes/lid an fleece blankets.. Never thought in the few weeks we've had them would need to see the vets so quite unprepared. Fingers crossed its nothing, biggest worry is not coming home with him as he needs treatment, my youngest son will be deviated :( we've been through a lot with one of our dogs he would cry his heart out till she was home safe - he's in school ATM.
 
ggreene said:
I'll try again tomorrow for an appointment *fingers cross for a cancellation* my vets is a animal trust I don't go anywhere else (learnt my lesson with private vets) I haven't got a pet carrier :/ don't want to scare him half to death as I'll be on foot, if I take him away from his siblings (both males) he goes bananas squeaking. Best way?
Click to expand...

All the best for getting your piggy in this week! Hopefully it is just a harmless sebaceous cyst!
Here are our practical tips for vet visits (including piggy company during the trip): Tips For Vet Visits
 
ggreene said:
Never thought in the few weeks we've had them would need to see the vets so quite unprepared.
Click to expand...
I felt exactly the same as you - had my girls for less than a week when Willow's lump was found during her first vet check! Nothing like a rollercoaster ride to set you on the road of piggy ownership :))
 
Omg visited the vets ... First vet said I can feel the lump it's attached to his shoulder I'm sorry but we don't operate on piggies Went to reception ... Asked if they do ... Was seen by another vet, she said £75 to take a sample, £300 for taking it out, even then I can't garentee speedy wont die through anesthetic as he's still a baby, I could give antibiotics but it might not do anything & make him poorly Other option is leaving him alone, monitor him ... Pet insurance anyone? I feel utterly deviated I could cry! Don't think it's the right thing telling my 6 year old anything at this point.
 
If it was me I would monitor for now but have you checked the vet locator for a more experienced vet in your area?
 
Think I would try a second opinion for the vets. Did they try a sample by sticking a needle in it? When one of mine had a lump the vet sampled in this way &tried to syringe out any contents, in this case nothing came out &the needle had a greasy residue left on it so the vet told me it was a fatty lump &unless it changed then they would leave it alone.

If it was an abscess then smelly pus liquid would come out &could be drained a bit &antibiotics such as zithromax (sp?) could be used to clear it up.

If its a sebaceous cyst they usually have a thicker cottage cheesy pastey consistency discharge with hardly any smell.

However its a growth then it wouldn't be as easy to diagnose in this way. Have you tried the vet locator on the top bar here?

These are recommended as they specialize in guinea problems -some of the general small animal vets have a little basic knowledge of guineas just concentrating on cats&dogs etc.
My vets aren't exotics but I know to ask for 3 of the vets that are good with my guineas. Its a large rural practice that has about 12+ vets some that are small animal but not piggy savvy & wouldn't know different types of lump very easily.

It doesn't sound like he's in pain but monitor his food/drink/poops as if he loses his appetite this may be an indicator of pain. Weigh him regularly a few times a week to check he's maintaining weight.

Let us know how he gets on &hopefully its just a fatty lump. Xx
 
I don't drive which makes it harder, local one is in Cheshire. Vet would have stuck a needle in him for £75 but she said I still might not be able to find out what it is unless he has it removed then I can biopsy.
Been looking at insurance for the other 2 boys .. £14.00 ish each a month! More expensive than what I paid for dog insurance - I binned that off when my dog wasn't covered for paw op (found that out trying to claim) animal trust treated her as well as my other dogs for any health issues. He's eating/drinking/pooping fine, if it wasn't for my partner noticing, feels like a ball, as the vet said its attached
 
Spoke to 2 different family members on the phone .. Answer to my problems is apparently just leave him be an if he dies can just replace him OMG! Horrified at the thought!
I'm torn to do the testing on it, don't think I could put him though taking it out as we might lose him, in limbo!
Anyone else had this health issue with a happy ending? Need a bit of faith.
 
ggreene said:
Anyone else had this health issue with a happy ending?
Click to expand...
YES! Willow, 8 weeks old, found a lump Weds, removed Fri, now (Mon) apart from her shaved patch (she's long-haired) you wouldn't know there was anything wrong with her. I went through all of the same emotions you did, and although the vet did give me the option on whether to operate or not, he made it clear the lump would grow if left, and it'd be more complex to treat in the future.

And although there's no way to guarantee your piggy has the same condition or even anything similar, there WAS a happy ending, and the way I had to look at it was although it went against everything to put Willow through this, there was a massive and very real risk the situation would've only gotten more complex and dangerous for her if left. I'm personally glad it's sorted now rather than have ongoing worry had I left it :D
 
Thanks tiny, absolutely fine through surgery?
I know my dogs had life saving surgery she was just a pup :( was touch & go the first time: ( she went on to have a further emergency ops a year later then 4 weeks after that (stone eater) we had no choice she was going to die. The vets couldn't tell me what type of lump it could be, all they said it was attached to his shoulder not moving. Likely not to be a cyst, he's just so small to be going through this. I just hope it's just a fatty lump nothing more.. Going to highly monitor him next few weeks see how he gets on, if it was completely life threating now I wouldn't blink at getting it done he would be at the vets now waiting for surgery. I have discussed with my son he's poorly so he needs extra love an cuddles, he maybe called back to heaven cos he's done his job on earth making him happy. First words out of his mouth were 'but he's mine! He's staying with me' then had to explain surgery omg! This is heartbreaking.
 
Have you tried a second opinion from another guinea Pig savvy vet?
 
2 vets at animal trust, don't do private vets at all ... nearest vets that see Guinea pigs are in Cheshire utter miles away :( he seems fine in himself, eating/drinking/squeaking we bought the boys a treat stick this eve they seem happy with it- Childrens instructions. My son is dead set on making him better from cuddles 'medicine' in his eyes. I wonder if they're any natural meds I could try first, I hate dosing my dogs up never mind a squeaking little fur ball :( Archie was from the same litter, he's absolutely fine no lumps... From the net Info it's hereditary? He's too young for cancerous lumps .. Said around 2-3 years old not 10 weeks or so. Whatever it is it's attached to his upper shoulder - might lose mobility? Looking at the possibilities in my head to actually reason putting him through major surgery so young that he might not make it.
 
I'm sorry but you really need to see a piggy savvy vet for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. If the vet thinks he is 2-3 years old then I'd be concerned as he looks thin in his photo? Doesn't look thin for a baby but certainly an adult. What does he weigh ?

Can you post A picture of his feet and nails? You can't determine exact age this way but should be able to tell if he's a few weeks old or a few years old by looking at his nails. Babies nails are thin and pointy, adult nails are thick and often flat
 
Adelle said:
I'm sorry but you really need to see a piggy savvy vet for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. If the vet thinks he is 2-3 years old then I'd be concerned as he looks thin in his photo? Doesn't look thin for a baby but certainly an adult. What does he weigh ?

Can you post A picture of his feet and nails? You can't determine exact age this way but should be able to tell if he's a few weeks old or a few years old by looking at his nails. Babies nails are thin and pointy, adult nails are thick and often flat
Click to expand...

@Adelle I think she was saying that her research says the lump can't be cancerous because at 10 weeks old he is too young - they don't get cancer until 2 - 3 years old? But I might have misunderstood :hmm:

@ggreene I agree with Adelle - you really need to try and see a piggie savy vet to have a more thorough diagnosis.
I don't think something like this can be treated with natural remedies at this point.
Guinea pigs have a very fast metabolism, and lumps can grow at an alarming rate. The longer it is left, the bigger it will become and the harder it will be to treat successfully. It may not be cancer, but an abscess or cyst can be just as dangerous for a guinea pig, and still needs to be treated.
Maybe you could just start with a needle biopsy that the vet offered so you have a clearer picture of what the lump actually is?
 
:agr:
Though your son is young and I understand you don't want the "piggie might go to heaven" discussion, by taking Speedy to the vets you're showing your son responsibility and if you liken it to a situation where your son felt poorly and got better you're not going down the mortality talk route. Do you think your vet is good with kids? Could you go with your son if you think it'd help him understand?
 
Sorry speedys round 10weeks old; profile pic is him, can see the lump above his shoulder (sort of) my son doesn't like loud noises - the vets is full of barking dogs :( makes it difficult for him to come with. I could try another vets in my local area will be private (which I hate!) not much around Bolton to be honest that deal with small furies an know the ins & outs. RSPCA? One in Salford? Anyone live in the local area? Never used them before so I haven't got a clue if they could be any help. My sons been through it with one of my dogs (very attached to my springer) each time she went in for her ops he didn't sleep/eat :( till she was home.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top