Mammary gland surgery

[Paprika]

Hello,

I’ve never posted on a Guinea pig forum but I know that this community is great and I need support from you guys please. I have 2 female piggies and one of them (her name is Babóca) has tumors under her arms. Yesterday I visited the vet and he said that he can take them out and she will recover pretty fast. Babóca is 2 1/2 years old she’s very active, eats, drinks and looks fine for now. I’m very concerned about the surgery it has to be done sooner than later. I’m afraid she will never wake up after the surgery they are very fragile. I wish to have her around for a couple of years and can’t loose her yet.
I always wanted a piggy that looked like her she’s my 4th one. I need advice from you guys please what should I do?

 

[Pound Shilling & Pig]

Hi, are the tumors under her front legs or her back legs near her nipples? My only experience of lumps under front legs is when they have been enlarged lymph nodes due to lymphoma. If your vet is experienced with guinea pig surgery and your piggy is otherwise healthy there is every chance she will make a good recovery from the surgery. I know how scary these times can be.

 

[Paprika]

Hi, are the tumors under her front legs or her back legs near her nipples? My only experience of lumps under front legs is when they have been enlarged lymph nodes due to lymphoma. If your vet is experienced with guinea pig surgery and your piggy is otherwise healthy there is every chance she will make a good recovery from the surgery. I know how scary these times can be.

Thank you so much for your kind words and support. The tumors are under her front legs and also under her nipple. The vet is experienced and he was very understanding. I’m just struggling with my decision and afraid of losing her and the recovery process. I never had any problems with my previous piggies. This is very new and scary to me.

 

[Wheekallweek]

My Rainbow Bridge piggy Eric had a mammary tumour removed from under his nipple and did really well

 

[Paprika]

My Rainbow Bridge piggy Eric had a mammary tumour removed from under his nipple and did really well

Thank you so much it’s really reassuring to know! She has a few tumors it’s not just one. I don’t know how big her cut will be. I just want to protect her from pain. These two are my last ones it takes a toll on me when I lose them . They give so much joy when they are around but when I lose them I cry so much I get so attached to them.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome

Mammary tumors always sit directly underneath the nipples, which are much lower down in the body than in humans as you can see in this picture from our Sexing Guide. They can be benign or malign.

Lumps in both armpits and on other nodes of the lymphatic system at the same time are always connected with the lymphatic system and are either caused by a bad infection or - I am really sorry to say - by lymphoma, i.e. cancer of the lymph nodes for which there is sadly no cure in guinea pigs.
A single lump under one armpit can turn out to be a harmless lipoma (fatty lump) or cyst of sort and is - like a mammary tumor - removable whereas you cannot remove lymphoma.

The different varieties of lumps may not be connected as we usually see only cases of piggies having the one or the other on here since the mammary glands are not a direct part of the lymphatic system and there are other lymph nodes further down the body that are closer to the mammary glands in guinea pigs, unlike the ones in the armpits in human women. A mammary tumour on its own is usually an operation with a good success rate since it doen't go deep into the body.
Guinea Lynx :: Mammary Tumor

If your vet suspects lymphoma, then they may want to reconsider a removal operation as your piggy may not heal up after an operation. We have had one or two cases on here where a piggy that was not healing up after an operation was discovered to have lymphoma. Has your vet taken samples to have lab checked for the nature of the various lumps, especially the ones under the arms?
I am very sorry to throw a spanner in your works but what you are describing is ringing a bit of an alarm bell with me. In that, I am agreeing with @Pound Shilling & Pig .

 

[Paprika]

Hi and welcome

Mammary tumors always sit directly underneath the nipples, which are much lower down in the body than in humans as you can see in this picture from our Sexing Guide. They can be benign or malign.

Lumps in both armpits and on other nodes of the lymphatic system at the same time are always connected with the lymphatic system and are either caused by a bad infection or - I am really sorry to say - by lymphoma, i.e. cancer of the lymph nodes for which there is sadly no cure in guinea pigs.
A single lump under one armpit can turn out to be a harmless lipoma (fatty lump) or cyst of sort and is - like a mammary tumor - removable whereas you cannot remove lymphoma.

The different varieties of lumps may not be connected as we usually see only cases of piggies having the one or the other on here since the mammary glands are not a direct part of the lymphatic system and there are other lymph nodes further down the body that are closer to the mammary glands in guinea pigs, unlike the ones in the armpits in human women. A mammary tumour on its own is usually an operation with a good success rate since it doen't go deep into the body.
Guinea Lynx :: Mammary Tumor

If your vet suspects lymphoma, then they may want to reconsider a removal operation as your piggy may not heal up after an operation. We have had one or two cases on here where a piggy that was not healing up after an operation was discovered to have lymphoma. Has your vet taken samples to have lab checked for the nature of the various lumps, especially the ones under the arms?
I am very sorry to throw a spanner in your works but what you are describing is ringing a bit of an alarm bell with me. In that, I am agreeing with @Pound Shilling & Pig .

Hello,
I really appreciate your help and input.
The vet didn’t mention anything about lymphoma. I will call him up and ask detailed questions about the surgery and survival/recovery chances. I would hate to put my piggy through a surgery and then lose her soon after surgery.

 

[Claire W]

I am very sorry for the news that @Pound Shilling & Pig and @Wiebke have just given you.

I am one of the members where a piggy of mine with lymphoma didn’t heal up after her lump removal It was horrible so I urge you to speak with your vet about doing a fine needle biopsy on the lumps so you know what you’re dealing with. If it comes back as lymphoma then I am very sorry. If it comes back as mammary tumours, these can be successfully removed and if it comes back as fatty lipomas, these can be left alone. I have just gone through the same thing with my Elizabeth. The vet took samples from her 3 lumps. Luckily they have come back as harmless fatty lipomas so we have been advised to leave them alone unless they grow too big and the vet will remove them.

My late Emma had a tumour in her armpit. Sadly it was cancerous but due to her age of nearly 6 at the time, we decided to leave it and enjoy whatever time she had left. She lived for another several months before dying from something unrelated

 

[Wiebke]

Hello,
I really appreciate your help and input.
The vet didn’t mention anything about lymphoma. I will call him up and ask detailed questions about the surgery and survival/recovery chances. I would hate to put my piggy through a surgery and then lose her soon after surgery.

It is the two lumps under both armpits that concern me - sight unseen, we cannot judge what they are and whether they could be swollen lymph nodes or not. If you are lucky, they are just harmless fatty lumps that can be left unless they impede normal movement but that is for your vet to decide.

A mammary tumour is more often benign than malign but it generally just keeps on growing and doesn't spread, and can be removed comparatively easily without any future cancer concerns. If you are very lucky, a fine needle biopsy may show that it is also a fatty lumpy just sitting nearly under a nipple.

All the best!

 

[Paprika]

I am very sorry for the news that @Pound Shilling & Pig and @Wiebke have just given you.

I am one of the members where a piggy of mine with lymphoma didn’t heal up after her lump removal It was horrible so I urge you to speak with your vet about doing a fine needle biopsy on the lumps so you know what you’re dealing with. If it comes back as lymphoma then I am very sorry. If it comes back as mammary tumours, these can be successfully removed and if it comes back as fatty lipomas, these can be left alone. I have just gone through the same thing with my Elizabeth. The vet took samples from her 3 lumps. Luckily they have come back as harmless fatty lipomas so we have been advised to leave them alone unless they grow too big and the vet will remove them.

My late Emma had a tumour in her armpit. Sadly it was cancerous but due to her age of nearly 6 at the time, we decided to leave it and enjoy whatever time she had left. She lived for another several months before dying from something unrelated

I’m sorry about your piggies losing them is heartbreaking. Thank you very much for your advice I will talk to the vet and see what he says. I’m kind of nervous about this whole issue reading all the replies I’m losing hope for a positive outcome . I’m really not ready to say goodbye.

 

[Wiebke]

I’m sorry about your piggies losing them is heartbreaking. Thank you very much for your advice I will talk to the vet and see what he says. I’m kind of nervous about this whole issue reading all the replies I’m losing hope for a positive outcome . I’m really not ready to say goodbye.

To be honest, no matter how young or old a piggy or a human you love is, you are never ready to say goodbye. Even in those cases when you know that the end from old age related issues is coming, it is always still too soon and a shock when it actually happens, no matter how much you brace for it.

Try to see your pets as a gift on loan that can be cancelled without warning at any time. Your loan never comes with any set dates.
Guinea pigs don't have a concept for an average life span (that is an entirely arbitrary human concept); they measure a good life in happy todays and in being pain-free. As long as you provide that throughout their lives (however long or short) and be willing to make the end - whenever and in whatever form it comes - as gentle and easy on them, then you are well ahead of the game.
It may need a bit of mental retraining but we all could do with taking a leaf from our piggies to live more in the moments we share with them and treasure more all these specious memories we create because they are what ultimately stays with us and what we can warm our soul at in future years.

You can always be strong for someone you love, whatever the species, whenever you need to. That is the power of love. When the chips are down, would we not rather bear the pain ourselves rather than see someone we love suffer?

I am however keeping my fingers crossed that it will not come to the worst.

 

[Wheekallweek]

Definitely worth getting a fine needle biopsy done to be sure! Best of luck, hopefully the lumps under her arms are just fatty lumps or cysts

 

[Bill & Ted]

Sending you big hugs, it’s never easy making a decision on operations. I would elect to have a fine needle biopsy to find out what these lumps under her front legs are first of all. This will give you and your vet more info and make a decision for an operation much easier.
My Bill had a mammary tumour removed at the age of four and he absolutely sailed through it with no more problems. Give yourself time to read up on post operative guides and how you can help your piggie post op, it can make all the difference

Tips For Post-operative Care

 

[Claire W]

I’m sorry about your piggies losing them is heartbreaking. Thank you very much for your advice I will talk to the vet and see what he says. I’m kind of nervous about this whole issue reading all the replies I’m losing hope for a positive outcome . I’m really not ready to say goodbye.

Thank you. Sadly there’s never a good time to say goodbye we have to enjoy our piggies why they are here for that reason. Like Wiebke has said, rather see them as a gift.

It was a very upsetting experience when Ena didn’t heal after her lump removal. We had to have her pts on the day of diagnosis and I’d hate for anyone to go through that

At least by having the fine needle biopsy, you will know one way or another what you are dealing with and can then discuss your options with the vet x

 

[Merab]

I can’t add any advice but wanted to assure you of my support.

 

[Paprika]

I’m sorry about your piggies losing them is heartbreaking. Thank you very much for your advice I will talk to the vet and see what he says. I’m kind of nervous about this whole issue reading all the replies I’m losing hope for a positive outcome . I’m really not ready to say goodbye.

So here’s an update…. I scheduled the surgery for this Friday I’m already crying scared of losing her…

 

[Paprika]

I can’t add any advice but wanted to assure you of my support.

Thank you so much I really appreciate it!

 

[Bill & Ted]

So here’s an update…. I scheduled the surgery for this Friday I’m already crying scared of losing her…

Wishing you both good luck, I hope it’s goes really well for her x

 

[Claire W]

Good luck for Friday. I hope it goes well for you both x

 

[weepweeps]

Good luck for Friday.

 

[Wheekallweek]

Good luck for Friday Baboca! She is really very pretty

 

[Wiebke]

All the best for Friday!

Here is our post-op Care advice link with all the practical tips and information, including for how you can prepare for an operation: Tips For Post-operative Care

 

[Paprika]

All the best for Friday!

Here is our post-op Care advice link with all the practical tips and information, including for how you can prepare for an operation: Tips For Post-operative Care

Thank you So much!

 

[Paprika]

Sending you big hugs, it’s never easy making a decision on operations. I would elect to have a fine needle biopsy to find out what these lumps under her front legs are first of all. This will give you and your vet more info and make a decision for an operation much easier.
My Bill had a mammary tumour removed at the age of four and he absolutely sailed through it with no more problems. Give yourself time to read up on post operative guides and how you can help your piggie post op, it can make all the difference
View attachment 217458
Tips For Post-operative Care

Thank you so much for your support and information. I hope Babóca will be fine after the surgery. I really spoil my piggies they have a “playground” in our basement so they can run around and have fun. They are such lovely creatures and it’s so much fun to watch them play together. Not looking forward to hand her over for surgery but I will do what’s best for her.

 

[Paprika]

I’m trimmed Babóca’s nails so I don’t have to bother her with that after the surgery and just wanted to post a picture of one her visible tumor. There’s another one right behind it and another one on the other side but not as big. The one under her nipple feels like 3 very small ones

 

[Pound Shilling & Pig]

Hope all goes well tomorrow

 

[weepweeps]

Good luck. Sending healing vibes your way.

 

[Bill & Ted]

Wishing you the very best outcome! I hope it goes really well tomorrow

 

[Josie_lg]

Wishing you lots of luck tomorrow

 

[Paprika]

Hello,
I just wanted to let you know that Babóca Made it! The doctor just called me and he said the surgery was successful she’s awake and I can pick her up in about 2 hours. I prepared for the worst and now I cried tears of joy and relief. I hope she will recover soon. She has 2 incisions. I’m just so relieved that she’s alive and I can bring her home. I hope she’s going have a long life together with her friend Paprika. Paprika is my daughter’s piggy with the brown nose. I really appreciate anyone who thought of us today. Wishing best of health for our pets and for the caring owners as well