Possible mammary tumours?

[KathT]

Checking over my sows today, I noticed two of them have small lumps close to their nipples. They are both fine, about 3-4 years of age, not showing any signs of pain, eating, pooping and doing everything as normal, though one of them has been a bit hormonal of late, which has started to calm down now. I would ordinarily take them down to Northampton to the cat and rabbit clinic as I haven’t found a decent guinea savvy vet in Nottingham. Should I phone the vets to get them seen or do you think this can wait until lockdown is lifted in a few weeks (hopefully)? I want to do what’s best for them but I’m hopeless at making decisions!

 

[Wiebke]

Checking over my sows today, I noticed two of them have small lumps close to their nipples. They are both fine, about 3-4 years of age, not showing any signs of pain, eating, pooping and doing everything as normal, though one of them has been a bit hormonal of late, which has started to calm down now. I would ordinarily take them down to Northampton to the cat and rabbit clinic as I haven’t found a decent guinea savvy vet in Nottingham. Should I phone the vets to get them seen or do you think this can wait until lockdown is lifted in a few weeks (hopefully)? I want to do what’s best for them but I’m hopeless at making decisions!

Hi!

As the lumps are only very small, I would recommend in view of the circumstances to just monitor them weekly but rather book them in at the Cat&Rabbit if/when one of the lumps is suddenly growing more quickly.
Please be aware that they could be harmless sebaceaous cysts or fatty lumps (lipomas) unless they are sitting pretty much under the nipples.

 

[KathT]

Thanks Wiebke. They may be fatty lumps or cysts as they aren’t directly under the nipple but to the side. I will keep an eye on them and if they show any signs of change I will get them booked in at the vets.

 

[Eriathwen]

2 of the 4 sows i've had to have spayed since September had developed small fatty mammary lumps, since spaying, these have reduced in size and started to go away, I have a 4 year old sow who also has these lumps and also probably has ovarian cysts causing hormonal changes but as she is palliative, we are currently weighing up which would be more of a welfare issue, leaving her or opting for surgery. In one of the sows ive had spayed, she had a cyst on her ovary the size of a golf ball, which I couldn't feel myself, I only took her in due to the mammary lump. She was fine otherwise, just a little quiet. For peace of mind I would have her checked when you can, but obviously with whats going on the possibility of that will vary, I am very lucky to have a good vet who understood the sow we had spayed just over a week ago couldnt wait. But i've seen a lot of people have difficulty trying to be seen, due to spays being seen as more of an elective surgery unless an emergency crops up. Barring a large ovarian cyst rupturing, there is no harm in just waiting and monitoring, providing she isnt causing fights with her friend.