Lymphoma or bacterial infection?

[hxxl]

Hi all,
I’m just looking for some advice or guidance. I have a boy pig named Peanut, he is just shy of 1 year old. He recently had some swollen lymph nodes to which I took him to the vet for, he was prescribed antibiotics and anti-inflammatory and they noticeably shrunk. However, the lumps have since returned, he has been back to vet and been given the same medication, this time they have not shrunk and he has 3 lumps on the lymph nodes in his neck now so he has been switched to a second line antibiotic to try for another 10 days. I’m starting to worry now that this could be Lymphoma and not just a bacterial infection. I’m just wondering if anyone has any symptoms or signs to look out for to get a better idea of what I’m dealing with here? My vet is lovely and advises against any invasive treatments for pigs as it can be difficult and affect their quality of life although he has said I could investigate this further if I felt necessary through taking a sample through needle for testing. Please let me know any insight or advice you have, Peanut is happy, he has been gaining weight rather than losing, eating, socialising and drinking as normal and I have not noticed any strange poops.

Thank you

 

[Claire W]

Hello I am very sorry Peanut has swollen lymph nodes. It could be a bacterial infection or something more sinister. We lost Ena on the day of diagnosis after a wound wouldn’t heal after a lump removal due to the cancer and she chewed out her stitches. Originally we were going to take care of her during whatever time she had left but the vet explained she’d just keep chewing her stitches and the wound wouldn’t heal so we made the heartbreaking decision to help her cross the rainbow bridge.

With Erika, we opted for a fine needle biopsy which confirmed the diagnosis of lymphoma. Apart from the lumps multiplying and growing at an alarming rate, she showed no other symptoms. It was only because the lumps in her dewlap grew and pressed on her windpipe making it hard for her to breathe that we had to help her cross the rainbow bridge.

Some guinea pigs show no symptoms with lymphoma apart from weight loss and it isn’t until they’re ready to be helped cross the rainbow bridge that symptoms become noticeable.

Elizabeth had swollen lymph nodes and we worried it was lymphoma. We decided to try her on a course of antibiotics (baytril) and thankfully after the course had finished, her lymph nodes returned to normal and my vet concluded it was bacterial infection.

If after this next course of antibiotics Peanut still has swollen lymph nodes, I suggest a fine needle biopsy so you know what you’re dealing with. It isn’t invasive and is just a simple needle which most vets can perform while the guinea pig is awake.

I hope Peanut has a simple bacterial infection but if it is the news you do not want, your vet will be able to advise you further x

 

[hxxl]

Thank you, that’s really helpful. I feel like I’ve spiralled down forums about Lymphoma but I’m hoping that he’s just fighting a difficult infection.

Is the fine needle biopsy an expensive test? I’m just worried about the overall cost as it begins to add up.

 

[hxxl]

Thank you, that’s really helpful. I feel like I’ve spiralled down forums about Lymphoma but I’m hoping that he’s just fighting a difficult infection.

Is the fine needle biopsy an expensive test? I’m just worried about the overall cost as it begins to add up.

Also he has been prescribed Enrocare if anyone has any experience with that antibiotic and whether or not it’s been affective

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m sorry to hear this

Enrocare (enrofloxacin) (also sold under the product name Baytril) is a broad spectrum antibiotic and one most commonly prescribed to guinea pigs.

I hope your piggy is ok

 

[Claire W]

Thank you, that’s really helpful. I feel like I’ve spiralled down forums about Lymphoma but I’m hoping that he’s just fighting a difficult infection.

Is the fine needle biopsy an expensive test? I’m just worried about the overall cost as it begins to add up.

I think I paid around £150 for a fine needle biopsy but it’s the lab testing it that you’re paying for as it needs to be sent away and the overall cost varies from vet to vet

Fingers crossed for Peanut x