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Mobile lump in chest area

JandfpiggiesUK

JandfpiggiesUK

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi everyone.

I was checking fudge over yesterday and whilst stroking his chest area I felt a small pea sized lump.

I checked Jaffa to make sure it wasn’t something I was mistaking for a voice box etc and Jaffa didn’t have the same.

it moves about when you touch it so it’s not immobile and seems to move from place to place when you touch around the area.

Any ideas what this could be?

I’m well aware that lumps are in need of vet trip, as they are with humans but I want to keep an eye on it for a few days and see if it shrinks.

Fudge is fine in himself, he’s gained weight and seems happy and energetic as normal.
 
Don't leave it to long before seeing the vet. Peanut had an abscess in that position which moved. If it is an abscess it will get bigger, the smaller it is the easier it is to deal with.
 
JandfpiggiesUK said:
Hi everyone.

I was checking fudge over yesterday and whilst stroking his chest area I felt a small pea sized lump.

I checked Jaffa to make sure it wasn’t something I was mistaking for a voice box etc and Jaffa didn’t have the same.

it moves about when you touch it so it’s not immobile and seems to move from place to place when you touch around the area.

Any ideas what this could be?

I’m well aware that lumps are in need of vet trip, as they are with humans but I want to keep an eye on it for a few days and see if it shrinks.

Fudge is fine in himself, he’s gained weight and seems happy and energetic as normal.
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Hi!

Piggy lumps usually don't shrink in my experience.

Loose sitting lumps are generally mostly harmless sebaceous and fatty lumps that can be kept under regular observation unless they are impeding movement or rubbing on the floor; in rarer cases it can be an abscess or tumour.
Only a hands-on examination can tell you what you are dealing with. there is always a certain risk that they can start growing rather rapidly or - in the case of cysts - burst. In these cases operative removal is recommended.

But you are fine to have the lump checked at your convenience during regular opening hours if it stays the same size. If it keeps growing on fast, then please treat it as an emergency.
 
Update:

Vet said that the lump is most likely to be an enlarged lymph node, he’s apparently fighting off an infection hence why the lymph node is a bit bigger than usual.

She also said to keep an eye on him/ the lump and to bring him back down if he starts displaying symptoms of illness or if the lump grows.

Vet also said if it gets bigger it could be cancer which of course scared the crap out of me.
 
JandfpiggiesUK said:
Update:

Vet said that the lump is most likely to be an enlarged lymph node, he’s apparently fighting off an infection hence why the lymph node is a bit bigger than usual.

She also said to keep an eye on him/ the lump and to bring him back down if he starts displaying symptoms of illness or if the lump grows.

Vet also said if it gets bigger it could be cancer which of course scared the crap out of me.
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Please keep a good eye on the lymph nodes and also check in case other nodes are coming up. Fingers crossed that it is just an infection. I assume that you have been given an antibiotic?

Lymphoma (cancer of the lymph nodes) has unfortunately become more common in guinea pigs worldwide. Five years ago it was virtually unhead of but we see cases of it regularly now. I would not panic but would keep it at the back of your mind.
 
Wiebke said:
Please keep a good eye on the lymph nodes and also check in case other nodes are coming up. Fingers crossed that it is just an infection. I assume that you have been given an antibiotic?

Lymphoma (cancer of the lymph nodes) has unfortunately become more common in guinea pigs worldwide. Five years ago it was virtually unhead of but we see cases of it regularly now. I would not panic but would keep it at the back of your mind.
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Nope. Vet was questioned about treatment and she said there wasn’t any need to give him anything.
 
JandfpiggiesUK said:
Nope. Vet was questioned about treatment and she said there wasn’t any need to give him anything.
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Just keep an eye on the lump. Unlike your vet, none of us seen or felt the lump (not that we are qualified to).

Your vet has obviously made thorough examination and has made an informed decision whether an antibiotic would be needed/of advantage or not - throwing an antibiotic at everything is not necessarily the best way forward. If it is just one very small lump and no indication that any others are affected, then it is hopefully just a minor infection that the immune system can sort on its own. ;)
 
Wiebke said:
Just keep an eye on the lump. Unlike your vet, none of us seen or felt the lump (not that we are qualified to).

Your vet has obviously made thorough examination and has made an informed decision whether an antibiotic would be needed/of advantage or not - throwing an antibiotic at everything is not necessarily the best way forward. If it is just one very small lump and no indication that any others are affected, then it is hopefully just a minor infection that the immune system can sort on its own. ;)
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I will do. As mentioned earlier he’s otherwise healthy, gaining weight etc.
He’ll be spoilt rotten as usual x
 
Has anyone had an experience like this with their pigs?

As in enlarged lymph nodes & it being down to infection.
Honest answers would be appreciated x
 
JandfpiggiesUK said:
Has anyone had an experience like this with their pigs?

As in enlarged lymph nodes & it being down to infection.
Honest answers would be appreciated x
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Yea and it was cancer ( lymphona) but it isn't always this. I don't want to worry you, but I feel bad not to say anything aswell. Can't win here
 
SkyPipDotBernie said:
Yea and it was cancer ( lymphona) but it isn't always this. I don't want to worry you, but I feel bad not to say anything aswell. Can't win here
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No don’t worry. I’d rather people didn’t sugarcoat things, honesty is better.

The idea of it being cancer is in the back of my mind so I’m prepared for the worst if it happens.
 
JandfpiggiesUK said:
No don’t worry. I’d rather people didn’t sugarcoat things, honesty is better.

The idea of it being cancer is in the back of my mind so I’m prepared for the worst if it happens.
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I wish for the very best outcome. Any weight loss or anything?
 
JandfpiggiesUK said:
Nope. He’s actually gained weight. Eating well, he still popcorns round the cage every morning & snatches food off his brother.
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My boar with 2 lumps under his neck, lost weight gradually until he was very underweight. Are the lumps hard? My boars were solid but sort of hanging in the skin lumps
 
I was told by Simon Maddock at A dental for Ted last year that he had an enlarged lymph gland. he said it was probably just a minor infection. he has never mentioned it since at other dentals so I presume it’s gone. I’ve never felt any lumps or bumps apart from Ted’s ear cyst which was drained last year
Good luck, hope it’s just an infection x
 
SkyPipDotBernie said:
My boar with 2 lumps under his neck, lost weight gradually until he was very underweight. Are the lumps hard? My boars were solid but sort of hanging in the skin lumps
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No. It’s mobile and just feels like a pea when you touch it. You can’t actually see it, I only found it as I was tickling his chin and felt something under the skin.
 
Bill & Ted said:
I was told by Simon Maddock at A dental for Ted last year that he had an enlarged lymph gland. he said it was probably just a minor infection. he has never mentioned it since at other dentals so I presume it’s gone. I’ve never felt any lumps or bumps apart from Ted’s ear cyst which was drained last year
Good luck, hope it’s just an infection x
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Thank you. The vet did actually check his teeth with one of those teeth magnified things (don’t know the professional term lol). She said his teeth were fine.
 
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