Sooty - uterine cancer

[hallie2985]

Sooty was diagnosed with uterine cancer in mid-February. She had a flushing procedure for bladder stones under GA due to horrendous sludge, which was completely successful, but the saw a uterine growth on the post-op x-ray. At that point, my vet advised watching and waiting, as Sooty was otherwise in excellent condition.

Unfortunately, two weeks later we returned as the über-sludge had returned. Sooty had lost about 30g, and the tumour was palpably bigger. We had a full and frank discussion about the option of attempting a spay. As Sooty will be 6 in mid-May, and given the probable bladder involvement, my vet advised that surgery would probably be futile, and recommended comfort care.

I honestly thought that Soots would be gone within a couple of weeks; she wasn't a big pig to start off with, and she was in a lot of discomfort. She started on Tramadol in addition to Metacam for pain control, and I moved her (and Basil, my only boar) into a smaller 'hospice cage' in my bedroom so that I could spend loads of time with her and ensure she was comfortable.

Well, two months down the line, Sooty is still here! There is no doubt that she has lost weight in spite of my best efforts, but amazingly, she does not currently require any pain relief; I have monitored her closely, and she does not have anything like the pain she had post-procedure. She is loving being the sole object of Basil's affections, and her character remains as ever it was. We are spending hours cuddling, and she loves all the attention.

This evening, for the first time, I think she may have had some blood in her urine. This did not appear to cause her discomfort, but freaked me out as a sign of disease progression!

Does anyone have any experience of this? Google is of limited use, and suggests that such tumours are quick to kill - not my experience!

Thank you!

PS - photo is from last week!

 

[Claire W]

I'm afraid i have no advise but I am sorry to hear about her diagnosis She is gorgeous and I wish you all the best xx

 

[KaitRoo]

Aw this is so sad, her little face looks just like my Bella's. I'm so glad withall your efforts that she's still battling through. Unfortunately I haven't had a situation like this so am unable to offer advice but please can you give her a lovelybig cuddle from me, it's brought tears to my eyes x

 

[shiny]

What a beautiful girl she is

I also have no experience with this but wanted to say Sooty sounds a lucky girl to have such good love & care from you & Basil. I hope you find some guidance on this & that Sooty stays pain-free & happy for much time to come xx

 

[Wiggie]

Hi, I am sorry to hear of your troubles. New Year's Eve my Peples lost a thumb sized tumour out of her uterus. She was 3 in November. After tests we found out what it was. She was found sitting in some blood with this lump 1/2 hanging out, I thought she would die in the night but it just came away. It was a hard time as the results came through I had lost a very loved piggy to heart issues. As I had lost Bo I was going to try all I could for Peples she had a spay. This was in the second week of Jan. Peples is fit and well and I am not worried as she is back to normal. The spay was a bit of hard work, medications and the wound. Peples was strong in all other ways. The tumour was a bolt out of the blue I was horrified. The vet struggled with the op due to large ovaries bound down. The vet was very good, she could not tell me the odds of survival with or without surgery. Apparently the tumour was not one that could easily spread, and she had passed it. I needed her spayed, she was 3. Bo had an implant for ovary trouble I fear her swollen tummy but a strain on her heart, I do wonder if I spayed her could she still be with me. I chose to spay Peples which went well but her age and health was on her side and I did not want the cancer to spread I thought the fact it came out was a blessing as I could know to try to help her. I hope my experience is of some vague help. X

 

[sport_billy]

I have no experience but wanted you to know I'm thinking of beautiful Sooty, one of our girls has lymphoma so we know how you are feeling. Sooty is very lucky to have such a caring slave and a devoted Basil to look after her. Hope she continues to be pain free and you have lots more time together. x

 

[piggyfan]

Oh how sad. Poor little girl. She is so beautiful.

 

[MargaretB]

So sorry about poor Sooty. Hope she continues to be well for a while yet.

 

[Freela]

No real advice, but just wanted to say that she's adorable, and it's wonderful that she's had all these extra months of quality time and love. Would the vet simply treat her for a UTI and see if that helps at all? I've had some chronically ill pets and one of the issues was always that, with their defences low, they picked up any number of minor infections, like UTIs or URIs. I hope she continues to do well for you! I had a hedgehog that passed from uterine cancer, but it was extremely quick in that she wasn't diagnosed until the day before she passed, so I have no idea of ongoing management, and it may not be the same for hedgehogs vs. guinea pigs. ((HUGS)) to Sooty!

 

[Wiebke]

I am sorry; I'd thought that uterine cancer was rather quick. Great that Sooty is still there and can hopefully be so for a while longer with a reasonable quality of life.

 

[hallie2985]

Thank you for your messages, everyone. Sooty seem better today; her urine has cleared, so I guess it was a minor irritant rather than a massive disease change. I am dreading losing her, as she is the surviving half of my original pair. I am so lucky that she is a fighter, and will make the most of every day we have together. The family joke is that she will live forever! I know she won't, but I am storing up memories and photos and savouring every licky kiss!

 

[piggyfan]

I really do sympathise as I have been in your situation and it is very painful knowing you may not have long left. You do sound very positive though which is wonderful.

 

[biscandmatt]

sooty is gorgeous! glad she is still with you and fighting.