Systemic Infection/ Lymphoma

[guineapigdad84]

In September the emergency vet found a lump on Rosie’s neck. They thought it was an abscess and tried to drain it. Having been on two separate antibiotics, my normal vet initially said cervical lymphadenitis.

On Friday, during a semi-annual checkup, the vet verified that Rosie has lumps on all of her lymph nodes now. They believe it is in fact systemic infection or lymphoma.

Once lumps are found on every lymph node, how long do guinea pigs usually live? Rosie is five years old and I’m preparing myself for the inevitable.

 

[Claire W]

Aw I’m so sorry I’ve lost two piggies now to lymphoma. With Ena, we had to have her pts at the emergency vet on the day of diagnosis. With Erika, she lived for two weeks past diagnosis. Her lumps grew really big and fast and the ones in her dewlap grew so big, they were causing breathing difficulties so we had no choice than to have her pts.

My advise is to make lots of memories and take lots of photos x

 

[guineapigdad84]

Aw I’m so sorry I’ve lost two piggies now to lymphoma. With Ena, we had to have her pts at the emergency vet on the day of diagnosis. With Erika, she lived for two weeks past diagnosis. Her lumps grew really big and fast and the ones in her dewlap grew so big, they were causing breathing difficulties so we had no choice than to have her pts.

My advise is to make lots of memories and take lots of photos x

Thank you for the response. I have begun taking more videos and pictures as of late, snuggling under the covers before/ after work. Her breathing has changed to where I can hear it. Both the emergency vet and normal vet were not concerned after two separate xrays. She is on Enrofloxacin, SMZ and Meloxicam.

Do I look for signs of a wet bottom, not eating/ drinking anything at all, large visible lumps I can see popping out under her fur? For breathing difficulties, might it sound like URI breathing or something else?

 

[Claire W]

Thank you for the response. I have begun taking more videos and pictures as of late, snuggling under the covers before/ after work. Her breathing has changed to where I can hear it. Both the emergency vet and normal vet were not concerned after two separate xrays. She is on Enrofloxacin, SMZ and Meloxicam.

Do I look for signs of a wet bottom, not eating/ drinking anything at all, large visible lumps I can see popping out under her fur? For breathing difficulties, might it sound like URI breathing or something else?

You look out for signs of her not acting her normal self, not eating and drinking etc. it’s hard to describe what Erika’s breathing sounded like to be honest, she just sounded like she was struggling x

 

[guineapigdad84]

You look out for signs of her not acting her normal self, not eating and drinking etc. it’s hard to describe what Erika’s breathing sounded like to be honest, she just sounded like she was struggling x

Okay. She started eating slower within the last month, but I chalked that up to old age. I called the emergency vet and last Sunday they didn’t say anything up every lymph node having a lump. Probably didn’t check.

 

[Claire W]

Okay. She started eating slower within the last month, but I chalked that up to old age. I called the emergency vet and last Sunday they didn’t say anything up every lymph node having a lump. Probably didn’t check.

With Erika, the lumps ballooned up overnight. Just make sure she’s comfortable

 

[guineapigdad84]

With Erika, the lumps ballooned up overnight. Just make sure she’s comfortable

Were you able to tell without physically checking?

 

[Claire W]

Were you able to tell without physically checking?

Not to begin with but then one day, her dewlap was 3 times the size due to the tumours that were growing inside

 

[guineapigdad84]

Not to begin with but then one day, her dewlap was 3 times the size due to the tumours that were growing inside

Wow, that was significant growth.

 

[Viennese Furbabies]

I have lost two piggies due to lymphoma over the years. The lymph nodes grow quickly during a few days to an enormous size. Both of mine were eating okay right untill I had them PTS, but they just become totally lethargic, hardly moved around.
The swollen lymph nodes in the neck make it harder to swallow.
I'm afraid if Rosie really suffers from lymphoma, you have to be prepared to say goodbye soon.
If it's a systemic infection, let's hope the antibiotics work.

 

[Swissgreys]

We lost our Oreo to lymphoma.
In the end she was just fairly listless and not interested in food or moving around much.
It wasn't anything serious, but we knew she wasn't going to get better so we decided to spare her suffering.
She made it 19 days past diagnosis.
I am so sorry you are going through this.
You clearly love your girl and you will know when it is time.

 

[guineapigdad84]

Thank you. Three days list diagnosis and who knows how many since additional lumps appeared and this morning Rosie was up and moving around the playroom floor and being vocal.

 

[guineapigdad84]

I have lost two piggies due to lymphoma over the years. The lymph nodes grow quickly during a few days to an enormous size. Both of mine were eating okay right untill I had them PTS, but they just become totally lethargic, hardly moved around.
The swollen lymph nodes in the neck make it harder to swallow.
I'm afraid if Rosie really suffers from lymphoma, you have to be prepared to say goodbye soon.
If it's a systemic infection, let's hope the antibiotics work.

I am prepared. On my way to work this morning, I called the emergency vet to know about their current waiting policy for animals that need to be PTS, if I can go in, bring Rosie’s sisters, wait until she’s gone then say goodbye one last time. The vet says yes to all of that. Travel cages are ready to go as well.

Over three years ago, I had my first pig Oranges PTS, she had cancer but it was not visible on the outside. She deteriorated really really fast, and when I went to the vet they said that there was nothing they could do, and that her time is running out. I had maybe an hour and a half or so at that point to say goodbye. My second guinea pig Ginger, had a dental abscess that was real nasty and took several surgeries to remove after shuffle months, her heart gave out on the operating table…. after the surgery was a success. I said my goodbyes the night before I dropped her off.

This will be the first time that I get to say goodbye, giving Rosie a farewell tour of sorts. Since Friday, my spare time has been spent giving extra snacks, play time and snuggling. May or may not sound weird, but I have been talking to Rosie about what is happening and what will happen when her time is up (probably for my own closure).

 

[eileen]

I've had two piggies with lymphoma, Carlton lived 18 months past diagnosis.female that was PTS same day as diagnosis.....you could see the lumps getting bigger throughout the day.

 

[guineapigdad84]

I've had two piggies with lymphoma, Carlton lived 18 months past diagnosis.female that was PTS same day as diagnosis.....you could see the lumps getting bigger throughout the day.

18 months is a long time.

 

[guineapigdad84]

Got home from work and Rosie still wanted a snack, played with one of her toys and cleaned herself. Mary (white stripe) has been her best friend for over two years, while Penny has been a bit of a loner.

 

[guineapigdad84]

Here it is one week from diagnosis. Rosie is eating, albeit less than a month ago, but hay is about the same. I do have critical care on hand and she has been still moving around and standing up at the side of the cage.

Earlier this week I threw an early Christmas for the girls, took lots of pictures/ videos and increased snuggle time. I even called the emergency vet to see how their process is for end of life. Here she is enjoying a hay bundle (her favorite toy). I went to three different stores to stock up on them.

 

[Bill & Ted]

Aw look at Rosie having Christmas fun, I hope you have many, many more happy times left together x

 

[guineapigdad84]

Thank you Bill & Ted. I’m picking up a refill of Metacam for her today. Other than that, my spare time has been dedicated to giving her a good last couple of days/ weeks or however long she’s got.

 

[guineapigdad84]

One month after Rosie’s diagnosis…. We have celebrated Christmas (twice) and gotten extra toys, treats, playtime and snuggle time.

She’s been to the vet a few times. Rosie had been given a higher dose for her antibiotics and breathing has improved a little bit. Today, while giving her the medicine, I inadvertently felt a new lump. This one is about pea sized and under her left eye as shown in the picture. Could it be the lymphoma finally starting to spread outside of her lymph nodes?

I am taking her to the vet again tomorrow.

 

[guineapigdad84]

One thing I didn’t mention before, a few months ago the emergency vet said that her tests indicated a high white blood cell count.

That being said, can lymphoma and leukemia be confused for one another? I know at this point all I can do is keep her comfortable, give medicine to fight any infections and ensure she is eating and breathing okay. I just like to try and understand everything that is going on.

 

[Claire W]

Aw bless her. I’m glad she’s still with you and that you managed to celebrate Christmas together. Yes, the lymphoma may well be spreading but I’d have the lump checked by the vet x

 

[weepweeps]

Bless her. Hope the vet can give you some advice/treatment.

 

[guineapigdad84]

Aw bless her. I’m glad she’s still with you and that you managed to celebrate Christmas together. Yes, the lymphoma may well be spreading but I’d have the lump checked by the vet x

Thanks. One of my other pigs Penny is having surgery today to remove a mammary tumor. The doctor is letting me bring Rosie in to check on the lump.

 

[Potatofriend]

Good luck Rosie

 

[Viennese Furbabies]

Good luck!
With a sweling under the eye my first thought would be an abscess of a tooth root, so it's good, that you'll have it checked asap.

 

[Bill & Ted]

Hope little Penny makes a full recovery and little Rosie has many, many happy months left with you x

 

[guineapigdad84]

Good luck!
With a sweling under the eye my first thought would be an abscess of a tooth root, so it's good, that you'll have it checked asap.

That was the vets first thought. I guess there was nothing indicating an abscess. Nothing was able to drain via aspiration. I guess until she’s drooling/ unable to chew and keep food in her mouth and breathe there’s nothing to do.

 

[guineapigdad84]

Hope little Penny makes a full recovery and little Rosie has many, many happy months left with you x

Thanks. She’s all kinds of stubborn when it comes to taking medicine. I tried to trick her by dipping the syringes in critical care. She did not take kindly to that. The vet found a smaller lump, which due to time constraints under anesthesia, it was left for a biopsy to determine specifics of the removed lump. It’s been one month since I knew what Rosie’s lumps were and 3 months since they first appeared. So every morning I wake up and every day I come home from work and she’s still here (healthy enough), is a blessing.