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Specialist Losing fur, lethargic, just got over a uti, 2 years ago diagnosed with ovarian cysts

Sarah-sore

Sarah-sore

Teenage Guinea Pig
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Hi guys, long time no see. Callie is just a little over 5 years old now. About 2 years ago she was diagnosed with ovarian cysts. Every 19 days she gets an injection of Lupron.

About 3 weeks ago I noticed some abnormal symptoms. Her bottom and tummy were both really wet whenever I would pick her up. I thought nothing of it until the 3rd time I noticed it and during floor time at little bit of her fur around her bum had changed a different colour. It was much lighter than before.

I took her to my local vet in town. They don't specialise in piggies but they're always so helpful and willing to help. They told me that she probably had a uti but also that her ovaries are probabky bothering her. They did a urine sample and thankfully ruled out diabetes. They suggested i go see the specialist who diagonses callies ovarian cysts. (That vet is about 2 hours away. Hence why I didn't go there from the start.) We were sent home with Metacam and another med that I'm about to butcher the spelling with - beytrail? It was an antibiotic and a pain med.

It wasn't until 2 weeks later that I was able to see the specialist. callies uti had cleared up by then but she was still quiet and seemed to be in pain. At this point she had also slowed down eating and drinking. The whole time at The vets office callie was losing so much hair, and she still is. It isn't like her cysts either where she pulled it out. This is just falling out by The handfuls.
The specialist spent a lot of time with my baby. She really felt callies tummy and also checked her teeth, eyes, nose and ears(which all were as to be expected. Callie has a cataracts and needs to be given eye lubricant. But I already knew this)
In callies tummy, near her one of her kidneys, she has a lump. And it's probably whats upsetting her. The vet said callies bladder, her other kidney and another organ I'm not sure of the name all felt good.
I asked for blood work to be done. It came back today (ill attach a picture of what the email was.) Shes slightly dehydrated and has a slight iron deficiency. This couldn't be what causing all these issues though could it?
The vet sent me home with the eye lube, another pain med/anti inflammtory called melixoican(ill fix this spelling after I post) and I'm giving her critical care twice a day just to help with the dehydration and the vet said the vitamins in it never hurt either.

I'm just wondering if anyone has any idea what this could be? The specialist said Callies urine looked good, her poops were good as well. I'm going to request an ultrasound next. I'm just really worried its cancer or smething else bad.
 
Hi, I’m so sorry you are having these issues, it must be very stressful. I’ve had a pig with cysts who used to have injections but that’s where my knowledge stops. I really don’t think it’s mites based on what you have said. Tagging @Wiebke in the hope she will be able to help you.
Sending healing vibes to Callie x
 
Just adding hugs to the both of you and adding healing vibes as well. Sounds as if you both are really being put through the ringer. I can't add more with knowledge but it does sound as if you have the very best vets taking care of her.

Very best wishes to you. Please keep posting about Callie and let us know how everything turns out. I really believe this can help some others in the future whom run into a difficult medical case for guinea pigs.
 
I am very sorry.

Please keep monitoring the weight on a daily basis and start topping her up with syringe feed if she loses more than 50g. This is important. Loss of appetite is often connected to pain or major discomfort somewhere in the body.
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips

Please keep an eye out for a return of her cystitis, in case she is developing recurring (interstitial) cystitis. This condition shows the same symptoms as all the other urinary tract problems, but the recurring inflammation of the bladder walls doesn't react to antibiotics well (as it is not a bacterial urine infection like UTI). IC is currently mainly managed with metacam and a daily glucosamine-based food supplement to support the natural glucosamine coat of the bladder walls. It is not curable but will go away on its own after 1-3 years and does not cause bladder stones nor is it fatal or life shortening. It can only be diagnosed by default after all the other urinary tract problems have been excluded but there continue to be flare ups every few weeks (most typically around 2 months).

Have your vets told you where the lump is located and whether it could impact on any other organs?

Is the hair loss even all over the body or is there a distinct pattern of bald patches?

@Abi_nurse @helen105281 @Jaycey @Freela
 
Is the hair loss on her sides at all? or just a general thinning? Both are possible with ovarian cysts. Would your vet consider a spay? My Maud used to leak urine and after many bladder flushes due to bladder sludge there was no real improvement. An xray showed an issue with her uterus and this was due to her bladder issues (I think an infection had tracked to the uterus). She was spayed and this did sort the problem for a while though we lost her eventually due to underlying issues from having 15 babies before she was 1. The same vet also spays for ovarian cysts. I have also heard over the years or other vets who spay a pig with chronic bladder issues. I know it is only early days with the bladder problems though so something to consider further down the line. The antibiotic should help, and so should the pain relief if it is a UTI and not IC.
 
Sorry to hear your having a rough time. From what's been done so i would be a little suspicious of kidney issues if one feels odd and unusual so an ultrasound sounds like a good idea. The anaemia would fit with this too as well as the dehydration. Sometimes the blood sample will not show kidney problems despite here being an issue. Certainly mention this to them. The only other suspicions would be a blood type cancer like cavy lukeamia (it would depend on how bad the anaemia was and anything else on the bloods, but seeing as it is mild I would be less inclined towards this and much less worried). Cancer generally is not very common in guinea pigs to be honest.
 
I don't have any experience with females so can't comment on the possibility of female related issues.

I have seen hair loss and incontinence issues in an older pig before. He was diagnosed with quite severe arthritis and muscle loss. He didn't have muscle control of his bladder as so used to pee on himself. He also self barbered due to the pain. Metacam should help that, and Tramadol can be used if stronger pain relief is needed.
 
20180529_133258.webp
hey guys, I just got this email.
When she mentioned that it could be stress, does anyone know if she meant prolonged stress or could it just be stress from having to go to Toronto and poked and prodded and then on top of that pricked by the needle?
Because there definitely has been stress in my household. Its been slowing down now but if thats the case I'll move Callies cage and make sure its quiet during floor time.

The middle part about the ultrasonographer was me asking if I could just have Callies ultrasound done here in town and send the results to Toronto. I dont like taking Callie such long distance if I dont have to.
 
Last edited:
Wiebke said:
I am very sorry.

Please keep monitoring the weight on a daily basis and start topping her up with syringe feed if she loses more than 50g. This is important. Loss of appetite is often connected to pain or major discomfort somewhere in the body.
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips

Please keep an eye out for a return of her cystitis, in case she is developing recurring (interstitial) cystitis. This condition shows the same symptoms as all the other urinary tract problems, but the recurring inflammation of the bladder walls doesn't react to antibiotics well (as it is not a bacterial urine infection like UTI). IC is currently mainly managed with metacam and a daily glucosamine-based food supplement to support the natural glucosamine coat of the bladder walls. It is not curable but will go away on its own after 1-3 years and does not cause bladder stones nor is it fatal or life shortening. It can only be diagnosed by default after all the other urinary tract problems have been excluded but there continue to be flare ups every few weeks (most typically around 2 months).

Have your vets told you where the lump is located and whether it could impact on any other organs?

Is the hair loss even all over the body or is there a distinct pattern of bald patches?

@Abi_nurse @helen105281 @Jaycey @Freela
Click to expand...

Thank you for replying!

I forgot to mention that I had been checking her weight, she went from 2 pounds down to 1 within a day 3 weeks ago and thats also what really triggered me to take her to the vets. Her weight is staying steady at 2 pounds now.

Thank you for the information on cystitis. I had no idea. I'm going to do more research on this. I glad its not stones, ive unfortunately lost a piggie to stones. Theyre my worst nightmare now!

My in town vet and the specialist both said the lump was near her back kidney. The specialist never right out said that it could impact her other organs but she said that Callies ovaries could be right below it or behind it.

Her hair loss is all over. I checked it out yesterday. Some spots (in her rear) she losses more than others though!
 
helen105281 said:
Is the hair loss on her sides at all? or just a general thinning? Both are possible with ovarian cysts. Would your vet consider a spay? My Maud used to leak urine and after many bladder flushes due to bladder sludge there was no real improvement. An xray showed an issue with her uterus and this was due to her bladder issues (I think an infection had tracked to the uterus). She was spayed and this did sort the problem for a while though we lost her eventually due to underlying issues from having 15 babies before she was 1. The same vet also spays for ovarian cysts. I have also heard over the years or other vets who spay a pig with chronic bladder issues. I know it is only early days with the bladder problems though so something to consider further down the line. The antibiotic should help, and so should the pain relief if it is a UTI and not IC.
Click to expand...


The hair loss seems to be all over, but more so in her back end. She could also be shedding though, and thats why its all over. I live in Canada and both my dogs just went through a really bad shedding season.

Callie tried to be spayed before but as soon as they put her under her breathing got wet and crackly so they called me and I called it off. Callie was probably 2 or 3 years old when this happened. I dont think I would risk surgery with her, especially after because shes getting older. I'm also a little scared, last time I had a piggie have surgery I lost her. It was due to bladder stones, and from what I understand a spay is just as invasive. If I absolutely have to I will have her spayed but for now I'm just trying alternate routes :)
 
Abi_nurse said:
Sorry to hear your having a rough time. From what's been done so i would be a little suspicious of kidney issues if one feels odd and unusual so an ultrasound sounds like a good idea. The anaemia would fit with this too as well as the dehydration. Sometimes the blood sample will not show kidney problems despite here being an issue. Certainly mention this to them. The only other suspicions would be a blood type cancer like cavy lukeamia (it would depend on how bad the anaemia was and anything else on the bloods, but seeing as it is mild I would be less inclined towards this and much less worried). Cancer generally is not very common in guinea pigs to be honest.
Click to expand...


I'll definitely mention this to my vets thank you!
Thankfully it isnt cancer, as my vet talked to the blood specialist.
 
Jaycey said:
I don't have any experience with females so can't comment on the possibility of female related issues.

I have seen hair loss and incontinence issues in an older pig before. He was diagnosed with quite severe arthritis and muscle loss. He didn't have muscle control of his bladder as so used to pee on himself. He also self barbered due to the pain. Metacam should help that, and Tramadol can be used if stronger pain relief is needed.
Click to expand...

Thank you! I'll mention this to my vet and ask them if this is a possibility
 
Sarah-sore said:
The hair loss seems to be all over, but more so in her back end. She could also be shedding though, and thats why its all over. I live in Canada and both my dogs just went through a really bad shedding season.

Callie tried to be spayed before but as soon as they put her under her breathing got wet and crackly so they called me and I called it off. Callie was probably 2 or 3 years old when this happened. I dont think I would risk surgery with her, especially after because shes getting older. I'm also a little scared, last time I had a piggie have surgery I lost her. It was due to bladder stones, and from what I understand a spay is just as invasive. If I absolutely have to I will have her spayed but for now I'm just trying alternate routes :)
Click to expand...
I actually remember when this happened now you mention it. Poor girl. Completely understand why you would rather avoid an op.
 
Also, this is totally off topic but does it say specialist beside my title becausei mentioned a specialist in this post? I havent been on the forum in so long I'm out of the loop.
 
I just realised I posted my reply in the wrong thread. Sorry guys.
Here' the update after the ultrasound on saturday:
Callie has a 2 and a half inch by 3 inch growing fiberus mass in her uterus. I wont put her through surgery at her age (5 and a half) so all I can do is keep her comfortable and pray to God its not cancer. And pray that its as slow as a snail. I was sent home with a probiotic and pain meds (just in case she start hurting.) This is the last thing any piggie mommy wants to hear :(
Thank you all for your help over this past month. I really appreciate it.
 
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