Large lump/tumour - would you operate?

[Sparklepiggy]

Our 4 year old pig has developed a large round lump on her back behind her ears, at vet today they did the needle tests but it wasn't puss so they think not a cyst a tumour and have sent off for analysis. Question I have malignant or not- would you operate? She warned me about dangers of putting pigs under anesthesia but for me the lump seems to be growing/would affect her quality of life and I want to give a shot at removing it and allowing her to continue to enjoy life. What would you do? She lives a very happy life with her two pig pals and is eating etc as normal apart from this lump.

 

[weepweeps]

Hello and welcome to the forum. I’m so sorry your piggy has a lump. I’d wait until the results are back and then you know what you are dealing with. If it is malignant then personally I wouldn’t operate but make her remaining days full of love and happiness. Ary other type of lump, fatty lump, abscess or cyst (it still could be) then again personally I’d try to have it removed by a confident vet as she is well in herself. If your vet is not able to do it then they may be able to refer you to an exotic vet. Good luck.

Guinea Lynx :: Lumps

 

[Sparklepiggy]

Thanks so much

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum.
I completely agree with what @weepweeps has said re the lump.
I hope it’s nothing nasty

 

[Freela]

I hope the lump is nothing nasty. There are obviously always risks with anesthesia, but I've had pigs (and even hamsters) have gas anesthesia and do well. My perspective is that if the animal will either not survive or not have any quality of life without surgery, I'm really risking nothing and might buy them some happy time feeling well. If it's malignant, or even if it's benign but impinging on quality of life, it may well be worth the risk. All the best, and hopefully the biopsy will help you come to a conclusion (it's easier to choose to remove a malignant lump than a benign one- but of course nonetheless I hope it's benign!)