• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Hard, pea sized lump above male guinea pig’s genitals

annaandpigs

annaandpigs

New Born Pup
Joined
Feb 24, 2021
Messages
25
Reaction score
41
Points
160
Location
Worthing
Hi,
I’m hoping someone might have some advice for me.
My male piggy, Dumby has a hard, pea sized lump just above his penis. When I first found it, it was higher in his lower abdomen but it can be moved down to sit at the top of his genitals - it seems to move back and forth by itself and also can be moved by hand.
I’d never felt it before so booked an appointment with a normal vet (the exotics specialist was away on holiday but I just wanted him seen). The vet I saw insisted it’s just part of his penis, so I felt like the biggest idiot on the planet, but I’ve since checked my other three boys and none of them have the lump.
Does anyone know if this is normal? I’m usually really good at spotting illness in my little herd and we handle the boys a lot, so I’d be really surprised if this lump has been around for Dumby’s whole life (he’s almost 4 and I’ve had him since he was a month old). Any help would be really appreciated, I’m worried about him.
Thanks, Anna

P.S haven’t attached a pic because I think it would be really hard to see, but I can do.
 
Is anyone able to offer some advice? This is the only question in the forum without any response.
 
Hi,

Are you able to get a second veterinary opinion? To help put your mind at ease if nothing else?

I’ve had piggies with lumps in the past. When biopsied, they came back as benign lipoma type lumps. These are quite common in piggies
 
Sorry I've personally been offline all day (Father's day) but it's fine to 'bump' a post that's slipped through the net! I'm guessing no responses because it's not ringing any bells with the people who have boars - which tells you something right there... if it was common or obvious 5 or 6 people would have likely already been posting to say all their boys are like that.

If you have a look at the forums boar care pages Boar Care: Bits, Bums & Baths which show you how to express a penis. If you can do this and can still feel that lump moving independently of the rest of the penis I'd say you should go for a second opinion - if you can get a more experienced vet at the same practice and explain what has happened (and possibly take in one of your other boys for comparison) they might not charge for the second visit... it's always worth asking!

My current boy, although neutered, doesn't actually have a visible penis head as it's tucked away inside his anal pouch but the only lump I feel on him in that area is clearly the penile ridge - kind of where you'd expect it to be. George gets impaction and is brave enough to be turned over and unbunged each evening which is why I know. But I don't poke round his bits too much - he's very modest and he objects!
 
This is certainly not something I’ve ever noticed on my boys. I would definitely get a second opinion
 
@Piggies&buns @Free Ranger @Bradshaw Piggies

Thank you all for getting back to me and sorry to have hassled you for a response. I’m just really worried about him. You’ve confirmed my suspicions that the vet could be wrong so will definitely make another appointment and will take his cage mate for comparison.

Thanks again for your help!
 
annaandpigs said:
@Piggies&buns @Free Ranger @Bradshaw Piggies

Thank you all for getting back to me and sorry to have hassled you for a response. I’m just really worried about him. You’ve confirmed my suspicions that the vet could be wrong so will definitely make another appointment and will take his cage mate for comparison.

Thanks again for your help!
Click to expand...

Its fine to bump a post up and sorry to have missed it when you first posted. We work as a health team to make sure every post gets a prompt answer but sometimes a post can slip through
Do keep us posted, I hope he is ok.
 
I have also only just seen this, but what I would say is that you know your boy best.
You clearly handle him often and keep a close eye on him, so do not be fobbed off by a vet who says this is 'normal'.
If you don't think it is, then chances are it's not.
Taking his cage mate along for comparison is a great idea.
 
My Edward has lumps on his belly and they have been confirmed as being fatty lumps (he has one in his neck that was biopsied) but lumps above the penis are definitely not normal so I’d be getting a second opinion. Hopefully it’s just a fatty lump or cyst x
 
Just wanted to say thank you everyone for your help! He had a build up of boar gunk and possibly some calcium in the lump and the vet squeezed it out for me. Really glad I got a second opinion for a specialist as he seems much happier now. And thrilled it’s not anything more serious!
 
annaandpigs said:
Just wanted to say thank you everyone for your help! He had a build up of boar gunk and possibly some calcium in the lump and the vet squeezed it out for me. Really glad I got a second opinion for a specialist as he seems much happier now. And thrilled it’s not anything more serious!
Click to expand...
Aw that’s great news, he will be feeling a lot more comfortable and you were right to go back and get a second opinion 😀
 
That's such good news. You know your piggies best and good on you seeking another opinion when you knew something wasn't right.
 
Ouch! Did you get a photo?!
Glad he (and you) are feeling better. Goodness, what a job!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top