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What should I do?

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Nickyjay

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My guinea pig Charley has had a lump for months, started off the size of a pea and is now the size of a golf ball.
He has had several trips to the vets and they said that it could be a cyst or it could be a tumour. They said that due to his age (4.5 yrs) he **** wouldnt survive the anasthetic.
Came home tonight to find that the lump has been bleeding, called the vets straight away and rushed him there!
The vet looked at Charley and said that he needs to be put to sleep! I'm absolutely gutted.
I have brought him home for the night as couldnt bring myself to go through with it tonight.
The vet has assured me that he isn't in any pain and he is still chirpping and munching on his food!

Any advice on what I should do? Is it my only option to put him to sleep? Has anyone been through anything like this?

I want to do what's best for my piggy!
 
Hi nicky sorry to hear about your piggy did the vet not take some sort of sample to determine weather it was a cyst or tumour because I'm sure if it was a cyst they could have drained it or something have you tried to find out a second opinion
 
What an awful experience for you and Charley.

If the piggy is not bothered by the lump at this point and eating and chatting away, well... I'm no expert, but that doesn't sound like a piggie in tremendous pain who needs to be put down. Are you able to find a different vet for a second opinion? Whereabouts are you in the UK? Someone in here may be able to direct you to a guinea savvy one in your area :)

For what it's worth, I would have done the same as you and brought him home if he was clearly not in pain.
 
I was told that as he has lots and that its bleeding he needs to be put down. Not sure why its bleeding. No havent had a second opinion, do you think i should?

Its breaking my heart at the thought of him not being around. He's still so active and lively!
 
Well, if Charley is not in obvious discomfort, I honestly would get a second opinion, especially when a vet is talking about putting an animal down. I have no idea about the bleeding however, sorry can't help there I'm afraid. Someone may be on tomorrow who can help.
 
yes do get another opinion. Good luck
 
That's what I thought!
It is really bleeding now as he keeps biting the lump!
If a 4.5 year old piggie was to have anesthetic are the odds of survival bleek?

I'm torn as to what to do!
Want to do what's right for my little guinea pig!
 
The lump could be a number of things. I would certainly try to get a second opinion.

For what it's worth I had one of my boars castrated at the age of 4 - he came through the anesthetic fine and is now a very healthy 6 year old chap.
If your piggy is in otherwise good health I think I would be willing to take the risk of the operation - at least if having him put to sleep is the only other option.

Love and hugs to you both

Teresa
 
Thank you to you all for your advice and kind words!

I think I will go to another vets just for the second opinion!

At least if I try everything i've done my best!

Thank you x
 
all i can say is thank goodness you're charlie's mommy. i think if it's a cyst it could be drained, as can an abscess. i think a second opinion is a great idea. how long has he had the lump?
 
Poor fella.

My Miranda had a lump on her tummy, started the size of a pea, so we left it after a needle biopsy showned only fatty cells(vets advice) but it kept growing, had it removed (had got to the size of a sprout) turned out to be a fatty lump Vet said that "nasty" lumps in piggies are quite rare. I think your wise to get a second opinion as already said if the only option is to put him to sleep or try removing it -it gives him a chance. Gwinny was six when she had a "cyst" removed under general, it kept bleeding, with a very thick pus coming out. Best wishes to you both, and everything crossed!
 
Good on you for bringing him home and not just going along with the vet! Too many vets get it wrong, unless you have a truly great, recommended, experienced one I find it hard to completely trust their judgements. My own Charlie was diagnosed with a kidney tumour in 2007, the vet advised he be put to sleep there and then. We said no, managed him with pain meds and Reiki, and he lived very happily for over 9 months after diagnosis. If we'd gone with the vet's advice we would have ended his life unnecessarily.

A fine needle aspiration would at least give some clue as to what is inside the lump. It could be a cyst, abscess or tumour, but more investigation needs to be done before decisions are made.

As long as the vet is experienced, and the surgical procedure is carried through properly - Isoflurane or Servoflurane anesthetic, Rimadyl pain relief, subcutaneous fluids before and after (and during if necessary), no catgut/chromic sutures (Vicryl or Mersilk if stitches are needed), flushing with oxygen at end of surgery - then the pig has the best chance possible. I know of a sow who had an ovariohysterectomy at 9 years old!

Good luck, I do hope you can get some better advice and treatment from another vet. Keep us updated.
 
Good news!

Been to another vets and its good news! They have said that they want to operate on him and remove the lump!

The operation is on Wednesday. So so pleased I decided to get another opinion!

Any suggestions as to what I can put in the cage for them instead of sawdust as the vet has said to remove it so the wound doesn't get infected!

Thanks again to everyone for their kind words and advice!

Much love
Nicky & Charley-Boy! x x x
 
You could also purchase some vet bed to put him on when he comes home. It'll keep him lovely and warm, and it absorbs urine. It can also be washed in the machine. There is a risk with all animals, whatever their age, when undergoing anesthetic. I had a piggie who had undergone anesthetic 4 times in her 6 year life and had no bad effects from it. In my opinion it's always worth trying if needed. Fingers crossed the op goes well :)
 
I'm so pleased that you have managed to get a second opinion!

Best of luck for the operation on Weds, please let us know how you and Charley get on :)
 
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