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Ovarian Cysts - Devastated :-(

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Rosehip

Rosehip

Junior Guinea Pig
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So Bluey and Piper went off to the vets this morning....

As they still haven't produced babies and Bluey has been drinking a huge amount over the last couple of weeks - nearly 320ml in 24hours - we wanted them checked....

Vet has said that Bluey isn't pregnant, and the huge masses we can feel are most likely ovarian cysts :-( He can feel a 'slightly suspicious' mass in Piper that 'could' be a pup, but only an xray will tell us, and it is likely that she has ovarian cysts too and possibly is reabsorbing a pregnancy.... Bluey's thirst is linked to the hormonal imbalance.

I'm devastated! Not so much that we wont be having babies, but that my babies have problems!

As the girls are well, bright and happy, and eating well, We have opted to not xray (nearly £100 each and the risk of the GA is too much for us I'm afraid) and to keep a good eye on them, which we do anyway, and see how they go.

Is there anything we can give them to help them? A specific feed or a supplement?

Obviously if the girlies go down hill and need to be spayed or xray'd then we will have to afford it, but at the moment, its a cost we can't justify.... Does this make us awful owners?!

Sorry to vent, just needed good piggy advice and support! x
 
ooooh man! big hugs to you,.:hug:
is the only treatment for the cysts to be spayed?
 
would it be possible to arrange a payment plan with your vet for the xrays? at least then you would know exactly what you are dealing with and can make the next decision from there. i say this just because a suspicious mass is worrying and the sooner you know what that is the better. depending on the type of ovarian cysts, there are a few options there aswell like injections, draining and spaying. with those also already causing issues potentially, i'd say sort it sooner if at all possible. :)
 
They could subside on their own, they could live with them like this - just as women can live with POCs or fibroids, or they may need spaying.....
Whilst they are bright, happy and 'normal' the vet is happy to leave them as they are x
 
biscandmatt said:
would it be possible to arrange a payment plan with your vet for the xrays? at least then you would know exactly what you are dealing with and can make the next decision from there. i say this just because a suspicious mass is worrying and the sooner you know what that is the better. depending on the type of ovarian cysts, there are a few options there aswell like injections, draining and spaying. with those also already causing issues potentially, i'd say sort it sooner if at all possible. :)
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I hadn't thought of a payment plan! I'm so thick!
The head vet is back off his hols next week, and J rates him far higher than the vet we saw today, so when kitten goes back for her 2nd jabs we can chat to him :-) x
 
Sorry to read this. Keep a close on on them. Sounds very expensive for xrays, - but not worth ruling out to make sure you know what you are dealing with. Also Vets do not need to GA for a Xray they can give a whiff of gas... This is what our vet does, she was very concerned when we told her about our previous vets using full GA because of risks. You have a few piggy vets around you I think for future options Guinea Pig Vet Locator

One of our girls had cysts and we had them shrunk with hormone injections

Sending lots of love to Piper and Bluey x
 
Rosehip said:
I hadn't thought of a payment plan! I'm so thick!
The head vet is back off his hols next week, and J rates him far higher than the vet we saw today, so when kitten goes back for her 2nd jabs we can chat to him :-) x
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i think most vets are happy to offer a payment plan so always worth an ask if you feel it's something they need. fingers crossed for your little ones x
 
Oh - I'm so sorry to hear this. I'm afraid you'd psyched yourself up to having babies - which has made this news even more devastating for you.

Please don't punish yourself about having to worry about the cost of their treatment. Yor thoughts are perfectly normal and I can tell you're a caring owner . It's definatey worth considering a payment plan.

My guinea pigs are insured for this reason. OH often comments about the cost of vet bills and my answer is always - don't worry - they're insured.
 
I'm really sorry to hear this, there are options though, so hopefully your vet will be able to consider them. That does seem steep for an xray, cysts can also be found on an ultrasound if that is any cheaper? It can be done conscious too.
 
Oh so sorry to hear this @Rosehip.

However at least you are now aware that there are possible health issues that need to be dealt with for the girls. I agree with the others about speaking to your vet about the possibility of a repayment plan. Times are hard for a great many people now so they will have something that can be organised I am sure. You will not be the only animal lover whose animal needs vet care which these days is not always affordable. This does not reflect on you as a person as you are and will always be a fabulous piggy Mummy to the girls :nod:

I know for sure with our vet that while it is not normal practice that if anyone needs help to pay that if you speak to them beforehand they will organise this.

They have a sign up in reception that says payment must be made at the end of the appointment however if anyone may need help to speak to them beforehand so they can discuss this with them.

Sending big *hugs* to you all xx
 
This has made me well up. I'm so sorry. You've made the right decision for you and your girls right now.

Much love xx
 
Thank you so much everyone for your kindness and support!
We have had a mass clean-out of pens, and found a huge pen at the local feed merchants for the princely sum of £12! It's as big as one section of our 6 seater U shaped sofa! So the girls have been out for grass time whilst we thoroughly disinfected it and made it up for them, and all three girls are pop corning around in their new deluxe residence!

The vet said that it would be £49 for the GA and £47 for the xray - for each piggie - and that they 'have to GA for xray'.
Jo wasn't too keen on him, but the head vet will be back next week so we are going to speak to him. I think this guy is a locum.
J doesn't like the recommended vet on the locator, she finds his bedside manner and diagnostic skills lacking, so we use a teeny little vets practice (Bay Tree) who have a really good small animal base, and I'm sure that she has paid in instalments before.

At the moment all 3 girls seem happy and healthy despite the problems they have, and as they are in our living room, we are with them all the time so can keep an eye on them :-)

Love you all, thank you so much x
 
Just remember we are all here for you, Jo and the girls so keep us updated :nod:

Sounds like everyone is very happy right now so enjoy every moment :luv:
 
All my piggies have been x-rayed and all of them only needed a whiff of gas - they dont need GA - an ultrasound will show up ovarian cysts - my vet could feel Noodles cyst and it was only 1 1/2cm - she just did the ultrasound to confirm - I think you are right to wait for the head vet - I have 4 spayed girlies and my vet is an exotics specialist - she would recommend going straight for a spay everytime over the hormone injections as in most cases they will eventually need a spay anyway - a spay costs around £100 at my vets ,but thats everything including the op (the GA that they do need for the op ) the gut stimulant and painkiller for after the op - most vets will do an installment plan - they just dont advertise the fact - good luck.
 
Thank you @TAN - I'm definitely waiting for Bob to come back, Jo trusts him so I'm going with her trust :-)
The fluffs bumrushed Lettie whilst she was asleep and beat her up, so she is back in her own pen, she is fine, was a little bit shaken, but not hurt, and has settled down again. Apparently she emits a high pitched squeak when she sleeps that Jo can hear but I can't because of my deafness, which we assume narks them off as they only seem to have a problem with her when she is sleeping.
Poor Lettuce!
xx
 
my old girl ellie had 2 rounds of chorulon (HCG) Hormone injections for her ovarian cysts & they worked really well both times, she was really just to old for a spay at around 6.5yrs & the risks were just too great.

if you can find a vet that is very experienced in guinea pig spays like @TAN 's vet then the risks of spaying are dramatically reduced.
there seem to be quite a few vets that will do conscious Xrays or with a whiff of gas just to settle them, keep pressing for this if you can.

i would be reluctant to Xray the guinea pig that may be pregnant, but would opt for an ultrasound until you're sure that she definitely isnt.
My Ellies ovarian cyst was walnut sized & confirmed with an ultrasound scan. she kept getting UTI's & undiluted blood in her urine or when she pooped. none of the usual textbook signs of cysts like hair loss on her sides, hormonal & stressy or crusty nipples either.
ultrasound should be cheaper too-just an extra splodge of the clear gunky stuff & a little more belly hair shaved off so wouldnt think it should be that much dearer for two than one?
Oh & Ellie used to drink lots of water too.

i have heard that ovarian cysts are very painful, so it may be worth discussing with the vet about painkillers to make her comfortable.
i would be like you & wait for the head vet... if i dont like the vet then i dont want my animals to be treated by them.

good luck with a payment plan, its always a good option to ask :)

healing vibes love the girls & I. xx
 
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Rosehip said:
Thank you so much everyone for your kindness and support!
We have had a mass clean-out of pens, and found a huge pen at the local feed merchants for the princely sum of £12! It's as big as one section of our 6 seater you shaped sofa! So the girls have been out for grass time whilst we thoroughly disinfected it and made it up for them, and all three girls are pop corning around in their new deluxe residence!

The vet said that it would be £49 for the GA and £47 for the xray - for each piggie - and that they 'have to GA for xray'.
Jo wasn't too keen on him, but the head vet will be back next week so we are going to speak to him. I think this guy is a locum.
J doesn't like the recommended vet on the locator, she finds his bedside manner and diagnostic skills lacking, so we use a teeny little vets practice (Bay Tree) who have a really good small animal base, and I'm sure that she has paid in instalments before.

At the moment all 3 girls seem happy and healthy despite the problems they have, and as they are in our living room, we are with them all the time so can keep an eye on them :-)

Love you all, thank you so much x
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usually a whiff of gas or a very light GA is all that is needed for xrays. for something like bladder issues for example, two xray views need to be taken so this isn't possible with a conscious one because of one of the positions. i'm not sure if it's the same for diagnosing cysts though but i don't think it is. so if you end up having it done just ask about whether they mean something very light - usually the piggy only needs to be under for a very short time for xrays anyway so it's very low risk if they do want to do it that way and you decide to go that route :)
 
I've always had females & nearly all have had ovarian cysts & all have been treated successfully with the injections. One of them is due her 2nd one next week, although she would have had 2 lots in total in her lifetime, 2 jabs usually sort it for at least a year or so :) The jabs cost about £18 plus a consult at the beginning so not too bad. Why do you think they might be pregnant? I would give it a few more weeks to be sure they aren't then get the jabs done, you shouldn't need any x rays then x
 
Poppy'sMum said:
I've always had females & nearly all have had ovarian cysts & all have been treated successfully with the injections. One of them is due her 2nd one next week, although she would have had 2 lots in total in her lifetime, 2 jabs usually sort it for at least a year or so :) The jabs cost about £18 plus a consult at the beginning so not too bad. Why do you think they might be pregnant? I would give it a few more weeks to be sure they aren't then get the jabs done, you shouldn't need any x rays then x
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It's good to know @Poppy'sMum , thank you!

As an ex breeder, I spotted all the signs of pregnancy with the girls, and both myself and Jo (OH) have felt definite movements within the girls, and outlines of growing pups. However we had dad the girls for 80 days now, which is obviously too long for them to be pregnant for, and with Bluey drinking a vast amount of water we thought it would be a good idea to get them checked.

Both girls are eating well and are very bright, so although the locum vet said that they have cysts, we are less worried than we were. Bluey also seems to be slowing down on the water consumption now she is back in with Piper, which is interesting.

The head vet is back next week, and our kitten is due to go back for her 2nd injection in 3 weeks, so we will be keeping a close eye on them and either picking his brains when Cali goes for her jab, or taking the girls along with us like we did yesterday :-)

They are currently grooming eachother :-)

Lettie is a little quiet today, but I think that's probably from being beaten up yesterday! Poor little sausage! x
 
just a little thing to consider... my first 2 girls were joined by the most maahoosive baby girl at 82 days of separation from father/siblings when i brought them home.
somebody must have had their wicked way on the day i got them with my poor little Kizzy.

good luck with sorting a diagnosis & if it does turn out to be ovarian cysts its not the end of the world, my Ellie had the hormone injections twice 12months apart approx. she was around 6.5yrs old when she had them first.

fingers crossed. xx
 
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