What could this lump be?

[Claire1973]

We noticed a lump/ swelling on one of our neutered boars Iggle yesterday - between his legs above his "bits" - its about the size of a 10p - not like an obvious lump more a swelling under the skin. Obviously I'll get him checked out by a vet but it's Sunday today, and he seems normal in himself - happy and eating normally. Any clues as to what it could be?

 

[Mother Hubbard]

Has he recently been neutered?

 

[Claire1973]

Not recently no, over a year ago now.

 

[Amanda1801]

Could be an umbilical hernia? Difficult without seeing him really. Just keep an eye on him today, and get it checked out tomorrow, or sooner if he deteriorates

Just an FYI regarding sundays and vet treatment incase it's needed: http://theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=90842

 

[Mother Hubbard]

I was replying but the very knowledgable Amanda came to your aid. Phew

So sending Iggle some good vibes.

:laluot_06:

 

[Claire1973]

Looking at a google search on umbilical hernias it looks too high up to be that - his is much lower - low on his abdomen. I will be keeping a close eye on him today though and if he needs a vet earlier I know where to take him. He's only about 2 yrs old (rescued so I don't know his history prior but he's been with me for over a year now and is a big boy living with his three girlfriends and still seems very healthy apart from this swelling.

 

[Pebble]

If you haven;t cleaned his willy recently, it's possible that this is nothing more than a rather large (and possibly sudden) build-up of "gunk" around the shaft of his willy. I have seen this before on a couple of boars and it presents as a swelling under the skin. Some boars are more prone to this than others and if they are, will need regular willy cleaning to stop the build-up.

I didn;t realise until I had one boar who presented as you describe and he subequently needed cleaning weekly because the build-up was so rapid - yet most of my others have no problems.

However given what you have described and what other possible causes it could be, (including a harmless fatty lump) I wouldn;t advise you to try and check this at home today.

When he is checked tomorrow - make sure the vet fully extrudes his penis.

Good luck for tomorrow.
x

 

[Claire1973]

photos...

Sorry Iggle for photos of your bits! :red:red

But this is it, I have an impacted older boar and it isnt the same.. but must say I'm quite worried now

 

[Pebble]

It does look suspiciously like an extremely "caked" penis however please do not extrude the penis to check this today yourself. With that amount of gunk, the penis would pop out suddenly, may also have slight infection associated with it and unless you knew what to do next you would not be able to get it back in.

If he is eating properly, bright-eyed etc then a vet visit tomorrow would be the thing.

x

 

[Claire1973]

Just wanted to update this thread incase anyone wanted to see the outcome of Iggles vet visit.

It is a fatty lympona! and he also has another one the size of a large pea higher up on his belly! He has got a clean willy and bum :red so it wasnt that! Well the vet has said that we can leave it alone and watch and see aproach...or remove the lumps now. My concern is that where the large lump is it could interfere with his water works if it grows...? but other than that I am going to watch and see if it grows at all I will have to have it removed I guess... just dont want to put him under general anasthetic for nothing.