New piggy - cysts/tumour?

[maceycleo]

Hi everyone, I am just after a little advice about a guinea pig I have acquired today from a family friend, who decided they could no longer take care of her.

She has previously had a few fatty lumps which I was told were operated on about a year ago. However, she has a very large lump on her lower tummy, around where her teets are, which I dont think is a fatty lump, as it is harder and doesnt move under the skin. Obviously, I am going to take her to the vets asap to get this looked at, I just wondered if anyone had any ideas what this could be? I was thinking maybe a large ovarian cyst, as she is slightly butternut squash shaped. Is this consistent with anybody elses experiences?

She is around 4 years old, and is quite active to say she is in a new home, and is eating and drinking really well. She isn't puffed up or anything either so I dont think she is in a lot of pain, but obviously it is quite hard to know for definate - the lump doesn't appear to be tender to the touch either.

Just wondered what you all thought?

 

[Little Pig]

I have no idea, but just wanted to wish you luck and bump the thread for you.

 

[TAN]

Bump

 

[Abi_nurse]

You cant tell. Your piggie needs a biopsy of the lump to determine what it may be. Unfortunatly being around the mammory area can be worrying as tumors can arise in this area.
Ovarian cysts you cannot see, but if she is more pear shaped there is a possiblity and this may well fit with a mammory mass. If she has hair thinning on the flanks then it will point to her having ovian cysts. Make sure your vet does a thourough exam on her. Biopsy the lump and have a good feel of her tummy. I hope shes ok. Sending lots of love to her.

Let us know how you get on.

x.

 

[maceycleo]

Thanks for your advice, ill be at the vets asap. The lump is massive, it must have been there months and months to get so big, but the previous owners says they never noticed it...how is beyond me, its really upset me that she has obviously been a bit neglected, she was being kept alone in a tiny cage in a dark garage. Hopefully she will be happy with me now, she can have company and cuddles all day! Thanks again!

 

[sport_billy]

Just wanted to wish you and your new girl good luck at the vets, let us know how you get on x

 

[paulag]

Hi there.

You are doing the right thing getting her to the vets. I have a nearly 6 year old girl Stella with a lump under her arm.

When she came to me last year it was about the size of a grape. My vets examine it and felt it was inoperable and seemed to have spread into the lymph nodes on both sides. I did not have any more investigations done as it would cause her stress and wasn't doing to tell me anything I could act on. That is if it was cancer I would look after her and give her the best quality if life I could while she was still chirpy and running around and eating, and I'd do exactly the same if it wasn't.

So anyhow it doubled in size over the next few months, then in the summer she got very breathless. I took her to the vets and we thought it was probably secondaries in the lungs. But we tried a course of antibiotics and furosemide just in case. She responded really well to this and has been on furosemide ever since. Vet thinks it was a touch of heart failure, fluid built up in her lungs and she got an infection.

So now were nearly a year don the line. Both her and her sister and lively and vocal and eating well at nearly 6 years I'd age and the lump's stopped growing.

I'm a great one of taking on the elderly and the lame, which means I've usually got an elderly rodent with a health condition in the house. Currently Stella, Guiness he sister has a skin condition which thankfully is responding very well to GG Kwench lotion, Radar a degu with 3 feet and no tail is currently being treated for a sore and Basil the 14 year old chinchilla with a heart murmor has recently had a tail amputation.

I only go for treatment if it has a good chance of success and/or minimal suffering for the pet. That said I always take the vets advice - but we usually are of a similar mind.

Anyhow sorry for the long dialog. I guess my point is that even if it's not treatable you can still provide the little girl with a good quality or life for the time she has left and provide her with a kind end when it comes to it.

Paula

 

[maceycleo]

Thanks for your reply Paula, I think giving her a good quality life will definately be the main thing now, I go to a good vet experienced in guineas so I think we can get her some good care.

I hope stella and the rest of your bunch continue to do well! Thanks again

 

[paulag]

I think sometimes we all need reassuring that it is ok with and elderly piggie not to do everything that is humanly possible if that treatment might result in more suffering.

I'm sure she'll have a lovely time with you for the time she has left.

Paula

 

[maceycleo]

Hi again, just to let you know, took piggy to vet today and after the vet looked at her we agreed that any operation or surgery would cause unneccessary pain to her due to location, size and amount of tumours she has, and instead we are going to concentrating on making her final weeks happy. I hope I'm making the right decision, its a very hard one to make.

 

[sport_billy]

Sorry to hear this, you have made a very brave choice. Sometimes to not do anything invasive is the kindest decision to make.

I'm sure she's going to have a wonderful time with you and you'll make it the happiest time of her life. *massive hugs*

 

[paulag]

In my opinion you have made the right decision. You can end up putting an old lady through a lot of pain and stress for very little benefit, but this way she has a few happy weeks or even months - as I said Stella's gone ten now.

Paula