Surgery advice

[staceface]

So yesterday while cleaning my pigs out I noticed a growth on one of the girls.
I gave her a bath and cleaned down the area, and had planned to make an appointment for today.
when I checked on her later on she was bleeding, so we went to out of hours who made her comfortable.
I’ve just been to my own vet today who aren’t sure what this is, and have said explorative surgery would be the only option.
At the moment she’s in good health otherwise and is 4/5 years old.
I just don’t know if I’m prepared to put her through surgery with no guarantees.
Any advice much appreciated.

 

[DougalandDiego]

Someone more experienced will be along soon but one of my boys has recently had a lump removed.

He’s only 16/17 months so might be slightly different if your piggy is a bit older. His was a benign tumor that started in his hair follicle as he is a long haired piggy. The vets took a sample before the op but could have also sent a sample that they took during the op. I know a lot of guinea pigs can suffer from cysts too.

Hope this helps in some way!

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m sorry to hear she is unwell.
only you can make the decision as to what you would like to do, but My elderly (almost 8 year old rabbit) had a lump back in September. He had to have surgery. I was worried given his age but he was otherwise healthy and has showed no signs of any problems (weight etc). The lump turned out to be a tumour. The vet successfully removed it and he is now back to being his normal self, coat is shiny again and he is as hoppy as an 8 year old bunny should be! There was a risk that the outcome wouldn’t be good once the vet was able to get to the lump but we decided that we would much rather try and give him the chance to be well again even though there was a risk things wouldn’t go as we had hoped than not have the surgery and not Know if things could have been different . It is nerve wracking having an older pet have to go through surgery but having a good vet that you trust helps.

 

[staceface]

I’m sorry to hear she is unwell.
only you can make the decision as to what you would like to do, but My elderly (almost 8 year old rabbit) had a lump back in September. He had to have surgery. I was worried given his age but he was otherwise healthy and has showed no signs of any problems (weight etc). The lump turned out to be a tumour. The vet successfully removed it and he is now back to being his normal self, coat is shiny again and he is as hoppy as an 8 year old bunny should be! There was a risk that the outcome wouldn’t be good once the vet was able to get to the lump but we decided that we would much rather try and give him the chance to be well again even though there was a risk things wouldn’t go as we had hoped than not have the surgery and not Know if things could have been different . It is nerve wracking having an older pet have to go through surgery but having a good vet that you trust helps.

Thank you very much.
Our own vet have passed on our details the vet hospital that we’d need to go to for surgery.
Hoping they might be able to give some more information that will make the decision easier.
I just want her to have the best quality of life for as long as possible.

 

[staceface]

Been referred to a cavy specialist for a consultation.
So should be able to name a more informed decision.

 

[staceface]

So I met with the specialist yesterday and he thinks that the growth I found is a polyp.
She is in for surgery this afternoon. She’s a 4 year old otherwise healthy piggy.
The growth will be sent for a biopsy just to be on the safe side.
Has anyone been through a similar operation? What should expect?

 

[Siikibam]

At least you know what you’re dealing with. I’ve no experience but want to wish your piggy and you all the best. I’m going to merge this with your other thread so history is all in one place