Update on my guinea pigs for anyone who’s interested

[Claire W]

Sorry to start another thread but it’s easier to just write one long post that I have copied from my Facebook page

We have seen our regular vet this afternoon. Elizabeth’s fatty lipoma hasn’t shrunk with the antibiotics but it hasn’t grown either. The problem is it’s attached to the muscle on her hip, he can’t get his fingers around the lump which would make surgery very tricky especially as it would be like removing a football sized lump from a dog. We were given some options. 1) To send a sample off for biopsy to double make sure it is a fatty lipoma even though he’s 90% sure from looking at the fluid under a microscope when he drew some out last Monday 2) To attempt surgery but the danger is he would get in there and have to amputate her hind leg which he’s not sure how she’d manage with 3 legs or he would cause more damage meaning it would be kinder not to wake her up from surgery 3) To monitor it and he’s more than happy to check it every 8-12 weeks for growth but to understand that it may grow and impend her mobility although he did explain that some lipomas do blow up and stop growing and if it does start to cause her problems, we can try her on some metacam to keep her comfortable. He said that if she was younger, he’d be more gearing to try surgery as her skin would be more ‘stretchy’ Obviously it’s my decision but his advise was to monitor it and let her enjoy her life as it’s not currently causing her any problems and she’s happy so I’ve followed his advise and gone for option 3) Ella’s tooth is taking its time but it’s growing back nicely and he checked her eye for me why he was examining her and it’s healed, no more ulcer or infection although he does suggest to carry on with the eye drops and corneal repair gel for another day or two just to make sure. But I’ll keep my appointment with Vets4pets for a recheck on Tuesday as a curtesy but at least I know they won’t find anything and Esme just came along for the ride… He’s going to check Elizabeth’s lipoma and Ella’s tooth again when two of my cats, Austin and Morris have their injections and health check on 22nd May after they’ve had their nails done with the nurse. And now I need a stiff drink!

 

[Betsy]

I would have gone for Option 3 too if it was me. If Elizabeth is quite happy living with a lump on her rump then just let her. Keep monitoring it and if it gets any bigger then you'll have to deal with it as the need arises.

 

[piggieminder]

I'd go for option 3 too. It's what I'm doing with Brillo's lumps, they've not got any bigger since October.

 

[Wiebke]

Glad that the lump has not grown any more. That was always the crucial point.

I thought that you would end up with keeping a watch on it since I couldn't feel any seam between the lump and the leg, so any removal would be something to avoid unless it was the only option; especially in view of her age.
Anyway, I am keeping my fingers crossed that the lump will just settle down and sit there.

Sorry that Ella's tooth is taking its time but it was looking pretty neat when she left here and I wasn't expecting any trouble. It just takes a long time to grow back fully.

 

[Bertie & Jelly]

I had a lumpy piggie. I did have one lump removed but only because it was “unattached”. The others I left and just enjoyed my piggie, lumps and all. Sending love to you and Elizabeth and hope it settles x

 

[Claire W]

I would have gone for Option 3 too if it was me. If Elizabeth is quite happy living with a lump on her rump then just let her. Keep monitoring it and if it gets any bigger then you'll have to deal with it as the need arises.

I'd go for option 3 too. It's what I'm doing with Brillo's lumps, they've not got any bigger since October.

Glad that the lump has not grown any more. That was always the crucial point.

I thought that you would end up with keeping a watch on it since I couldn't feel any seam between the lump and the leg, so any removal would be something to avoid unless it was the only option; especially in view of her age.

Anyway, I am keeping my fingers crossed that the lump will just settle down and sit there.
Sorry that Ella's tooth is taking its time but it was looking pretty neat and I wasn't expecting any trouble. It just takes a long time to grow back fully.

Thank you. This all makes me feel better that I’m making the right decision. He was brutally honest with what risks surgery would entail and I’m not willing to take it when it could shorten her life or affect the quality of her life while she’s perfectly happy living with the lipoma. He admitted that he sees more rabbits than guinea pigs and that he’s seen guinea pigs lose a front leg and cope but never a hind leg. The lipoma is big and I’m hoping it won’t grow anymore.

As for Ella, I am relieved that her tooth is heading in the right direction and that her weight is stable even though it is taking a while to grow back. I’m also relieved that her eye ulcer has healed. Fingers crossed that Esme behaves herself

And thank you @Wiebke you we’re right all along

 

[Claire W]

I had a lumpy piggie. I did have one lump removed but only because it was “unattached”. The others I left and just enjoyed my piggie, lumps and all. Sending love to you and Elizabeth and hope it settles x

Thank you. Elizabeth has 3 lumps on her belly that we had biopsied because they are on her mammary glands but they too came back as fatty lumps so my vet advised to leave them and monitor. They haven’t grown so I’m hoping it’ll be the same for her golf ball sized lump on her hip

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you. This all makes me feel better that I’m making the right decision. He was brutally honest with what risks surgery would entail and I’m not willing to take it when it could shorten her life or affect the quality of her life while she’s perfectly happy living with the lipoma. He admitted that he sees more rabbits than guinea pigs and that he’s seen guinea pigs lose a front leg and cope but never a hind leg. The lipoma is big and I’m hoping it won’t grow anymore.

As for Ella, I am relieved that her tooth is heading in the right direction and that her weight is stable even though it is taking a while to grow back. I’m also relieved that her eye ulcer has healed. Fingers crossed that Esme behaves herself

And thank you @Wiebke you we’re right all along

Piggies cope with an amputation surprisingly well; actually a bit better with a back leg one than with a weight bearing front leg one but this type of operation is always the port of last resort for any vet just before pts so I would strongly recommend not to lose any sleep over it and to enjoy every new day with Elizabeth as she is and to make every day with her a special one because for her it is the happy todays that she wants in her own life.

 

[Claire W]

Piggies cope with an amputation surprisingly well; actually a bit better with a back leg one than with a weight bearing front leg one but this type of operation is always the port of last resort for any vet just before pts so I would strongly recommend not to lose any sleep over it and to enjoy every new day with Elizabeth as she is and to make every day with her a special one because for her it is the happy todays that she wants in her own life.

I see. He admitted he’d never seen a guinea pig losing a hind leg, just the front so wasn’t sure how she’d cope. But as Elizabeth is reaching 4.5-5, in going to enjoy everyday with her and be grateful that the lump is just a fatty lipoma however badly it looks. At least it isn’t on her belly so can’t rub against the ground and ulcerate

 

[Wiebke]

I see. He admitted he’d never seen a guinea pig losing a hind leg, just the front so wasn’t sure how she’d cope. But as Elizabeth is reaching 4.5-5, in going to enjoy everyday with her and be grateful that the lump is just a fatty lipoma however badly it looks. At least it isn’t on her belly so can’t rub against the ground and ulcerate

I've seen videos of a few permanent 'tripod' rescue residents over the years; and whatever leg was missing, they have got around just fine.
But as stated, this is very much an option of last choice and will hopefully never come to pass if the lipoma is behaving true to form and is staying put from now on. A vet will have to inform you of potential future complications when you have decide on where to go from where you are now but it never means that the worst case scenario will necessarily happen.

Edward still lived to nearly 7 years with his similarly sized lipoma and died from completely unrelated issues after all.

 

[munchmonster]

They do like to keep us on our toes! Sending my best wishes and paws crossed that it all works out positive for your piggies x

 

[YvonneBlue]

At least I'm not the only one with a lumpy pig. Ginger Pig has several fatty lumps none of which has caused him any problems. He has had them since he was quite young and they have only grown a little bit. He did have a tumor removed last year but that was very different from the other lumps and it grew quickly.

Hopefully your piggies will continue to do well. They really do get the best of care with you. xx

 

[Claire W]

I've seen videos of a few permanent 'tripod' rescue residents over the years; and whatever leg was missing, they have got around just fine.
But as stated, this is very much an option of last choice and will hopefully never come to pass if the lipoma is behaving true to form and is staying put from now on. A vet will have to inform you of potential future complications when you have decide on where to go from where you are now but it never means that they will necessarily happen.

Edward still lived to nearly 7 years with his similarly sized lipoma and died from completely unrelated issues after all.

They do like to keep us on our toes! Sending my best wishes and paws crossed that it all works out positive for your piggies x

At least I'm not the only one with a lumpy pig. Ginger Pig has several fatty lumps none of which has caused him any problems. He has had them since he was quite young and they have only grown a little bit. He did have a tumor removed last year but that was very different from the other lumps and it grew quickly.

Hopefully your piggies will continue to do well. They really do get the best of care with you. xx

Thank you. Why the lump is just sitting there doing nothing and why she’s happy, I’m happy. Obviously if it grows much bigger we may have to re evaluate but Edward lived with a similar sized fatty lump in his neck and it never grew, like Elizabeth, he to was a lumpy pig so I’m keeping everything crossed.

The vet did say if it was a cancerous tumour, it would be a different story but it isn’t so we don’t have to worry

Thanks for the support, it makes me feel better about the decision we have come to x

 

[Lorcan]

Bann still has his lump, but it hasn't grown since I noticed it before Christmas, it's still relatively small, and it's not bothering him at all. So I've elected to keep an eye on it, but honestly I'm not sure taking him to the vet for it will do anything but deplete my bank account, lol. If the lump grows or it starts bothering him, I'll be straight to the vet though.

For what it's worth I'd also have made the same decision (I mean, technically I did, but you know what I mean). There's no point in added poking, prodding and stress for what (for now) would be little benefit.

 

[Claire W]

Bann still has his lump, but it hasn't grown since I noticed it before Christmas, it's still relatively small, and it's not bothering him at all. So I've elected to keep an eye on it, but honestly I'm not sure taking him to the vet for it will do anything but deplete my bank account, lol. If the lump grows or it starts bothering him, I'll be straight to the vet though.

For what it's worth I'd also have made the same decision (I mean, technically I did, but you know what I mean). There's no point in added poking, prodding and stress for what (for now) would be little benefit.

Thank you. If Banns lump hasn’t grown and isn’t bothering him, I’d leave it well alone too. The one on Elizabeth’s hip is huge, golf ball sized but like I say, the vet ie 90% sure it’s fatty and I trust him.

Yes, I’d save your bank account too lol. It’s £150 to have a fine needle biopsy done and have it sent to the lab although Elizabeth did have all 3 belly lumps biopsied but that’s only because they’re on her mammary line and the vet was worried she had mammary cancer. Thankfully they came back as fatty lipomas to

 

[Lorcan]

Bann's is somewhere between the size of a pea and a marble, not that I could ever get a photo of it, and just out from his right armpit. But the winter's not the time to be taking two skinnies outside if I didn't have to and then it just...stayed. Didn't shrink, didn't grow, and he's still basically ignoring it. It's not even causing him an issue to scratch. I take my cue from him, and he just doesn't care lol.

 

[Claire W]

Bann's is somewhere between the size of a pea and a marble, not that I could ever get a photo of it, and just out from his right armpit. But the winter's not the time to be taking two skinnies outside if I didn't have to and then it just...stayed. Didn't shrink, didn't grow, and he's still basically ignoring it. It's not even causing him an issue to scratch. I take my cue from him, and he just doesn't care lol.

That’s good And no, taking skinnies out in winter could cause more harm than good. If the lump was in Banns armpit, I would recommend to have it checked but if it’s sitting away from his armpit and not doing anything, I’m sure you’re safe to leave it

 

[Lorcan]

Yeah it's not quite his armpit, sort of between the armpit and the ribcage. It's not a fixed lump, though, if that makes sense, it does move because occasionally I have to look a bit harder to actually see it, it's not where it normally is. The loose skin on skinnies doesn't help that though, lol. Easiest to see it when he's begging because he's at least stretched out at that point.

 

[Claire W]

Yeah it's not quite his armpit, sort of between the armpit and the ribcage. It's not a fixed lump, though, if that makes sense, it does move because occasionally I have to look a bit harder to actually see it, it's not where it normally is. The loose skin on skinnies doesn't help that though, lol. Easiest to see it when he's begging because he's at least stretched out at that point.

So long as it isn’t in his armpit and isn’t fixed I wouldn’t worry. Having said that, Edward had one in his armpit but it came back as being fatty.

This is Elizabeth’s last night. As you can see it’s huge but it looks worse when she sits with her hips out

 

[Lorcan]

Yeah. I've realised the perfect size gauge for Bann's lump...it's the size of a grape. They are registered with a vet (the one you're using too), but it's been several months now with no real change. Honestly at this point I'm more worried about their teeth, because it apparently hasn't occurred to them that food might bang off the bars when they're dropping to their feet, but they're also managing to drop it right back out of the cage again so, y'know. They're not the brightest, lol.

 

[Claire W]

Yeah. I've realised the perfect size gauge for Bann's lump...it's the size of a grape. They are registered with a vet (the one you're using too), but it's been several months now with no real change. Honestly at this point I'm more worried about their teeth, because it apparently hasn't occurred to them that food might bang off the bars when they're dropping to their feet, but they're also managing to drop it right back out of the cage again so, y'know. They're not the brightest, lol.

Yeah my girls like to play that game too but so long as they’re eating hay, I don’t worry.

Elizabeth’s belly lumps are grape sized too.

Hopefully you won’t need to use them but honestly, valley vets have been great with my guinea pigs. My cats are going there for the first time at the end of May for their yearly vaccinations and health checks. I got a text message from crown house to book them in and I’ve ignored. I do feel guilty but I am much happier at valley vets

 

[Bill & Ted]

Poor Elizabeth, hope the lumps get no bigger

 

[eileen]

I would have taken option 3 as well your piggie are loved,you do all you can for your piggies.

 

[LunaticPoodle]

Oh poor darling, I too hope Elizabeth's lump stays put and doesn't start bothering her. Best wishes and chin rubs from her namesake

 

[Merab]

I would have gone for option 3 too.
Naomi has a big fatty lump on her tummy. A vet check confirmed it was just a fatty lump and the best option is to monitor it.
She’s coping fine and I just check to make sure it’s not causing problems.
Hope Elizabeth’s lump doesn’t become a problem

 

[Lorcan]

I got a text message from crown house to book them in and I’ve ignored.

If it helps, I had the same texts after Comet and Blitzen were rehomed, and I know how difficult it is to ignore them regardless of why you won't be booking appointments again. But ignoring them is absolutely the right thing to do.

 

[Claire W]

Poor Elizabeth, hope the lumps get no bigger

I would have taken option 3 as well your piggie are loved,you do all you can for your piggies.

Oh poor darling, I too hope Elizabeth's lump stays put and doesn't start bothering her. Best wishes and chin rubs from her namesake

I would have gone for option 3 too.
Naomi has a big fatty lump on her tummy. A vet check confirmed it was just a fatty lump and the best option is to monitor it.
She’s coping fine and I just check to make sure it’s not causing problems.
Hope Elizabeth’s lump doesn’t become a problem

Thank you, the lumps are fatty lipomas, I just hope the big one on her hip doesn’t grow anymore and that I’ve made the right decision. It brings me comfort that others would choose to leave her and just monitor it too x

 

[Claire W]

If it helps, I had the same texts after Comet and Blitzen were rehomed, and I know how difficult it is to ignore them regardless of why you won't be booking appointments again. But ignoring them is absolutely the right thing to do.

Thank you. Like I say, I do feel guilty but crown house has sadly gone down hill since Lyndsey and some of the older vets have left. I just didn’t feel comfortable with them anymore

 

[Claire W]

Took Ella back to Vets4pets today as a curtesy to keep her appointment. The vet did the dye test. Ella has a tiny bit of scarring but nothing to be worried about. I didn’t tell him that she’d already been checked by my own vet on Thursday. Still, it only cost me £15

 

[Claire W]

MORE PIGGY STRESS we pulled another grass seed from Ella’s eye last night I’ve still got some of her drops left over from her last eye injury last week so I started her on them straight away. Her eye looks bright unlike the last two times so I’m not sure if it’s done any damage or not Elizabeth is making a snuffly / crackling noise so I’m not sure if she just has something stuck up her nose or if it’s something more sinister so I have both girls booked in at the vets at 11am today. Please wish us luck. I should just pitch up a tent at the vets!