Lola's Lumps

[wendyhouse]

I was doing the daily cage clean and noticed Lola's bum was dirty, she has a white body. I picked her up to put her in the bath when I noticed she had lumps in her groin. Within half an hour she was washed and at the vets. The vet said he doesn't think the lumps are sinister, but recommended removal so she's booked in for next Friday. Vets4pets Washington operated on Patch's abscess so I am confident in their care. He also told me Lola was partially blind. She's only 18 months old. It was such a shock I held back the tears until I got to the counter to pay. She is happy with her sister Zoe and nephew Patch in their cage so I will keep a close eye on them. She is always nosey - the first to investigate anything new or is sniffing at the bars when it's time to be fed.

I've noticed tonight her bottom was again dirtier than usual, I'm keeping her clean and will mention it on Friday but any suggestions?

Thanks for reading this.

Wendy

 

[gizzy]

You cud try Vetbed , it keeps all my pugs bumbs dry! Best wishes for next Friday ,

 

[VickiA]

Oh bless you what a shock. First the lumps then being told about blindness. Many lumps are not sinister, but if they are in the groin they impact on the piggy's ability to move around so that's probably why they have recommended removal. Violet had the same a few weeks ago and has done fine following surgery.

If she's dirty round the rear end Could it be that she is less mobile because she's uncomfortable and that's why she's sitting in her wee? Older piggies sometimes become dirty like this and it's usually immobility or discomfort stopping them moving around. Did the vet suggest she was in pain or discomfort? You are doing the best thing by keeping her clean if she's not doing it herself.

As for blindness, piggies have extremely acute hearing (rustle a salad bag at half a mile and they wheak) and a very keen sense of smell (mine can smell grass or cucumber anywhere nearby) so they cope very well with reduced or limited vision. Depending how little vision she has you can just keep things in the same place in the cage so as not to confuse her and help her find her way around. Sounds like she's doing just fine, so please don't worry.

Everything crossed for her surgery next week.

 

[wendyhouse]

Thank Vicki - she's just a youngster - 18 months - but maybe she isn't as active because of the lumps as you suggested. It certainly hasn't effected her hearing or her nosiness, she's a funny little thing! I will update after Friday and thanks

 

[Wiebke]

I was doing the daily cage clean and noticed Lola's bum was dirty, she has a white body. I picked her up to put her in the bath when I noticed she had lumps in her groin. Within half an hour she was washed and at the vets. The vet said he doesn't think the lumps are sinister, but recommended removal so she's booked in for next Friday. Vets4pets Washington operated on Patch's abscess so I am confident in their care. He also told me Lola was partially blind. She's only 18 months old. It was such a shock I held back the tears until I got to the counter to pay. She is happy with her sister Zoe and nephew Patch in their cage so I will keep a close eye on them. She is always nosey - the first to investigate anything new or is sniffing at the bars when it's time to be fed.

I've noticed tonight her bottom was again dirtier than usual, I'm keeping her clean and will mention it on Friday but any suggestions?

Thanks for reading this.

Wendy

Wishing you all the best for the op! here are our tips for post-op care:
Tips For Post-operative Care

Please don't be overset. There is a variety of cataracts that are congenital, i.e. guinea pigs are born with the genetic disposition to develop them early in their lives, typically during the second year. I have had several of them and can reassure you that they can live a perfectly normal, happy and fulfilled life nevertheless!
The transition period is usually the worst until the other senses kick to compensate. Sight is thankfully not th strongest sense. Don't make the mistake of pampering her and wrapping her in cotton wool; the more you challenge her, the more she will get out of her life.

You may find this thread her comforting - my Mischief did free roam in the garden and could even come back to her cage and walk into it just by following my voice commands as long as I was standing next to the entrance and kept telling her whether she was on course or not over the distance of several yards. Turning a blind eye on mischief - another piggy story
You can find a video on Mali zooming on the living room floor despite having fully developed cataracts and being nearly 8 years old in her tribute. Popcorn Happily Again With Your Friends, Mali!