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Pig with Abcess/Cyst

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Hi everyone, just wanted to ask for a bit of advice. I was examining one of my girls and I have found a lump under one of her nipples which looks like an abcess or cyst. I'm hoping to take her to the vet either after work tomorrow evening or first thing Friday. The lump is rather large and I am so upset with myself for not noticing it sooner, but it seems to have appeard really quickly. I was just wondering if anyone has any experiance with lumps like this, as Ive no idea what to expect when I take her to the vet and just wanted to get some ideas.
 
Some guinea pigs get cysts which are totally harmless. My Amelia Jane had one on her back. Eventually it just went away on its own but sometimes they can drain them. Try not to worry until you know what it is.
 
You're already doing what I would suggest - going to the vet to get a diagnosis.

The vast majority of lumps are quite harmless but those that require treatment are best dealt with quickly before they become something more. They can range from abscess, cyst, lipoma, lymphoma, etc. once you have a confirmed diagnosis I'm sure there will be more targeted advice for you.

Suzy x
 
Some pigs get abscesses/cysts/fatty lumps- the vet should be able to give you a better idea of which you are dealing with. One of my pigs, Linney, had a cyst or abscess on her back just above the grease gland... initially the vet lanced and drained it and gave her an antibiotic, but that wasn't enough to clear it and eventually it was removed under general anasthesia. Luckily she did great, never even seemed to notice, and (knock on wood!) hasn't had any health issues for over a year now.
 
She will need to go to the vet, and the vet should do a biopsy of the lump. My pig Teddy has a lump under his nipple, and had to have a biopsy. Thankfully it wasn't cancerous, he was given some antibiotics as the lab results showed a slight infection in the lump. As it wasn't cancerous the vet said it wouldn't need to be removed and I was told to keep an eye on it and come back if it got bigger. It did get bigger so I took him back, but the vet was happy that it didn't need surgery. She said some pigs do get fatty lumps, and normally they don't need to be removed if it isnt impairing them in anyway, especially as she thought that it would likely to grow back anyway, and that some can shrink and go away on there own. The funny thing is over the last 2-3weeks the lump has shrunk on its own and has nearly disappeared! He still has a couple of smaller lumps (pea size) so I will keep an eye on them.
If you have a camera and a ruler/tape measure take a picture of the lump with the ruler next to it so you can keep a record of how big it is, if you think say a week later for example the lump has got bigger then take another picture of it with a ruler.
I can understand you are probably really worried, Iknow I was. But the chance of the lump being cancerous are very slim, and as long as the lump is not impairing her in anyway then she should be able to live with them without having any negative affect on her, there is always a chance too that they could just disappear on their own like Teddy's. Please dont blame yourself for only just finding it, Teddy's appeared almost over night, and again doubled in size within a week, I think they appear very quickly.
Hope this helped a little. Hope all goes well at the vets, we will keep fingers and paws crossed here x
 
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My girl Squeak has had cysts , in the area above the vulva. I took her to the vets who lanced it as it was basically a sack full of pus. I had to bathe it in warm salt water every day, and she was put on anti biotics. The vet did say that it could come back, and it did a few months later. Did exactly the same routine again, and, touch wood, all been clear for 6 months.

Definately agree with the others and get checked out at the vet.

Good luck, and hope your piggie is fighting fit soon

xx
 
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