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Uterine tumour

Josie_lg

Josie_lg

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Hiya everyone, just come on here for some advice really. Yesterday we went to the vets as we noticed a cluster of little lumps suddenly come up on buttercup. The vet took FNA’s to be sent away and did an ultrasound, she found a mass like structure in her abdomen near her uterus. We did a CT that day which confirmed the mass, the ovaries and uterus are also enlarged. The vet now thinks those little lumps are hormonal reactions to the changes in the uterus. The thing is buttercup is absolutely fine in herself, no changes. She is the happiest piggie in the herd. The only symptom is she has a rounder belly than the others. But she’s always had that since we got her as a baby. So we now wonder if the mass has been in there this whole time.
The vet has sent off for a 2nd opinion by a exotics specialist from vet CT. who will hopefully offer some more advice.
Does anyone have any experience with this sort of thing? If spaying is needed, can anyone offer their experiance with getting their piggies spayed and where comes most recommended to do it. If surgery is needed I want to take her to the best vet I can. I’m in Essex.
Thank you.
Josie
 

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Hi

I am very sorry about the bad news. While I have had a number of sows successfully spayed thanks to having access to a good vet, only one of them needed an emergency spay because of a grossly enlarged, fluid filled womb with a suspicious lump in there are well, plus some rather nasty ovarian cysts coming out as well - that recovery went swimmingly despite the sow in question being only 700g.

However, I do not have any personal or forum experience with your specific situation and can't help you with any vet recommendations past our recommended vets list, which relies on member feedback. Keep in mind that diagnostics are improving all the time and that you are dealing with something that is rather unusual in the first place.

You may find these links here helpful:
Recommended Guinea Pig Vets
Tips For Post-operative Care
 
Josie_lg said:
Hiya everyone, just come on here for some advice really. Yesterday we went to the vets as we noticed a cluster of little lumps suddenly come up on buttercup. The vet took FNA’s to be sent away and did an ultrasound, she found a mass like structure in her abdomen near her uterus. We did a CT that day which confirmed the mass, the ovaries and uterus are also enlarged. The vet now thinks those little lumps are hormonal reactions to the changes in the uterus. The thing is buttercup is absolutely fine in herself, no changes. She is the happiest piggie in the herd. The only symptom is she has a rounder belly than the others. But she’s always had that since we got her as a baby. So we now wonder if the mass has been in there this whole time.
The vet has sent off for a 2nd opinion by a exotics specialist from vet CT. who will hopefully offer some more advice.
Does anyone have any experience with this sort of thing? If spaying is needed, can anyone offer their experiance with getting their piggies spayed and where comes most recommended to do it. If surgery is needed I want to take her to the best vet I can. I’m in Essex.
Thank you.
Josie
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Could you get to Northampton? Simon Maddock at the Cat and Rabbit Care Clinic is probably one of the most experienced vets for spaying guinea pigs, particularly the more complicated ones.
 
Thank you to both of you for your replies. She is happy and bright in herself it was an accidental finding as the only symptoms were the rounder belly and the lumps that came up on her tummy. I’m still waiting for the specialists opinion. I have Been looking into cat and rabbit clinic and only seems to be 2 hours away so is an option. It’s just a big shock that a piggie so happy and care free can possibly be this poorly? I wish I had known and possibly helped her earlier.
I’m just very torn on what to do, spay her and give her a chance of a life tumour/cancer free if it is cancer. Or leave her be since she’s comfy and happy, I don’t think I could every forgive myself if I lost her from the surgery when she’s fine in herself. Especially as her liver was slightly inflamed I’m terrified it could be cancer that’s spread. It’s a very difficult decision to make. Feel like we are living a nightmare at the moment💔
 
Josie_lg said:
Thank you to both of you for your replies. She is happy and bright in herself it was an accidental finding as the only symptoms were the rounder belly and the lumps that came up on her tummy. I’m still waiting for the specialists opinion. I have Been looking into cat and rabbit clinic and only seems to be 2 hours away so is an option. It’s just a big shock that a piggie so happy and care free can possibly be this poorly? I wish I had known and possibly helped her earlier.
I’m just very torn on what to do, spay her and give her a chance of a life tumour/cancer free if it is cancer. Or leave her be since she’s comfy and happy, I don’t think I could every forgive myself if I lost her from the surgery when she’s fine in herself. Especially as her liver was slightly inflamed I’m terrified it could be cancer that’s spread. It’s a very difficult decision to make. Feel like we are living a nightmare at the moment💔
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I am glad; I didn't think the Cat&Rabbit would be within your reach. It's about an hour from where I live and where my various sows have been spayed; including my Morwenna, who was diagnosed with hard ovarian cysts that would turn cancerous later on aged 5 years. She had the op and died in June, aged 8 years...

It is however quite a major decision for you in case the cancer has already started to spread; especially when your girl is still well in herself and you are totally reeling from the shock. However, the best time to operate is sooner rather than later. You are welcome to call the clinic and ask to book for a phone appointment to discuss things if you are not sure. Your vet may need to refer you there as a new customer.

You will have to see it from the angle that you are trying to buy your girl the chance to live a longer life against the risk of a shortened life, but one where she won't be feeling ill from the spreading cancer if the op is not coming off. Operations where the decision is not totally forced upon you are always much harder on us owners.
 
I’ve nothing to add - only my good wishes and support as you plan your next steps.
 
Wiebke said:
I am glad; I didn't think the Cat&Rabbit would be within your reach. It's about an hour from where I live and where my various sows have been spayed; including my Morwenna, who was diagnosed with hard ovarian cysts that would turn cancerous later on aged 5 years. She had the op and died in June, aged 8 years...

It is however quite a major decision for you in case the cancer has already started to spread; especially when your girl is still well in herself and you are totally reeling from the shock. However, the best time to operate is sooner rather than later. You are welcome to call the clinic and ask to book for a phone appointment to discuss things if you are not sure. Your vet may need to refer you there as a new customer.

You will have to see it from the angle that you are trying to buy your girl the chance to live a longer life against the risk of a shortened life, but one where she won't be feeling ill from the spreading cancer if the op is not coming off. Operations where the decision is not totally forced upon you are always much harder on us owners.
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It is a couple hours drive. So would be well worth it if it was better care. We got the consult from the diagnostics specialist today. They said they would normally do an ultrasound guided FNA of the internal mass. But the liver also looks slightly enlarged so they’re worried if it’s cancer it could have spread to liver. An option is metacam and CT her again in a month to re assess. Thank you, I will look into a phone consult with them. I’m very indecisive on what to do. Spay her and maybe have a longer cancer free life. Or leave her as she is as she’s comfy and well in her self. It’s hard to decide and I’ve never been in this position before.
 
Josie_lg said:
It is a couple hours drive. So would be well worth it if it was better care. We got the consult from the diagnostics specialist today. They said they would normally do an ultrasound guided FNA of the internal mass. But the liver also looks slightly enlarged so they’re worried if it’s cancer it could have spread to liver. An option is metacam and CT her again in a month to re assess. Thank you, I will look into a phone consult with them. I’m very indecisive on what to do. Spay her and maybe have a longer cancer free life. Or leave her as she is as she’s comfy and well in her self. It’s hard to decide and I’ve never been in this position before.
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It is tough. Give yourself time to explore the various pros and cons of each way and then listen to what your gut says.
You may find this guide here helpful, even if it doesn't make the most cheerful of readings. Amongst other aspects, it deals with the challenges that come with looking after terminally ill guinea pigs (it's not all doom and gloom by the way) and also with the various factors involved in any decision making process, whether that is a make or break operation or an end of life decision. These factors are largely the same for the decision you are facing now.
Having a clearer mind about what is involved will hopefully help you with finding the way forward that feels right for you and your girl in your specific situation. There is sadly no easy option, as much as we would all love to in comparable situations! :(

Here is the link: A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs
 
Wiebke said:
It is tough. Give yourself time to explore the various pros and cons of each way and then listen to what your gut says.
You may find this guide here helpful, even if it doesn't make the most cheerful of readings. Amongst other aspects, it deals with the challenges that come with looking after terminally ill guinea pigs (it's not all doom and gloom by the way) and also with the various factors involved in any decision making process, whether that is a make or break operation or an end of life decision. These factors are largely the same for the decision you are facing now.
Having a clearer mind about what is involved will hopefully help you with finding the way forward that feels right for you and your girl in your specific situation. There is sadly no easy option, as much as we would all love to in comparable situations! :(

Here is the link: A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs
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Thank you I will certainly have a look. I’m going to call and email a few places tomorrow. It’s almost made my decision harder. Knowing her liver would need biopsies too. I wonder how a little piggie would deal with that and sadly despite my vet (who is actually my colleague) being fantastic and very good with exotics. I want her to have specialist care.
Thank you again.
 
Hi, I had a similar situation with my 4 year old sow Heidi. She had a uterine tumor removed in March of this year and like yourself, I feared it had been there for quite a while.

Since a baby she absolutely hated her stomach being touched and would literally snack at my fingers if I went anywhere near. She was also very moody and snappy with her cage mate too and also like your piggy had a rounded stomach. However, she was always happy in herself and you really wouldn't have thought she was ill, again like your piggy.

However, we were alerted to the tumor after she turned 3 1/2 years old and found her bleeding rather severely from her privates and began hunching over in pain. Obviously in a panic, I rushed her straight to vets to have her examined and they saw a large mass on the scan.

They opened her up to find a uterine tumor that was large and was taking up quite a lot of her stomach. My vet removed the tumor and also performed an emergency spay.

Since the op she has been totally different, she loves her stomach stroked and doesn't snap at me or her cage mates anymore, she really has mellowed and become a big softy.

If it wasn't for the bleeding I wouldn't have known she was ill. I understand what you mean by not wanting to upset her comfy and happy lifestyle however, if symptoms do get more severe later on like my experience, you may have no option but to undergo surgery. It could be sooner rather than later is best option however, every piggie is different.
 
sarahloo89 said:
Hi, I had a similar situation with my 4 year old sow Heidi. She had a uterine tumor removed in March of this year and like yourself, I feared it had been there for quite a while.

Since a baby she absolutely hated her stomach being touched and would literally snack at my fingers if I went anywhere near. She was also very moody and snappy with her cage mate too and also like your piggy had a rounded stomach. However, she was always happy in herself and you really wouldn't have thought she was ill, again like your piggy.

However, we were alerted to the tumor after she turned 3 1/2 years old and found her bleeding rather severely from her privates and began hunching over in pain. Obviously in a panic, I rushed her straight to vets to have her examined and they saw a large mass on the scan.

They opened her up to find a uterine tumor that was large and was taking up quite a lot of her stomach. My vet removed the tumor and also performed an emergency spay.

Since the op she has been totally different, she loves her stomach stroked and doesn't snap at me or her cage mates anymore, she really has mellowed and become a big softy.

If it wasn't for the bleeding I wouldn't have known she was ill. I understand what you mean by not wanting to upset her comfy and happy lifestyle however, if symptoms do get more severe later on like my experience, you may have no option but to undergo surgery. It could be sooner rather than later is best option however, every piggie is different.
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That’s very comforting to hear. Thank you. May I ask what vets you used? If it was a straight forward spay it wouldn’t be so bad. But it’s now the concern that the liver is slightly big could it be cancer and this has spread to her liver.
If she was poorly in herself I would have no hestitation to operate but it’s just so baffling a pig who’s been so happy and care free has had this inside of her.
The worry is do we go through all that and it’s something that’s spread or if I loose her through the surgery when she could have stuck around comfortably for longer. It’s so difficult I’ve never been in this position before. Considering I’m a student vet nurse it’s still not easy when it’s your own pet.
Was it just the tumour they found, did they find any enlargement of her ovaries or womb at all? And did they test the mass before at all or go straight in with the surgery? I hope you don’t mind me asking questions. I’m so thankful for you sharing your experience as it can feel quite lonely when your facing it on your own❤️
 
I'm in the northeast and used the exotics practice in Darlington. They have a very good exotics specialist there who is great with our piggies, but that may be quite a trek for you if your not nearby. I here great reviews also about Simon Maddock who has already been mentioned.

My Heidi was a full on emergency so I really didn't have time to weigh up options and consider all outcomes, if I had, I think I would have been in exactly the same mindset as yourself.

After her surgery all we were told was it was a uterine tumor, that was so large it was actually blocking part of her stomach, so poor girl couldn't fit much food in there at all. She also had ovarian cysts hence why the surgeon made the decision to spay. I told her to do what was necessary beforehand, so left it in her hands.

We did not find out if it was benign or cancerous, as we honestly did not know we were able to send off for further testing and our minds were that traumatised we did not even think about doing it. We just wanted the nasty thing removed.

I understand how concerned and indecisive you must be regarding making a decision about surgery as I have had 3 successful spays and unfortunately, one piggie who did not make it 😭. However, my beautiful Susie who is now not with us did have multiple health issues so that may have contributed to her unfortunate passing. Remember every piggie is different.

I think my advice would be if it's possible is to determine whether it is cancerous and then go from there. Talk it over with the specialist, the benefits and the risks and make your decision on what you feel is right. I feel for you, I really do. Give it a good think over first.
 
Also, ask me as many questions as you like, I honestly don't mind 🙂. I know exactly how you feel when you say you feel alone. I am going through an agonizing time aswell at the moment with my piggie. I'm always here for you if need a chat and everyone on the forum is very supportive x
 
sarahloo89 said:
I'm in the northeast and used the exotics practice in Darlington. They have a very good exotics specialist there who is great with our piggies, but that may be quite a trek for you if your not nearby. I here great reviews also about Simon Maddock who has already been mentioned.

My Heidi was a full on emergency so I really didn't have time to weigh up options and consider all outcomes, if I had, I think I would have been in exactly the same mindset as yourself.

After her surgery all we were told was it was a uterine tumor, that was so large it was actually blocking part of her stomach, so poor girl couldn't fit much food in there at all. She also had ovarian cysts hence why the surgeon made the decision to spay. I told her to do what was necessary beforehand, so left it in her hands.

We did not find out if it was benign or cancerous, as we honestly did not know we were able to send off for further testing and our minds were that traumatised we did not even think about doing it. We just wanted the nasty thing removed.

I understand how concerned and indecisive you must be regarding making a decision about surgery as I have had 3 successful spays and unfortunately, one piggie who did not make it 😭. However, my beautiful Susie who is now not with us did have multiple health issues so that may have contributed to her unfortunate passing. Remember every piggie is different.

I think my advice would be if it's possible is to determine whether it is cancerous and then go from there. Talk it over with the specialist, the benefits and the risks and make your decision on what you feel is right. I feel for you, I really do. Give it a good think over first.
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Thank you so much for your help. Is Simon at cat and rabbit a specialist? I’m not too sure. I’ve got a couple options to refer to a specialist around me but I want to find the best one. They told me the non surgical way of finding out if it’s cancerous is an ultrasound guided FNA but they said it’s too risky as if it’s cancer they’ll spread the cells on the way out.
I have called cat and rabbit and they’ve said they can’t do a phone consult but if my vet refers they should be able to see me in a couple weeks. In the mean time I’ve got an exotics vet not far from me I will try for a second opinion. And then there’s a referral practice not far too I may try.
I hope your little piggie is okay, they cause so much stress and worry don’t they. I’m still a mess. Crying whenever I go up and see them. Buttercup is still comfortable and happy giving me so many kisses bless her. I’m still indecisive on what to choose 💔
 
Hi, I'm not sure either but know people on the forum say he is good with guinea pigs. I can't personally recommend due to no personal experience. I know exactly what you mean, you just want the best care for Buttercup, I'm the same.

I can see your worry, even the nonsurgical option poses risks. I honestly think you are doing the right thing seeking out opinions and the best care for her first before steaming straight in.

Me too, hope Heidi is going to be OK. I know it is very upsetting and stressful when they are ill. I feel like I've done nothing but break down either. I'm pleased to hear Buttercup is still comfortable and content. Awww bless her! Plenty of kisses for mammy. Heidi is the same, constantly kissing lol. Buttercup is beautiful x
 
Simon is a general vet, with a huge amount of experience of dealing with guinea pigs. He's a very skilled surgeon and has more experience of spaying guinea pigs, than most/any other vets. I trust him 100% with our guinea pigs and I have had him operate, many times, and carry out some very tricky surgeries. The guinea pigs seem to recover really quickly too. A friend's piggy had surgery today and when I messaged her this evening, to see how he is, her reply was you wouldn't know he'd had anything done, as he's completely back to normal already.
 
sarahloo89 said:
Hi, I'm not sure either but know people on the forum say he is good with guinea pigs. I can't personally recommend due to no personal experience. I know exactly what you mean, you just want the best care for Buttercup, I'm the same.

I can see your worry, even the nonsurgical option poses risks. I honestly think you are doing the right thing seeking out opinions and the best care for her first before steaming straight in.

Me too, hope Heidi is going to be OK. I know it is very upsetting and stressful when they are ill. I feel like I've done nothing but break down either. I'm pleased to hear Buttercup is still comfortable and content. Awww bless her! Plenty of kisses for mammy. Heidi is the same, constantly kissing lol. Buttercup is beautiful x
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Thank you so so much x
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
Simon is a general vet, with a huge amount of experience of dealing with guinea pigs. He's a very skilled surgeon and has more experience of spaying guinea pigs, than most/any other vets. I trust him 100% with our guinea pigs and I have had him operate, many times, and carry out some very tricky surgeries. The guinea pigs seem to recover really quickly too. A friend's piggy had surgery today and when I messaged her this evening, to see how he is, her reply was you wouldn't know he'd had anything done, as he's completely back to normal already.
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That is wonderful to hear. I have asked to be referred there for a second opinion ❤️
 
Hi everyone I thought I’d pop on a give an update. We have an appointment on Tuesday with a differant exotics specialist. As the referral to cat and rabbit will take a couple of weeks according to who I spoke to on the phone. So I will at least have a second opinion with this vet William who is very good and did our heart scan on poppy. However, today I brought poppy to work with me to have some more investigations (I work in a vets lol) as she’s been having a very bad flare up with her bladder and in the last few days it has not got better. It’s got worse. I’m absolutely gutted to find out that my sweet poppy has a bladder stone that is too large to pass on its own. So surgery is needed. I didn’t think things could get any worse but they have! She is already on nutracyst and metacam long term. The vet has given us some gabapentin to start on. And I am syringe feeding with critical care as a supplement as she’s still eating etc. She will also be seeing the specialist on Tuesday. We did a urine sample and she has lots of crystals :( does anyone have any experience with calcium carbonate crystals?
I’m so disheartened we had so many tests done when this all started and there were no stones infection crystals etc as far as I’m aware and she’s kept comfy and happy since and this all seems to have happened so suddenly. I brought hazel with her for company as poor buttercup already had her fair share of the vets this week. As soon as we got home buttercup was following poppy round and hasn’t left her side. Bless them both. Poppy is traumatised she’s had an ultrasound and CT scan today. I am going to make a separate thread on Poppy’s health issues now. But I thought I would update on here.
 
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