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My Guinea Pig Has A Tumor

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VioletandLilith

VioletandLilith

New Born Pup
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Longview, Texas, United States
Almost a year ago I got Violet from a pet store because I instantly fell in love with her. They told me she had been given to them by someone who didnt want her anymore and her cage was extremely dirty (they had to scrape all the poop off the bottom with a gift card) and her nails were overgrown and starting to twist around. Violet was definitely older when I got her but I don't know her exact age. Shortly after I got her I discovered she had a UTI which was easily fixed by a trip to the vet and some antibiotics. After she got situated I got her a playmate, Lilith, and everything has been running smoothly since then. Friday morning I noticed a good amount of blood in Violet's cage. I took her to the vet that morning and the vet told me (after looking through her "guinea pig book") that she thought it was most likely a tumor in her uterus. She didn't think it was an infection because Violet was acting normal and not sick at all. She told me she would contact a guinea pig specialist and let me know if he thought, by the amount of blood and her age, if it was most likely malignant or benign and if he thought it was operable. She didnt e-mail me until Saturday night. The specialist told her he recommended getting x-rays and a urine sample to make sure it wasn't a UTI or kidneys stones (which we had already ruled out) and to see if it was a tumor. So I took her back to the vet Monday morning and the urine sample showed no blood but the vet said that her reproductive system looked like something was very wrong with it. She didn't elaborate but said the tumor was probably big and the surgery would be very evasive. She doesnt want to operate on Violet and put her through that if tumor had already spread too much. She said to give Violet her favorite treats and spend some time with her, which had me in tears. She told me she would once again contact the specialist and show him the x-rays (at this point I am very frusterated but am unable to call her out or ask further questions because I am too upset). It is now Tuesday night and I have not heard from her and I do not know what to do. Violet is still acting like her normal, active, veggie-devouring-self. I want to get another opinion but I don't know how to find someone reliable. Vet bills are expensive but I will borrow money and do whatever it takes, I just don't want to take her to another person and waste my money because they don't know anything about guinea pigs either. I guess my questions are; Do you have any experience with a similar type of situation or any knowledge about tumors? Or do you know how I am able to find a reliable vet or someone who specializes in guinea pigs?

Violet DV.webp

Violet R lateral.webp
 
Hi, I'm really sorry to read that this is happening with little Violet, it's heart-breaking, especially after nursing her back to health the first time. I personally am not adept at interpreting x-rays at all, and my piggy illness knowledge is limited. Your plan to seek a second opinion is wise as things are not always what they appear to be. Please remember that IF it is a tumour and this is her time you have blessed her with a good home, a friend and lots of love from you. She has known what it is to be happy and loved.
If you add your location to your avatar our forum health experts may be able to help you by tailoring help to your area and country.
If you live in the UK there is a recommended vet locator at the top of the page. Just click on that, enter your post code and the locator will find your nearest piggy-savvy vet to you.
Otherwise your best bet is to look for an exotics vet, as guinea pigs, although common house-hold pets, are classed as exotics. It would be worth phoning them and asking them about their experience and success rates in diagnosing guinea pigs and operating on small animals (if it comes to that).
You have the x-rays, which is good, as you can email these to your chosen vet before you take her to see them.
Please keep us updated.
Tagging @helen105281 for advice. xx
 
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I can't help but sorry your little piggy is unwell. I hope someone can help soon xx
 
I am not great with xrays either, I can usually spot gas, fluid and bladder stones and that is it. I will tag @Abi_nurse in case she can help.

I can understand that the vet thinks the op would be too invasive and sometimes just because we can do something doesn't mean we should. It is about quality of life over quantity. However, it sounds like she is comfortable at the moment so you have time to make your decision on whether to get a second opinion. Is she on any pain relief?
 
Welcome to the forum, sorry it is such sad circumstances.

Are you UK or international based? If you are in the UK we may be able to suggest a cavy savy vet near to yourself. We may also have knowledge of some vets in the US

It is a difficult decision to have to make and we as owners have to rely on vets knowledge to guide us. It is an agonising decision I know and you have my sympathy, I am hoping you can get some answers soon. It would be worth chasing up your vet tomorrow to see if they have heard anything from the specialist

Lots of love to Violet
 
Sorry to hear your girl is sick- if it where me i would try and find a more piggy savy vet and have her history faxed over to them. I dont see how she can say "its a tumour" straight away- or where it is located for that matter. It might be worth seeing a different vet, who would probably ultrasound her bladder and her ovaries/uterus to check for cysts or tumours. I wouldnt give up yet- if it is reproductive based, it could be a cyst.. Or if a tumour, its not set in stone that she cant be spayed and have it removed. A different vet would scan the surrounding organs to check for size and/or spread. I wouldnt give up yet- i would get her on pain relief and most definately seek a second opinion. Sending healing vibes xx

P.s Its impossible to rule out infection just by looking at the pig- temperature, ultrasound to check for fluid in the womb, blood tests and a trial of antib's to check for a response are just basic practice.. I would get a 2nd opinion as soon as you can, as if there is infection present then she really does need treatment. I hope you can get help- you are doing amazing x
 
I would guess they're from the US, just from the reversed date on the x-ray.

Sorry, I'm also useless at xrays, but I have had recent experience with an agressive tumour.

We didn't know our pig had a tumour, he was totally fit and healthy. It was found by they vet when he had a routine checkup. Apparently it was pretty big on feeling it. Even after I knew it was there I still couldn't feel it. We opted for a scan, and a biopsy before we made any further decisions.

Maybe that could be the next step? Or possibly ask a different vet to have a look at the xray?
 
Thank y'all for all the kind words and help.

I am from the US.

I have found a few vets that are a few hours away and gave them a call. I emailed two of them Violet's x-ray and am waiting to hear what they have to say. Some of them wouldn't look at the x-rays unless I brought her in...

The vet didnt prescribe any pain medication because she didnt seem to be in any pain, but I am going to ask.

I think I am going to get another vet in the area to take a take look at her x-rays and tell me thier opinion, hopefully tomorrow or the next day. I will keep you updated.
 
Sorry I can't offer any advice other than what has already been suggested.
Just wishing her a speedy recovery &hopefully it turns out to be something easily fixable. :)
All fingers &paws crossed here. Xx
 
Update! The vet that was 3 hours away called me and asked if I could come right now because he didn't recommend waiting any longer.

The office was so nice! They got me in today even though I couldn't get there until 5 and they close at 6. They also only charged me $145 for surgery and everything.

He said it was either pyometra or a tumor and that she would go downhill fast anyway so we decided to do surgery. He said if he got in there and it was a tumor and was too bad that he would go ahead and put her down. At this point I wasn't feeling very optimistic.

They let me know before she was even out of surgery that it wasn't any of the things we thought. Her intestine had gotten tangled in a knot. He doesn't think that it was damaged because it looked fine, but said if something was messed up she would pass within the next few days. But he was very optimistic this wouldn't happen.

They gave me Metacam and Baytril and also some critical care. And she can only have water for 24 hours (I did not know this).

I have never taken care of a Guinea pig post-op so I have been reading about it. If you guys have any good links or tips please let me know! We are now very happy to be on our way home! And hopefully looking forward to a good recovery!
 
I'm so glad it wasn't a tumor and hope she makes a smooth recovery from surgery! Fingers crossed for Violet, and please keep us posted!
 
is that critical care &water for 24hrs?
I'm pretty sure starving her for 24hrs will cause gut stasis &give u even more problems, please double check with the vet even if u only phone out of hrs for post op advice. But usually any more than a few hours without food causes the digestive system to shut down .

Please syringe feed her the critical care. Its probably that he doesn't want her to have anything too solid to digest for the first 24hrs if she's had surgery.
I know members on here have had surgery done on their Guineas &have been encouraged to eat straigt away, its usually a good sign of recovery.

Glad she's been seen &sorted though. Sounds like you've had a busy day! Healing vibes &wishing your little one a speedy recovery. x

Oh edit...
Here's a link for uk products. But the US must have equivalents.
Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links

Have a look in the guinea care section on here.

Make sure she's kept warm enough &no draughts. Give her soft bedding(fleece/vetbed/towels) for a few days to stop bits getting in her wound &put her hay in a low bag or rack, so its not on the floor but she won't need to stretch to get it.
Monitor her wee &poop output to make sure she's producing enough.
Good luck xx
 
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Sorry your little one is unwell. I'm afraid from the X-ray you cannot be definitive on what exactly is wrong. Due to piggies abdomens being so full and large seeing a tumour and being very certain about it is very unlikely. I cannot see much on the X-rays, full stomach and bladder, lots of poo and that about all. However with an exam, palpation of the abdomen and/or other signs or an ultrasound I really wouldn't be happy seeing a diagnosis made by just this X-ray.

I have a friend in Austin with a piggie so I will see if you knows a good vets. There's Austin Guinea pig rescue, it may be worth giving them a call to see which vets they use too.

Good luck with it all. Sorry I'm not much more help.

x
 
GPTV said:
is that critical care &water for 24hrs?
I'm pretty sure starving her for 24hrs will cause gut stasis &give you even more problems, please double check with the vet even if you only phone out of hrs for post op advice. But usually any more than a few hours without food causes the digestive system to shut down .

Please syringe feed her the critical care. Its probably that he doesn't want her to have anything too solid to digest for the first 24hrs if she's had surgery.
I know members on here have had surgery done on their Guineas &have been encouraged to eat straigt away, its usually a good sign of recovery.

Glad she's been seen &sorted though. Sounds like you've had a busy day! Healing vibes &wishing your little one a speedy recovery. x

Oh edit...
Here's a link for uk products. But the US must have equivalents.
Probiotics, Recovery Foods And Vitamin C: Overview With Product Links

Have a look in the guinea care section on here.

Make sure she's kept warm enough &no draughts. Give her soft bedding(fleece/vetbed/towels) for a few days to stop bits getting in her wound &put her hay in a low bag or rack, so its not on the floor but she won't need to stretch to get it.
Monitor her wee &poop output to make sure she's producing enough.
Good luck xx
Click to expand...
I called the vet and they said 24 hours with only water. Everything I'm reading tells me different. What should I do?
 
I would ring you vet again and check. It's true if humans have surgery for a twisted bowel, they can't eat or drink after the op - to let the bowel rest. Guinea pigs are different . My knowledge of guinea pigs comes from this forum and , I understood that if a guinea pig doesn't eat for 2 hours, the bowel can shut down.
 
I'd check again. Maybe she can have critical care for the next 24 hours. Eating is very important to them.
 
I am so glad u got to this vet and didnt give up! I can see the point of the water for 24hours, probably to prevent the gut twisting again- this would be beneficial but not in an animal thats guts MUST keep moving or they shut down. If it where me, i would syringe critical care but with more water than normal to ease the guts- but u will need to do this often and little amounts. Its a tough one x
 
Sorry just got in. I'm glad u have given her the critical care watered down. She needs to stay hydrated &keep her digestive system moving. I have no veterinary qualifications, but I do know that when the digestive system shuts down its a complete nightmare to get it going again,that's if it can be got going.

I would probably go with the little &often approach. She can digest small amounts easier, not overloading the gut&it will keep it ticking over more effectively, whilst she's recovering.

Keep up the good work you're doing well. Its exhausting looking after an ill piggy. Fingers crossed for you both :)

My vets has a non emergency email contact for queries. Does your surgery have this facility? They could possibly get back to you when not so busy?

Xx
 
Hope everything is going well. I would do exactly as you are doing. The guts must keep moving, as everyone on here has said and very watered down critical care is the best compromise. If she is taking it well, that is also a good sign as she feels able to accept what you are offering. You know her better than anyone.

Keep up the good work - you are doing everything possible and she is very lucky to have such a caring nurse.
 
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