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Ovarian cyst symptoms- but in a boar?

mezmezmeeez

mezmezmeeez

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Hi all! I am once again here with my piggy problems.
One of my boars seems to have all of the usual symptoms of a ovarian cyst?
Hair loss, roundness on the sides, swollen nipples and today (sexual?) aggression from my other boar.
Since he dealt with a fungal infection a while back (which was treated with the help of the people on this forum!), I attributed the hair loss/thinning to that, as for the roundness I figured it's a bloat (it did sound a bit hollow for a while), and after asking the only piggy vet available I did as he instructed and the hollow sound went away and the roundness was less.

This morning, I woke up to sounds of Frodo (this piggy) being chased by my other boar; which was unusual since they get along fine (though it is their teenage years) and last night both were having fun. Percy was completely aggressive, and Frodo was just squealing while running away, I put a screen in the middle of the cage to separate them while I checked the forum to see what might be the problem and Percy started biting the bars to get to Frodo again; Even ignoring the treats I put in his side of the cage. I went through the forum and figured a bath would be a good idea since Frodo had some of his hair tangled up as well, cut those hair and to the bath we went.

Now, I've noticed that he pretty much has no hair around his nipples and that both have become large (but not soar as he lets me touch them well enough). I'm not sure when this has started because I have been busy with finals these two weeks and haven't done their weekly body checks, but it wasn't there before that. The skin around the area is a bit flaky as well. The assumed bloat had also appeared in these two weeks. His nipples were originally black but most definitely not this big.
IMG-6908.jpgIMG-6911.jpg
As for eating and pooping, Last night he was eating and drinking fine (they're in my room so it's easy for me to check), and I think he's been pooping as well (his poop are smaller than my other boar -He's smaller in general- so I can see that he has been pooping). He's always been a bit lazy and skittish so he's usually in a hidey or somewhere unless I'm opening a plastic bag and he comes running out so I can't really tell if he's lethargic? He is my most vocal pig and he was yelling for food last night but for today I have yet to put him back in the cage.

Theres also these small areas where the hair loss is biggest that there seems to be really tiny bruises? You can see a picture of one here:
IMG-6915.jpg
I'd assume it's a cyst or that he's pregnant but he's a boar? I'm honestly at a loss?
I highly doubt any vet here could give me an answer and even if it was a cyst or tumor none have the experience needed to perform surgery.
Does anyone have any idea what it may be and whether I should put the two back in the same cage?
Here's a picture of his genitals just to make sure he is actually a he: (sorry for the grainy pics it's a bit hard to take them alone- also notice how bald he is on the legs- I for the life of me can not remember if he was originally like that or not- and the tiny flaky parts)
IMG-6917.jpg
 
He's still vocal, went to bring their pellet bag and he started screaming in my arms for one. He's eating that happily enough? Have yet to put him in their cage to see if he eats hay as well.
He's also pooping -painlessly-, he has poop in his towel to show to that.
 
So I put him in their cage (It's a 6x2 with two of everything) and it's an absolute nightmare. I put a screen in between but Percy has been biting the bars like crazy, digging at the fleece, It's like he's gone mad. Completely ignoring the treats and everything as well. Weirdly enough Frodo has also been going by the screen, Percy can't reach him but he still squeals as if he's in pain.
I honestly have no idea what to do.
On the bright side, Frodo is eating hay, so yay for small mercies?
 
What do you mean when you say aggressive? What exactly was Percy doing aside from chasing? And if Frodo was squeaking it was likely submissive squeaking. I would consider reintroducing them on neutral ground and thoroughly cleaning out their cage. It may be that Frodo actually wants to be with him.

I’ll tag @Wiebke and @VickiA but you’ll have to be patient.
 
Siikibam said:
What do you mean when you say aggressive? What exactly was Percy doing aside from chasing? And if Frodo was squeaking it was likely submissive squeaking. I would consider reintroducing them on neutral ground and thoroughly cleaning out their cage. It may be that Frodo actually wants to be with him.

I’ll tag @Wiebke and @VickiA but you’ll have to be patient.
Click to expand...
I took a recording of the squeaking and will post as soon as I figure out how to do that.
The usual rumbling and following is much meeker (and slower), this was just full on chasing and attempting to bite? Very similar to how my crazy hamsters used to chase each other and fight. Percy pretty much ignored all the treats I was offering and decided to go chase Frodo instead, and since the moment I separated them he's been biting the bars and actually moving the screen.
Right now Frodo is also biting the bars so maybe you're right about the wanting to be with each other part?
I'll try re-introducing them on neutral ground, thank you for your reply!
 
How are you sure he was trying to bite and not mount? Chasing is part of normal dominance behaviour. You have to be careful not to step in too early. And given they’re in their teens this will happen. Have a read of the guide below and see where their behaviour sat.

If you did a video you’ll have to upload it to a third party site like YouTube or Vimeo then post the link here. I don’t know how you can attach voice notes though.
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs

When you reintroduce make sure you only put a pile of hay in the cage. No hides etc.
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

PS treats and toys won’t distract a piggy. They generally ignore toys anyway.
 
Siikibam said:
How are you sure he was trying to bite and not mount? Chasing is part of normal dominance behaviour. You have to be careful not to step in too early. And given they’re in their teens this will happen. Have a read of the guide below and see where their behaviour sat.

If you did a video you’ll have to upload it to a third party site like YouTube or Vimeo then post the link here. I don’t know how you can attach voice notes though.
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs

When you reintroduce make sure you only put a pile of hay in the cage. No hides etc.
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Click to expand...

I'm not 100% sure, but if it was mounting he'd go at him from the behind right?
In the tent hidey I made he was kind of going at him from the side, as if he was trying to bite his leg?
Honestly the biggest reason I was alarmed is that I usually sleep through their rumbling and minor squeaking, but this time it had gotten really loud and woke me up. I let them be for like 2 hours and they were still at it so I figured I might as well separate them while figuring out what to do.
Here's an audio record:
Vocaroo | Online voice recorder
 
Looking through my old pictures I can see that he definitely had hair on his stomach and legs.
Now it's very thin and pretty bald as you can see in the pictures, not really sure what's causing that either :no:
His nipples were also smaller, though the pictures are from when he was 30 days old so maybe he just grew bigger nipples? But with all the other things going on I don't really think it's a coincidence :(
 
Claire W said:
That’s submissive squeaking.

When my late Ellen used to Mount when she was in season or just asserting her dominance, she would Mount her cage mates heads
Click to expand...
That's such a relief!
I've already reintroduced them and there has been no fighting for now so hopefully this part of my worries is just the hormones!
 
Mounting can be from all angles, not just the back. Fighting is quite distinct as well - a flying fur ball. So that word should be used carefully. I’m very glad they’ve gone back together okay though. Leave them in the pen for the day and thoroughly clean their cage. Rearrange and make sure you don’t use any hides with one exit only. If you don’t have any with two, you can use cardboard boxes and cut in two exits.
 
Pound Shilling & Pig said:
I could be wrong (and hope I am) and don't want to cause alarm but Frodo looks like a sow to me. Which would explain the swollen belly and enlarged nipples if pregnant. @Wiebke @furryfriends (TEAS) @VickiA
Click to expand...

Hi!

I would also recommend to double-check the gender. It is impossible to call it just from the pictures as I cannot check the inside of the slit, feel for the presence of the penis shaft and try to express a penis. Just to be on the safe side, please conduct a hands-on examination.
Illustrated Sexing Guide
 
Wiebke said:
Hi!

I would also recommend to double-check the gender. It is impossible to call it just from the pictures as I cannot check the inside of the slit, feel for the presence of the penis shaft and try to express a penis. Just to be on the safe side, please conduct a hands-on examination.
Illustrated Sexing Guide
Click to expand...
I'm going to try this now..... I really really really hope he's still a he 😭
 
Should I separate them?
Oh boy
I think I've stressed him (her?) out a lot today
I even went through whatever the vet said for a bloat
And she's super tiny?? she's like.... 3? 4? months old? Is it even safe for her to be pregnant?
 
Oh dear :( Yes please check the sex of your other piggy and if it’s a he, then yes, please separate them ASAP

If she is pregnant, 3-4 months is young but I’ve seen piggies of that age and younger have healthy babies
 
It did not :)
I'm in shock :)
I double checked with Percy to make sure I'm doing it right and the penis does kind of pop out with him, and not with Frodo :)
 
I kind of tapped the sides for the hollow sound when I was checking for bloat? And gave tummy rubs every day, I made sure to do it all lightly but could that have injured the babies?
 
If you have just rubbed her gently it is unlikely you have done any harm. Try not to panic, she sounds like she is bright and well.

Looking at an older thread of yours it seems they have been together since mid november. Their gestation period is usually 10 weeks and they come into season every 16 to 17 days, so if pregnant and depending where she was in her cycle when introduced she could give birth anytime from now onwards, so it is important you separate them now, as they can conceive shortly after giving birth.

There are in-depth guides on here about pregnancy and birth, sorry I am not sure how to link them. There are also forum members with a lot of experience in helping people in your situation, so you are not alonr. @Wiebke maybe around and able to advise. Or @VickiA ?
 
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I’m so sorry you’ve found yourself in this situation. Please try not to stress (I know it’s hard). The guides linked above are super and invaluable! And you have support from a lot of people here, including two members who are experienced with pregnant sows/birth and pups.

One thing to do is to make absolutely sure that your boar can’t escape and get in with the sow. The smell of the it pheromones can lead to a very resourceful and agile piggy. Make sure the divider is secure. It would probably be much better if they are in completely separate cages and the boar’s has a lid. Well, both really.

If you want, you can post a photo of your setup and perhaps we can help you. Hugs.
 
Oh dear, so sorry for you, it goes to show vets are not fool proof when checking the sex of guinea pigs 😟
 
mezmezmeeez said:
And she's super tiny? she's like.... 3? 4? months old? Is it even safe for her to be pregnant?
Click to expand...
Don't panic! When I got my Rainbow Piggy Velvet from PAH nearly 5 years ago she was only 8-10 weeks old and was pregnant (didn't know it at the time) but 10 days later it was pretty obvious. I took her to the vet who confirmed the pregnancy and 25 days later she gave birth to 3 healthy baby piggies.
 
Siikibam said:
I’m so sorry you’ve found yourself in this situation. Please try not to stress (I know it’s hard). The guides linked above are super and invaluable! And you have support from a lot of people here, including two members who are experienced with pregnant sows/birth and pups.

One thing to do is to make absolutely sure that your boar can’t escape and get in with the sow. The smell of the it pheromones can lead to a very resourceful and agile piggy. Make sure the divider is secure. It would probably be much better if they are in completely separate cages and the boar’s has a lid. Well, both really.

If you want, you can post a photo of your setup and perhaps we can help you. Hugs.
Click to expand...

Thank you!
For now I'm looking for the rest of my CC grids to make the cage bigger and put a screen in the middle. Would 3x2 be enough for each while I figure out where to put a bigger cage? I have one of those non standard cages as well that has a lid, but I figure I shouldn't put any of them in a cage so small.
As for reaching the other, that's not possible as I have attached whatever these are called in English to one side of the grids, makes going through or over them impossible; My only concern is Percy trying to completely move the grid but again they're in my room so when he tries I notice.
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I had some extra fleece that I was planning on making beds and stuff with it for my piggies, at the moment I've turned them into soft tent hidies for Frodo.
 
They should really be in a 2x4 each. Make sure you securely attached the separating grid - cable tied.
 
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