Picked up new piggies, one has a cyst, and that scares me.

[retro]

Ok, long kinda sad story short, a couple couldn't keep their piggies (beautiful bonded boys) so, I said "yes, I will take them!" and so we're here. One is a pure white Abby with red eyes, named Ziggy (there's a cute story there, but this isn't the time.) the other is white and brown short hair, and his name is Robin. Robin has a grape-sized cyst on his neck, or large-ish marble sized. Like, near his chin. It's under the skin. It's quite firm and not squishy. It feels detached (It feels mobile, I can move it around a little) anddddddd so I went to google. I'm reading a lot about how people's piggies died within a day to weeks after having them removed or seeing a vet or something. Otherwise, he's fine. He popcorns, runs, eats, poops, sleeps.....Absolutely fine. But I am....freaking the heck out. I don't want him to die. I just love him so much. He and his cage mate have just captured my heart right away. So I care. I'm scared. I don't know what type of cyst this is. If I'm looking at a Google standpoint, it looks like it could be a...sebacious to a lymph node to a contagious infection if it bursts or something...I don't know what it could be but I'm really worried. I was wondering what you all thought? Should I be scared? This has never happened, yet I hear its very common for this to happen. For these cysts to occur. I'm just scared and worried. I'm going to make a vet appt tomorrow. Sorry if this doesn't make sense. I'm just looking for some..consolation or peace of mind at this point....here they are. Ziggy and Robin. (Robin didn't have a cyst in this picture I don't think.) <3

 

[Siikibam]

I’m sorry that you’ve been dropped in at the deep end from the get go. I don’t know anything about cysts. What I would advise you is to take him to a (cavy savvy) vet to be seen as soon as you can. (There’s a list of recommended ones on here somewhere). There have been several cases is cysts on here and I think most piggies come out of it well.

It may be weird but it’s good you’re worrying so much. You’ll make a wonderful slave. And it’s good if he’s still acting like a ‘normal’ piggy.

Someone with more knowledge will be able to answer in the morning.

 

[retro]

Update: Robin has a vet appt tomorrow, wish us luck!

 

[Wiebke]

Ok, long kinda sad story short, a couple couldn't keep their piggies (beautiful bonded boys) so, I said "yes, I will take them!" and so we're here. One is a pure white Abby with red eyes, named Ziggy (there's a cute story there, but this isn't the time.) the other is white and brown short hair, and his name is Robin. Robin has a grape-sized cyst on his neck, or large-ish marble sized. Like, near his chin. It's under the skin. It's quite firm and not squishy. It feels detached (It feels mobile, I can move it around a little) anddddddd so I went to google. I'm reading a lot about how people's piggies died within a day to weeks after having them removed or seeing a vet or something. Otherwise, he's fine. He popcorns, runs, eats, poops, sleeps.....Absolutely fine. But I am....freaking the heck out. I don't want him to die. I just love him so much. He and his cage mate have just captured my heart right away. So I care. I'm scared. I don't know what type of cyst this is. If I'm looking at a Google standpoint, it looks like it could be a...sebacious to a lymph node to a contagious infection if it bursts or something...I don't know what it could be but I'm really worried. I was wondering what you all thought? Should I be scared? This has never happened, yet I hear its very common for this to happen. For these cysts to occur. I'm just scared and worried. I'm going to make a vet appt tomorrow. Sorry if this doesn't make sense. I'm just looking for some..consolation or peace of mind at this point....here they are. Ziggy and Robin. (Robin didn't have a cyst in this picture I don't think.) <3
View attachment 113245

Hi!

Sadly your experience is not at all uncommon when you rehome privately; many piggies come with some hidden luggage which usually reveals the true reason why they have been looking for a new home in the first place.

Please have your piggy vet checked. This is a sensitive location for any kind of lumps and should not be left unchecked.

 

[retro]

Hi!

Sadly your experience is not at all uncommon when you rehome privately; many piggies come with some hidden luggage which usually reveals the true reason why they have been looking for a new home in the first place.

Please have your piggy vet checked. This is a sensitive location for any kind of lumps and should not be left unchecked.

Ok, whoa, lets pause for a second. I just wanted to get this straight and highlighted here before anyone gets the wrong idea here. I knew he had the lump before I took him in. It was an emotional experience for the owners to give them up. The girl was crying. Robin was her baby, as he got her through some tough times. They are a couple but they were mainly the girlfriend's. Please don't assume they did this for that reason. This was not the case. They didn't sell them to me and they made sure to go to a good home with very specific requests. (The girl is on an autism spectrum, which explains some of it, but still, I am respecting those requests.) Including occasional photos of the pigs and texts for updates, and even if one passes. The girl wants to go to college again for vet sciences (Yay, more vets are always better!) and doesn't have the time to take care of her babies. They did not dump them on me. They were regularly given health checks, boar cleanings, and clippings, as well as baths. They are so clean and loved enough with proper care, they might as well be prized dogs or something. You can tell. (btw, show guinea pigs are a thing apparently...that's crazy lol!) This was one guinea pig mom to another, and they knew I would take care of him. I just wanted to say this because these people were extremely, extremely passionate about it and super nice and they loved their piggies and it showed. She knew as much as me and probably more. (Which I'm pretty extensive in knowledge about care, but still rely on vets and professionals, as well as communities for help. Everyone does.)

So, just wanted to clear that up! ☺ (This is not to meant to be hostile or anything, I'm just wanting to set this straight because we all care about these two fluffbutts lol!)

My first guinea pigs are certainly a dump though. The first owner should be ashamed. They're untamed, unbonded and are not a match. Kept in crappy conditions. He did NOT TELL ME THIS! Yes, this is Newt and Nibbler. The kids would chase them around the house and do all kinds of careless stuff with them. When I got them their nails were long and they were just plain dirty and in rough shape. This is a tough case for them and it's going to be a long road to recovery. Luckily, I have patience and love.

Robin is seeing a vet tomorrow! Yay!

 

[Wiebke]

Ok, whoa, lets pause for a second. I just wanted to get this straight and highlighted here before anyone gets the wrong idea here. I knew he had the lump before I took him in. It was an emotional experience for the owners to give them up. The girl was crying. Robin was her baby, as he got her through some tough times. They are a couple but they were mainly the girlfriend's. Please don't assume they did this for that reason. This was not the case. They didn't sell them to me and they made sure to go to a good home with very specific requests. (The girl is on an autism spectrum, which explains some of it, but still, I am respecting those requests.) Including occasional photos of the pigs and texts for updates, and even if one passes. The girl wants to go to college again for vet sciences (Yay, more vets are always better!) and doesn't have the time to take care of her babies. They did not dump them on me. They were regularly given health checks, boar cleanings, and clippings, as well as baths. They are so clean and loved enough with proper care, they might as well be prized dogs or something. You can tell. (btw, show guinea pigs are a thing apparently...that's crazy lol!) This was one guinea pig mom to another, and they knew I would take care of him. I just wanted to say this because these people were extremely, extremely passionate about it and super nice and they loved their piggies and it showed. She knew as much as me and probably more. (Which I'm pretty extensive in knowledge about care, but still rely on vets and professionals, as well as communities for help. Everyone does.)

So, just wanted to clear that up! ☺ (This is not to meant to be hostile or anything, I'm just wanting to set this straight because we all care about these two fluffbutts lol!)

My first guinea pigs are certainly a dump though. The first owner should be ashamed. They're untamed, unbonded and are not a match. Kept in crappy conditions. He did NOT TELL ME THIS! Yes, this is Newt and Nibbler. The kids would chase them around the house and do all kinds of careless stuff with them. When I got them their nails were long and they were just plain dirty and in rough shape. This is a tough case for them and it's going to be a long road to recovery. Luckily, I have patience and love.

Robin is seeing a vet tomorrow! Yay!

Thank you for clarifying that. I take back any assumptions I have made automatically!
For that reason, I always make sure to mention it when I take in piggies from loving owners putting their piggies' needs and welfare (usually companionship for their last remaining piggy) before their own feelings but I have obviously fallen over my own feet here.
At least they are in a good place with you.!

Good that you have arranged a vet visit. Assessing lumps without a hands-on diagnosis is pretty risky and not very reliable, as we have seen a number of times on here.

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

It’s great how much you care about your new babies! Try not to be too worried, we’ve just been through hell and back with my girl Tonks and it was really bad. The pictures are so grotesque I wouldn’t even post them here! There were times I wasn’t sure she was going to make it as her wound was so badly infected and deep but they’re resilient little creatures! After many tests and round the clock care I’m now watching her saunter round the cage being a sassy poop machine like she was never poorly in the first place.

I’m sure what ever it is you’ll get through it with him together! All I can recommend is a very experienced piggy vet (there’s a locator on the forum if you need it!). It sounds like he’s in good hands with you, I hope it all goes well

 

[retro]

It’s great how much you care about your new babies! Try not to be too worried, we’ve just been through hell and back with my girl Tonks and it was really bad. The pictures are so grotesque I wouldn’t even post them here! There were times I wasn’t sure she was going to make it as her wound was so badly infected and deep but they’re resilient little creatures! After many tests and round the clock care I’m now watching her saunter round the cage being a sassy poop machine like she was never poorly in the first place.

I’m sure what ever it is you’ll get through it with him together! All I can recommend is a very experienced piggy vet (there’s a locator on the forum if you need it!). It sounds like he’s in good hands with you, I hope it all goes well

The problem with finding a good vet here in the USA in my state, it's very expensive, and I don't have the funds. One vet wanted to charge $1,500 to do an operation, overstay, antibiotics, etc. A "package" deal. They specialize in it. But I'm not rich. I'd have to do a gofundme or something. That's something I don't want to burden on people.

I just want the thing lanced/removed and probably some antibiotics. I don't need this fancy stuff. So we're going to a small town vet, who does rabbits and guinea pigs and such as well as cats and dogs. The first question I'm going to ask is how long have you worked on piggies and how many. I don't want to send him somewhere and him not come back. If Robin is killed because of some reckless vet wanting to experiment, I'm not paying. I don't play around when it comes to life and death, especially over money.

 

[retro]

Thank you for clarifying that. I take back any assumptions I have made automatically!
For that reason, I always make sure to mention it when I take in piggies from loving owners putting their piggies' needs and welfare (usually companionship for their last remaining piggy) before their own feelings but I have obviously fallen over my own feet here.
At least they are in a good place with you.!

Good that you have arranged a vet visit. Assessing lumps without a hands-on diagnosis is pretty risky and not very reliable, as we have seen a number of times on here.

Yes I'm a caring momma. Sometimes I feel I fail my animals. Like, maybe I'm not trying hard enough..or doing enough..or letting someone down. They eat better than me, they sleep better than me...I put them first. Maybe its because it's the only hope I have left. Sorry. Bit of a vent there.

Point is, the story isn't always the same.

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

The problem with finding a good vet here in the USA in my state, it's very expensive, and I don't have the funds. One vet wanted to charge $1,500 to do an operation, overstay, antibiotics, etc. A "package" deal. They specialize in it. But I'm not rich. I'd have to do a gofundme or something. That's something I don't want to burden on people.

I just want the thing lanced/removed and probably some antibiotics. I don't need this fancy stuff. So we're going to a small town vet, who does rabbits and guinea pigs and such as well as cats and dogs. The first question I'm going to ask is how long have you worked on piggies and how many. I don't want to send him somewhere and him not come back. If Robin is killed because of some reckless vet wanting to experiment, I'm not paying. I don't play around when it comes to life and death, especially over money.

Ouch yes that’s a lot of money! For Tonks’ mastectomy it only cost about £300 max including all post op care, meds and tests on the mass removal.

I completely agree, it’s so hard to find a good vet and I understand it’s even harder in the states. Perhaps it’s worth taking some info with you? I know you’ve done a lot of research so it might put your mind at ease, I often do that myself.

 

[retro]

Ouch yes that’s a lot of money! For Tonks’ mastectomy it only cost about £300 max including all post op care, meds and tests on the mass removal.

I completely agree, it’s so hard to find a good vet and I understand it’s even harder in the states. Perhaps it’s worth taking some info with you? I know you’ve done a lot of research so it might put your mind at ease, I often do that myself.

It’s all good. The vet himself owns Guinea pigs and works on them and I met him! Robin had an abscess but it came back overnight....damn, these piggies heal way too fast.