• 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

Guinea pig has sudden big double chin

VHayleyA1995

VHayleyA1995

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Jul 1, 2018
Messages
57
Reaction score
21
Points
210
Location
Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
Hi my guinea pig is roughly 5 years old the past few weeks I have noticed he has grown a larger double chin. I have attached a photo. I am going to make a vet appointment. He is still eating and drinking and being himself.
He gets a cup of veggies a day, and his pellets bowl is always full. Also has hay and grass all the time.
Does anyone know if this is something to be worried about?
 

Attachments

  • IMG20200411130622.webp
    IMG20200411130622.webp
    41 KB · Views: 31
  • IMG20200411130620.webp
    IMG20200411130620.webp
    37.3 KB · Views: 29
  • IMG20200411130522.webp
    IMG20200411130522.webp
    44.2 KB · Views: 43
VHayleyA1995 said:
Hi my guinea pig is roughly 5 years old the past few weeks I have noticed he has grown a larger double chin. I have attached a photo. I am going to make a vet appointment. He is still eating and drinking and being himself.
He gets a cup of veggies a day, and his pellets bowl is always full. Also has hay and grass all the time.
Does anyone know if this is something to be worried about?
Click to expand...

Please have your boy vet checked promptly. Fast growing sudden lumps should be seen within 24 hours, ideally as soon as possible. There are quite a few possibilities in the chin/throat area with some more serious than others; but any speculation won't help you as only a hands-on examination can tell you.

You should be able to find out about emergency services over Easter via your normal vet.
 
VHayleyA1995 said:
I was going to wait till next week, because he is himself. Eating a drinking and what not. I didn't see it as an emergency as he has been like it for a while.
Click to expand...

If it is not a fast growing runaway lump that doubles or triples in size in 24 hours (like an abscess of that size), then please have him seen as soon as possible after Easter. But it would be good if you please booked an appointment now.
 
VHayleyA1995 said:
It just doesn't seem to be an abscess.
Click to expand...

There are other possibilities to the most common one in that area, which is an abscess.
It can be just a harmless sebaceous cyst but the thyroid gland and lymph nodes are also located in that area. Only a hands-on vet examination can tell you.
 
VHayleyA1995 said:
I have found this on him underneath the big chin area. I can't believe I missed seeing this yesterday
Click to expand...

Please have your piggy seen as an emergency asap. It was likely not even a third as big yesterday but you are dealing with a runaway lump now that needs immediate attention.
 
Wiebke said:
Please have your piggy seen as an emergency asap. It was likely not even a third as big yesterday but you are dealing with a runaway lump now that needs immediate attention.
Click to expand...

:agr: This does need emergency attention and cannot wait. Please let us know what the vet says.
 
VHayleyA1995 said:
I have found this on him underneath the big chin area. I can't believe I missed seeing this yesterday
Click to expand...
Hope it's nothing too bad , I quite often check dots chin area because she has quite a saggy dewlap, and I've missed one of my old boars two lumps before because of the same reason . Easy to miss to be fair, especially in an Abyssinian guinea pig
 
So sorry but you have made the kindest decision. I had a seven year old who suddenly developed a huge lump under his chin he was fine otherwise. The vet suggested an operation to remove it s it wasn't just a fatty lump. But during the operation the vet found it was bigger than expected. Spike lasted a week but I had to have him put to sleep a week later. I regret putting him through the operation and prolonging his suffering.
 
VHayleyA1995 said:
Thanks. It's hit hard not having him anymore. I hope I made the right decision. 😞 It was so hard
Click to expand...

You have made the right decision under the circumstances. It is the kindest, most loving and most heart-breaking decision to make. But you inevitably end up agonising about it. However many piggies/pets you have or have had, the loss itself never hurts any less as each bond is unique. Try to take consolation that you have put your boy's welfare and wellbeing before your own desires. Your vet would not have consented to pts if there wasn't ample reason for it. Especially in older piggies it is often a weighing up of how much of a ringer you want to put them through.
You can also never choose when or what your piggy dies from; these things have a bad habit of happening at the most inconvenient of times; what you have within your control is what kind of life you give a pet in your care while you have it - and you certainly haven't failed in that respect! :(

If you struggle badly with opting for pts/euthanasia, then this guide here may also help you as it looks at the ethics and practicalities of euthanasia a bit more than the grieving guide, which concentrates on the aftermath and making sense of your feelings as you go through it, as well as where to find trained and confidential help if you feel overwhelmed.
A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs
 
I am so sorry that you had to make the decision to let your boy go.
It’s the last gift of love we can give.
Be gentle with yourself as you grieve
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top