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Weight loss/ovary cysts

Doe

Doe

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hey everyone,

Just wondering if anyone has had experience similar to mine. I have a female approximately 3 and half years old piggie. She seems absolutely normal in every way behaviour, eating and toileting wise but has lost weight in recent months. Not massive weight loss but enough to notice. The vet has tested her urine for cystitis which came back negative. The vet has suggested I weigh her again in 3 weeks and if the loss is continued to have her tested to see if she has cysts on her ovaries.

Anyone else had a similar thing happen?
 
If your girl is losing weight then you should switch to weighing her every day and step in with syringe feeding.

I had 2 girls with ovarian cysts last year. My 3 year old Jemimah came through surgery and has made a full recovery. Sadly my old lady Merab didn’t survive but it turned out while she was in surgery that she had widespread cysts throughout her abdomen.

Is you vet good with exotics?
3 weeks seems a long time to wait to me but I am not a health expert.
 
Sorry for your loss, glad Jemimah made it through safely.

My Charlotte has lost weight gradually (around 70gm) since October and is eating normally so no need for syringe feeding at the moment.
The vet I use is good with them but has suggested another who works very closely with GPs if I choose to take it further re scan etc. There doesn't appear to be a definitive reason for the weight loss so any further tests will be exploratory and the mention of ovary cysts was as a possibility not a diagnosis.
I don't know if there could be any other cause for this weight loss?
Just don't want to let it go too far before intervening.
 
A gradual weight loss can be connected to ovarian cysts. Please weigh daily at the same time instead of the usual weekly health and weight check-up. See your vet sooner if the weight loss is speeding up; there are other potential causes for a weight loss than just ovarian cysts.

You can find some information on ovarian cysts in our sow behaviour guide: Sow Behaviour

About 80% of old sows are estimated to have ovarian cysts. Thankfully the vast majority never causes any problems. 2-3 years is a typical age for trouble makers to be come noticeable.
 
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Ok thanks I will keep a close eye on her and refer to the vet if the weight loss continues. Assuming a scan is the typical diagnosis procedure and surgery is the norm if ovarian cysts are found to be the cause?
 
Doe said:
Ok thanks I will keep a close eye on her and refer to the vet if the weight loss continues. Assuming a scan is the typical diagnosis procedure and surgery is the norm if ovarian cysts are found to be the cause?
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I think hormone injections or draining of the cysts are sometimes other options.
 
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