Torn on whether to operate on my 5-year-old guinea pig. Looking for advice

[Nast]

Hello! My guinea pig is a 5-year-old girl. I am quite an amateur in dealing with guinea pigs, especially regarding vet visits as I have never been in a similar situation before. Recently, a lump appeared under her armpit. We have been already to the vet and on our first visit we were prescribed the antibiotics(Orniflox) and painkillers/anti-inflammatory medicine(Rheumocam) but the lump remained unchanged. Apart from that, the vet has also mentioned that they have discovered a solid body there. However, today we have been there once again and we were eventually given just 2 options: a high risk surgery or just leave it be. They are not able to identify the mass inside as when they tried to puncture it to get some samples, she started to bleed profusely. I am just at a loss. I don't know what would be better for her. At the moment, the lump does not impare her movement or causes pain as she is as active as she has been before and eats well. This is the vets verdict: "The mass is closely attached to the muscles of the inner arm and the armpit. Removing the mass is not easy. However, there are no good alternative treatments, as the mass is expected to continue growing and may eventually interfere with walking or lead to necrosis and, consequently, an open wound. The anesthesia risk is increased due to the animal's species, age, and the expected duration of the surgery. During postoperative care, there is a risk of wound infections and impaired healing due to the guinea pig's self-manipulation. The type of tumor can be determined through a histological examination if you wish. This would help assess the risk of metastases and recurrence." I am looking forward to hearing your advice. Thanks!

 

[Wiebke]

Hello! My guinea pig is a 5-year-old girl. I am quite an amateur in dealing with guinea pigs, especially regarding vet visits as I have never been in a similar situation before. Recently, a lump appeared under her armpit. We have been already to the vet and on our first visit we were prescribed the antibiotics(Orniflox) and painkillers/anti-inflammatory medicine(Rheumocam) but the lump remained unchanged. Apart from that, the vet has also mentioned that they have discovered a solid body there. However, today we have been there once again and we were eventually given just 2 options: a high risk surgery or just leave it be. They are not able to identify the mass inside as when they tried to puncture it to get some samples, she started to bleed profusely. I am just at a loss. I don't know what would be better for her. At the moment, the lump does not impare her movement or causes pain as she is as active as she has been before and eats well. This is the vets verdict: "The mass is closely attached to the muscles of the inner arm and the armpit. Removing the mass is not easy. However, there are no good alternative treatments, as the mass is expected to continue growing and may eventually interfere with walking or lead to necrosis and, consequently, an open wound. The anesthesia risk is increased due to the animal's species, age, and the expected duration of the surgery. During postoperative care, there is a risk of wound infections and impaired healing due to the guinea pig's self-manipulation. The type of tumor can be determined through a histological examination if you wish. This would help assess the risk of metastases and recurrence." I am looking forward to hearing your advice. Thanks!

Hi

I am very sorry. We are never prepared to come face to face with the possibility of losing a beloved one and it can start an emotional tsunami that makes you feel swept away and drowning in very conflicting emotions.

A lump in the armpit could unfortunately mean lymphoma (cancer of the lymph nodes) in the worst case scenario. It is the most common form of cancer in guinea pigs.

Basically, what you have to choose between is a risky operation that may likely not come off or terminal care; boosting her wellbeing with pain medication for as long as she has the quality of life to express normal species behaviour, move around and be comfortable and has the will to live.
It is never an easy choice and there is no right or wrong. Both ways have their positives and their downsides. Unfortunately, only you as the owner can make the decision.
We can only lay out the situation for you in these 'between a rock and a hard place' situations, as can your vet. All I can read between the lines is that your vet is not very optimistic in terms of an operation. A failed operation can for some owners be emotionally devastating, especially when the recovery doesn't happen.
However committing to not give your beloved one a chance and just letting them live out their life generally comes with strong feelings of guilt due to the way we humans are psychologically wired; not because you are doing anything wrong.

I have written a series of questions for owners finding themselves in your situation to help them work out where they stand in term of the major factors in play so they can make their decision with a bit clearer head and heart - although not a lighter one. I hope that you will know your own heart a bit better and feel a bit more able to come to a conclusion.
Here is the link: A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs

5 years is the average lifespan when it comes to commercially available pet guinea pigs, so you have done well. We can sadly never choose when and what from our beloved ones eventually die.

We are here for moral support and practical tips for the whole time, whichever way feels the right one for you - operation or terminal care.

 

[CTWC]

Hi what a decision to have to make, how long has she had the lump that you've noticed? And how much has it grown since this time?

 

[Nast]

Hi what a decision to have to make, how long has she had the lump that you've noticed? And how much has it grown since this time?

To be honest, this mass appeared rapidly. Just approximately a week ago everything was fine. I was playing with her one morning(giving treats) and it wasn't there yet as I was holding her and I didn't feel anything abnormal. However, the same day in the evening we noticed this mass. From our perspective, it hasn't grown at all during this 1 week.

 

[Nast]

Hi

I am very sorry. We are never prepared to come face to face with the possibility of losing a beloved one and it can start an emotional tsunami that makes you feel swept away and drowning in very conflicting emotions.

A lump in the armpit could unfortunately mean lymphoma (cancer of the lymph nodes) in the worst case scenario. It is the most common form of cancer in guinea pigs.

Basically, what you have to choose between is a risky operation that may likely not come off or terminal care; boosting her wellbeing with pain medication for as long as she has the quality of life to express normal species behaviour, move around and be comfortable and has the will to live.
It is never an easy choice and there is no right or wrong. Both ways have their positives and their downsides. Unfortunately, only you as the owner can make the decision.
We can only lay out the situation for you in these 'between a rock and a hard place' situations, as can your vet. All I can read between the lines is that your vet is not very optimistic in terms of an operation. A failed operation can for some owners be emotionally devastating, especially when the recovery doesn't happen.
However committing to not give your beloved one a chance and just letting them live out their life generally comes with strong feelings of guilt due to the way we humans are psychologically wired; not because you are doing anything wrong.

I have written a series of questions for owners finding themselves in your situation to help them work out where they stand in term of the major factors in play so they can make their decision with a bit clearer head and heart - although not a lighter one. I hope that you will know your own heart a bit better and feel a bit more able to come to a conclusion.
Here is the link: A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs

5 years is the average lifespan when it comes to commercially available pet guinea pigs, so you have done well. We can sadly never choose when and what from our beloved ones eventually die.

We are here for moral support and practical tips for the whole time, whichever way feels the right one for you - operation or terminal care.

Thank you for the support. I really appreciate it. Though I still hope that it would not be something bad and ,in the end, that she would be able to live for much longer than just that

Hi

I am very sorry. We are never prepared to come face to face with the possibility of losing a beloved one and it can start an emotional tsunami that makes you feel swept away and drowning in very conflicting emotions.

A lump in the armpit could unfortunately mean lymphoma (cancer of the lymph nodes) in the worst case scenario. It is the most common form of cancer in guinea pigs.

Basically, what you have to choose between is a risky operation that may likely not come off or terminal care; boosting her wellbeing with pain medication for as long as she has the quality of life to express normal species behaviour, move around and be comfortable and has the will to live.
It is never an easy choice and there is no right or wrong. Both ways have their positives and their downsides. Unfortunately, only you as the owner can make the decision.
We can only lay out the situation for you in these 'between a rock and a hard place' situations, as can your vet. All I can read between the lines is that your vet is not very optimistic in terms of an operation. A failed operation can for some owners be emotionally devastating, especially when the recovery doesn't happen.
However committing to not give your beloved one a chance and just letting them live out their life generally comes with strong feelings of guilt due to the way we humans are psychologically wired; not because you are doing anything wrong.

I have written a series of questions for owners finding themselves in your situation to help them work out where they stand in term of the major factors in play so they can make their decision with a bit clearer head and heart - although not a lighter one. I hope that you will know your own heart a bit better and feel a bit more able to come to a conclusion.
Here is the link: A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs

5 years is the average lifespan when it comes to commercially available pet guinea pigs, so you have done well. We can sadly never choose when and what from our beloved ones eventually die.

We are here for moral support and practical tips for the whole time, whichever way feels the right one for you - operation or terminal care.

Thank you for the support, I really appreciate it! I still hope that it won't be anything bad and that, in the end, she will be able to live much longer than that.

 

[CTWC]

Has your vet got a lot of experience with this type of surgery on guinea pigs?

 

[Betsy]

Whatever you decide to do will be the right choice - it will be made from love.

What I do when faced with a dilemma is to make a decision and live with it for a few days and if it feels the right choice, I go with that, if not I go with the other choice.

 

[Nast]

Has your vet got a lot of experience with this type of surgery on guinea pigs?

I assume the surgeon is quite experienced with small animals, as it is a reputable clinic in Germany that specializes mostly in exotic and small pets. Despite this, I lean more toward continued observation. If it starts to grow rapidly, we would arrange an operation. I just did some research, and as far as I know, there is a chance that this is a non-aggressive mass that will grow slowly, allowing her plenty of time to live comfortably and happily with her herd. All I can do is just hope

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for the support. I really appreciate it. Though I still hope that it would not be something bad and ,in the end, that she would be able to live for much longer than just that

Thank you for the support, I really appreciate it! I still hope that it won't be anything bad and that, in the end, she will be able to live much longer than that.

I am keeping my fingers firmly crossed.

 

[Nast]

From the bottom of my heart, I wanted to thank everyone who has replied to this thread. Unfortunately, my guinea pig, Rishula, passed away this Tuesday which was fundamentally heartbreaking and devastating for our family. It was the biggest loss that I have ever experienced I hope she is in a better world right now, hanging out with her parents and making new friends. We have decided to euthanize her because she was struggling and having seizures. I just hope that we were able to mitigate her suffering as much as possible and that she was happy being with us despite all obvious political struggles that we have faced.

 

[CTWC]

How heartbreaking for you all it is an awful decision to have to make
As you say picture her reunited with family and making new friends over The Rainbow Bridge pain free and in fields of all of her favourite treats.
She will always be with you in your hearts

 

[DavRz]

I'm very sorry to read of the loss of your sweet girl..RIP Beautiful Rishula

 

[Wiebke]

BIG HUGS

I am very sorry that you have had to make that decision but you have made it with all the deep love that speaks from every single one of your posts and with putting Rishula's welfare before your own desires. It is the most heartbreaking but also most loving gift we can make our pets.
It was the right decision under the circumstances but you always end up questioning yourself nevertheless.

We all want to give our little ones the happiest of lives but we sadly haven't got any control when the end comes and what it is that goes wrong - and cannot necessarily be fixed.

Please be kind with yourself as you grieve and give yourself the space and time to do so.

We have a Rainbow Bridge section on here for those of us - and at any stage during or after the grieving process - who find it helpful to post a tribute to their beloved pets. There is no obligation; I just want to make you aware of its existence.
Rainbow Bridge Pets

We also have an End of Life and Bereavement Support Corner where we provide understanding community support for those owners who feel that it helps them being able to talk with others who have shared the same experience. There is sadly still often not much understanding around when it comes to small pets.
End of Life and Bereavement Support Corner

My thoughts are with you.

 

[Truffolo]

Sleep softly over the bridge little Rishula