Armpit lumps and hair loss

[boz]

Got back from a week away with work today to find one of my senior pigs, Barb, had developed bald patches on both her sides behind her forelegs. Her lymph nodes both appear to be very swollen in her armpits. I can’t feel anything obvious in her jowl, or her hind limbs, but I may not be looking in the right spots.

Anyone seen anything like this before? I’ll be speaking to my vet first thing, but I don’t have a good feeling about this and am already wondering about lymphoma, but not sure what the hair loss might be? Piggy is still eating, drinking and pooping normally, and appears her usual self. She is not a particularly active pig in general anyway though. Weight still a hefty 1350 so she’s not dropped any yet.

 

[boz]

A little additional googling and I’ve just found pictures of lymphoma piggies with bald spots. Oh dear, poor Barb, this isn’t looking good, is it?

 

[Danielle Smith]

It’s always a worry where there’s lumps and bumps where none should be! Where exactly is the hair loss, closer to her armpits or more on her flank? She may be barbering herself because she’s uncomfortable or it could be hormonal hair loss accompanied by unrelated fatty lumps (my Flubs had grape-sized lipomas for years in his armpits).

Sorry I don’t have advice, just here to handhold. Well done on being so prompt with the vet checkup.

 

[boz]

Baldness is right over the lumps behind her legs, not really where you would expect to see hormonal/ovarian cyst loss. Possibly also on her belly too? It seems odd that it’s so symmetrical. I’ve not noticed her grooming/itching that spot since I got back. The long hair on her back above it is still very long, you can’t see the bald bits unless you lift the ‘curtain’ - I noticed them when I picked her up and my hand touched skin instead of her usual floof.

I am preparing for the worst whilst hoping for the best at the moment. She’s not an ancient piggy, but she also isn’t young either.

I did discover my husband had been feeding them absolutely masses of pellets while I was away, but I don’t think that would have managed to cause this over just 5 days?

 

[weepweeps]

Good luck at the vets. Fingers crossed for an easy fixable diagnosis. Sending healing vibes Barbs way

 

[Merab]

It’s good that you have a vet appointment booked.
Only the vet can give you a proper diagnosis, all we can do is guess which isn’t really helpful.
Try not to worry about the maybes.

Hope all goes well and the lumps are nothing to worry about.

 

[boz]

Earliest appointment I can get is Thursday morning, unless she starts showing more critical sounding symptoms Keeping my fingers crossed in the meantime.

 

[Marjolyn]

I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you and Barb

 

[Lisanjake]

Earliest appointment I can get is Thursday morning, unless she starts showing more critical sounding symptoms Keeping my fingers crossed in the meantime.

Sorry I know this is a few years old but I have something very similar with my girl. I noticed a small lump yesterday where the bald patch is under her armpit. I thought it was from a recent scan but it hasn’t grown back in 6 weeks

Can I ask how you go on?

 

[Claire W]

Sorry I know this is a few years old but I have something very similar with my girl. I noticed a small lump yesterday where the bald patch is under her armpit. I thought it was from a recent scan but it hasn’t grown back in 6 weeks

Can I ask how you go on?

I’m afraid the poster of this thread hasn’t been on the forum for well over a year. If you’re worried about your piggy, you’re best to start your own thread in our health and illness section x

 

[Lisanjake]

I’m afraid the poster of this thread hasn’t been on the forum for well over a year. If you’re worried about your piggy, you’re best to start your own thread in our health and illness section x

Oh darn, I’m planning to take her to the vets soon to check how she’s getting on with heart meds, so I’ll ask him to look then x