Swollen Tumor in Chest Probably cancer

[RobertBalici]

Good evening, while changing the bedding of my boy, I noticed he had a big bump in his chest, that he did not have it a few days ago. (I later saw that he have one in the ear also)

I'm devastated, when you see this, your soul breaks, I quickly went with him to the vet and told me it's a malignant or benign tumor, he did not know which one exactly, he recommended another cabinet where he could investigate further.

I still have not been there yet, I want to see if anyone else has gone through this process and what advice do you give me.

I do not know if it hurts, if it suffers, it does not make a sound, it behaves normally, as before, nothing has changed.

Some details about the little one: is 5 years old, eating normally, making her normal needs, never sick, being healthy so far, never seeing the vet.

Nutrition: All life ate 80% green lettuce. The remaining 20% is divided between hay, cucumber, carrots. From time to time, dry bread, apple, fresh grass from the park.

To mention: he did not drink water since he was 1 year old, compensated by diet, salad, cucumber, carrots. He has the water in the cage, but he does not drink.

I attached pictures (fur did not fall, I cut it in that area to see it better)
Thanks in advance for your time reading this, english is not my first language.

 

[Swissgreys]

Welcome to the Forum, although sorry it is under sad circumstances.
Your piggy is beautiful.

Has he lost much weight recently?
Do you weigh him regularly?
What country do you live in (your English is great by the way)?

If your vet recommends seeing a different vet to have tests done, I would start with that.
Not all lumps are bad, and if your guinea pig is otherwise well and happy then you should try and find out if the lumps are treatable.
Lumps are not unusual in older guinea pigs, and they can often be successfully removed or treated.

Please do let us know what you decide to do.
Once you have a diagnosis there will be lots of people here who can offer support and advice too.

 

[DMS260820]

You have the diet the wrong way round, you want 80% hay and 20% veg.


Best wishes for your girl

 

[Wiebke]

Good evening, while changing the bedding of my boy, I noticed he had a big bump in his chest, that he did not have it a few days ago. (I later saw that he have one in the ear also)

I'm devastated, when you see this, your soul breaks, I quickly went with him to the vet and told me it's a malignant or benign tumor, he did not know which one exactly, he recommended another cabinet where he could investigate further.

I still have not been there yet, I want to see if anyone else has gone through this process and what advice do you give me.

I do not know if it hurts, if it suffers, it does not make a sound, it behaves normally, as before, nothing has changed.

Some details about the little one: is 5 years old, eating normally, making her normal needs, never sick, being healthy so far, never seeing the vet.

Nutrition: All life ate 80% green lettuce. The remaining 20% is divided between hay, cucumber, carrots. From time to time, dry bread, apple, fresh grass from the park.

To mention: he did not drink water since he was 1 year old, compensated by diet, salad, cucumber, carrots. He has the water in the cage, but he does not drink.

I attached pictures (fur did not fall, I cut it in that area to see it better)
Thanks in advance for your time reading this, english is not my first language.

Hi and welcome!

I am very sorry; some lumps can come up suddenly and literally grow as you watch them. From my own experiences I know what a terrgiying experience it is. Please do not feel guilty and like you have missed anything; you haven't!
You have done exactly the right thing.

The lump is thankfully not in the chest area, but by the looks rather just below the spleen (guinea pigs have only got a very small chest).
Critical is not whether the lump is benign or malign but whether it still containe and operable or whether it has aleady spread too far into other organs. The sooner you can see an exotics vet as an emergency, the better!

All the the best!

You will find these links here hopefully helpful while looking after your piggy:
Emergency and Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment

Please be aware that your grieving process starts the moment you get the news that your piggy has a lief-threatening conditions. It is the second-worst moment of the grieving process apart from death itself.
You may find this link here helpful; it contains a chapter on looking after terminally ill guinea pigs, how you cope and - more importantly - what you can do during this time to make the best of it. Keep in mind that love transcends time, and a moment of pure love can cover a lifetime's worth: Human Bereavement - Grieving, coping tips and support links for guinea pig owners and their children

PS: Please be aware that unlimited hay should make over 80% of the food intake, with any veg only about 10% and pellets about 5%. Guinea pigs have evolved on hay (dry grass); this is what keeps the digestive gut bacteria balanced and the silica in the hay is keeping the teeth nicely ground down. Lettuce is comparatively low in nutrition and high in vitamin A (which builds up in the liver if overfed) as are carrots, which are high in sugar and very fattening.
Please take the time to read our diet guide. The correct diet can help your guinea pigs live 1-2 years longer and stay healthier for longer in my own long term experience.
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets