Piggy unwell and potential lump

[KateF]

Our sheltie male is nearly 5 and was fine (seemingly) until Thursday afternoon when he suddenly stopped eating (he typically eats like a horse and didn’t come out for his afternoon food and seemed to be sitting in a corner looking like he was hurting. Started syringe feeding him with critical care to take over the feeding until a vet visit with the pdsa emergency vet (Friday).

Vet couldn’t see anything wrong with him, nor feel anything wrong with him - she said his teeth looked okay,eyes fine, breathing sounded alright etc tummy sounded/felt empty though. Prescribed antibiotics, anti inflammatory and gut stimulant.

Shows a little interest in food but still not much at all, but I’ve noticed a lump in his underbelly area just above his groin - his cage mate doesn’t seem to have one in the same place - I know lumps can occur of different things but just because of the region does anyone have any info on what this might be? The lump I can’t say I’ve noticed till now and I do routine health checks with them. I’ve attached an image of the area it looks like a pink lump that got a firmness to it (hard to see it in the image more so just using it for location)

Background: In January he had a head tilt and Stanhope vets Darlington treat is as an ear infection and he seemed right as rain after the course of meds etc and regained weight etc.

Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on his health and the lump location if it could mean blockage etc rather than a fatty lump so to speak. Tia

 

[Wiebke]

Our sheltie male is nearly 5 and was fine (seemingly) until Thursday afternoon when he suddenly stopped eating (he typically eats like a horse and didn’t come out for his afternoon food and seemed to be sitting in a corner looking like he was hurting. Started syringe feeding him with critical care to take over the feeding until a vet visit with the pdsa emergency vet (Friday).

Vet couldn’t see anything wrong with him, nor feel anything wrong with him - she said his teeth looked okay,eyes fine, breathing sounded alright etc tummy sounded/felt empty though. Prescribed antibiotics, anti inflammatory and gut stimulant.

Shows a little interest in food but still not much at all, but I’ve noticed a lump in his underbelly area just above his groin - his cage mate doesn’t seem to have one in the same place - I know lumps can occur of different things but just because of the region does anyone have any info on what this might be? The lump I can’t say I’ve noticed till now and I do routine health checks with them. I’ve attached an image of the area it looks like a pink lump that got a firmness to it (hard to see it in the image more so just using it for location)

Background: In January he had a head tilt and Stanhope vets Darlington treat is as an ear infection and he seemed right as rain after the course of meds etc and regained weight etc.

Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on his health and the lump location if it could mean blockage etc rather than a fatty lump so to speak. Tia

Hi

I am very sorry. Not what you want to happen at any time but especially not on a bank holiday weekend!

Please have the lump vet checked; it needs a hands-on examination. It can be any kind of lump (lipoma, cyst, internal abscess etc., ranging from the harmless to the not so harmless. A bit less likely but still possible, it could also be a hernia etc. We are not vets and we don't have access to your piggy.

Actually, many lumps come up very suddenly to quite a size. You haven't noticed them sooner because they have simply not been there. Not your fault or inattention; that is simply how they happen.
Please keep on with weight monitoring and feeding/watering support.
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures

Wishing you and your old gent all the best.