Aznurf
Junior Guinea Pig
Here we gooo!
We were devastated by the loss of our beloved Abyssinian guinea pig, Luna, on March 27th. Despite my best efforts, I was unable to save her from what I suspect was a case of bloat, which progressed rapidly. In hindsight, I realized that I wasn't as informed as I thought, and my lack of knowledge may have contributed to the outcome.
However, joining this forum has been a valuable learning experience, particularly from the threads on emergency care and syringe feeding.
I've gained insight into the mistakes I made and am committed to making significant changes to my care routines.
After losing her cage mate, Luna, Lucy was clearly struggling with grief, exhibiting low energy and a lack of interest in the activities they once shared.
To better support her, I delved into online forums, such as 'Bereaved Guinea Pig', 'New Companionship', and 'Bonding and Interactions', seeking guidance on how to help her cope.
The atmosphere in the house felt profoundly different with Luna gone; it was truly heartbreaking.
One suggestion that really struck a chord with me was the idea of introducing a younger companion for Lucy, with the hope of revitalizing her energy and enthusiasm, as well as ours. This idea led me to adopt a 2-month-old Abyssinian from a local rescue, whose adorable fuzzy face was impossible to resist. I named her Penny
I kept Penny in a separate cage for 3-4 weeks, allowing her to become comfortable with me before starting the introduction process with Lucy.
The introduction process exceeded my expectations, with Lucy responding remarkably well to Penny's presence. In fact, Lucy has emerged from her shell, becoming more active and vocal than she was even before Luna's passing. The positive impact of their new companionship has been truly heartwarming to witness.
While my attention was focused on supporting Lucy through her grief and then Penny's arrival, my other guinea pig, Hazel, had been behaving normally.
However, during a routine nail trimming on 5/11/25, I discovered a large mass near her nipple, which prompted me to schedule a vet visit for the next day.
After the examination, I decided to proceed with surgery, which was scheduled for the following morning on 5/13
The vet kept me informed throughout the process, calling me before and after the surgery to update me on Hazel's condition. This regular communication helped alleviate my stress levels. Fortunately, Hazel made it through the surgery, and the vet was able to remove the mass, despite its challenging location near the urethra and involvement with the mammary gland and necrotic tissue.
Hazel required a two-night hospital stay for close monitoring, and by the morning of 5/14/25, the vet reported that she was recovering well, eating on her own, and showing remarkable progress. Although there was some initial oozing from the surgical site, it resolved by the end of the day, and no other major concerns arose.
I was able to bring Hazel home on 5/15/25, where she continued to eat, although her water intake was limited.
Given her recent surgery and my concerns after Luna's passing, I was worried about her hydration. Since Hazel refused syringe feeding of critical care, I opted to offer her vegetables like celery, to encourage water intake, hoping to support her recovery without causing undue stress.
To closely monitor Hazel's recovery, I maintained a detailed log of her daily progress, including her morning weight, administration of AM and PM medications, and supplementation of probiotics (2-hr gap after antibiotic doses), appetite stimulants and Sherwood Prevention / Vitamin C tablets.
The evening of 5/22/25, Hazel started whimpering while urinating, which led me to suspect that her recent diet, consisting of excessive vegetables (celery, cilantro and carrots) and pellets, might be causing urinary problems. I immediately stopped giving her vegetables and pellets, and instead, administered a urinary tablet to help ease her discomfort.
The response was quick, and the whimpering stopped the same evening. I continued to give her a urinary tablet for the next two days as a precautionary measure, and fortunately, the issue was completely resolved.
Hazel's weight dropped from 961g to 941g, which I attributed to the removal of vegetables and pellets from her diet.
I made sure to give her small fresh handfuls of hay throughout the day which she continued to eat like a champ.
She had been drinking more normally from her water bottle too so that was a relief.
Initial Post Surgery Weight (During Overfeeding Period
)
5/16: 947g | 5/17: 934g | 5/18: 936g | 5/19: 940g | 5/20: 957g | 5/21: 960g | 5/22: 961g
Weight Following Dietary Adjustment
5/23: 941g | 5/24: 940g | 5/25: 930g | 5/26: 920g | 5/27 AM: 915g 5/27 PM: 930g | 5/28 AM: 920g 5/28 PM: 909g | 5/29 AM: 905g 5/29 PM: 911g
TODAY --> 5/30: 919g
In addition to monitoring her weight, I had also been closely inspecting Hazel's incision site daily. On the evening of Wednesday, 5/28, I noticed a lumpy area near the bottom of the incision site and sent a picture to the vet for evaluation. The vet initially thought it might be a normal part of the healing process, related to the sutures under the skin.
However, to be cautious, I brought her in for a follow-up examination.
Today the vet drained some "old blood" from the lumpy site, diagnosing it as a seroma, and advised me to keep a close eye on her. The physical examination also revealed a large ovarian cyst. The vet recommended removing at some point in the future. He explained that the cyst is not hormonal, as Hazel doesn't exhibit any related symptoms, but it can cause discomfort. Draining the cyst may provide temporary relief, but it will likely recur.
I scheduled a follow-up appointment for late July to monitor Hazel's progress, particularly with regards to her healing and weight stabilization. Although she recovered well from the initial surgery, I'm hesitant to consider another, more intense surgery in the near future, especially within the next six months?
I'm unsure about the optimal timeline for guinea pig surgeries and would like to prioritize her comfort and well-being.
The vet expressed some concern about Hazel's weight drop and advised me to call if she falls below 900g. However, Hazel has been resting and nibbling on hay throughout the day. I also offered her some critical care mixed with warm water in a small pet bowl, and she eagerly consumed it all. This gives me confidence that I can help her regain weight in the coming days and weeks, especially since she wasn't receptive to the syringe feeding (at all!)
The last two months have been quite a rollercoaster!
I appreciate your patience with the length of my first 'real post.' I wanted to share key things I got from reading the other forums.
If anyone has insights or suggestions regarding another surgery for the cyst, I would love to hear them. Oh, Hazel is 3 Years old!
I truly appreciate being part of this community and
Thank you for taking the time to read this
Wishing everyone a wonderful whhheekend!
Victoria
Hazel
Lucy Penny
Luna
We were devastated by the loss of our beloved Abyssinian guinea pig, Luna, on March 27th. Despite my best efforts, I was unable to save her from what I suspect was a case of bloat, which progressed rapidly. In hindsight, I realized that I wasn't as informed as I thought, and my lack of knowledge may have contributed to the outcome.
However, joining this forum has been a valuable learning experience, particularly from the threads on emergency care and syringe feeding.
I've gained insight into the mistakes I made and am committed to making significant changes to my care routines.
After losing her cage mate, Luna, Lucy was clearly struggling with grief, exhibiting low energy and a lack of interest in the activities they once shared.
To better support her, I delved into online forums, such as 'Bereaved Guinea Pig', 'New Companionship', and 'Bonding and Interactions', seeking guidance on how to help her cope.
The atmosphere in the house felt profoundly different with Luna gone; it was truly heartbreaking.
One suggestion that really struck a chord with me was the idea of introducing a younger companion for Lucy, with the hope of revitalizing her energy and enthusiasm, as well as ours. This idea led me to adopt a 2-month-old Abyssinian from a local rescue, whose adorable fuzzy face was impossible to resist. I named her Penny
I kept Penny in a separate cage for 3-4 weeks, allowing her to become comfortable with me before starting the introduction process with Lucy.
The introduction process exceeded my expectations, with Lucy responding remarkably well to Penny's presence. In fact, Lucy has emerged from her shell, becoming more active and vocal than she was even before Luna's passing. The positive impact of their new companionship has been truly heartwarming to witness.
While my attention was focused on supporting Lucy through her grief and then Penny's arrival, my other guinea pig, Hazel, had been behaving normally.
However, during a routine nail trimming on 5/11/25, I discovered a large mass near her nipple, which prompted me to schedule a vet visit for the next day.
After the examination, I decided to proceed with surgery, which was scheduled for the following morning on 5/13
The vet kept me informed throughout the process, calling me before and after the surgery to update me on Hazel's condition. This regular communication helped alleviate my stress levels. Fortunately, Hazel made it through the surgery, and the vet was able to remove the mass, despite its challenging location near the urethra and involvement with the mammary gland and necrotic tissue.
Hazel required a two-night hospital stay for close monitoring, and by the morning of 5/14/25, the vet reported that she was recovering well, eating on her own, and showing remarkable progress. Although there was some initial oozing from the surgical site, it resolved by the end of the day, and no other major concerns arose.
I was able to bring Hazel home on 5/15/25, where she continued to eat, although her water intake was limited.
Given her recent surgery and my concerns after Luna's passing, I was worried about her hydration. Since Hazel refused syringe feeding of critical care, I opted to offer her vegetables like celery, to encourage water intake, hoping to support her recovery without causing undue stress.
To closely monitor Hazel's recovery, I maintained a detailed log of her daily progress, including her morning weight, administration of AM and PM medications, and supplementation of probiotics (2-hr gap after antibiotic doses), appetite stimulants and Sherwood Prevention / Vitamin C tablets.
The evening of 5/22/25, Hazel started whimpering while urinating, which led me to suspect that her recent diet, consisting of excessive vegetables (celery, cilantro and carrots) and pellets, might be causing urinary problems. I immediately stopped giving her vegetables and pellets, and instead, administered a urinary tablet to help ease her discomfort.
The response was quick, and the whimpering stopped the same evening. I continued to give her a urinary tablet for the next two days as a precautionary measure, and fortunately, the issue was completely resolved.
Hazel's weight dropped from 961g to 941g, which I attributed to the removal of vegetables and pellets from her diet.
I made sure to give her small fresh handfuls of hay throughout the day which she continued to eat like a champ.
She had been drinking more normally from her water bottle too so that was a relief.
Initial Post Surgery Weight (During Overfeeding Period
)5/16: 947g | 5/17: 934g | 5/18: 936g | 5/19: 940g | 5/20: 957g | 5/21: 960g | 5/22: 961g
Weight Following Dietary Adjustment
5/23: 941g | 5/24: 940g | 5/25: 930g | 5/26: 920g | 5/27 AM: 915g 5/27 PM: 930g | 5/28 AM: 920g 5/28 PM: 909g | 5/29 AM: 905g 5/29 PM: 911g
TODAY --> 5/30: 919g
In addition to monitoring her weight, I had also been closely inspecting Hazel's incision site daily. On the evening of Wednesday, 5/28, I noticed a lumpy area near the bottom of the incision site and sent a picture to the vet for evaluation. The vet initially thought it might be a normal part of the healing process, related to the sutures under the skin.
However, to be cautious, I brought her in for a follow-up examination.
Today the vet drained some "old blood" from the lumpy site, diagnosing it as a seroma, and advised me to keep a close eye on her. The physical examination also revealed a large ovarian cyst. The vet recommended removing at some point in the future. He explained that the cyst is not hormonal, as Hazel doesn't exhibit any related symptoms, but it can cause discomfort. Draining the cyst may provide temporary relief, but it will likely recur.
I scheduled a follow-up appointment for late July to monitor Hazel's progress, particularly with regards to her healing and weight stabilization. Although she recovered well from the initial surgery, I'm hesitant to consider another, more intense surgery in the near future, especially within the next six months?
I'm unsure about the optimal timeline for guinea pig surgeries and would like to prioritize her comfort and well-being.
The vet expressed some concern about Hazel's weight drop and advised me to call if she falls below 900g. However, Hazel has been resting and nibbling on hay throughout the day. I also offered her some critical care mixed with warm water in a small pet bowl, and she eagerly consumed it all. This gives me confidence that I can help her regain weight in the coming days and weeks, especially since she wasn't receptive to the syringe feeding (at all!)
The last two months have been quite a rollercoaster!
I appreciate your patience with the length of my first 'real post.' I wanted to share key things I got from reading the other forums.
If anyone has insights or suggestions regarding another surgery for the cyst, I would love to hear them. Oh, Hazel is 3 Years old!
I truly appreciate being part of this community and
Thank you for taking the time to read this
Wishing everyone a wonderful whhheekend!
Victoria
Hazel
Lucy Penny Luna 
