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Old Guinea Pig Has Ovarian Cysts

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Stewybus

Stewybus

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Pixie, one of my own piggies has a large mass in her tummy so I took her to see the vet today. These are ovarian cysts & because she is nearly 7 years old I don't want her to have surgery unless it is a matter or life or death. Dominika is going to drain them next week & see if there is a hormone treatment that could help her. Pixie seems to be generally OK otherwise & doesn't appear to be in pain. Her weight is pretty stable or even gaining slightly but this may be the cysts growing.

Have any members had a piggy this age spayed & was it successful. Also can any members suggest a hormone treatment that has worked on their piggy.

Thanks for reading x
 
Draining and hormone treatment are a lot less invasive than spaying an elderly sow. Neither treatment are permanent, but they can be repeated and need only light or no sedation. The most common hormone product used is Chorulon.

@gizzy had his 10 year old sow spayed and has managed to lovingly and expertly nurse her through a slow recovery, but generally vets are not very happy about putting any sows over 5 years through it.
 
Hi Stewy, my Petal had a full hysterectomy aged 4 1/2 but recovery was hard work afterwards. All my other pigs have had their cysts drained by my vet & then given Chorolon (hor!one) injections, usually spaced 2 weeks apart & up to 3 in total. Has Dominika drained many cysts by needle aspiration? xx
 
Sorry to hear about Pixie.

My sow Bess has been diagnosed with ovarian cysts so i will watch this thread with interest . Bess's cysts aren't causing her any problems at the moment so she is not on any treatment . It has re- inforced the importance of finding a good vet . I took her to one vet who could not confirm anything on X-ray and was suggesting doing an exploratory operation . I took her to an exotics vet for a 2nd opinion and this vet diagnosed a tumour. I then took her to a 3rd vet who has diagnosed ovarian cysts.

Here is another thread on a similar subject



Advice On Ovarian Cysts?
 
My vet found them first by touch & then ultrasound scan for confirmation. Thanks for all the advice given. I'll have a look at the Advice on Ovarian Cysts post now. Dominika suggested draining them so I presume she has done this before. I'll forward the info I find & ask if she can get in toch with Simon. She has contacted him in the past for info xx
 
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Sorry your piggy is poorly, I have no help I'm afraid but wish you and pixie the best whatever you choose x
 
Sorry to hear Pixie's news. I had Bumble spayed due to ovarian cysts but she was 4.5 years old so still a fair bit younger than Pixie. I've not had pigs have any hormone treatments so sorry I can't offer more advice
 
Sorry to hear this matey. Sending lots of love to Pixie. Cookie had hormones and the shrinked hers but she was younger. x x
 
Sorry to hear this stewy. My vet does keyhole surgery to remove the ovaries which is much less invasive that a full hysterectomy. All my girls that have had this done (oldest 5 to 6 years) have done very well. The hormone treatment works for some pigs but not for others so worth trying (expensive though). Draining the cyst can cause adhesions which can make future surgery more difficult, but if you are definitely avoiding surgery then drainage and HCG (chorolon) may be the best bet
 
my vet drained one for one of mine and got out around 25ml (l still have the fluid:vom:) anyway one drain was all that was needed
 
My 4yr old sow had ovarian cysts.. She had the gonadotrophin releasing hormone injections via intramuscular route , 2 injections 2 weeks apart. The cysts shrunk and all aggression/hormonal symptoms returned to normal. She still had recurring bloat afterwards, and it was discovered her uterus was very badly diseased and likely to be the cause of her gut issues- she was spayed and it resolved.

Had it not been for the uterine involvement, the GnRH would have been all she needed.

All the best
 
Pixie went to the vets to have her ovarian cysts drained today. Dominika removed 170ml of fluid & is now putting her on a course of Chorulon injections starting tomorrow or Friday depending when it arrives at the vets. Pixie's quite happy after this treatment & it has had no adverse effect on her x
 
Stewybus said:
Pixie went to the vets to have her ovarian cysts drained today. Dominika removed 170ml of fluid & is now putting her on a course of Chorulon injections starting tomorrow or Friday depending when it arrives at the vets. Pixie's quite happy after this treatment & it has had no adverse effect on her x
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I'm glad! Heres hoping they keep it at bay :)
 
Stewybus said:
Pixie went to the vets to have her ovarian cysts drained today. Dominika removed 170ml of fluid & is now putting her on a course of Chorulon injections starting tomorrow or Friday depending when it arrives at the vets. Pixie's quite happy after this treatment & it has had no adverse effect on her x
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Wow that's quite an amount. Glad she is perkier now and hope she continues to improve
 
Sorry just got on here &my break is nearly over. My Ellie was about 6.5yrs too &had the hcg chorulon injections. 2x jabs 7-10days apart had the same about a year latershe improved significantly both sets.
Glad vets went well. Luv to pixie from the girls &I.
I'll post more later if u need it.
 
:D My late Sophie was spayed due to cysts at six years old, and recovered very well.
 
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