Injections for ovarian cysts

[Sally Newbie]

Hello
My pig Cheese is currently in a rescue centre (bonding with a new companion hopefully). They have felt a small ovarian cyst. Cheese is over 6 years old so the rescue has suggested hormone injections. It is affecting the bonding as she is being aggressive but obviously wants a new friend as she is chatting to the other pigs and popcorning but she is being a bit bolshy with the bonded attempts. She is not displaying any other symptoms such as hair loss or crusty nipples.

So with the injections how long do they last? And will it slow down the cyst growth? And will I now have to take her to the vet regularly to monitor the growth?
Thanks in advance for advice.

 

[Merab]

@GPTV had the injections for her piggies and may be able to help.
There is also information about ovarian cyst treatment in the Health section of the forum.

 

[piggieminder]

Sows: Behaviour and Female Health Problems (including mounting and ovarian cysts)

 

[Apples]

Two of my sows had ovarian cysts earlier this year and I decided I wanted to treat them with hormone injections rather than a spay. The hormone treatment is very low risk. It can make the cyst disappear, but since the ovaries remain intact new cysts can form later on.

One girl had some atypical symptoms for a cyst, it wasn't palpable but only showed up on an ultrasound as a tiny cyst. She improved after the first treatment of 3 injections, but her symptoms remained (though less severe), so she had another course a month later. She was then symptom free for 3 months, but started showing symptoms again so she had another round of 3 injections. She has been symptom free since (3 months now). I don't take her for regular check-ups with the vet, but monitor her at home and if needed I can give them a call and we start another course.

The other girl had a larger cyst which the vet could feel through palpation and which was confirmed after an ultrasound. She only needed one course of 3 injections. She was at the vet in August for another health issue and the vet could no longer feel any cyst, and she is still symptom free now (7 months after treatment).

 

[GuineaDobbin]

I've had two sows with ovarian cysts, we tried the injections with both but it had no measurable effect. They were both young enough to take surgery and pulled through.

I think when (it feels inevitable) we have this again, I'll ask my vet for the study showing the success rate of the injections as I'd be curious to know. That said, for the price, it's worth it for the safety factor, especially in an older girl!