Lump on Guinea Pig's shoulders?

[Chunky_Pig]

So recently while handling my piggie I noticed two lumps on both sides of her shoulders? Not 100% sure about guinea pig anatomy. We do already have a vet appointment scheduled, but was just curious and a little anxious. It's bean shaped, around the size of a US quarter, and is semi-free moving. it also feels rather firm. She's not bothered by it and is still eating, drinking, and moving around. I originally thought it was a cyst or something, but thought it was odd that it was in the exact same spot on both sides. I don't know if thats where they have lymph nodes are or what, or if she maybe got injured?
She's around 3 years old and loves giving me heart attacks like this July when she had become bloated and went into GI stasis, which we think mightve happened due to the bad haypoke the night before. Shout out to Dr Black at Midtown Animal Hospital in Lawton Oklahoma for answering our call and telling us what we should do at 10 pm when that happened.

Anyhow, not sure what to do other than wait. I'm going to watch and make sure she doesnt stop eating/drinking and isnt huddling in the corner.

 

[Truffolo]

I hope the vet can treat the lumps and that the treatment is a success I think only a hands on examination can identify the cause of the lumps, and possibly laboratory tests.

 

[Merab]

Hope the vet visit goes well and you can get a clear diagnosis

 

[Chunky_Pig]

Hope the vet visit goes well and you can get a clear diagnosis

Unfortunately two more lumps on both sides of her back legs have appeared, the closest and only exotic vet around us only had a appointment for the 29 of december. I'm going to try and get my parent to take her up to the city to the emergency exotic vet today since I'm at school. Maybe they can do something to help her since she seems to have started to be in a bit of pain.

 

[Truffolo]

Yes, she definitely needs an emergency vet visit, poor girl. This does not sound good and if she is in pain, an emergency vet visit is essential. Good luck with this

 

[CavyMum58]

Oh, I'm sorry you're sweet piggy is having issues. I will be praying for good outcomes from your Vet visit... Hopefully help is on it's way for her. And relief for you.

 

[Chunky_Pig]

Oh, I'm sorry you're sweet piggy is having issues. I will be praying for good outcomes from your Vet visit... Hopefully help is on it's way for her. And relief for you.

Little late back, been busy studying for school exams. We took her to the Vet yesterday, they did a Fine Needle Aspiration and some xrays. They said results will take a week or so. They said depending on whatever comes back she either has cancer or is just a lumpy pig (supposedly theyve seen it before and those pigs ended up living normal lives). she has 9 lumps around her body. I'm devestated honestly, I don't know how I'm supposed to focus on my end of the year school exams tomorrow with this news. They did say that depending on what comes back they could do surgery- or if her quality of life doesnt deminish she might live a few more years. I don't know how I would live with losing a piggy, I've never lost a pet or close family member before.

 

[LucyP]

Really sorry you’ve got so much going on, that sounds stressful. Try to do what you can to focus on your exams right now if possible. You did really well getting your piggy seen and you’ve taken the first step getting the lumps tested so you have done what you can for now- until you have any results back you don’t know what the situation is, so hard as it is, trying not to panic is important. I know that’s easier said than done of course!

Good luck with the exams- you’ll be glad when they’re done I bet.

 

[hana<3pigs]

Have just dealt with a few mystery bumps with my own pig - I know how scary it can be. Sending lots of positive vibes your way!

 

[Merab]

Hope you get the results soon, waiting is stressful.
Hope the exams went well

 

[Chunky_Pig]

Hope you get the results soon, waiting is stressful.
Hope the exams went well

Quick update while having a full mental breakdown: this is just my personal opinion of whats going on with her right now, but I don't thing she'll live more than a few more weeks. The lumps are growing so fast, like tripling in size in less than 24 hours. she has multiple that I just found after returning home from school that weren't visible this morning, and they're all around her neck and jaw- which is why I don't think she'll live very much longer, since they're tripling in size in such short amounts of times it will eventually prevent her from eating, drinking, and most likely- eventually breathing. I'm absolutely heartbroken, this was the piggy I got november 2022 during the darkest part of my life- she's what saved my life, and now she's gonna be dying.

 

[Chunky_Pig]

Quick update while having a full mental breakdown: this is just my personal opinion of whats going on with her right now, but I don't thing she'll live more than a few more weeks. The lumps are growing so fast, like tripling in size in less than 24 hours. she has multiple that I just found after returning home from school that weren't visible this morning, and they're all around her neck and jaw- which is why I don't think she'll live very much longer, since they're tripling in size in such short amounts of times it will eventually prevent her from eating, drinking, and most likely- eventually breathing. I'm absolutely heartbroken, this was the piggy I got november 2022 during the darkest part of my life- she's what saved my life, and now she's gonna be dying.

And I don't even know what i'm going to do with her cagemate, turbo- I love her, but my parents wouldn't let me get another piggy for her. Turbo isnt very fond of human interaction and I know she wouldn't do good on her own- heck she was already unhappy when piggles was gone for 5 hours for the vet visit yesterday. But I also know getting another piggy right away for her would hurt me, but giving her up would also hurt at the same time.

 

[Chunky_Pig]

And I don't even know what i'm going to do with her cagemate, turbo- I love her, but my parents wouldn't let me get another piggy for her. Turbo isnt very fond of human interaction and I know she wouldn't do good on her own- heck she was already unhappy when piggles was gone for 5 hours for the vet visit yesterday. But I also know getting another piggy right away for her would hurt me, but giving her up would also hurt at the same time.

Ok so update, I'm fine now- I was sorta just having a breakdown while typing those two paragraphs. Piggles is currently fine; she's acting normal, sleeping, eating, drinking, ect. Though I do have a question about a lump in/by her mouth, like obviously she's *covered* in lumps, but the only one that is a real issue and cause for concern is that one. It's on her right side of her mouth and is about the size of a large pea, you can feel it on the outside and the inside of her mouth. It does seem as if the general lump growth all over her body has slowed down (*knock on wood*). I was just wondering if it's worth getting that removed? Especially since the vet said she prob would live to be about 4 1/2 to 5 years old even if it was cancer- and she's still eating and drinking?

 

[Truffolo]

This must be awful for you. I think skinny pigs have a faster metabolism than hairy pigs, and they are already fast, as most rodents are. They are not long lived guinea pigs unfortunately and very sadly. Could you take poor piggy back to the vet to examine the lump growing on her mouth? It sounds like the vet is adopting a conservative approach rather than operating as the tumours seem extensive. Saskia from Los Angeles Guinea Pig Rescue describes excatly this in some of her videos, which are great. She describes how a pig will live with a very large cancerous tumour, eating and drinking normally until one day it will make them really ill and they will die of it quite quickly. Of course each piggy is different, and it may be necessary to put a piggy to sleep, depending on pain levels. It must be very stressful trying to concentrate on your exams as well as help your little buddy. But worrying won't help. The best thing is to take her back to the vet if you think she is in pain or discomfort. Eventually you might need to hand feed her pellets soaked in water to keep her comfortable, but if the vet thinks this is still some way off, you have time to finish your exams and plan for Turbo's future. Please concentrate on school for now ❤ and try not to worry too much about piggy. Unfortunately she is doing what piggies tend to do eventually and all we can do is care for them and make them comfortable during illness, we can't hold onto to them forever, as much as we would so much wish to.

 

[weepweeps]

I’m so sorry you are going through this. Sending you massive hugs. It’s a stressful time when they are poorly. But you are doing amazing. Getting her to the vets when needed and your care and love for her shine through.

You say she is eating and drinking ok at the moment so I think you could wait for the test results to come back before making any decisions. If it comes back that it is cancer then there will be no point operating on the one by her mouth.

I would give her lots of kisses, cuddles, love and treats and give her and you as happy days as you can.

Has she been given any pain medication?

It’s so sad when we lose a much loved furbaby. But as long as you have given them the best life possible the sadness will fade over time and you will be able to remember the amazing time you spent together.

 

[Merab]

Holding you in my heart

 

[Chunky_Pig]

This must be awful for you. I think skinny pigs have a faster metabolism than hairy pigs, and they are already fast, as most rodents are. They are not long lived guinea pigs unfortunately and very sadly. Could you take poor piggy back to the vet to examine the lump growing on her mouth? It sounds like the vet is adopting a conservative approach rather than operating as the tumours seem extensive. Saskia from Los Angeles Guinea Pig Rescue describes excatly this in some of her videos, which are great. She describes how a pig will live with a very large cancerous tumour, eating and drinking normally until one day it will make them really ill and they will die of it quite quickly. Of course each piggy is different, and it may be necessary to put a piggy to sleep, depending on pain levels. It must be very stressful trying to concentrate on your exams as well as help your little buddy. But worrying won't help. The best thing is to take her back to the vet if you think she is in pain or discomfort. Eventually you might need to hand feed her pellets soaked in water to keep her comfortable, but if the vet thinks this is still some way off, you have time to finish your exams and plan for Turbo's future. Please concentrate on school for now ❤ and try not to worry too much about piggy. Unfortunately she is doing what piggies tend to do eventually and all we can do is care for them and make them comfortable during illness, we can't hold onto to them forever, as much as we would so much wish to.

Today we got the dreaded call with the results, she has lymphoma. We're pretty sure all of her lymph nodes are swollen at this point, she's slowing down a bit, but not much.

 

[Merab]

So sorry for this diagnosis.
Holding you in my heart

 

[weepweeps]

I’m so sorry. I hope she has more happy days with you. Spoil her rotten.

 

[Truffolo]

Very sorry to hear the sad news

 

[Posyrose]

I'm so sorry that you have that diagnosis. I lost a piggy from lymphoma this year so I know how tough it is. Enjoy every day you have with her and I agree with @weespoil her rotten and take lots of happy pigtures.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m so sorry to hear this