Large lump on side

[ladymary86]

Hi all, I’ve just had my nearly 5 boar out and discovered he’s got a large (about pound coin size, but irregular shaped) on his tummy/side, right in front of his hind leg. I only had him out last week for nail clip and health check and it wasn’t there then? Got him booked in with cavy savvy vet tomorrow first thing but my mind is racing, he’s had abscesses before on his cheek but it doesn’t feel like that any ideas?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all, I’ve just had my nearly 5 boar out and discovered he’s got a large (about pound coin size, but irregular shaped) on his tummy/side, right in front of his hind leg. I only had him out last week for nail clip and health check and it wasn’t there then? Got him booked in with cavy savvy vet tomorrow first thing but my mind is racing, he’s had abscesses before on his cheek but it doesn’t feel like that any ideas?

Hi

Lumps often come up to that size very quickly in a matter of just a few days; you haven't missed anything. Unfortunately, only a hands-on examination can tell you what kind of lump this could be. There is quite a possible range, from the harmless to the less so.
Guinea Lynx :: Lumps

Wishing you all the best.

 

[weepweeps]

Good luck at the vets.

 

[ladymary86]

So. Went to the vets, the lumps were his glands coming up from infection. What I didn’t spot, was a large black scab on his back, which looks like it has bled. Vet thinks it is infected and this is why glands are up, so we’re on a hefty course of antibiotics and painkillers, and going back on Friday to see if we can get the scab off and see what’s underneath. Please, no hate, I feel terrible for not spotting it earlier but it definitely wasn’t there when I did the nail clip. I feel like such a bad mum, I keep crying and apologising to my little man. I’m thinking it may be a burst cyst or abscess. I’m panicking because if it’s too late and the worst happens, I’ll never forgive myself. I’m fully prepared to pay anything for him to be better, and booked a week off work to stay with him.

Also, a lady at my work a week ago asked me to rehome her guinea, he’s lovely and I brought him home today as planned as he was outside on his own. He’s in quarantine in another room and we have strict hygiene protocol as I can’t risk any sort of new infection going in the same room as my poorly boy. I gave him a good once over and clipped his nails as they were really long, and found a lump on his bum it’s soft and squishy, almost feels like a testicle, but in the wrong spot. So he’s off to the vets tomorrow to have a check over.

I’m honestly feeling really overwhelmed and upset. Has anyone got any advice for me?

 

[Wiebke]

BIG HUGS

When it comes to lumps, bumps and scabs, the first rule is: do not feel guilty for oversight. They usually come up quickly to quite a size. You have not missed what obviously was not there on your previous check.

I am keeping my fingers firmly crossed for the infection; hopefully that is what is causing the swelling in the lymph nodes. But also the lumpy new boy; the his lump is something more easily to deal with.

Without pictures or knowing where those lumps exactly are, we can of course not comment.

More information on lumps: Guinea Lynx :: Lumps

 

[ladymary86]

Thank you, that’s really helped. The vet seems certain it is the infection causing the swelling, we agreed to treat the scab/lump and if the glands go down, great, if not we’re going to aspirate and send it to the lab. I’m going to ask for Zithromax tomorrow as Alberts had three abscesses before and Zithromax was the only one that worked. I should have asked for it yesterday but I think I was in shock.

As for the new boy, I’m thinking maybe a fatty lump, as it’s squishy, we will see what the vet says. I’ve got experience with abscesses if it is that, and keeping them open and clean, so although grim, it will be okay. He really is the sweetest little pudding, I am glad he’s come here, he’ll fit in with the herd

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you, that’s really helped. The vet seems certain it is the infection causing the swelling, we agreed to treat the scab/lump and if the glands go down, great, if not we’re going to aspirate and send it to the lab. I’m going to ask for Zithromax tomorrow as Alberts had three abscesses before and Zithromax was the only one that worked. I should have asked for it yesterday but I think I was in shock.

As for the new boy, I’m thinking maybe a fatty lump, as it’s squishy, we will see what the vet says. I’ve got experience with abscesses if it is that, and keeping them open and clean, so although grim, it will be okay. He really is the sweetest little pudding, I am glad he’s come here, he’ll fit in with the herd

Squishy sounds more like a sebaceous cyst than a fatty lump to me, based on my own experience with plenty of the first but not quite as much with the second variety.

But I am wishing you all the best, including with the zithromax. I am ever so sorry for the bad news.

HUGS

 

[Mrs Tiggy Winkle]

I can understand feeling upset and overwhelmed.

I agree with Wiebke though - you checked last week and didn't see anything, so you missed nothing!

Try and think like a guinea pig - they stay in the here and now. Your boar with the smoky nose (he's very sweet) has been at the cavy savvy vet, he's got his meds and painkillers, presumably has had today's dosage and if anything he's wondering why you're crying because everything's good again - he's comfy for the moment anyway. He doesn't know yet, but he soon will that you're going to be home all week with him - WooHoo - Happy popcorns if he's capable of doing them. You're going above and beyond as far as I can see. What's his name btw?

As for boar no. 2, you didn't miss anything. Your colleague did apparently. But you've taken him in now and that's a very good deed. I'm sorry he's come not 100% healthy, that on top of your own boar would put me in immediate overwhelm.

You're obviously very caring and loving. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you and both your boars.

 

[Mrs Tiggy Winkle]

I’m going to ask for Zithromax tomorrow as Alberts had three abscesses before and Zithromax was the only one that worked. I should have asked for it yesterday but I think I was in shock.

Don't feel bad about not asking for Zithromax yesterday - it's easy to not manage when in shock. Same for humans at human doc's, at least in my recent experience.

It's nice your new adoptee is so sweet.

 

[ladymary86]

Thank you for your kind words, they mean a lot. My babies are just that, my babies, and to see them ill really breaks my heart. He’s still eating and is currently munching on oat hay, his poos are a bit mushy tonight but that’s to be expected with the antibiotics so he’s having probiotics and poo soup. His name is Albert, and he’s my birthday pig. I wasn’t looking for anymore, but nobody wanted him as he is white with red eyes (the himilayan nose came out after!), so I took him in, and we happen to share the same birthday!

To be fair to the lady, when I asked about it she was as shocked as I am, it’s a new lump and I didn’t spot my boys lump till yesterday, it just all happens so fast. She loves her boy so much, she rehomed him to me as I’ve got a good reputation with guineas at my work and she wanted him to have companionship as his cage mate died

 

[Mrs Tiggy Winkle]

I don't have guineas anymore, but when I did, they were my babies too so I understand being upset, worried, frantic... Same birthday as Albert - that's something! meant to be i guess. I mostly had rescue guineas in my long guinea career and I can't think that I ever turned any down on looks. (Just long-haired ones I was not so keen on because of the additional care). Poor Albert - Himalayas are cute in their way and it's not as if he chose it. Anyway, he's got his forever home with you.

Yes, okay I understand about the lady and her wanting to re-home her boy with you, also that she hadn't seen the lump either because it presumably hadn't been there. Good luck to both your boys now!