Guinea pig tumours

[Hannahdohertyy]

Hi all,

I have a guinea pig who is just under 4 and a mass recently appeared by her leg in the last few weeks and it started to impair her walking so I took her to the vet and they started her on anti inflammatorys and then booked her in for a check up a few days later. At the checkup nothing had improved so the vet took a sample and drained 20ml of old blood. She is still taking the anti inflammatorys but the lump has grown again. The vet discouraged surgery due to her age and the recovery time. She doesn’t appear to be in much pain with the lump and she is walking normally but I am unsure of what to do.
Does anyone have a similar experience or have any idea what to do?

 

[Siikibam]

hello and welcome. I'm sorry to hear about your girl. Did the vet say what kind of lump it is? I’ve no experience but wanted to offer support nonetheless. I’ll tag @Wiebke @Piggies&buns @PigglePuggle @VickiA who mag know more.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Is your vet cavy savvy?

Recommended Guinea Pig Vets

 

[PigglePuggle]

The treatment and prognosis very depends on the nature of the lump.
If this is a cyst, abscess or fatty lump it could possibly be removed surgically quite safely- 4 is certainly not elderly, and perhaps a more experienced vet would be more confident operating.
If this is a tumour, again the outcome and treatment depends one type- bone cancer couldnt be treated surgically, but a skin or mammary tumour might be worth trying to remove, depending on the size and whether it has spread through the lymph nodes.
Certainly any surgery carries risks, but personally I would want to be in full possession of all the facts before making a decision, as piggies can often live past 6 years in good health, and can atill have good quality of life at 7 or even 8- to reject treatment just based on her age would be a bit like denying healthcare to humans aged 50!

 

[Merab]

 

[Freela]

Has the vet got any clue what the lump is from the sample? Is is fluid filled or solid? The prognosis is going to vary a lot there, if it's something benign versus something malignant. Hopefully the vet is working towards that diagnosis and can make a more informed discussion of options after. I'm surprised the vet is bringing up age, as almost 4 is middle aged, not elderly, and not an age where frailty itself would make recovery less likely.