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Swollen Genitals

Gem789

Gem789

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My 4 year old(if her age was correct when I took her on)female guinea pig appears to have swollen genitals.She is still eating but has been loosing weight.I have been syringe feeding and giving metacam for the time being.She has a look in her eyes which makes me think she's in pain.Ill be ringing my local vets in the morning although they're not cavy savvy I'm hoping they can help.Ive been away for 2 weeks and came back Saturday evening and my friend who was feeding the pigs noticed she seemed lighter but didn't notice the genital swelling so not sure how long this has been a problem for.Does anyone have any ideas on what could be the problem?
 
Gem789 said:
My 4 year old(if her age was correct when I took her on)female guinea pig appears to have swollen genitals.She is still eating but has been loosing weight.I have been syringe feeding and giving metacam for the time being.She has a look in her eyes which makes me think she's in pain.Ill be ringing my local vets in the morning although they're not cavy savvy I'm hoping they can help.Ive been away for 2 weeks and came back Saturday evening and my friend who was feeding the pigs noticed she seemed lighter but didn't notice the genital swelling so not sure how long this has been a problem for.Does anyone have any ideas on what could be the problem?
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It can be a problem with the reproductive tract (uterus/pyometra/ovarian cysts) or with the urinary tract (UTI or urethral stone).

All the best!
 
Wiebke said:
It can be a problem with the reproductive tract (uterus/pyometra/ovarian cysts) or with the urinary tract (UTI or urethral stone).

All the best!
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Thanks for your reply.Ill mention these things as a possibility when I see the vet.I would've liked to have her seen at the cat and rabbit clinic but am I right that Simon is away at the moment?
 
Gem789 said:
Thanks for your reply.Ill mention these things as a possibility when I see the vet.I would've liked to have her seen at the cat and rabbit clinic but am I right that Simon is away at the moment?
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You have to ring the clinic; as I haven't needed to see Simon, I don't know.
 
Simon is away for a week after tomorrow I think.
 
Just back from the vets and he said she's got a mass in her stomach sort of area and that's why she's loosing weight and her genitals are protruding.He said I need to consider putting her to sleep cos she's too old to operate and he also said her teeth are overgrown and said that's another problem caused by the mass.I was crying at the vets cos that's not what I was expecting to hear.Do u think I should get a 2nd opinion?
 
He also said metacam wouldn't help when I asked for it but then said he will prescribe it anyway if I really wanted it.
 
Aw poor piggy!
Definitely get that second opinion, at least to find out what the mass is. There may be something they can do to make her comfortable even if the lump is bad news. Trimming her teeth down would make her more comfortable too, although I suppose the anaesthetic is a risk as always. But I wouldn't say four is too old for an anaesthetic! I'd be more worried about her being weak and underweight.
Good luck to you and your piggy, I'm sure Simon knows what he's doing ;)
 
Wheekallweek said:
Aw poor piggy!
Definitely get that second opinion, at least to find out what the mass is. There may be something they can do to make her comfortable even if the lump is bad news. Trimming her teeth down would make her more comfortable too, although I suppose the anaesthetic is a risk as always. But I wouldn't say four is too old for an anaesthetic! I'd be more worried about her being weak and underweight.
Good luck to you and your piggy, I'm sure Simon knows what he's doing ;)
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Thank you, I agree 4 is not too old for an anestetic or operation.I'm gonna ring the cat and rabbit clinic tomorrow to try and get her seen Thursday as I'm off that day.I've had to ask my boss if I can bring her into work tomorrow to syringe feed her as she keeps loosing weight and luckily she said yes even though we're very busy x
 
Sorry to hear this! 4 is not too old if your vet knows what they are doing, my late Bumble was spayed at 4.5 years and recovered quickly with no issues in fact I think she was the only piggy I had that didn't need a bit of syringe feeding to help her come round from the operation.Best of luck with the second opinion
 
Lady Kelly said:
Sorry to hear this! 4 is not too old if your vet knows what they are doing, my late Bumble was spayed at 4.5 years and recovered quickly with no issues in fact I think she was the only piggy I had that didn't need a bit of syringe feeding to help her come round from the operation.Best of luck with the second opinion
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Thanks, I'll trust whatever they say at the cat and rabbit clinic.I just hope they can help her.It makes me so sad to see her Ill x
 
Gem789 said:
Thanks, I'll trust whatever they say at the cat and rabbit clinic.I just hope they can help her.It makes me so sad to see her Ill x
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never put to sleep a pig before being sure there is nothing else to do... especially when the bad "verdict" comes from a no specialised vet...
You vet has not seen a mass using a special procedure; maybe there is no mass, maybe it is something else. You are right if you want to go to that clinic where there are very good vets. I hope there is a hope around the corner...
hugs!
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
See if you can get an appt with Kim this week. She's working her normal shifts, as it's just Simon away. Simon can then operate next week if Kim thinks it's appropriate x
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I rang the vets today and was told Kim is away too.I can't get seen till Wednesday.I don't know what to do cos I really don't think she'll last till then x
 
rome_italy said:
never put to sleep a pig before being sure there is nothing else to do... especially when the bad "verdict" comes from a no specialised vet...
You vet has not seen a mass using a special procedure; maybe there is no mass, maybe it is something else. You are right if you want to go to that clinic where there are very good vets. I hope there is a hope around the corner...
hugs!
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Thanks, I totally agree.I need a proper investigation x
 
Gem789 said:
I rang the vets today and was told Kim is away too.I can't get seen till Wednesday.I don't know what to do cos I really don't think she'll last till then x
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I was just about to message you to say I had got the impression that Kim wasn't in either. That's ridiculous that you can't get seen until next Wednesday. When did you ring? x
 
There is a specialist based at Hinckley vets 4 pets, I met him years ago when my original piggy Bea had cysts and the start of renal disease. I don't know how quick they could get you in or if he's around as I haven't visited that practice myself but I was very impressed with him previously
 
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