Why would a males belly look like this?

[luckyandsammy]

I was cutting Smudge’s nails today when I noticed that his belly is very big, and quite hard. It looks like it’s all around but it seems harder on the right.
He is eating, drinking and moving around fine, his poo is normal. I wouldn’t have noticed anything was wrong if I didn’t touch it.
It definitely feels strange though, unfortunately my other 5 guinea pigs had to deal with belly squeezes after as I was trying to compare and even the chubbiest sides don’t feel like his.
I’m almost 100% sure it’s not bloated as he’s acting completely fine.
Smudge is about 3 and a half and definitely a male.

He does have an appointment with our exotics vet on Friday. I tried to book him in for today but they didn’t have any appointments!

I was hoping someone had experienced this before and could share their experiences, as my searches keep bringing up posts about pregnant guinea pigs, or ovarian cysts.

 

[luckyandsammy]

 

[piggl]

When you say quite hard, do you mean still soft but just full or noticeably hard. Have you felt his stomach when he is not stretched and instead sat normally? Is this different to how he usually looks?

Its worth noting sometimes when piggies are short-statured all their chunk goes out sideways, especially since you can see his feet are out backwards so he is stretched out a little which can enhance the look of a chubby belly!
Is he still eating/drinking and acting normally even now? He isn't sat hunched in a corner or acting unlike himself?
I am also wondering if he has had any noticeable weight gain/change over the past month/s?

It does not have to specifically be bloat, but even with most things that would cause a sudden bloat/a stomach to look like this would be painful or show a change of behaviour in one way or another. Does he show any of these signs? Signs of Pain in Guinea Pigs

I'm not a forum expert but these are just things that came to mind, especially as I have had both the bloated pig and the chunky but short pig. Its good you have a vets appointment booked, please keep an eye on him very closely as if he goes off food or starts acting strange, these things can turn bad quick. I do not mean that to scare you, it is just worth keeping in mind.
I have attached some extra information, just incase!
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
Digestive Disorders: Not Eating - Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement)

 

[Piggies&buns]

I would agree with the comments above.

It may just be his shape.
I have a boy with quite a long body but he does have a belly - he was a big boy in his prime coming in at 1550g. His belly was always soft.

If his belly feels hard and/or sounds hollow when tapped then I would be concerned as to a bloat issue.
You say one side feels harder than the other - the stomach is on the left side.

 

[luckyandsammy]

When you say quite hard, do you mean still soft but just full or noticeably hard. Have you felt his stomach when he is not stretched and instead sat normally? Is this different to how he usually looks?

Its worth noting sometimes when piggies are short-statured all their chunk goes out sideways, especially since you can see his feet are out backwards so he is stretched out a little which can enhance the look of a chubby belly!
Is he still eating/drinking and acting normally even now? He isn't sat hunched in a corner or acting unlike himself?
I am also wondering if he has had any noticeable weight gain/change over the past month/s?

It does not have to specifically be bloat, but even with most things that would cause a sudden bloat/a stomach to look like this would be painful or show a change of behaviour in one way or another. Does he show any of these signs? Signs of Pain in Guinea Pigs

I'm not a forum expert but these are just things that came to mind, especially as I have had both the bloated pig and the chunky but short pig. Its good you have a vets appointment booked, please keep an eye on him very closely as if he goes off food or starts acting strange, these things can turn bad quick. I do not mean that to scare you, it is just worth keeping in mind.
I have attached some extra information, just incase!
All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures
Digestive Disorders: Not Eating - Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement)

He’s acting normally. I haven’t noticed any changes in weight recently, unfortunately I can’t weigh him right now because my scales have disappeared
He’s always had slightly chunky sides but it feels very different, to be honest I’m finding it hard to describe how it feels. It just doesn’t seem right, I really wish there was a vet appointment available sooner.
Whatever it is doesn’t seem to be bothering him so that’s good.

 

[Wheekallweek]

Hope it's nothing too serious - it's good he seems fine in himself! My first thought was gas.

 

[Piggies&buns]

He’s acting normally. I haven’t noticed any changes in weight recently, unfortunately I can’t weigh him right now because my scales have disappeared
He’s always had slightly chunky sides but it feels very different, to be honest I’m finding it hard to describe how it feels. It just doesn’t seem right, I really wish there was a vet appointment available sooner.
Whatever it is doesn’t seem to be bothering him so that’s good.

I would advise you switch to daily weight checks (I appreciate you can’t find the scales) - when was he last weighed?
It’s good he seems fine but we can’t advise much other than to see a vet if it doesn’t seem right. An out of hours vet is always available if you become concerned about him.

 

[Bill & Ted]

My Hector is a long bod and he has exactly the same shape of tummy! if he is pooping and eating ok then I wouldn’t be too worried

 

[luckyandsammy]

I just took a few more pictures.
It’s his right side that feels hard, I tried to put my fingers around what feels like a big lump in his belly. Could something inside be swollen? What do they have in that area? Intestines?

 

[Piggies&buns]

I just took a few more pictures.
It’s his right side that feels hard, I tried to put my fingers around what feels like a big lump in his belly. Could something inside be swollen? What do they have in that area? Intestines?

Please do see a vet if you can feel a lump inside him

 

[luckyandsammy]

Hello. Smudge had his vet appointment today.
He had an ultrasound and unfortunately he has a large tumour. 7cm x 8cm x 5cm, so really massive. It’s around his right kidney.
To begin with, the vet was talking about getting a sample of it to see what it was but after doing the ultrasound she decided against it, as there’s lots of blood vessels around it.

The vet gave us 3 options:
1. Explorative surgery: open him up to have a good look at it but due to the size and location it’s very, very unlikely that they would be able to remove it, it’s highly likely that he would need to be put to sleep while still under anaesthetic.

2. Palliative care: keep an eye on him, get him started on pain meds until he gets worse.

3. PTS today.

We went for 2, he’s been prescribed paracetamol (he can’t have metacam due to only having one working kidney). If it’s not enough she’s happy to prescribe gabapentin.
We will see how he is. He is still eating and drinking and behaving pretty normally so I didn’t want to make a decision too soon.
If he’s getting on okay we will probably do another ultrasound in a month or so, to see if the tumour has grown.

I really hope I made the right decision, I don’t want him to suffer at all.

 

[CTWC]

You know him better than anyone and as long as you feel his quality of life is good and he is doing all his usual guinea piggy things you're doing the right thing

 

[Bertie & Jelly]

So sorry to hear this. The vet found a tumour in one of my boys recently too. I also opted for palliative care. Enjoy the time you have with Smudge - you know best when he’s no longer himself. Thinking of you and Smudge x

 

[Wiebke]

Hello. Smudge had his vet appointment today.
He had an ultrasound and unfortunately he has a large tumour. 7cm x 8cm x 5cm, so really massive. It’s around his right kidney.
To begin with, the vet was talking about getting a sample of it to see what it was but after doing the ultrasound she decided against it, as there’s lots of blood vessels around it.

The vet gave us 3 options:
1. Explorative surgery: open him up to have a good look at it but due to the size and location it’s very, very unlikely that they would be able to remove it, it’s highly likely that he would need to be put to sleep while still under anaesthetic.

2. Palliative care: keep an eye on him, get him started on pain meds until he gets worse.

3. PTS today.

We went for 2, he’s been prescribed paracetamol (he can’t have metacam due to only having one working kidney). If it’s not enough she’s happy to prescribe gabapentin.
We will see how he is. He is still eating and drinking and behaving pretty normally so I didn’t want to make a decision too soon.
If he’s getting on okay we will probably do another ultrasound in a month or so, to see if the tumour has grown.

I really hope I made the right decision, I don’t want him to suffer at all.

BIG HUGS

I am so very for the bad news.

You may find the guide link below helpful for looking after a terminally ill piggy. It is not an easy time but it can also bring you both a lot if you get it right. The guide attempts to offer a helping practical hand through all the questions, decisions and doubts that will inevitably come up without glossing over the sticky bits.
Here is the link: A Practical and Sensitive Guide to Dying, Terminal Illness and Euthanasia in Guinea Pigs

 

[weepweeps]

I too opted for palliative care when Pepper was diagnosed with a possible tumour. You have definitely made the right decision. Take lots of pics, have lots of cuddles and feed him what he loves. I hope he has many happy days left with you

 

[fluffysal]

I'm have no experience with this. Just wanted to offer support

 

[piggl]

I am so sorry to hear this. You know him best, every/any decision you make, we will always be here for support. You are in what we call the grey area, where any decision is made from love and care, so there is no real right or wrong.
My thoughts are with you both, make plenty memories and have loads of cuddles

 

[Wheekallweek]

Oh goodness how sad, I'm so sorry
I pray he has many happy todays left with you

 

[luckyandsammy]

Thank you for all your messages, it’s so nice to read them and know someone understands how awful this is!

Smudgie is doing okay so far. He enjoyed his vegetables last night and seemed fine but at night I got worried as he looked like he couldn’t get comfortable. I called the vets as soon as they opened this morning and asked for some gabapentin which they prescribed & we picked it up for him this afternoon.
He is now on paracetamol twice a day (but he can have it 3 times a day if necessary) + gabapentin twice a day.
Hopefully this will keep him comfortable.
He is still acting like Smudge but he has actually become quite bony on his spine.
There’s no difference in weight as the tumor is making up for what he is losing so it’s a case of monitoring his food intake & feeling his back.
I hope he stays happy for as long as possible!

 

[piggieminder]

Such a sweet looking boy. I hope you still have many happy days together. I believe that when they have enough they tell you, you will just know.
I find palliative care hard but it also builds an even more special bond between you. Sending you hugs at such a difficult time.

 

[Wheekallweek]

Beautiful, handsome lad x

 

[CTWC]

They're fantastic

 

[luckyandsammy]

Hi,
Just a little Smudge update and I have a concern.
Smudge has been fine, eating, drinking and running around. He’s quite happy, but he does give me a hard time at medicine time. I take it as a good sign though, he has enough energy to fight me.
I am just cleaning out his cage and I’ve noticed that the puppy pad that he had under the aubiose looks like it has quite a bit of blood on it! Or at least that was my first thought, maybe something he ate coloured his urine?
Smudge is definitely acting like himself and he is not wet or dirty or uncomfortable at all.
Would a tumour be bleeding like this, would the blood come out in urine?
I am so confused!

I think I still have an appointment set up for the 27th for my guinea pig Remi (who pts yesterday) with our exotics vet. If I do, I might take Smudge instead for a check up and see what she says.
Here’s some pictures of the puppy pad, followed by a nice picture of Smudge taken a few days ago.

 

[piggieminder]

He's gorgeous, bless him.
I don't know the answers to your questions I'll leave those to a health expert but I do know the chemicals in puppy pads can turn funny colours when wet.