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Guinea Pig Nipple Problem

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Hi everyone.

I haven't posted for a while, but I could really do with your help and advice.

We noticed last night that our two year old boar had a really swollen nipple and although it wasn't tender, we were concerned so took him to the vet tonight. The vet squeezed his nipple and although he didn't seem in any obvious pain, loads of brown liquid came out. She also said that the other nipple is swollen although it isn't as bad. She said that it doesn't seem infected and it isn't a tumour. She said that it may be something to do with his hormone levels and to vut down on fresh food and give him antibiotics for a week. We are now home and there is a little bit of blood on his fur and on his nipple which may be due to the squeezing. She said to give it a week, but she didn't think that there would be anything else they could suggest as she hasn't heard of this sort of thing in a male before. She also checked a book and the internet.

Could someone please put my mind at rest as I am worried.

Thanks
 
Are you sure your pig is a boar?
Boars can get mammary gland problems.
The typicals signs are enlargement of the mammary gland, with a discharge when pressure is applied to the gland or nipple.

I can think of no good reason why you should cut down on the fresh food.

The nipple itself alone may have become infected with no mammary gland involvement. What is the antibiotic/dose?
I have owned a number of boars and sows that have had mammary gland tumours. None of them needed treatment ie to have the gland removed. The tumours were very slow growing and the pigs died of old age.
For the time being I would continue to give him the antibiotic and then review him in a few days time.
At this stage I would not become too concerned about his problem, it is a fairly common occurence.
 
He is definately a boar (the first thing that crossed my mind!). The vet also checked his testicles as well to see if there was a problem there. He is on a dose of 0.3 of 2.5% Baytril twice a day.

She said to cut down foods that produced natural estrogen hence limiting his fresh food.
 
"She said to cut down foods that produced natural estrogen hence limiting his fresh food."
Interesting advice.
Can you ask the vet for more information, please?
 
To be fair, we weren't really confident in her advice. The fact that she had to refer to books (and the internet!) weren't confidence boosting. She said that she had never heard of a male having this sort of problem before. The food thing came from when she was looking on the net. I think that I would be much happier if I found a vet that specialises in guinea pigs. We have already lost a couple of our boys prematurly so I may be over reacting, but I woudl much rather be safe than sorry.
 
Whereabouts are you, Kimmy?

I'm sorry you are dealing with something that you don't know much about/are not getting much advice about (aside from AP). Unfortunately I'm stumped on this one, I've come across pigs with mammary tumours who have discharge from the nipples, but not the discharge on its own. I would be inclined to wonder about infection too. In any case, I do hope the Baytril helps and eases the problem.
 
I'm based in Leicester. His nipple is looking sore today and a bit black (maybe from where she squeezed it?)
 
Is it the skin that is black, or could it be more discharge under the skin?

There are three recommended vets listed on TGPF Vet List that are based in Leicestershire:

- Bray House Vet Clinic in Melton Mowbray
- Chine House Vet Hospital in Sileby, Loughborough
- Rutland Vet Centre in Uppingham, Oakham

Any of them near enough to you?
 
They are all driveable (about 30 mins), so it depends on their opening times because of work and stuff.

We think that it is his skin that is black, not the discharge. It looks bruised.
 
I'm not sure about why the skin would go black, must admit I don't recall seeing or hearing about bruising on guinea pigs - at least not as we know it. Not to say it doesn't happen, just I haven't heard of it.

Contact numbers for each of the vets:

Bray House Veterinary Practice - 01664 563250

Chine House Veterinary Hospital (recommended vet here is Craig) - 01509 812446 and their website is http://www.chinehousevets.co.uk/

Rutland Veterinary Centre (recommended vet here is Luke) - 01572 822399
 
Hi Kimmy

I just replied to the recommended vets one, hadn't seen this thread until now.

I go to Chine House, luckily it is close to me, but it is also an emergency vets too and does open quite late (I'm sure til about 7pm). Craig is very helpful. Both of my boars were neutered there. Have taken my sow when I was worried about hair loss when she was pregnant, took the baby piggies once they were born, also when Penelope had something wrong with her eye. They are very good.

I think if you travel to this one, you will be happy with the service. I have also seen Alison, who didn't know everything, she is the small animal vet so I assume more dogs and cats than guineas, but anything she isn't sure of, she consults Craig.

If you book in here, I would ask to see Craig.
 
Also! Forgot to add, if you are Fosse Park side of town, you can get over this side fairly quickly by getting on the M1 at J21 and then coming off at J21a onto the A46. I work close to Fosse Park and can get home in about 15mins.
 
Thanks so much. I am going to give them a call tomorrow and see if they can fit us in. We live in Thorpe Astley so we can just go on the motorway. I was a bit concerned when our own vet 'googled' the problem!
 
From Thorpe Astley it will take 20-30mins depending on how you drive and traffic etc. If you go via M1 and A46, although its quite far, it isn't hard to find. I work at Grove Park opp Sainsburys and come off the A46 at Syston, so it is a little further for you to get on to the motorway and a little further from where I come off of the A46.

Hope you get on ok :) x
 
Just to update everyone - I took Chip to the vet that was recommended to me by azura_maemi and he was really nice and helpful (unlike our intial vet!). He said that they want to remove the lump and send it for a biopsy. If the results indicate cancer, they will remove the smaller lump under the other nipple. We are taking him in first thing on Thurday morning. The vet also told us to take his brother with him so he has company when coming around from the operation as he doesn't want him to be stressed. I am really worried about the op, but I know that we don't have any other option under the circumstances. I am glad that we managed to get a second opinion as the other vet basically just sent us home.
 
Thanks for the update. Fingers crossed for him, it sounds like you have found a good vet which in a way must be a bit of a relief for you.
 
I'm so glad you've found a Vet that you have more confidence in. It really sounds like you're doing everything you can for little Chip. Really hope all goes well on Thursday, for you all x
 
:( I really hope everything goes well. They should tell you at what time you can call in to check how it all went when you drop him off xx

Not sure whether both my boys had their castrations done quite late in the day, or whether it is standard procedure at Chine House, but they both stayed in overnight, so don't panic if they keep him in xx
 
They said that they would call me by lunch time. I haven't heard anything yet, so I don't know if that is good or bad?! If I haven't heard in half an hour or so I will call them. They said it depends on how well he recovers from the anaesthetic if he can home or not. At least his brother is with him.
 
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