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Speedy Has A Lump Under His Chin

ggreene

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Oct 13, 2016
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Location
manchester, england
where to start!


Hi all,

I've cleaned out the piggies cage today to find this hard lump in piggies chin... I clean every 3/4 days I've not noticed this before!
Speedy shortly after we bought him we found a pea sized lump in his shoulder which was attached (vets) we were given the option to operate on vets advice to leave it as it's just a fatty lump .. he grew fine couldn't find the lump. Is it possible for this lump to have moved to his chin? He's not bothered if I touch it or is it stopping him eating or drinking.... I can't afford surgery & the vets misdiagnosed his cage mate recently with dental issues & perscribed him with bayril Day 2 I found to be a fusion bead Took it off he's back to his normal happy self. I'm worried as there's no small furry savvy vets locally they are miles away, nearly lost fang to shock taking him
To the vets . I've seen pics over the net which look like the same thing & had a read some have said it was abscess & although treated they didn't make it through recovery :(. Ive been here with the best will in the world with a bunny (boredella killed her) she was vet treated she lived 6 weeks longer with us that she would of at the pet store! Lost her the night before Father's Day, looking back what that baby bunny suffered (she was adored) I would in hindsight finding out what she had & how it effected her - finding her passed away was very traumatic! She still oozed mucus even in death :( i would of put her so sleep ending her suffering :( earlier. I don't want to put speedy through something like a battle of abscesses or lumps... anyone had success stories? Need to keep the faith that having a decent vet that has some knowledge of small furries in not just throwing money away trying & trying only for him to suffer I would have to borrow the money if he needs surgery or anything else.
 
Here's a vet in Manchester, it's from thr vet locator on the forum:
Ashleigh Veterinary Centre
Aidan Raftery
221 Upper Chorlton Road
Manchester
Lancashire M16 0DE
0161 881 6868

It could be a fatty lump but it might not be. Whenever one of my boars gets a lump I always take them to the vet to see what they think.

If it changes in size at all you will need to go to the vet.

It would be worth starting a savings fund for vet visits, get a jar and put in whatevee you can whenever, 10p here, 50p there, it all adds up and helps.
 
Abscesses or lymph nodes are the most likely cause of lumps under the chin.
If its an abscess it should be easily treated if there is no tooth root involvement. Lymph glands can be suggestive of something more serious. He definitely needs a vet visit. They may be able to do a needle biopsy to diagnose it.
 
Thanks for the replies, I've spoke to people that own piggies also (will get him seen tomorrow hopefully) but they've said if it's a abscess long road or just a lump easier... I'm not a fan of Ashley's at all, way I was spoke to by a receptionist was disgusting! Rather not use them.
 
If you had a bad experience could you feedback to one of our moderators so they can discuss removing/changing the recommendation on the forum?
 
Is it just the receptionist you had the bad experience with? My GP's receptionists are rude but I suck it up because finding a GP who knows enough about my condition (not a rare condition at all) to treat me correctly and with empathy is worth it. I know customer service is a huge deal but if you cannot afford to get to another cavy savvy vet and your vets can't tell the difference between an infection and a bead on their teeth then I would put up with a rude receptionist to get the right treatment. Anything like an abscess is best dealt with as early as possible, the longer you leave it the harder it will be for your piggy to overcome it
 
Was horrible experience, seeking advice as I was recommended Ashley's through animal trust (vet treated a bunny with a boredella infection I was sold fluffy with) I was enquiring the prices etc what they can do - fluffy had been on sulfatrim & bayril no effect :( I paid for the swab testing with animal trust & antibiotics, receptionist was awful She came out with blabbing I need to have her vet treated (already under a vet! & she was treated) she went on with herself :/ fluffy only survived half a week later :( utterly heartbreaking situation where I asked information to be rudely given 'my rights as a owner' I did my best for fluffy (bunny) I paid for all her vet treatment as the pet store wanted nothing to do with it 'return to store' that was a fat no! Will be taking them to small claims for damages.
With small furries, after fangs misdiagnoses of dental issues With animal trust although a free consultation I will give it a miss seeing speedy... other option is vets4pets they have some knowledge of exotic pets... from what I've been told if a abscess - flushing & at home with antibiotics treatments 40% of successful treatment ... secondary infection? Which kills them? this is what I'm really worried about, I know nothing of at home treatment flushing to be honest I'm way out of my depth. Speedys still eating/drinking fine currently would of thought he was just a fatty piggy but I've felt it & it's hard!
 
Been wracking my brains here, speaking to different vet surgeries abscesses can be treated with antibiotics only? Need help on this majorly. I don't want him to have surgery for the crack of it when a more none invasive method of treatment? Bayril? Anymore antibiotics that can help?
 
I've popped speedy In the bath with some hibi scrub cleaned the area ... can anyone see like a bite mark? Maybe off one of his brothers? I've cleaned the area hibiscrub again & some sterile Manuka honey feels like a ball. Waiting on the partner to call me about seeing the vet... none are savvy so really doesnt matter if we go to animal trust all will be the same method of treatment I've been told not all require lancing (which I would try to avoid for contraindications surgery/antibiotics vs recovery) I have bayril would this be one of the antibiotics they could prescribe? (Misdiagnosed piggy) I've dried him put him back with his brothers.

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It looks nasty and you definitely need to have him seen by a vet.
If it is an abscess (a real possibility) the longer you leave it the harder (and more expensive) it will be to treat.
You have been recommended a good local vet, and I am sorry you had a problem with the receptionist, but if the vet care he will receive there is good then sadly you may have to put up with the receptionist, and possibly make a complaint to one of the vets if you feel it is necessary. It may also be that she was having a bad day last time you spoke to her, and her behavior was out of character.
Anyway with the option of a piggy savvy vet nearby this is what i would do to try and give Speedy the best chance of a fast recovery.

Try not to worry about things like after care and managing the problem at home, because if that is required the vet will guide you through the whole process.
The first step its to get the problem diagnosed and start treatment.
 
We're back! No lance/drain vet was good, he's on baytril twice a day for 10 days in hope it will get better otherwise it's a lance I asked about sedation which they'll give him gas & air first they won't do it without. My fear is now it pops unexpectedly, which it can. I've have hibi scrub, Manuka honey & saline anyway it's a staple in the first aid box & ive bought a anti back wash.... I can only hope at this point that it can be treated with antibiotics successfully. I asked if I should separate from his brothers answer was no as it can cause him a lot of distress (have a hospital cage) his teeth are fine no swelling to the lymph. Think it's just a scratch or bite that's got infected that I haven't noticed cos it's on his chin. £120 sound about right for lance & drain?
 
Think I've found out the issue! Archie keeps dominating speedy I witnessed this (they are a trio) fang stepped in fending off Archie so speedy can get away! The noise omg! I think in dominating Archie has bit speedy hence the abscess on his chin :( I've gave them a 'bonding bath' which just aggravated the situation later on (noticed speedy & fang cuddled each other in the bath, Archie stayed the other end) Fangs a little older than speedy & Archie - they are brothers around 14 months old
I've now separated Archie into another cage in another room. Going to let them cool down for a few days give the cage a massive clean & nuterlise everything & try to give them a bonding bath again see if they can be rebonded also gives speedy sometime to rest & heal. What do I do if Archie can't be rebonded? Any methods I should use? For the trio threads or vids would help greatly
 
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