Ovarian Cysts?

[Perkypanda]

Hi, I am probably over researching but I am getting Guinea pigs later in the year. Think I want sows (although this keeps changing). But I am worried about the likelihood of getting ovarian cysts which require treatment. How many sows have you had with or without cysts? Are the vet bills huge?
Thanks.

 

[Cookies&Glitter]

My girls are not that old yet and I only once had a problem of possible reproductive type but my vet thinks it was likely bladder stones, I am fairly certain that is a more common issue and I know females have a much higher likelihood of being able to pass the stones than males with a narrower urethra. I think cysts are pretty common but that they don't always cause symptoms. I'm sure someone can shed further light on this issue but I opted for females over males because if they have stones it's easier to pass on their own and because of likely less aggression (high testosterone means more fighting). Hope this gives you something else to consider when picking piggies.

 

[Wiebke]

The minority of my sows have/have had ovarian cysts. Vet costs will make the biggest part of your piggy budget, unfortunately and you need to plan for it. Cost have gone up steeply in the last few years with generally much better service and a wider range of treatments and medications available.
Quick Information Bundle For Wannabe Owners

Each gender has their own challenges, but if you hopefully decide to go good standard rescue, you can neatly avoid the problem of unmatched hormonal boars by looking for a stable adult/carefully character matched younger or mix age pair for instance. Boars mellow with age. Our recommended rescues (see link above) also have a mandatory quarantine, so you are going to have a smooth start without any nasty suprises into piggy slavedom!

 

[GPTV]

Hi I have had quite a few guineas over the years &I have only ever had girls. When I read up on piggies before I got them I often found that girls were written to get on better with each other without fall outs &to be fair I have only ever had to return 2girls because they would pick on my original girls each time. They are the only 2 I have ever had fight.

But bonded boars are very close to each other &there's no reason not to consider boys. Although probably better to get a rescue to help with bonding them originally. Its not guaranteed that 2brothers will stay lifetime friends.

Anyway -back to ovarian cysts. I have had one confirmed case of cysts &maybe one or possibly 2 that I think in hindsight probably were ovarian cyst cases.

Ellie was 6yrs old when diagnosed so had hormone injections approx £40 per course of 2injections about 7-10days apart (£20each )
About a year later she had another course of the same. (I have read that these can cost £50-£60 at some vets).
I am incredibly lucky that my vet is cheap in comparison to lots of vets, the only trouble is they are not exotics specialists &I think my guineas are probably the most regularly seen in the practice &I sometimes find I have to hint at ideas for them to consider, although they are very accommodating to my suggestions.
Add on the consultation fee, ultrasound scans & painkillers.
The original vet visit - trials of meds&ideas through to diagnosis if its not a textbook case.
Possible spay if its complicated, etc.
These can all mount up

But in my case only 1 confirmed case in many years.

As mentioned above boys have there own sets of health issues &problems. Stones being one of them.
Good luck in your choice- I'd say its justpersonal preference in the end.

Try phoning a few vets for prices &experience on guineas. Also which conditions they see most regularly. Should give u a better idea.

 

[Cookies&Glitter]

I know I am in a different country but I'm sure this still applies just as it does with the doctors I work with in my clinical practice (I am a nursing student). Some vets charge more than others, I have found ones with hospital in the name tend to and it certainly depends on how experienced your vet is and what the vet is comfortable with. I have brought my piggies to see 6 different vets over the years and some have cost more simply because they want to do everything just in case and others have recommended less as they felt more confident in their diagnosis. Do your vet research before you get piggies, read reviews and maybe even call and ask questions, in my experience a vet that dismisses your comments and suggestions is not a vet you want.