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Specialist Strange lumps under their chins

C

Crazypiggielady

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi

I'm looking for some advice. I have 2 sows about 7 months old that have developed lumps under their chins in the same place. The lumps are about the size of a large grape, move around when I feel them and don't seem to be causing them any pain.

I have taken them to the vet and was given anti inflamitary medicine to try. It worked and the lumps went for the week they were taking it for but have now come back. The vet gave them a thorough check while there and said they appear really healthy.

I now have a dilemma. The vet was confused about what they could be especially as they both have the same thing and are otherwise so well. She said they could investigate by taking a biopsy but they would need to be sedated which would carry a small risk as they are still so tiny.

So now I don't know what to do. Do I get the lumps investigated and risk my piggies or do I monitor them as they seem so healthy an happy.

I should add that they have had the lumps for a few weeks and they have stayed the same size. The girls are eating and drinking well and don't appear to be bothered by them.

Any Advice gratefully received!

Thanks!
 
Hi there! They could be swollen lymph glands or my boy had an abscessed lymph gland (however this didn't move around as freely). If it is just swollen/enlarged lymph glands, they do sometimes go back down of their own accord. Chunk (who had the abscess) has another "lump" which we think is the other lymph gland but we are just keeping an eye on it and looking out for any changes. Where abouts are you based?
 
Crazypiggielady said:
Hi

I'm looking for some advice. I have 2 sows about 7 months old that have developed lumps under their chins in the same place. The lumps are about the size of a large grape, move around when I feel them and don't seem to be causing them any pain.

I have taken them to the vet and was given anti inflamitary medicine to try. It worked and the lumps went for the week they were taking it for but have now come back. The vet gave them a thorough check while there and said they appear really healthy.

I now have a dilemma. The vet was confused about what they could be especially as they both have the same thing and are otherwise so well. She said they could investigate by taking a biopsy but they would need to be sedated which would carry a small risk as they are still so tiny.

So now I don't know what to do. Do I get the lumps investigated and risk my piggies or do I monitor them as they seem so healthy an happy.

I should add that they have had the lumps for a few weeks and they have stayed the same size. The girls are eating and drinking well and don't appear to be bothered by them.

Any Advice gratefully received!

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome

Since both girls have the same lumps, it is more likely a transmittable problem. Sometimes it can be difficult to work out exactly what it is.
Personally I would opt for a biopsy. Keep in mind that the sedation will ever only be as deep and as long as absolutely necessary; in the case of a biopsy this not quite as deep as for an operation and fairly short, which very much minimises the risk of complications. ;)

@Jaycey @helen105281 @furryfriends (TEAS)
 
Thanks for the advice :) I'm in Cornwall. Yes my instincts say to get the biopsy done as it's a worry not knowing what it is. I will ring the vet back in the morning and book them in for it.
 
Crazypiggielady said:
Thanks for the advice :) I'm in Cornwall. Yes my instincts say to get the biopsy done as it's a worry not knowing what it is. I will ring the vet back in the morning and book them in for it.
Click to expand...

Wait and see what our medically more experienced members have to say that I have linked into your thread.
 
Cant a sample be taken by needle syringe and then tested? This is what Simon did when my senior boar had 2 lumps, grape sized under his chin.
 
Thanks everyone. The vet said she wouldn't be able to get a sample while they are awake because they were wriggling so much when they were examined. They didn't like the vet trip at all!
 
I too would opt for the biopsy to see what the lumps are. I’ve had many lump biopsy’s done. Thankfully my vet has managed to do it whilst the piggy had been awake but if you have a wiggly piggy, a light sedation (a quick whiff of gas) should be fine
 
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