Sebaceous cyst

[Laura0709]

Hello,
Wondering if any experienced owners could help. Are sebaceous cysts painful/uncomfortable - I'm talking size of a 1p coin at least, lower back. Or are guinea pigs not so bothered about them?
It's very difficult to tell with mine and I'm worried she could be in pain.
I have been in contact with the vets, she is 6 has been very healthy till now, they are aware of the situation and mutual agreement that it wouldn't be fair to remove the cyst at her age. The cyst is now very slowly leaking and I know it's at high chance of becoming infected but so far she is fine.
I'm going to have to make the decision at some point to let her go, but it's so difficult to tell if she is in pain/uncomfortable and when is the right time.
Just wondering if anyone has experience with this.
Thank you

 

[Siikibam]

I’ve no experience but will tag @Wiebke @PigglePuggle @Piggies&buns
Did the vet mention draining it or anything similar?

 

[Laura0709]

Thank you. Yes they discussed what the treatment would be, said they can drain but it's likely the underlying capsule will need removing which means a GA. 2 of my previous guinea pigs had ovarian cysts and a UTI each. I got them treated and both did badly, not eating on baytril even with probiotics and changing antibiotic, then I had to force feed with a syringe etc and it was heartbreaking as it was drawn out and they both ended up being put to sleep anyway and they both suffered for weeks with all the treatment.
So I swore I would never do a GA or invasive treatment again with an older guinea pig after that.
It's just difficult to know when is time with my current one, she is eating, but her friend died a couple of weeks ago so she is on her own now.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you. Yes they discussed what the treatment would be, said they can drain but it's likely the underlying capsule will need removing which means a GA. 2 of my previous guinea pigs had ovarian cysts and a UTI each. I got them treated and both did badly, not eating on baytril even with probiotics and changing antibiotic, then I had to force feed with a syringe etc and it was heartbreaking as it was drawn out and they both ended up being put to sleep anyway and they both suffered for weeks with all the treatment.
So I swore I would never do a GA or invasive treatment again with an older guinea pig after that.
It's just difficult to know when is time with my current one, she is eating, but her friend died a couple of weeks ago so she is on her own now.

Hi!

It depends on whether your cyst is anywhere close to causing discomfort or impeding mobility and whether is or keeps on growing fast. Emptied cysts (sebaceous cysts typically have a cheesy filling) will usually refill. It very much depends on your vet, how experienced they are with operating on small furries and how much you trust them.

At this size, it can still be kept under observation or squeezed empty regular as long as you are aware that there is the possibility that it may suddenly grow larger, burst or become infected at some point and that an emergency operation may become necessary later on.

I needed two of my 6 year olds operated for sebaceous cysts which had been kept under observation because of the age of the sows.
One had a small burst and infected cyst right next to her genitalia and the other one had a large one under observation that unfortunately suddenly put on a another growth and burst promptly while my usual operating vet was on summer holiday; the cyst did bleed profusely because it had a less common fleshy inclusion and a thick outer mantle. But my local vets could stabilise the cyst for 2 weeks until my usual vet was back; that was just a month before Hafren's 7th birthday. Both sows did make a full recovery and lived a for a goodly bit longer. So with a good vet it can be done.

It would help us massively if you please added your country, state or county to location in your account details (accessed via your username on the top bar), so we could give vet recommendations if you don't have faith in your current general vet.

 

[Lady Kelly]

I had a piggy with a large sebaceous cyst on his back. When I say large it was much bigger than a 1p piece. It was just far enough in from his back leg that it didn't cause him any pain or difficulty moving around so we left alone. It did get a hole in in the end and I massaged the area to get as much pus out as possible and then cleaned with a saline solution to try and prevent infection. I did this maybe once a month (can't quite remember as it was a while back now). He had so many fatty lumps that were more problematic and with a few health issues the vet didn't expect him to live much longer (I think they told me this when he was around 4-5 years) and he passed when he was 7. I returned home from work one day and my husband immediately sat me down with a cuppa to tell me. In a way I am grateful he didn't struggle with it and was able to pass on his own terms rather than me needing to have him put to sleep

 

[Laura0709]

It lies directly over her spine. Thanks for your replies they are very helpful. I have now squeezed some out to release pressure - thick and cheesy, no smell, but also some red ish water, not sure what the latter means. It doesn't smell isn't an abscess I'm sure

 

[Laura0709]

I'm in England, happy with the vets but thank you for checking. She is eating and lively, but has also just lost her friend and I'm not getting another, so I can imagine it's too fun for her at the moment! Hate to think she could be in pain as well as that.

 

[Laura0709]

Sorry forgot to say, came up very quickly in spring, has stayed roughly the same size but then started leaking a few weeks back, but not much coming out spontaneously as it's so thick.

 

[Siikibam]

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