I just want to do what's best

[Beckygladys1986]

Hi everyone. I have a terrible dilemma and was hoping for some advice. I have a skinny pig called Gladys who is the reason I'm still here today, she has got me through the hardest of times. She has had a lump under her chin for around a year now...it doesn't bother her and seems to of stopped growing now. However she has recently grown a lump behind her leg/tummy, this is still growing and quite large...shes not bothered by it and still running freely around the house and eating. The lump feels quite loose but I know it's probably cancer. The thing is Gladys is 5 years old and with her also being a skinny pig I'm unsure whether to opt for surgery to remove it or to just make the most of our time together. I would just lime to know what others would do as I have tried to research but it's all for guinea pigs and I know there can be increased risks with skinnies. Please help...my heart is breaking as I can't make a decision without knowing any facts.

 

[anyar.dris]

What was the advice of your vet? First, I would always ask the vet for the prognosis. This would let us decide of our next step. There is no right or wrong when it comes to this, especially if she's an older piggy. My hubby and I usually first do what we can to make things a bit easier for the sick piggy. We know our guinea pigs well enough so we can see what would make him/her comfortable enough. If we can keep them alive as much as possible we would do that but we can only do so much for them. They tell us what steps to take as the days go by.

Your guinea pigs will tell you in their own way what they feel.

 

[Tiamolly123]

I'm so sorry things are not going well with Gladys. As regards the age quite a few people on here have had there piggies operated on at age 5 or 6 & they have bounced back. I was always told if a lump was movable it can't be anything serious, but I'm not sure that is true. If you haven't seen a vet yet you don't know how serious this is, or not. So get her to a vet & see what's going on. Then make your decision. Thinking of you & Gladys. xx

 

[YvonneBlue]

Please take Gladys to see a vet who is knowledgeable about guinea pigs. Until you have a diagnosis it's difficult to offer advice. I do hope that it isn't anything serious. Thinking of you and Gladys.

 

[Beckygladys1986]

With her being hairless it just worries me that the vet won't know about the extra precautions needed. I will take her tomorrow and let you all know. Thank you for your kind words.

 

[DMS260820]

With her being hairless it just worries me that the vet won't know about the extra precautions needed. I will take her tomorrow and let you all know. Thank you for your kind words.

My wife had a a guinea pig with a few lumps on it when she was a kid back in the 90's. They got removed by a vet and the guinea pig lived on to be 9. (They were from a good breeder) so your pig mite be ok

 

[helen105281]

If you are anywhere near Northampton in the UK I would make the trip to Simon or Kim Maddock at the cat and rabbit clinic. They have dealt with my skinnies in the past and neutered my Ronnie. They have also recently removed lumps on an older skinny that I know of. If you are nowhere near, then find a vet with as much experience as possible and ask them for their honest opinion.

 

[DMS260820]

If you are anywhere near Northampton in the UK I would make the trip to Simon or Kim Maddock at the cat and rabbit clinic. They have dealt with my skinnies in the past and neutered my Ronnie. They have also recently removed lumps on an older skinny that I know of. If you are nowhere near, then find a vet with as much experience as possible and ask them for their honest opinion.

Simon was brilliant with one if my gerbils too. He managed to clip her teeth back to even