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Lumps ! Please Help

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natw1181

natw1181

Junior Guinea Pig
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Apr 13, 2014
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stoke on trent
Honey is just over 2 years and her 2 daughters, Toffee and Sugar 1 1/2 years, have all developed lumps around the same time. They have had them just over a month now, but Honeys is under her nipple and is getting quite big and is nearly touching the ground. It doesn't seem to bother her and she is as happy as always. But i took her the vet and they said they weren't over-ally experienced with guinea pigs but they think its breast cancer and it needs removing, but the vet really didn't sound confident on Honey making it through the anesthetic. But Sugars lump is a bit smaller and is right under her front arm, where as Toffee has 3 even smaller lumps on her belly area. The vet doesn't think the younger two have cancer though. Can this be right? I would of thought seeing its clearly been inherited that they all would have the same type of lump? Any advice please, getting very worried, really don't want to risk any of there life's with a operation unless 100% necessary. Thank you Nat.
 
Personally I would get a second opinion. Is your vet on the vet locator at top of this page. If not is there a recommended one close to you or failing that is there a recommended rescue close to you who could advise you. Hope they are all easily treatable.
 
I agree with Stewybus that you need to get a second opinion, some pigs do have harmless fatty lumps so I think seeing another vet wouod be a good idea to rule this out before considering any procedures.

Welcome to the forum.

Please could one of the mods move the thread to Health and Illness, thanks.
 
Please give a rough idea of your location so we can point you in the direction of a piggy savvy vet. The youngsters may just have lipomas, fatty lumps, one if mine had one removed over a week ago which was under her arm, but as there are lymph nodes there it needs investigating.
 
Given your descriptions, I wouldn't assume a hereditary "cancer" link between all 3 sets of lumps just yet, precisely because from the sounds of them it is entirely possible they could all be from different causes.

Because of the location, Honey's lump needs to be diagnosed properly. It could very well be a mammary tumour (not the same as lymphoma) which would need removing as they are normally very agressive -or it could be a harmless fatty lump that might only need removal if, becasue of it's size, it is at risk of interfering with her ability to groom and keep herself clean.

Sugar's lump under her arm could be a swollen lymph node signifying either a lymphoma or an infection or it could be a fatty lump. Again this needs checking to determine what it is.

Toffee's 3 lumps on her tummy again could be fatty lumps or cysts....(or even some type of immune reaction to an infection)....less likely this is a manfestation of lymphoma

A second opinion with all 3 types of lump being checked by needle aspirate (or biopsy if inconclusive) with a cavy savvy vet who is confident about anaesthetising guinea pigs (especially given they are still quite young at 2years and under) would be an appropriate way forwards and help set your mind at rest.

HTH
x
 
I have just copied this from the potteries website. Highly recommended by Helen.

The Willow Veterinary Clinic - Tunstall / Endon - Stoke on Trent

Clive Curry and Victoria Poole are the practice vets, they offer their own 24hr on call service and are great with Guinea Pigs, offering excellent surgical and diagnostic facilities.They also offer Guinea Pig dental treatment.

Clive is an "Exotic vet " specialising in animals like Guinea Pig.He is a specialist opthalmic ( eyes) vet

The Willow Vet Clinic looks after all our own, and rescue Guinea Pigs.

Please visit their web site for practice information, opening times etc - see our webs link page

Practice number :01782 503166 - Tunstall

Practice number :01782 826738 - Endon
 
Hope you get some answers soon. Please do get along to a vet with experience in this area as left untreated cancer and abscesses could be fatal but could also be very treatable if done early enough. Fatty lumps are also removable if they are causing problems
 
Honey has op at Tunstall on monday and the lump will be tested. She first thought she had cancer and even found a few more lumps, but was then surprised when i showed her daughter sugar and explained toffee also had a few lumps aswell(other daughter). She said it would be very unusual for them all to have cancer at the same time like this, so thats why were getting honeys lumps removed and tested on before we worry to much. Will keep you posted.
 
I hope honey and her little girlies are all ok in the end! I'm sure they will be!
 
Honey had her lump removed and is back at home doing great. Also her lump test results are back and it was only a fatty mass! Thank you god! So were guessing thats also what her 2 daughters have. Thankyou all, today the world is great lol!
 
Hi, "Natw1181" I'm so happy for you and Honey, Sugar, and Toffee! Excellent. ! Very well done ! Brilliant!
 
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