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New lumps on piggie am I doing the right thing

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Piggierus

New Born Pup
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So we have two lovely guinea pig girls both around 5 years old not 100% on age as we rescued them 3 years ago.

In the last 5 days I have noticed a large half walnut size lump developing on one piggies back after closer inspection she has another hard lump between her nipple and genitals in herself she is happy eating drinking pooping weeing and wheeking.

The vets near me are not cavy savvy and basically said tumours PTS as she is so happy still am I being cruel bringing her home keeping her comfortable where she is not stressed and with her best friend as at the moment quality of life is still there. Of course if she goes downhill she will need to go back but I don’t want her last moments whenever they come to be her frightened and stressed at the vets.
 
Hello and welcome to the forum. If you are in doubt about the diagnosis perhaps it’s best to get a second opinion? Not all tumours are cancerous or require PTS. Many lumps or tumours can be removed surgically and the piggies can live happy lives afterwards. Would you consider trying to get a second opinion with one the Cavy savvy vets on our recommended vets list?
 
Thank you both the nearest one to me is over 50 miles away. She becomes highly stressed in the car (has always hated the short journey to her piggy sitter when I go on holiday) even with her friend for company. The piggy sitter has over 50 piggies she has offered to come and see her tomorrow to give her thoughts and then if she thinks there is hope I may be able to get the day off Monday to take her.
 
You could contact a local rescue (maybe Coseley Guinea Pig Rescue) and ask which vet they use. :) I would definitely get a second opinion, one of my piggies recently had a tumour removed from his back and is doing really well after his surgery.
 
My boy Eric had a mammary tumour removed with absolutely no issues, definitely get a second opinion, it's really worth it! Good luck ❤️
 
I have popped a pick of the bigger lump on her rump for opinions my friend will be over this afternoon. It is solid
 

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No advice but just want to send you and your piggy good wishes ❤️ Hopefully it’s benign
 
Piggierus said:
I’m near Malvern, would rather not say my exact location
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No problem, Malvern is enough (West Midlands is a very big area!) just wondered if you were anywhere near me, my vets practice aren't on the list but have two reasonably knowledgeable vets. Sadly they are probably about 50 miles from you too 😔
 
Please do get a second opinion. I’ve had piggies with all sorts of lumps and bumps, granted not all of them have been but the majority have been benign fatty lipomas. My Elizabeth has 3 lumps on her tummy. The vet was concerned at first as they’re on her mammory line but he did a fine needle biopsy on them and they have turned out to be benign fatty lipomas that we have been advised to just keep an eye on them that they don’t grow too big
 
Well a few days on and hair missing today and lump completely flat! I’m assuming abscess that has burst. Tonight I have cleaned it with salt water and sprayed with antiseptic tomorrow I will take her to the vets for antibiotics…. So much for a tumour any tips for keeping it clean
 
Claire W said:
Cleaning with salt water is fine but I would definitely see the vet as like you say, she may need antibiotics
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I have taken her I only did salt water and antiseptic last night as it was Sunday night. However vet has said no antibiotics at the moment as it looks very clean and no sign of infection told me to come back if discharge changes or any change to behaviour I will keep flushing and keep a close eye on her. Wish I had a better vets near me !
 
Piggierus said:
I have taken her I only did salt water and antiseptic last night as it was Sunday night. However vet has said no antibiotics at the moment as it looks very clean and no sign of infection told me to come back if discharge changes or any change to behaviour I will keep flushing and keep a close eye on her. Wish I had a better vets near me !
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It could be a burst cyst rather than an abscess as there’s no mistaking the smell from an abscess. Still, I hope she heals well. I’m sorry that you don’t have a better vet close by
 
Piggierus said:
There is no smell at all I had a really good sniff… husband thought I was insane
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I doubt it’s an abscess then. Abscesses are utterly gross and produce smelly pus. My husband thinks I’m insane too for the things that I do to make sure my piggies are healthy 😅
 
Hi everyone I have a sad update on beautiful Beatrix
Went in today and and she was lying on her side very poorly. Her best friend sat next to her I wrapped her in a fleece blanket and left her with her friend. She passed approx 10 mins later.
Clearly must have had other underlying issue/ older age not her side.

Thank you for all your advice I did my best for her
 
So sorry to hear about your beloved Beatrix. I‘m sure she was comforted being next to her best friend. Sleep tight little one ❤️🌈
 
Thank you we now have a guinea on her own she is nearly 6 and j don’t really want to start the cycle again. Going to move her downstairs in the front room from the playroom so she always has our company just wondered if there is anything else I can do so she doesn’t become lonely
 
I'm so sorry for your loss. I don't know whether this feature will be of any help? Enrichment Ideas for Guinea Pigs

There are also places that will 'foster' out a piggy to be a cage-mate or neighbour to your lone pig. The deal is that when piggy eventually passes the foster piggy goes back to the place they came from. It's worth asking round your local rescues to see if they have anything like this available. Good luck and take care x
 
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