Possibly Tumor

[Squeaks]

Hi guys, I'm new here and looking for some support/advice please.

I have two Guineas, they are 2 year old sisters called Autumn and Willow. I've had them since they were babies (I was told they were 8 weeks old, but when I got them they were covered in ring worm so I took them straight to the vets, where I was told they were about 4 weeks old!).

Anyway a few days ago I noticed a lump on one of Autumn's nipples, it was quite hard, bit of hair loss and it looked red. I took her to the vets today. He examined her and said it's a hard lump, about the size of a brussel sprout, but it doesn't feel attached to anything and there's no discharge coming from her nipple. He said it could be an abscess or cysts but with the symptoms (or lack of) he's suspecting a mammary tumor. He recommended surgery either way so that what ever it is, it's out of her.

He was prodding and poking her and she was so well behaved bless her, never squeaked or anything. I was given an estimate of £250 to have the lump removed and sent off for testing (if it is a tumor), so I'm ringing tomorrow to get her booked in for the operation.

I'm so worried about her she's behaving like her normal self, eating and drinking fine etc.

Does anyone have any experience of this? What was the after care like?

Thank you in advance,

Tracy.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome!

I am very sorry about the news. Not what you want to hear! However, if the lump is still lose and not attached, it should hopefully be rather straight forward to get it out without any trouble.

Here are our post-op care tips: Tips For Post-operative Care

 

[Squeaks]

Thank you ever so much, I'll take a look at the link

 

[GPTV]

not sure if i read it right ... but if its an ovarian cyst (not on the nipple but under the skin) i had an 8 year old girly with a walnut sized ovarian cyst that had hormone injections due to her age & it shrunk the cyst. if she has crusty nipples or hair loss down her sides this can be a symptom of ovarian cysts ( also a bit hormonal/grumpy sometimes too).
(ellie kept getting reoccuring UTI's which was why the vet did the ultrasound originally, although she showed none of the classic signs of cysts)

Ellies were found on a conscious ultrasound scan - the injections were 7-10 days apart and lasted about 12months in ellies case & then had another 2 injections after the 12 months
just something to ask your vet about before she has any invasive surgery (possibly cheaper too)
it could also be a fatty lump, that just happens to be near her nipple if its not attached to anything, hopefully its not a tumour. healing vibes being sent your way xx

 

[Squeaks]

Thank you. She has no crusty nipples or discharge. The vet said as the lump appeared quite quickly and seems to be growing, removing it is the best option. She's booked in for the operation next week, but if it gets any bigger in the mean time I've to take her back.

Will she need to be kept separately from her sister whilst she heals? I'm worried about separating them incase they fight when put back together again, but I obviously will if it's the best thing for her.

Thank you again guys.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you. She has no crusty nipples or discharge. The vet said as the lump appeared quite quickly and seems to be growing, removing it is the best option. She's booked in for the operation next week, but if it gets any bigger in the mean time I've to take her back.

Will she need to be kept separately from her sister whilst she heals? I'm worried about separating them incase they fight when put back together again, but I obviously will if it's the best thing for her.

Thank you again guys.

My Cariad was together with a paw-holding husboar in the wake of her emergency spay (her womb had gone wrong, as well as some nasty looking ovarian cysts), and he was fine with her until I was assured that her eating and weight were fine. But it depends very much on how your girls are getting on, so there is no hard and fast rule for that. (the post-op guide has more tips on that).

All the best!

 

[Squeaks]

Hi, just thought I'd update on Autumn.

She had her operation and the vet said because of how strong their bond is (Willow wouldn't eat or even move whilst Autumn was at the vets!), to rub them both with a towel so they smell the same and then put them back together. As soon as they saw each other they were kissing and snuggling ^_^ Willow was very gentle with her and encouraged Autumn to eat and within seconds of being put back into their home she ate some grass! She's been doing absolutely amazing and she's all healed up now

 

[Adelle]

Hi, just thought I'd update on Autumn.

She had her operation and the vet said because of how strong their bond is (Willow wouldn't eat or even move whilst Autumn was at the vets!), to rub them both with a towel so they smell the same and then put them back together. As soon as they saw each other they were kissing and snuggling ^_^ Willow was very gentle with her and encouraged Autumn to eat and within seconds of being put back into their home she ate some grass! She's been doing absolutely amazing and she's all healed up now

So glad things went smoothly! Did they send the lump off for analysis?

It sounds like your girls have a lovely bond :-)

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, just thought I'd update on Autumn.

She had her operation and the vet said because of how strong their bond is (Willow wouldn't eat or even move whilst Autumn was at the vets!), to rub them both with a towel so they smell the same and then put them back together. As soon as they saw each other they were kissing and snuggling ^_^ Willow was very gentle with her and encouraged Autumn to eat and within seconds of being put back into their home she ate some grass! She's been doing absolutely amazing and she's all healed up now

Glad that things have gone so well. With closely bonded piggies, they will just go back together and help each other straight away in my experience.