Increase In Rumbling/mounting From Sow

[Cittycat]

Hi guys

I have a couple of female guinea pigs who are both about two years old. Over the past couple of weeks I've noticed Primrose rumbling and trying to mount Hazel on a daily basis.

Hazel never rumbles back (although there can be quite a bit of squeaking when she's trying to evade Prim) so it doesn't seem like they're fighting for dominance.

I guess what I want to ask is if it's more likely to be a hormonal problem and should I be taking Prim to see a vet?

She is often a grumping piggy when she comes into season, but things normally settle down within a couple of days. I've had dominance issues with her before (when the girls moved into a new cage), but I can't see a reason for the change this time.

I've been reading a lot about ovarian cysts in guinea pigs, but the rumbling/mounting is literally her only symptom. It's also not constant - at the moment they're sitting side by side happily munching on some hay. I'm so confused and worried!

 

[Wiebke]

The cause is likely a small growing ovarian cyst. The majority of ovarian cysts do not cause any symptoms and do not require any treatment unless the behaviour changes are very disruptive for the whole group or the cysts are very large and causing problems that way or the ovarian cyst is found to be not just hormonal.

It is up to you whether you want to have her checked and treated, as long as the disruption is not getting any worse. Most sows with hormonal issues are basically constantly in season for a while and may lose a little weight because of that.

The most common treatments are chorulon hormone therapy (injections) or a spaying operation.

 

[Cittycat]

The cause is likely a small growing ovarian cyst. The majority of ovarian cysts do not cause any symptoms and do not require any treatment unless the behaviour changes are very disruptive for the whole group or the cysts are very large and causing problems that way or the ovarian cyst is found to be not just hormonal.

It is up to you whether you want to have her checked and treated, as long as the disruption is not getting any worse. Most sows with hormonal issues are basically constantly in season for a while and may lose a little weight because of that.

The most common treatments are chorulon hormone therapy (injections) or a spaying operation.

Thanks so much for the speedy reply and expert advice, Wiebke. I've made an appointment to go and see my vet next week. I think all three of us will feel better if something can be done to level out Prim's mood swings.

 

[Cittycat]

So Prim saw our vet today who suspects that she does have an ovarian cyst. He was able to feel something irregular when he examined her and she's going to have a scan to confirm whether or not it is an ovarian cyst. If that is what the problem is he's recommended spaying her the same day.

He's an exotic vet specialist and has always treated my previous small pets (albeit not guinea pigs...) extremely well, so I desperately hope things will be okay. I feel a bit sick about it all at the moment though.

One of my main concerns is aftercare if she does need the operation (provided the op itself goes smoothly ). I live alone and work fulltime. Do I need to be asking my boss for a day or two off so I can keep an eye on her and nurse her along if she needs it? I don't know if that's going to be possible.

 

[Wiebke]

So Prim saw our vet today who suspects that she does have an ovarian cyst. He was able to feel something irregular when he examined her and she's going to have a scan to confirm whether or not it is an ovarian cyst. If that is what the problem is he's recommended spaying her the same day.

He's an exotic vet specialist and has always treated my previous small pets (albeit not guinea pigs...) extremely well, so I desperately hope things will be okay. I feel a bit sick about it all at the moment though.

One of my main concerns is aftercare if she does need the operation (provided the op itself goes smoothly ). I live alone and work fulltime. Do I need to be asking my boss for a day or two off so I can keep an eye on her and nurse her along if she needs it? I don't know if that's going to be possible.

It very much depends on which kind of recovery your girl makes. Does your vet clinic offer post-op care at the clinic in case the recovery is not going smoothly? A number of clinics do these days. Otherwise, you could try to see whether you could book your girl in for the last operating day of the week, so you have got the weekend to keep an eye on her. As it is not an emergency operation, you are more flexible with when to operate.
Or discuss whether your vet would be prepared to try hormone injections depending on the nature of the cyst.

Here are our post-op care tips: Tips For Post-operative Care

So far, two of my own sows have required spaying operations; both times they have made a good recovery despite one of them weighing only 700g and the other having two very large cysts one of which had started to adhere to the bowel.

 

[Lady Kelly]

it's hard to say really. I had a piggy spayed at an older age and the vet went through the flank so the incisions were away from the ground. She had staples and I had to take her back after a week or so for them to be removed but she was eating by herself and only needed some pain relief for a few days which I could do before and after work. Would taking her to work with you be an option?

 

[Cittycat]

Thanks so much for the advice, guys. It's a relief to hear about other piggies who've coped okay with surgery. If Prim does need the op it'll happen on a Thursday. I spoke to my boss today who was more lovely and understanding than I could have imagined and has let me take leave on the Thursday and Friday (leading into the weekend) so I'll be home if Prim needs me. Phew!