Today I found a huge lump/mass 😢

[Piggymum2025]

Hi everyone

My beautiful piggy Chicken is 7 years old and today I discovered a large golf ball sized mass on the left hand side of her stomach. I keep feeling it thinking is it normal but it’s rather hard and feels much different to the other side of her stomach. She’s eating ok and seems ok (generally more lazy as gotten older) poops occasionally small and running around for floor time etc. She has become quite bony in her old age and hip bones stick out etc. I’ve had such bad luck with my piggies recently and lost two in the last 6 months Has anyone had an experience of a mass/lump in the stomach area. I’m so upset

 

[Freela]

Unfortunately, there's really no way to know without a proper vet assessment. They can palpate the lump and do imaging or a needle biopsy to try and more accurately pin down what is causing it. There are lot of causes for lumps, without more examination it's impossible to tell what the cause is. Lots of luck and hope it's something that they can manage for chicken!

 

[weepweeps]

Good luck at the vets Chicken. Sending healing vibes

 

[sport_billy]

Sorry to hear this, please let us know how she gets on. Sending hugs hugs

 

[Claire W]

I’m sorry that Chicken has developed a lump All the best at the vets x

 

[Wiebke]

Hi everyone

My beautiful piggy Chicken is 7 years old and today I discovered a large golf ball sized mass on the left hand side of her stomach. I keep feeling it thinking is it normal but it’s rather hard and feels much different to the other side of her stomach. She’s eating ok and seems ok (generally more lazy as gotten older) poops occasionally small and running around for floor time etc. She has become quite bony in her old age and hip bones stick out etc. I’ve had such bad luck with my piggies recently and lost two in the last 6 months Has anyone had an experience of a mass/lump in the stomach area. I’m so upset

Hi

HUGS

That is a great age and a testament to your good care!

Please have her vet checked as soon as possible for a hands-on examination as to its nature. It can unfortunately be all sort of things, from harmless fatty lumps or cysts to not so harmless ones. Any lump can suddenly blow up and triple or quadruple in a matter of just a day but it can be a rather scary experience for any owner because of the sheer speed.

Check her weight on your normal kitchen scales first thing in the morning for best day to day comparison but also to plan the appropriate feeding support level in case of an ongoing weight loss. Older piggies are by nature bonier around the hips and spine but that should be a gradual and not a sudden process.

Please take the time to read these very helpful links with all the practical how-to information:
Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment

Weight and Weight Loss Explained: BMI, Weighing, Poos and Feeding Support
How to Improvise Feeding Support in an Emergency

Guinea Lynx :: Lumps (please be aware that there are can also be other things in play in that area)

Caring for Older Piggies and Facing the End - A practical and supportive information collection

 

[Piggymum2025]

Hi

HUGS

That is a great age and a testament to your good care!

Please have her vet checked as soon as possible for a hands-on examination as to its nature. It can unfortunately be all sort of things, from harmless fatty lumps or cysts to not so harmless ones. Any lump can suddenly blow up and triple or quadruple in a matter of just a day but it can be a rather scary experience for any owner because of the sheer speed.

Check her weight on your normal kitchen scales first thing in the morning for best day to day comparison but also to plan the appropriate feeding support level in case of an ongoing weight loss. Older piggies are by nature bonier around the hips and spine but that should be a gradual and not a sudden process.

Please take the time to read these very helpful links with all the practical how-to information:
Emergency and Crisis Care as well as Bridging Care until a Vet Appointment

Weight and Weight Loss Explained: BMI, Weighing, Poos and Feeding Support
How to Improvise Feeding Support in an Emergency

Guinea Lynx :: Lumps (please be aware that there are can also be other things in play in that area)

Caring for Older Piggies and Facing the End - A practical and supportive information collection

Thank you for your advice and kind words.

My other piggy Mushroom has arthritis in her back legs and has been pulling her fur out of her back legs in recent months, so it all seems to be going wrong with my poor piggies (she’s now on permanent Metacam).

I’m going to take Chicken to the vet - I know it’s not going to be good news due to the size (surely it can’t be a cyst if it’s golf ball sized?) and I’m scared but I must be brave for her I’ve lost 2 piggies in the last six months, one has developed arthritis and now poor Chicken I feel like I can’t cope with more heartbreak

 

[CTWC]

Try to imagine we are all there with you supporting you when you go

 

[Merab]

Holding you in my heart
Hope all goes well at the vet