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White jelly thing in ear canal is a polyp

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According to a topic on guinea linx they are not common in guienea pigs but standard procedure is to surgically remove them in most cases and test to see if they are benign or malignant (common in cats these things apparently)
 
So an op is the only way forward - it will get worse - this is what they said my sow had and after 3wks of constant antibiotics, within 3 days of us stopping them the lump in her ear had almost tripled in size, was oozing liquid/blood and smelt gut wrenching. I think part of the problem was caused by it irritating her and she was scratching at it - causing a massive infection.

The polyp in her ear was that far down in her ear canal they could only remove part of it - they said should it return a biopsy should be sent for analysis and a risky op would be the only option to remove the remaining polyp along with part of her ear canal.

Thankfully she recovered from the op within 48hrs and was back to her normal bouncy self - she's been fine ever since and that was a year ago now.

It looks very much like your pig will end up needed an op to remove it.
 
My vet doesn't want to do owt with it at the mo. Said just leave it alone and monitor.
 
Bekki2308 said:
According to a topic on guinea linx they are not common in guienea pigs
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Must say the vet didn’t get the best look at it. The rodent wouldn’t stay still as usual but the vet didn’t help by shouting at it in frustration and wrestling it around. Had a voice like a fog horn. Geesch.
 
Personally id prepare for the worst and save some cash just in case this little one does need an op :-D

If you google guinea pig ear polyp there is a whole thread over on guinea lynx about thhem.
 
Sue_P said:
My vet doesn't want to do owt with it at the mo. Said just leave it alone and monitor.
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That's exactly what the vets said to me - and then put her on a 7 day course of baytril - i returned for check ups every week for 3-4 weeks, each time i returned they just gave me more baytril. I then decided to go elsewhere - when registering with a new vets i had to wait 3 days for her details to be faxed through to the new vets (as there was a mix up with the first fax that never made it) - in that time it went from looking like a small black lump that felt hard to touch to a large white/yellow lump that covered the whole of her ear and could be seen poking out of her ear to smelling absolutely gut wrenching - every time she moved her head blood/liquid would be sprayed everywhere - i could have cried at the state of her.

To be honest it would have been a lot less hassle if they'd have removed the lump when first noticed - the weeks of baytril/monitoring it did nothing apart from making it worse.

I would get a second opinion - the longer it's left, the worse it will get. A lump inside the ear will not be pleasant for your pig - so whether the condition gets worse by itself, or your pig makes it worse by scratching at it - it's not going to go away.
 
@ Beki – Yeah I’ve been looking at what’s said on The Guinea Lynx forum today, should have gone there to ask about it to start with, they’d have probably suggested a possible polyp and I’d have avoided the usual abuse I get on here.


@ Sodapops – Your rodent’s ear growth sounds different to mine. I’ll keep an eye on Fudge’s and if it starts oozing or smelly then I’ll take the next step. My vet didn’t want to try Baytril, just said to do nothing and that it's possible that it may shrink, she said I could try eardrops but that she thought they wouldn’t do much good. She says the polyp could cause an ear infection but that at the mo my rodent doesn’t have one. I’ll just hope it’s something my rodent can live with, at least for a few more months anyway.
 
How horrible the vet shouted at your poor piggy. You should never see that vet again as that is not the way to treat animals. That is awful.
 
It’s also not the way to get a good look inside ear canals. I’d have gone for the relaxed softly spoken gentle approach personally.
 
Sue_P said:
@ Beki – Yeah I’ve been looking at what’s said on The Guinea Lynx forum today, should have gone there to ask about it to start with, they’d have probably suggested a possible polyp and I’d have avoided the usual abuse I get on here.


@ Sodapops – Your rodent’s ear growth sounds different to mine. I’ll keep an eye on Fudge’s and if it starts oozing or smelly then I’ll take the next step. My vet didn’t want to try Baytril, just said to do nothing and that it's possible that it may shrink, she said I could try eardrops but that she thought they wouldn’t do much good. She says the polyp could cause an ear infection but that at the mo my rodent doesn’t have one. I’ll just hope it’s something my rodent can live with, at least for a few more months anyway.
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Sue, it does have to be said that you do contribute somewhat to the heated debates on here - you wording within your replies does cause a lot of offence and it's not about people being sensitive - I'm the least sensitive person i know, and even I'm shocked/insulted/offended by some of your replies. Maybe a little tact and thought before you post would be an idea - you are like a bull in a china shop when you post...

That aside, my sow had a polyp in her ear - exactly what your vet has said is the problem with your pig. The first vets i took her to said it was a warty type growth that should be monitored - they didn't even know what it was!

With my sow it started out as a very small red lump inside her ear - in fact i only noticed it by chance - although i check them regularly i'd never really checked inside their ears (i do now). It was when she was having lap time that whenever i touched near her ear she would shake her head and move away that prompted me to actually have a look inside - that's when i noticed the small lump. At first i thought she'd probably just scratched her inner ear - at this point there was no smell or anything - i only took her to the vets as a precautionary measure to ensure it didn't get infected.

Like i said - a lump in the ear is a foreign object and certainly isn't supposed to be there, so it wont go away - the only thing it will do is grow in size and irritate your pig - this is when they'll start scratching at it and causing an infection.

I still believe that had an op been done sooner rather than later her recovery rate would have been better (she didn't eat for 3 days afterwards) and the trauma of it all meant she wasn't herself for 2wks afterwards.

As they say waiting to see how things progress is not always the wisest move - waiting till is absolutely necessary can end up being more costly and more risky.

I would start saving for that op now - because if it's anything like my sow - it will develop rapidly, the fact you haven't even got any antibioctics may see that happen sooner rather than later
 
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But I'm not sure I'd want an operation for my rodent. If the vet is happy leaving it then so am I. She never suggested operating on it at this moment anyway, just said if it gets bigger, causes head tilt or makes him start eating less and losing weight or there's an infection in the ear that then she could attempt to surgically remove it. She said that polyps are often on thin threads and that it could end up moving more out of the ear canal on a longer thread. Fascinating.
 
Sue_P said:
But I'm not sure I'd want an operation for my rodent. If the vet is happy leaving it then so am I. She never suggested operating on it at this moment anyway, just said if it gets bigger, causes head tilt or makes him start eating less and losing weight or there's an infection in the ear that then she could attempt to surgically remove it. She said that polyps are often on thin threads and that it could end up moving more out of the ear canal on a longer thread. Fascinating.
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Well no one wants to put their pet through an operation - sometimes though it's necessary. I certainly didn't choose to have my sow put through her operation - her's was very necessary - the few days leading up to her op, it was obvious there was no other option available.

Personally i wouldn't wait until there was a problem such as it getting larger/developing a head tilt/not eating/losing weight as these can induce further problems - the recovery period is far worse if there are also issues like not eating and weight loss. Head tilts can be a problem that stay with the pig throughout the rest of it's life, so certainly not something id want to wait for.

Having read through the way your vet dealt with your pig anyway on that basis id be looking elsewhere - a vet that loses it's temper with an ill animal is not one id want treating my babies. I dont think i could rely on the advice of a vet that shouts and 'wrestles' with a frightened guinea pig!

Go take him for a check up elsewhere...
 
A vet appointment is stressful enough for these little guys....having an idiotic vet that shouts and wrestles with them just makes it worse

The guy sounds like a complete tool
 
You could go for a biopsy, see what you're dealing with. Unless its too small and you just remove it, then send it off for samples.

Cats normally get polyps. They are excess tissue that grows from a tube connecting the ear and the mouth. Sometimes they grow into the mouth and cause very noisy breathing ( like darth vader!) And normally they are removed. Sometimes they grow into the ears and cause deafness by blocking the canal. These are more difficult to remove completely so are debulked.
 
I knew taking it to the vets for a vet's opinion was a waste of time. She said there was definately no infection there, strange - when it shook its head today a load of puss splurted out.

Decision time. Put them to sleep or let the vets give surgery a go. Frankly I don't see a good outcome letting them try, they slowly killed my rabbit, think the kindest thing to do is say goodbye to them before they have to suffer a lot. :0
 
Please give him a chance and let the vet (or another one, if you're not happy with this one) try surgery. It could be something which is easily removed, and he'd be fine.
 
I personally wouldnt have waited until this had happened, it must have been really uncomfortable for "it"...she/he/name? In my opionion being left is probably more uncomfy than a samll op to prevent this.
Lots of puss, sounds suspiciously like an absess to me which means infection. An op or a ruthless course of antibiotics would definatly be worth a shot. My Harry had a neutering complication, he was treated time and time again and then when I found a cavy savvy vet he was operated on and within weeks he had two wifes and has never been ill since. The op took less than half an hour, he needed supportive care for a week in terms of syringe feeding and gut stimulant but then he came on leaps and bounds and the wound completly healed.
Please give her a chance an dont think of the money. If nothing can be done a good vet will advise you of any likely complications, chances of a good prognosis etc. Is this not worth looking into?
 
Sue_P said:
I knew taking it to the vets for a vet's opinion was a waste of time. She said there was definately no infection there, strange - when it shook its head today a load of puss splurted out.

Decision time. Put them to sleep or let the vets give surgery a go. Frankly I don't see a good outcome letting them try, they slowly killed my rabbit, think the kindest thing to do is say goodbye to them before they have to suffer a lot. :0
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Exactly how many are you planning on having euthanased?
 
Two, his brother at the same time. That one's got a runny nose and runny eye, had it for a year. Both of them are in pain when they pee too. They're 4 years old.

Well my vet didn't discuss possible complications. But I'm not there to help it if it needs syringe feeding, I've got work to go to, doubt my boss would just let me not come in for a few days, I've got work to get out and I'm the only one that can do it. Can't say it went down very well with all my dramas with my rabbit when he kept getting ill and I kept having to take time off work with him, the boss sure isn't gonna like it all over again. I really don't see my vet surgery or the other vet surgery nearby making his ear perfect again. Hence why I think it's best to avoid all the hassle and putting him through stuff.

Anyone any idea how long a rodent can last for with an ear full of puss and polyp mainly blocking the ear canal? I don't know if I should be taking them to be put down this week or leaving it 'til he actually has proper bad symptoms, at the moment he's acting himself and seems fine except for him not wanting me anywhere near his ear. It's a tough and depressing call.
 
I suggest that if you have no desire to help syringe feed your animals had you need you to, in future please dont take on any more rodents. How aware were you of their care requirements when you took them on or maybe your circumstances have changed, this is of course something no-one can prevent.
I work full time in finance and I have syringed poorly piggies, twice before work, thrice after and 1 to 2 times through the night and the dog walkers gave vegetables whilst at work. Also my vets will syringe feed my animals for 12-20 quid per day if I have to work, they call it a hospitilisation fee. If you are determined enough there are ways round things. I guess determination depends on how commited you are.
However if you come up with another reason you cant treat or support your sickly animals (People may shoot me down for this) and if he is in pain and your vet has advised it wont get bettter without an operation/antibiotic and you refuse to get hom treated I would PTS sooner rather than later. Or if your circumstances dont allow you to keep animals any longer perhaps you could give them up for adoption maybe?
 
Sue_P said:
Two, his brother at the same time. That one's got a runny nose and runny eye, had it for a year. Both of them are in pain when they pee too. They're 4 years old.

Well my vet didn't discuss possible complications. But I'm not there to help it if it needs syringe feeding, I've got work to go to, doubt my boss would just let me not come in for a few days, I've got work to get out and I'm the only one that can do it. Can't say it went down very well with all my dramas with my rabbit when he kept getting ill and I kept having to take time off work with him, the boss sure isn't gonna like it all over again. I really don't see my vet surgery or the other vet surgery nearby making his ear perfect again. Hence why I think it's best to avoid all the hassle and putting him through stuff.

Anyone any idea how long a rodent can last for with an ear full of puss and polyp mainly blocking the ear canal? I don't know if I should be taking them to be put down this week or leaving it 'til he actually has proper bad symptoms, at the moment he's acting himself and seems fine except for him not wanting me anywhere near his ear. It's a tough and depressing call.
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Both would be better off euthanased ASAP, if nothing else, to save them from your "can't be bothered" attitude.

If their medical issues had have been addressed sooner, it could have been a whole lot simpler.
 
Would you not consider taking them to a vets that is more cavy savy so you can get their problems treated as your vets doesn't sound very good. Or if you really can't be bothered to try and get your guinea pigs treated give them up to someone who will. Surely these are better options than just killing them.
And if one of them has had problems for a year so severe you think it's kinder to put him down then why hasn't something been done sooner?
 
Why are they both in pain when they wee? Bladder infections can be treated quickly so if that is the case there is no need. Your vet sounds totally useless and you should not see him again. These poor guinea pigs sound like they have so many health problems and not having good vet treatment means they have suffered all their poor lives.
 
Like i posted when you started your thread - my sow had a polyp and after the antibiotics didn't work she was booked in to have it removed. She was in the vets for 8:30am they took her for the op at 9:30am and i was contacted at 11am to say she come through the op and was being monitored - at 2:30 pm i was told i could collect her.

Although people say ops are risky for guinea pigs an op such as this, the risk is fairly minimal - i wouldnt have even considered having her PTS. You've already said that he is eating, drinking and is generally fine within himself - how are you justifying having him PTS? is money an issue for you and this is why you wont consider an operation?
 
I asked Jo at Milhaven and she said she uses Kingsway Vets but I let them loose on my rabbit and they gave him back after an op all drugged up and unable to stand, in fact I seem to recall having to go back because of complications afterwards, they also seems oblivious of the dangers of cat litter and rabbits. I have no idea where there is a cavvy savvy vets nearby. & I don’t drive and my mum ain’t gonna be keen on a drive a zillion miles away.

Never thought of leaving a rodent in the vets care for looking after it. & it ain’t like I can’t be bothered to take care of it, it’s just that for 11 hours of the day I ain’t at home and there’s no one else capable of stepping in to medicate.

The black rodent’s having eye ointment at the mo but it ain’t working, he’s had baytril but that ain’t worked. He doesn’t exactly look the picture of health. Had the other rodent not of had this ear problem I wouldn’t be thinking of putting him to sleep yet, but I’m sort of thinking it would be the right time rather than let him stay on after the other is dead and perhaps get lonely. Phoned the vets earlier and they didn’t seem to mind.

The rodents have always had the squeaking whilst peeing thing, had them treated a few times with baytril but it never did any good. It’s something they can obviously live with but again it’s just another aspect to bear in mind. They’re oldish now and both have their own health problems.

@ Sodapops – Are you sure your rodents lump was a polyp and not an abscess? If it oozed then surely it was an abscess? A polyp is just made out of tissue isn’t it?

Money is an issue but I’m more worried about making him poorly by giving him an op, I’ve read the threads on Guinea Lynx about them lot giving rodents ops and giving treatment for months, a lot of those threads end up with death. I don’t want him to go through what my rabbit went through, I’d rather he just died peacefully before going through pain, weight loss, being force fed, being forced to have medication, stressful trips to the vets. He obviously hates anyone looking at his ear let alone going near it, I don’t want him to get distressed with it all. I think he’d be better off dead if that’s what’s in store for him. & yeah, I don’t know when the best time to put him to sleep would be. Yeah he’s acting fine now but oozing puss is obviously saying there’s something wrong.
 
If you are not in a position of going through with the treatment for these pigs, would you be prepared to sign them over to a Piggy Bank UK rescue for treatment and rehoming to a lifelong home?

Suzy x
 
So let me get this straight, you are willing to let them suffer pain and discomfort for years, and when a treatment option is presented to you you would consider having them killed, but you would not give them a chance at a happy life with someone else? :( This makes me sad. Suzy and the other piggy bank rescues do amazing things for the piggies in their care, your boys would have a wonderful life.
 
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