HELP! My guinea pig has a tender lump around its nipple!

[Stardy the piggie]

Hi, I'm new to the forum but I was bathing my guinea pig today and noticed that my guinea pig, Stardust has a hard tender/swollen lump around her nipple area. We will call the vets tomorrow and try to get an appointment but does anyone know what this could be?

 

[Siikibam]

I’m afraid we can’t tell you what it could be. There are a number of things. However, we’re not qualified and nor can we do a hands on exam. Hope it’s something simple.

Please don’t bathe your piggy unless she’s really grubby. It’s not good for their skin. They can keep themselves clean enough, unless it’s extreme circumstances.

 

[Stardy the piggie]

I’m afraid we can’t tell you what it could be. There are a number of things. However, we’re not qualified and nor can we do a hands on exam. Hope it’s something simple.

Please don’t bathe your piggy unless she’s really grubby. It’s not good for their skin. They can keep themselves clean enough, unless it’s extreme circumstances.

I don't clean her often, about 3 times a year. We had noticed he fur had poo stuck in her fur. But thank you.

 

[weepweeps]

Hello. Hope you get on ok at the vets tomorrow.

 

[VickiA]

Hope that you get on ok at the vets tomorrow.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, I'm new to the forum but I was bathing my guinea pig today and noticed that my guinea pig, Stardust has a hard tender/swollen lump around her nipple area. We will call the vets tomorrow and try to get an appointment but does anyone know what this could be?

Hi!

Good that you have booked in Stardust. Like any lump, it needs to be vet checked because it is not just about the location but also about the consistence; lumps can be anything from harmless cysts or fatty lumps to abscesses or tumors (benign or malign).

Without any pictures, we can really only guess and wild guesses won't help you any. We can mention that mammary tumors can happen in both genders and - as long as they are removed early enough - are usually not a problem. But we cannot tell in any way whether that is what you are dealing with or not.
Guinea Lynx :: Lumps

All the best.

 

[Stardy the piggie]

Hi!

Good that you have booked in Stardust. Like any lump, it needs to be vet checked because it is not just about the location but also about the consistence; lumps can be anything from harmless cysts or fatty lumps to abscesses or tumors (benign or malign).

Without any pictures, we can really only guess and wild guesses won't help you any. We can mention that mammary tumors can happen in both genders and - as long as they are removed early enough - are usually not a problem. But we cannot tell in any way whether that is what you are dealing with or not.
Guinea Lynx :: Lumps


All the best.

Thank you. I couldn't figure out how to post a picture. But we will ask the vet tomorrow.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you. I couldn't figure out how to post a picture. But we will ask the vet tomorrow.

Please use the Attach Files button underneath the post when you write it.
The green link contains in my last post reference pictures of mammary tumors.

 

[Stardy the piggie]

I figured how to post a picture. Here is poor stardust.

 

[Stardy the piggie]

Please use the Attach Files button underneath the post when you write it.
The green link contains in my last post reference pictures of mammary tumors.

Thank you. I just looked at the link

 

[weepweeps]

Gosh that does look big. Brilliant that you will be seeing the vet soon. Let us know how you get on.

 

[Stardy the piggie]

Wow, that's huge, that's around her whole back end region isn't it?

Yes it is.

 

[Stardy the piggie]

Gosh that does look big. Brilliant that you will be seeing the vet soon. Let us know how you get on.

I will don't worry. The vets open soon so I'll call them.

 

[Swissgreys]

Good luck getting an appointment - it really does need to be seen by a vet.
And don't forget to update us. We are all here to offer support.

 

[Bill & Ted]

Fingers all crossed for Stardust at the vets, hope it’s nothing serious and can easily be sorted x

 

[Posyrose]

Good luck for Stardust at the vets - she has a pretty name

 

[Wiebke]

All the best, but this really needs to be seen as soon as possible.

 

[VickiA]

I hope you’ve been able to get her seen at the vets today.

 

[Stardy the piggie]

Thank you everyone we have an appointment at 4 so will keep you posted

 

[Wiebke]

Fingers firmly crossed!

 

[Stardy the piggie]

Fingers firmly crossed!

Thank you

 

[Stardy the piggie]

I'm waiting at the vets now.

 

[weepweeps]

I'm waiting at the vets now.

Good luck.

 

[Stardy the piggie]

Thank you everyone. It is bad news. She has got a tumor. They won't do surgery as it is too big and we think that it is growing quite quickly so it might spread quicker. We have been given pain relief medicine. We just really need to keep an eye on her.

 

[Betsy]

Now you have the bad news you'll start grieving but Stardust doesn't know she's ill. She'll just keep doing bimbly piggy stuff until she can't bimble any more. Piggies live for today and as long as they are happy today that is all a piggy wants and needs. Give Stardust lots of happy todays and make lots of happy memories, take lots of pictures and videos and remember the happy times. She will let you know when her happy todays have ended. Hugs to you at this sad time

 

[Merab]

So sorry for your news.
I was in a similar situation last year and would say exactly the same as @Betsy
I took lots of photos, gave Jemimah her favourite foods and let her carry on with her life.
She didn’t need painkiller until near the end then simply slipped away peacefully one night.
Look after yourself too.

 

[Stardy the piggie]

Now you have the bad news you'll start grieving but Stardust doesn't know she's ill. She'll just keep doing bimbly piggy stuff until she can't bimble any more. Piggies live for today and as long as they are happy today that is all a piggy wants and needs. Give Stardust lots of happy todays and make lots of happy memories, take lots of pictures and videos and remember the happy times. She will let you know when her happy todays have ended. Hugs to you at this sad time

Thank you. That's really nice

 

[VickiA]

I’m so sorry that you’ve been given this news. At least she doesn’t know what you do. It’s so hard for you but just keeping her comfortable and happy is the kindest thing to do.

 

[Stardy the piggie]

So sorry for your news.
I was in a similar situation last year and would say exactly the same as @Betsy
I took lots of photos, gave Jemimah her favourite foods and let her carry on with her life.
She didn’t need painkiller until near the end then simply slipped away peacefully one night.
Look after yourself too.

Awww thank you

 

[Stardy the piggie]

I’m so sorry that you’ve been given this news. At least she doesn’t know what you do. It’s so hard for you but just keeping her comfortable and happy is the kindest thing to do.

Thank you, I will