• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Tumours?

  • Thread starter Thread starter smudge.xx
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
S

smudge.xx

Hi, my name is Zoe. :)

I took my pet guinea pig (Smudge, nealy two years old) to the vets earlier today just to clip his nails. After the vet finished, I asked her about the little lumps that are appearing all over his body. She said something about 'manuary tumours'? And she said that he'll need to have an operation to remove them, I'm quite worried, as I don't want my guinea pig to suffer.

Has anyone had anything like this, with their guinea pig?

Please reply, thanks.
-Zoe
 
Lumps can be a number of things including fatty lumps, cysts, etc. How does he know they are mammory tumours? I would personally keep an eye on the lumps. If they cause your piggie no pain or annoyance then I would leave well alone. Obviously if they get bigger or cause irritation then consider having them removed. My piggie was covered in small lumps but as they never bothered her and didn't grow in size I left them alone. hope the link helps

http://www.guinealynx.info/lumps.html
 
Thank you for replying.
From that link, the lumps he has, are nothing like those mammary tumors. They're not purple/blue or visible in any other way like that. I think personally, I'll leave them alone. But if they get bigger, I will seek help again.

Thanks again.
 
Welcome to the forum Zoe, I'm glad you have sought more opinions on Smudge's condition/diagnosis. I definitely agree that mammary tumours are unlikely - they would not be all over the body for a start!

Where exactly are the lumps? Are they very small, surface lumps? Sebaceous cysts are a possiblity, the most likely of all lumps to appear anywhere on the body, though obviously without seeing the pig none of us can say for sure. :)

There is also a condition known as CL (Cervical Lymphadenitis) whereby a series of abscesses form on the lymph nodes, mainly around the chest and neck area.
http://www.guinealynx.info/forums/viewtopic.php?p=160439
It's rare by my understanding, but if it is a number of abscesses as opposed to cysts, it's something to perhaps keep in mind. Highly unlikely to be the case with your piggie from the sounds of it. Sebaceous cysts are much, much more common.
 
My Rocky is covered with lipomas (probably in excess of 20). We had two large ones removed but the rest don't seem to cause too much of a problem and will stay.
 
CCC4 said:
Welcome to the forum Zoe, I'm glad you have sought more opinions on Smudge's condition/diagnosis. I definitely agree that mammary tumours are unlikely - they would not be all over the body for a start!

Where exactly are the lumps? Are they very small, surface lumps? Sebaceous cysts are a possiblity, the most likely of all lumps to appear anywhere on the body, though obviously without seeing the pig none of us can say for sure. :)

There is also a condition known as CL (Cervical Lymphadenitis) whereby a series of abscesses form on the lymph nodes, mainly around the chest and neck area.
http://www.guinealynx.info/forums/viewtopic.php?p=160439
It's rare by my understanding, but if it is a number of abscesses as opposed to cysts, it's something to perhaps keep in mind. Highly unlikely to be the case with your piggie from the sounds of it. Sebaceous cysts are much, much more common.
Click to expand...

The lumps he has, are about fingernail size. And are under his skin, just all over the place really, over his chest, sides, tops of his legs and where his armpits are. I think it is probably something like sebaceous cysts, but I'm no expert.

Thanks for replying. :)
 
There is another condition known as Generalised lymphadenopathy, ie all of the lymph nodes are enlarged. Treatment is difficult and the prognosis is not very good. However it is an uncommon condition.
I would tentatively suggest they are fibromas or lipomas. Definitely not mammary gland tumours, peculiar anatomy if they were!!
 
Hi.

Just got back from the vets, and I'd like some advice.
The vet said that my guinea pig will need to under anasthetic, to have a biopsy, to find out further what the lumps he has, actually are. He said there is quite a big risk of him not waking up after, also it would cost around £100. He said it is up to me wether I go through with it or not.

I'd just like some advice, with others that have experience with their guinea pig going under.

Thanks in advance. :)
 
DO NOT go any further with the suggested treatment.
A There is no need for a general anaesthetic to take a biopsy.
B Many pigs have lumps and bumps, just because they are there is NOTsufficient reason to have them removed.
There is always a risk with any general anaesthetic but your vet seems to suggest he has a less than 50% chance of surviving. Totally unacceptable odds.
I have sent you a pm.
 
Last edited:
Various of my piggies have developed lumps in various places - only Columbia's were cancerous and they gave her pain when touched. Basically she let me know they were uncomfortable by batting my hand away.

I think cancerous or problematic lumps are different to the fatty/fluid filled 'under the skin' lumps piggies can develop. I wouldn't recommend an operation - I am in full agreement with Alcesterpigs there. Look for other changes - weight loss, pain, and illness. Don't assume all lumps are cancerous, they are usually perfectly ok and don't bother the piggie at all. That's my experience anyway.
 
I took my coco to the vets the other week as he had a lump and on further inspection he had several lumps in different places under the skin. She was certain that they were not tumours and as he is happy eating, not uncomfortable at all, she said to leave them. Unless he gets uncomfortable and i can see he is not right, then they will investigate further.
 
Over the months, the lumps have got bigger but Smudge is in no pain. If I notice any changes in Smudge's behaviour then I'd certainly take him to the vets and go from there. But at the moment he is one happy chappy! :)
 
Have you considered changing vets? If there are mysterious lumps and bumps then a biopsy to put your mind at rest is actually a good idea, its fairly painless and routine, however DEFINATELY no need to do a general - a local would be fine! Sounds like he's either a) not very experienced/confident with small animals and/or b) wanting to line his pockets at your expense.

Just my two cents

Tony
 
Topcat - Lots of hugs to you and Maisie. :)

astevens4 - The vet (at a PDSA) that was looking at Smudge was quite young, and might have gotten taught a different way to the slightly older ones. I think their motto it to 'tickle and go' if you know what I mean. Try to see as many people as they can, all for the end result. I don't think I'd take Smudge there again. I like a good thorough check-up.
 
Dont get me started on the pdsa lol If they have a few vets try another or e mail/call around to check if any local vets have small/ exotic animal experience. The pdsa are good if you have no money but if you can afford to go else where i would recommend it, there all about cats and dogs there. One of my pigs has got some lumps but shes fine and they seem totally harmless. I wouldnt worry about it, a wee check now and again is cool :)
Best of luck
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top