Help- What Is This?

[Mali's Mum]

Evening all, as we just got Aspen on Sunday, I was having a first proper hold of her tonight and noticed a huge hard lump on her backend. I had a look and saw this.



She doesn't seem bothered and is eating and peeing well and when I touched it it didn't seem to cause pain. Not at vets to next week- should I be worried?

Panicked mummy x

 

[Stewybus]

It looks like a sebaceous cyst. A visit to the vets will be best to confirm & if necessary it can be easily removed with an op. If you bought your piggy from a pet shop I would be asking them to pay for op if it's needed.

 

[Mali's Mum]

It looks like a sebaceous cyst. A visit to the vets will be best to confirm & if necessary it can be easily removed with an op.

Don't tell me it's bad news? X

 

[Stewybus]

If it is a sebaceous cyst then it's not life threatening. One of mine had one removed 2 years ago & another one who I was fostering at the time but now with me permanently also had one removed last September. The op would cost anything from about £60 to £100 and the piggy should recover fully. When you take her to the vets the vet will draw some fluid from the cyst which is quite often black and tarry, that's the type both of mine had. They were then booked in for an op & home a few hours after the op. They'll go back to the vets for 1 or 2 checks & to have stitches removed then the hair will grow back and after about three months you won't know there's been anything wrong.

 

[piggyfan]

A cyst is perfectly harmless and usually goes on their own. Please do not worry.

 

[Stewybus]

Neither of mine went on there own. The first was originally checked by vet and I was told to leave it & it would probably go away but it got bigger & had to be removed. The second one burst and was a horrible mess so was completely removed by vet. Until you've seen a vet you can't guess but whatever the outcome they aren't as serious as abscess's.

 

[Mali's Mum]

Thanks you guys- she has had a horrible life until she came to stay with us on Sunday. I would of hated it to be anything awful-she seems completely oblivious which is a good thing x

 

[Wiebke]

Please have it checked by a vet. Loose sitting cysts are usually not something you need to worry about much, but any lump needs to be checked to make sure. If it is very large, your vet may drain or remove it, but it could come back.

 

[piggyfan]

Neither of mine went on there own. The first was originally checked by vet and I was told to leave it & it would probably go away but it got bigger & had to be removed. The second one burst and was a horrible mess so was completely removed by vet. Until you've seen a vet you can't guess but whatever the outcome they aren't as serious as abscess's.

Gosh how awful. Luckily Amelia Jane's went itself.

 

[Mali's Mum]

Foe

Neither of mine went on there own. The first was originally checked by vet and I was told to leave it & it would probably go away but it got bigger & had to be removed. The second one burst and was a horrible mess so was completely removed by vet. Until you've seen a vet you can't guess but whatever the outcome they aren't as serious as abscess's.

Gosh how awful. Luckily Amelia Jane's went itself.

She's only 1 and it looks like it's been there quite a while it's a pretty big lump (about the size of a 10 pence peace and very raised) It reminded me of a wart as it's rock solid.

Will phone Vet in the morning x x

 

[GuineaPiggie]

I would say take her to the vet. My motto is, if in doubt, go to the vet. Hope she's ok x

 

[Mali's Mum]

Thanks for all your help - didn't know where else to turn.

Booked in with the Vet at 0930 on Saturday morning - will keep you posted.

X x x

 

[Claire W]

All the best. The majority of lumps are harmless and can be easily treated but it is wise to have all lumps checked out.

My Erin had a lump that was monitored. It started off as a fatty lump but turned in to a hard cyst. My vet drained it and a clear liquid came out. She was on antibiotics for a week but thankfully it never came back.

Erika currently has a lump on her side but it is tiny. The vet says it is either a fatty lump or very small cyst. We are monitoring it.

 

[Mali's Mum]

All the best. The majority of lumps are harmless and can be easily treated but it is wise to have all lumps checked out.

My Erin had a lump that was monitored. It started off as a fatty lump but turned in to a hard cyst. My vet drained it and a clear liquid came out. She was on antibiotics for a week but thankfully it never came back.

Erika currently has a lump on her side but it is tiny. The vet says it is either a fatty lump or very small cyst. We are monitoring it.

Aww that's good to know - hoping it is nothing serious.

Her previous owner said she was only one but the lump looks like its been there a while so I'm glad she is getting help at last.

That's good that your Erin's never came back - hopefully the same situation for us!

x x

 

[Freela]

It looks like a cyst or something similar to me. Linney had one a lot like that in a similar area. The vet drained it to make sure what it was, but it kept refilling and eventually started to look a bit infected, so it was removed surgically. Hopefully you can avoid surgery- although Linney did just fine, it was something I wish I hadn't had to pay for! Good that you're seeing the vet for a definitive diagnosis, though.

 

[Mali's Mum]

It looks like a cyst or something similar to me. Linney had one a lot like that in a similar area. The vet drained it to make sure what it was, but it kept refilling and eventually started to look a bit infected, so it was removed surgically. Hopefully you can avoid surgery- although Linney did just fine, it was something I wish I hadn't had to pay for! Good that you're seeing the vet for a definitive diagnosis, though.

Aww that's good that news. It's good that people think it's a cyst too and not something more serious. Do they remove it under general anaesthetic? X

 

[Mali's Mum]

Good news gang. It is a sebacious cyst. The vet is happy to leave it just now and for us to keep an eye on it. Obviously if any changes we have to take her back in and they will remove it. So relieved - and he specialises in Guinea Pigs so I trust him. He also gave her a once over and said she in good health considering her start in life. Think she's a lot less than age one too- her previous owners are lying ******.

Thanks again for your advice. You lot are awesome.

 

[piggyfan]

That is great news! My little ones was left and just went on its own. It is great to hear she is healthy. It shows what a great piggy mum you are.