Tumor in Guinea pig

[Maryjames]

Hello all. My guinea pig is 4 and a half years old and she has lost a lot of weight and the vet said she has a tumor. Her hair has thinned out a lot. When I took her to the Vets in they said she might have mites so we treated her for mites and kept an eye out however she is still losing weight. The vet said just let her be. In other words let her die but I can't accept that. She is eating and drinking and alert. I'm going to another Vets tomorrow for a second opinion. Does anyone have any suggestions or advice? Thank you all in advance.

 

[Wiebke]

Hello all. My guinea pig is 4 and a half years old and she has lost a lot of weight and the vet said she has a tumor. Her hair has thinned out a lot. When I took her to the Vets in they said she might have mites so we treated her for mites and kept an eye out however she is still losing weight. The vet said just let her be. In other words let her die but I can't accept that. She is eating and drinking and alert. I'm going to another Vets tomorrow for a second opinion. Does anyone have any suggestions or advice? Thank you all in advance.

Hi

You are entitled to a second opinion.

However, please accept that internal growths that are not ovarian cysts are usually inoperable or end most commonly with an unsuccessful (fatal) operation, especially if the growth has already started to adhere to organs or grow into them - which is generally the case by the time they are found since guinea pigs are unfortunately wired to suppress any symptoms for long as possible. By the time you or a vet will notice any symptoms, it is sadly all too often already too late.
I am very sorry for not having better news. Cancer has become more common, especially in younger piggies, over the last decade; partially because of better diagnostics but partially because its rise mirrors the rise of cancer in humans.

Please step in with feeding support asap:

Thread 'All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures'

Mar 9, 2022

Introduction
1 Choosing the right place to medicate/feed your piggy
2 Guinea pig whispering and asserting your authority
3 Recovery products and emergency improvisation
4 Syringe recommendations
5 Weight monitoring: your biggest ally
6 Weight loss guidelines and when to step in with feeding
7 Syringe feeding amounts/frequency advice
8 Practical medication and syringing tips
9 Medicating and feeding cooperative guinea pigs (videos)
10 Medicating and feeding uncooperative guinea pigs (hold pictures and tips)
11 The line between life and...

• Wiebke
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Health & Illness Support Corner

• 
• 

I wish I had better news but I am keeping my fingers firmly crossed. She is definitely not yet due for pts/euthanasia and still has enough zest and quality of life for the time being.

 

[weepweeps]

I’m so sorry you have had this sad diagnosis. I had a piggy diagnosed with a tumour last year and chose not to operate. I said as long as he was eating and drinking and coming out for treats and veggies then he was behaving like a normal piggy and had a good quality of life. Good luck with your second opinion.

 

[Maryjames]

Hi and thanks for your reply. I am taking her tomorrow to be seen and I would at least like to have an ultrasound to see where this is. What bothered me was he didn't even suggest the ultrasound, just said take her home and move on. She is happy and eating and drinking as normal. I know she is not well so I don't have to force feed her with a syringe but I want to give her every chance. My main concern is her being in pain which she doesn't seem to be in.

 

[Maryjames]

I’m so sorry you have had this sad diagnosis. I had a piggy diagnosed with a tumour last year and chose not to operate. I said as long as he was eating g and drinking and coming out for treats and veggies then he was behaving like a normal piggy and had a good quality of life. Good luck with your second opinion.

How long did your baby live for? Thank you for your response. Appreciate it.

 

[weepweeps]

His symptoms started on the 9th February and he passed peacefully at home on the 30th April.

All illnesses are different for each piggy but what I would say is that pain meds really helped Pepper feel better in the weeks leading up to him leaving for the rainbow bridge. Thinking of you and sending healing vibes to your piggy

 

[Maryjames]

His symptoms started on the 9th February and he passed peacefully at home on the 30th April.

All illnesses are different for each piggy but what I would say is that pain meds really helped Pepper feel better in the weeks leading up to him leaving for the rainbow bridge. Thinking of you and sending healing vibes to your piggy

Thank you for your response and well wishes. It means a lot. The interesting thing is that back in September of last year the vet that saw her thought she might have mites so we treated her for that. At that time he said she had a small lump in on her ovaries that he could feel but we didn't need to do anything about it. Well it's been six months and it's still growing. So I'm not giving up on her yet. Wish me luck. We meet with another vet tomorrow and I'm going to request an ultrasound. I don't care about the price, I just want to do the right thing by my babies.

 

[Freela]

Thank you for your response and well wishes. It means a lot. The interesting thing is that back in September of last year the vet that saw her thought she might have mites so we treated her for that. At that time he said she had a small lump in on her ovaries that he could feel but we didn't need to do anything about it. Well it's been six months and it's still growing. So I'm not giving up on her yet. Wish me luck. We meet with another vet tomorrow and I'm going to request an ultrasound. I don't care about the price, I just want to do the right thing by my babies.

Am I reading this right that he thinks she has an ovarian tumor because of a growing ovarian mass? This DEFINITELY warrants a second opinion and more diagnostics, because ovarian cysts are pretty common in guinea pigs and are often fluid-filled, benign, hormonal cysts. Hormonal cysts can also cause hair loss, along the sides specifically. Definitely rule this out because ovarian cysts are often very treatable.

On a personal note I can tell you that these misdiagnoses can happen because one of my pigs was misdiagnosed with a malignant mass when she actually had a huge ovarian cyst that was leaking and thus causing pain. We were told that she likely only had a couple of weeks to live because of cancer, as it turned out she lived an additional 10 months before dying of unrelated age-related reasons at age 6.5. Imaging during those months showed an ovarian cyst that was much reduced in size from the first imaging and the vet concluded it was just a cyst and was never a solid mass at all. These things DO happen, definitely good to get a second opinion and some imaging! Fingers crossed for you and your piggie!

 

[weepweeps]

Fingers crossed the second opinion shows something easily treatable

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and thanks for your reply. I am taking her tomorrow to be seen and I would at least like to have an ultrasound to see where this is. What bothered me was he didn't even suggest the ultrasound, just said take her home and move on. She is happy and eating and drinking as normal. I know she is not well so I don't have to force feed her with a syringe but I want to give her every chance. My main concern is her being in pain which she doesn't seem to be in.

Wishing you all the best for tomorrow.

 

[CTWC]

Keeping fingers and paws firmly crossed for tomorrow

 

[Maryjames]

Hello all. My guinea pig is 4 and a half years old and she has lost a lot of weight and the vet said she has a tumor. Her hair has thinned out a lot. When I took her to the Vets in they said she might have mites so we treated her for mites and kept an eye out however she is still losing weight. The vet said just let her be. In other words let her die but I can't accept that. She is eating and drinking and alert. I'm going to another Vets tomorrow for a second opinion. Does anyone have any suggestions or advice? Thank you all in advance.

UPDATE: First of all I want to say thank you to everyone on here who were so kind and gave me their best advice. You didn't disappoint. I just came back from getting a second opinion on Peanut and it is a fluid filled ovarian cyst. She actually has two of them. The vet said they are very common and can be treated in two ways. One would be to spay which would involve the usual risks of surgery and the other is to give hormone shots which she said works 50% of the time. I'm tempted to go straight to surgery as I believe that time is not on my side and I wouldn't want these to burst. Would appreciate any advice from this knowledgeable group. Thank you all so much. I appreciate your kind words and advice. Money is no object here, I just want to do what is right for her.

 

[Maryjames]

Fingers crossed the second opinion shows something easily treatable

UPDATE: First of all I want to say thank you to everyone on here who were so kind and gave me their best advice. You didn't disappoint. I just came back from getting a second opinion on Peanut and it is a fluid filled ovarian cyst. She actually has two of them. The vet said they are very common and can be treated in two ways. One would be to spay which would involve the usual risks of surgery and the other is to give hormone shots which she said works 50% of the time. I'm tempted to go straight to surgery as I believe that time is not on my side and I wouldn't want these to burst. Would appreciate any advice from this knowledgeable group. Thank you all so much. I appreciate your kind words and advice. Money is no object here, I just want to do what is right for her.

 

[Maryjames]

Keeping fingers and paws firmly crossed for tomorrow

UPDATE: First of all I want to say thank you to everyone on here who were so kind and gave me their best advice. You didn't disappoint. I just came back from getting a second opinion on Peanut and it is a fluid filled ovarian cyst. She actually has two of them. The vet said they are very common and can be treated in two ways. One would be to spay which would involve the usual risks of surgery and the other is to give hormone shots which she said works 50% of the time. I'm tempted to go straight to surgery as I believe that time is not on my side and I wouldn't want these to burst. Would appreciate any advice from this knowledgeable group. Thank you all so much. I appreciate your kind words and advice. Money is no object here, I just want to do what is right for her.

 

[Maryjames]

Hi

You are entitled to a second opinion.

However, please accept that internal growths that are not ovarian cysts are usually inoperable or end most commonly with an unsuccessful (fatal) operation, especially if the growth has already started to adhere to organs or grow into them - which is generally the case by the time they are found since guinea pigs are unfortunately wired to suppress any symptoms for long as possible. By the time you or a vet will notice any symptoms, it is sadly all too often already too late.
I am very sorry for not having better news. Cancer has become more common, especially in younger piggies, over the last decade; partially because of better diagnostics but partially because its rise mirrors the rise of cancer in humans.

Please step in with feeding support asap:

Thread 'All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures'

Mar 9, 2022

Introduction
1 Choosing the right place to medicate/feed your piggy
2 Guinea pig whispering and asserting your authority
3 Recovery products and emergency improvisation
4 Syringe recommendations
5 Weight monitoring: your biggest ally
6 Weight loss guidelines and when to step in with feeding
7 Syringe feeding amounts/frequency advice
8 Practical medication and syringing tips
9 Medicating and feeding cooperative guinea pigs (videos)
10 Medicating and feeding uncooperative guinea pigs (hold pictures and tips)
11 The line between life and...

• Wiebke
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Health & Illness Support Corner

• 
• 

I wish I had better news but I am keeping my fingers firmly crossed. She is definitely not yet due for pts/euthanasia and still has enough zest and quality of life for the time being.

UPDATE: First of all I want to say thank you to everyone on here who were so kind and gave me their best advice. You didn't disappoint. I just came back from getting a second opinion on Peanut and it is a fluid filled ovarian cyst. She actually has two of them. The vet said they are very common and can be treated in two ways. One would be to spay which would involve the usual risks of surgery and the other is to give hormone shots which she said works 50% of the time. I'm tempted to go straight to surgery as I believe that time is not on my side and I wouldn't want these to burst. Would appreciate any advice from this knowledgeable group. Thank you all so much. I appreciate your kind words and advice. Money is no object here, I just want to do what is right for her.

 

[Maryjames]

Am I reading this right that he thinks she has an ovarian tumor because of a growing ovarian mass? This DEFINITELY warrants a second opinion and more diagnostics, because ovarian cysts are pretty common in guinea pigs and are often fluid-filled, benign, hormonal cysts. Hormonal cysts can also cause hair loss, along the sides specifically. Definitely rule this out because ovarian cysts are often very treatable.

On a personal note I can tell you that these misdiagnoses can happen because one of my pigs was misdiagnosed with a malignant mass when she actually had a huge ovarian cyst that was leaking and thus causing pain. We were told that she likely only had a couple of weeks to live because of cancer, as it turned out she lived an additional 10 months before dying of unrelated age-related reasons at age 6.5. Imaging during those months showed an ovarian cyst that was much reduced in size from the first imaging and the vet concluded it was just a cyst and was never a solid mass at all. These things DO happen, definitely good to get a second opinion and some imaging! Fingers crossed for you and your piggie!

UPDATE: First of all I want to say thank you to everyone on here who were so kind and gave me their best advice. You didn't disappoint. I just came back from getting a second opinion on Peanut and it is a fluid filled ovarian cyst. She actually has two of them. The vet said they are very common and can be treated in two ways. One would be to spay which would involve the usual risks of surgery and the other is to give hormone shots which she said works 50% of the time. I'm tempted to go straight to surgery as I believe that time is not on my side and I wouldn't want these to burst. Would appreciate any advice from this knowledgeable group. Thank you all so much. I appreciate your kind words and advice. Money is no object here, I just want to do what is right for her.

 

[Maryjames]

Am I reading this right that he thinks she has an ovarian tumor because of a growing ovarian mass? This DEFINITELY warrants a second opinion and more diagnostics, because ovarian cysts are pretty common in guinea pigs and are often fluid-filled, benign, hormonal cysts. Hormonal cysts can also cause hair loss, along the sides specifically. Definitely rule this out because ovarian cysts are often very treatable.

On a personal note I can tell you that these misdiagnoses can happen because one of my pigs was misdiagnosed with a malignant mass when she actually had a huge ovarian cyst that was leaking and thus causing pain. We were told that she likely only had a couple of weeks to live because of cancer, as it turned out she lived an additional 10 months before dying of unrelated age-related reasons at age 6.5. Imaging during those months showed an ovarian cyst that was much reduced in size from the first imaging and the vet concluded it was just a cyst and was never a solid mass at all. These things DO happen, definitely good to get a second opinion and some imaging! Fingers crossed for you and your piggie!

UPDATE: First of all I want to say thank you to everyone on here who were so kind and gave me their best advice. You didn't disappoint. I just came back from getting a second opinion on Peanut and it is a fluid filled ovarian cyst. She actually has two of them. The vet said they are very common and can be treated in two ways. One would be to spay which would involve the usual risks of surgery and the other is to give hormone shots which she said works 50% of the time. I'm tempted to go straight to surgery as I believe that time is not on my side and I wouldn't want these to burst. Would appreciate any advice from this knowledgeable group. Thank you all so much. I appreciate your kind words and advice. Money is no object here, I just want to do what is right for her.

 

[CTWC]

Hi there I really have no experience at all so can't advise sorry but glad it's something that can be cured well done for following your instinct and getting a second opinion

 

[Maryjames]

Thank you so much.

 

[Wiebke]

UPDATE: First of all I want to say thank you to everyone on here who were so kind and gave me their best advice. You didn't disappoint. I just came back from getting a second opinion on Peanut and it is a fluid filled ovarian cyst. She actually has two of them. The vet said they are very common and can be treated in two ways. One would be to spay which would involve the usual risks of surgery and the other is to give hormone shots which she said works 50% of the time. I'm tempted to go straight to surgery as I believe that time is not on my side and I wouldn't want these to burst. Would appreciate any advice from this knowledgeable group. Thank you all so much. I appreciate your kind words and advice. Money is no object here, I just want to do what is right for her.

Here is our own ovarian cyst information but since you had already got a diagnosis I was not going to bring it up:

Thread 'Sow Problems 'Down Below' (Ovarian Cysts, Super-seasons, Womb Infection, Pregnancy & Mammary Tumours)'

Jul 15, 2024

1 Important reproductive information
- Start of making babies - seasons - lack of menopause
- Pregnancy
2 Sows in season
- How a season runs
- Strong seasons (snap seasons; the social role of strong seasons; problem seasons)
3 Health issues of the reproductive tract
- Ovarian cysts (types, symptoms and treatment options)
- Other health...

• Wiebke
• Replies: 2
• Forum: Wiebke's Guides to the Body

Thread 'Tips For Post-operative Care'

Feb 7, 2016

1 Preparing for an operation
2 Care tips for freshly operated guinea pigs
- General advice
- Supportive home care and syringe feeding
- Pain relief, gut stimulants and when to see a vet as an emergency
3 Recovery
4 Companionship
- The importance of company
- Tips for medically separated piggies


Ideally, your...

• Wiebke
• Replies: 2
• Forum: Wiebke's Home Care Guides

• 

I am glad that the second check is a lot better!

 

[weepweeps]

I’m so pleased to hear that the second opinion was so positive. You must be so happy that there is now a treatment plan. I can’t advise about ovaries because I’ve only had boars but I’m sending tons of healing vibes to Peanut.

 

[Maryjames]

I’m so pleased to hear that the second opinion was so positive. You must be so happy that there is now a treatment plan. I can’t advise about ovaries because I’ve only had boars but I’m sending tons of healing vibes to Peanut.

Thank you so much. Appreciate the good vibes!

 

[Maryjames]

Here is our own ovarian cyst information but since you had already got a diagnosis I was not going to bring it up:

Thread 'Sow Problems 'Down Below' (Ovarian Cysts, Super-seasons, Womb Infection, Pregnancy & Mammary Tumours)'

Jul 15, 2024

1 Important reproductive information
- Start of making babies - seasons - lack of menopause
- Pregnancy
2 Sows in season
- How a season runs
- Strong seasons (snap seasons; the social role of strong seasons; problem seasons)
3 Health issues of the reproductive tract
- Ovarian cysts (types, symptoms and treatment options)
- Other health...

• Wiebke
• Replies: 2
• Forum: Wiebke's Guides to the Body

Thread 'Tips For Post-operative Care'

Feb 7, 2016

1 Preparing for an operation
2 Care tips for freshly operated guinea pigs
- General advice
- Supportive home care and syringe feeding
- Pain relief, gut stimulants and when to see a vet as an emergency
3 Recovery
4 Companionship
- The importance of company
- Tips for medically separated piggies


Ideally, your...

• Wiebke
• Replies: 2
• Forum: Wiebke's Home Care Guides

• 

I am glad that the second check is a lot better!

Thank you so much for your valuable information. It's great to read up on this and it's so nice of you to pass it along. She's getting operated on Monday morning. It's a fluid filled sack and I got to see the ultrasound as I was there. It's still an operation but I think I'm doing the right thing. Keep her in your prayers. Thanks again.

 

[Eriathwen]

I've always opted straight for spaying unless they're a not good candidate for surgery (I had one who was very old, severe neurological issues etc that we left alone) but I've had what must be almost 15 piggies spayed now and they've all done wonderfully. So imo you are doing the right thing, the shots only work if they are hormonal cysts which they often aren't plus they can be quite painful.
Wishing you both all the best for the surgery! Stock up on recovery food and make sure you're sent home with pain relief, those 2 things will make recovery so much easier.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you so much for your valuable information. It's great to read up on this and it's so nice of you to pass it along. She's getting operated on Monday morning. It's a fluid filled sack and I got to see the ultrasound as I was there. It's still an operation but I think I'm doing the right thing. Keep her in your prayers. Thanks again.

I have had several sows aged around 5 years emergency operated for large fluid filled cysts; thankfully they have all pulled through and have gone on to live for longer; the oldest made it to just short of her 8th birthday.

My fingers are firmly crossed. A lot depends on the vet/recovery nurses team and the length of the operation.
Make sure that you ask how soon after the op you can step in with pain relief (I have learned to always ask when I pick up my piggies post-op) and have some feeding support ready.

Here are our tips in case you need to improvise on that front - especially with emergency ops.

Thread 'How to Improvise Feeding Support in an Emergency'

May 31, 2024

1 Feed
- Important crisis management resources
- When is improvising necessary?
- Which food group am I replacing with my feeding support?
- How much and how often should I feed and water?
- What can I use that I have already got at home?
- Other possible easily available foods with their pros and cons
- How do I prep a syringe for rougher pellet fibre?
- What can I do without a syringe?
- The role of lukewarm water
2 Probiotics
- Probiotic products...

• Wiebke
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Emergency Information and Care

• 
• 

We have got an extensive information resource on this forum on a very wide range of subjects.
You may want to bookmark this link, browse, read and re-read at need, as you will pick up on different things at different levels of experience or need.

Thread 'Comprehensive Owners' Practical and Supportive Information Collection'

Oct 30, 2017

Overview
1 Guinea pig species needs and human ownership
- Guinea pigs as a species and their social needs
- Family and classroom guinea pigs
- Naming considerations and finding out the breed
- Pet Owners Anxiety (helpful advice for sufferers and supporters)
2 Getting guinea pigs, sexing, common starter problems and customer rights
- Where to best get your piggies from, common new guinea pig health problems and your customer rights...

• sport_billy
• Replies: 2
• Forum: Helpful Info Collections for Wannabes & Owners

• 

 

[Maryjames]

I've always opted straight for spaying unless they're a not good candidate for surgery (I had one who was very old, severe neurological issues etc that we left alone) but I've had what must be almost 15 piggies spayed now and they've all done wonderfully. So imo you are doing the right thing, the shots only work if they are hormonal cysts which they often aren't plus they can be quite painful.
Wishing you both all the best for the surgery! Stock up on recovery food and make sure you're sent home with pain relief, those 2 things will make recovery so much easier.

Thank you so much. I really appreciate your information and well wishes.

 

[Freela]

UPDATE: First of all I want to say thank you to everyone on here who were so kind and gave me their best advice. You didn't disappoint. I just came back from getting a second opinion on Peanut and it is a fluid filled ovarian cyst. She actually has two of them. The vet said they are very common and can be treated in two ways. One would be to spay which would involve the usual risks of surgery and the other is to give hormone shots which she said works 50% of the time. I'm tempted to go straight to surgery as I believe that time is not on my side and I wouldn't want these to burst. Would appreciate any advice from this knowledgeable group. Thank you all so much. I appreciate your kind words and advice. Money is no object here, I just want to do what is right for her.

Crazy that it appears to be the same situation!

In my case, Leela didn't have a spay... she was 5+ years at diagnosis and we literally thought she was dying until the cyst had ruptured and then restabilized at a much smaller size. That said, facing this choice again, I would be more likely to proceed with the spay if it's a vet experienced with guinea pig surgeries and the piggie herself is in good condition going in.

All the best and hoping your piggie makes a full recovery!