Potential Ovarian Cyst - Disappeared?!

[amyhr95]

I have a 700g (she has always been tiny) two and a half old sow who has previously had a UTI which she had treatment for and subsequently cleared up. Last week I picked her up and noticed a rather large, round and hard lump on her abdomen, that was very noticeable when felt. I therefore took her to the vets where they were unsure what exactly it was however definitely felt a hard internal lump that they were able to move around - due to very slight hairloss signs and her history it was potentially an ovarian cyst, to which they recommended the hormone injection or operation (definitely not doing that option). They weighed her and since Feb 2015 she has lost 40g (previously 740, now 700g). I said I would have to think about it as she is still eating and drinking and showing no signs of pain.

However, two days after the vets I felt her again and cannot find this lump at all! He stomach is soft and squishy and there appears to be no lump at all. I felt her again today and still no signs of a lump. Still eating, drinking, moving around etc.

I have a dilemma, should I continue to monitor the situation and only take her back if her health changes and the lump appears, or go and ask the vet to do a final check, possibly a scan, to clear up any confusion? I don't want to put her under any more stress unnecessarily.

 

[helen105281]

I would ask for a scan so you have a firm diagnosis. It is possible for ovarian cysts to burst, but a scan would help to locate it if it is still there. It is possible that it was a different kind of lump to start with. The 40g weight loss is not a huge loss, especially over that period of time, though I understand she is already small so any loss can be a worry.

 

[amyhr95]

Thanks for your reply - if it has burst, are there any signs to look out for to show this? I can't imagine it would be pleasant. And if it did burst, what treatment do you know would be required? The vet had also mentioned it could have been one of her organs that had swollen or a tumor. I best get another appointment booked!

I would ask for a scan so you have a firm diagnosis. It is possible for ovarian cysts to burst, but a scan would help to locate it if it is still there. It is possible that it was a different kind of lump to start with. The 40g weight loss is not a huge loss, especially over that period of time, though I understand she is already small so any loss can be a worry.

 

[Lady Kelly]

Apparently a burst cyst is fine as everything is sterile in there. My Bea had this with her first but you need to keep an eye out as they can come back/new cysts can grow. It might be worth having a scan as she might have smaller cysts that aren't palpable at the moment. Best of luck for your sow, I would look at weighting her more frequently yourself so you can spot any changes immediately

 

[amyhr95]

Apparently a burst cyst is fine as everything is sterile in there. My Bea had this with her first but you need to keep an eye out as they can come back/new cysts can grow. It might be worth having a scan as she might have smaller cysts that aren't palpable at the moment. Best of luck for your sow, I would look at weighting her more frequently yourself so you can spot any changes immediately

Thank you will get her into the vets asap.

 

[helen105281]

My Millie has had some that burst too, but they have reformed sadly, though not the size they were.

 

[amyhr95]

My Millie has had some that burst too, but they have reformed sadly, though not the size they were.

Oh I'm sorry to hear that have you had them removed or has she been able to live with them comfortably? Have you had the injections before?

 

[helen105281]

Her latest ones are only small and not affecting her in any way so we are leaving them for now but will opt for injections if needed. Her original cysts caused her big gut issues. I used the injections for my Terk who had an ovarian tumour and they shrunk it enough to give her an extra year with us (she was 7).

 

[amyhr95]

Her latest ones are only small and not affecting her in any way so we are leaving them for now but will opt for injections if needed. Her original cysts caused her big gut issues. I used the injections for my Terk who had an ovarian tumour and they shrunk it enough to give her an extra year with us (she was 7).

Thanks for the info - it's a reassuring to hear that the injections have worked for you!

 

[helen105281]

I will tag @GPTV too who has experience with the injections.

 

[GPTV]

my old girl ellie had 2 rounds of chorulon (HCG) Hormone injections for her ovarian cysts & they worked really well both times, she was really just to old for a spay at around 6.5yrs & the risks were just too great.

My Ellies ovarian cyst was walnut sized & confirmed with an ultrasound scan. she kept getting UTI's & undiluted blood in her urine or when she pooped. none of the usual textbook signs of cysts like hair loss on her sides, hormonal & stressy or crusty nipples either.
A conscious ultrasound should show the cysts size & shape form, i'm guessing if it's burst it wouldn't be a liquid filled round'ish sack but more flat or uneven shaped? it would be cheaper & less stressful than having x-rays done too. just a splodge of the clear gunky stuff & a little belly hair shaved off & hey presto. i held Ellie for her scan & it was quite fascinating watching everything moving around inside her, etc.

the first time she had the 2 injections 7-10 days apart she had one or maybe two bleeds afterwards but no more at all ever,in the end i lost her to multiple health issues aged around 8yrs.
when the cyst was bigger it could be felt on her side as a semi mobile mass on the second occasion, after the injections this disappeared so i guess they worked.
the injections dont seem to have any general side effects, just that they may not work as some members on here have found.

i have heard that ovarian cysts are very painful, so it may be worth discussing with the vet about painkillers to make her comfortable if that's what she has got.

i would recommend a conscious ultrasound scan just to see if the vet can determine if it is an ovarian cyst, injections would be my first recommendation to trial before more invasive methods are trialled if it is ovarian cysts, although it can work with some tumours as Helens Turk was treated successfully.

fatty lumps are also often found on guineas, which also move reasonably freely under the skin. or it could be a sebacious cyst/ or abscess but i would think these would be less likely to just disappear quickly unless there was skin damage/open wound in either of the last two where the contents may have leaked out or burst. with her hair loss issues it is leaning towards ovarian cysts though.
Does she have lots of hormonal stressy days or is she quite relaxed & mellow? i noticed after Ellies injections that her coat became suddenly really soft & shiny, it had lost its slight rough, wirey feel which hadn't even noticed before.

healing vibes love the girls & I. xx

 

[amyhr95]

my old girl ellie had 2 rounds of chorulon (HCG) Hormone injections for her ovarian cysts & they worked really well both times, she was really just to old for a spay at around 6.5yrs & the risks were just too great.

My Ellies ovarian cyst was walnut sized & confirmed with an ultrasound scan. she kept getting UTI's & undiluted blood in her urine or when she pooped. none of the usual textbook signs of cysts like hair loss on her sides, hormonal & stressy or crusty nipples either.
A conscious ultrasound should show the cysts size & shape form, i'm guessing if it's burst it wouldn't be a liquid filled round'ish sack but more flat or uneven shaped? it would be cheaper & less stressful than having x-rays done too. just a splodge of the clear gunky stuff & a little belly hair shaved off & hey presto. i held Ellie for her scan & it was quite fascinating watching everything moving around inside her, etc.

the first time she had the 2 injections 7-10 days apart she had one or maybe two bleeds afterwards but no more at all ever,in the end i lost her to multiple health issues aged around 8yrs.
when the cyst was bigger it could be felt on her side as a semi mobile mass on the second occasion, after the injections this disappeared so i guess they worked.
the injections dont seem to have any general side effects, just that they may not work as some members on here have found.

i have heard that ovarian cysts are very painful, so it may be worth discussing with the vet about painkillers to make her comfortable if that's what she has got.

i would recommend a conscious ultrasound scan just to see if the vet can determine if it is an ovarian cyst, injections would be my first recommendation to trial before more invasive methods are trialled if it is ovarian cysts, although it can work with some tumours as Helens Turk was treated successfully.

fatty lumps are also often found on guineas, which also move reasonably freely under the skin. or it could be a sebacious cyst/ or abscess but i would think these would be less likely to just disappear quickly unless there was skin damage/open wound in either of the last two where the contents may have leaked out or burst. with her hair loss issues it is leaning towards ovarian cysts though.
Does she have lots of hormonal stressy days or is she quite relaxed & mellow? i noticed after Ellies injections that her coat became suddenly really soft & shiny, it had lost its slight rough, wirey feel which hadn't even noticed before.

healing vibes love the girls & I. xx

Wow thanks for all the information, I will definitely ask for an ultrasound to confirm if there are cysts there. In relation to stress behaviour - she does not let her male friend into her hidey at all, however apart from that I haven't noticed much!