Difficult GP decision - come and talk to me

[dietcokeandwine]

Gah, I hate this part of guinea pig slavery ownership.

I need to book a vet's appointment tomorrow for our 6yo tricolour boy. Picked him up from his holiday carer this afternoon and he has developed a big lump under his chin (bigger than a large marble, not quite as big as a golf ball, but big ) in the 10 days he's been there. There was no lump before we went - well nothing noticeable anyway - I have been administering daily pain relief to tricolour for suspected kidney problems for a few weeks now and hadn't noticed anything before I went.



Sigh. Doesn't look good does it? I am slightly clinging to the hope that it's perhaps an abscess that can be drained (given that it has got so big so quickly?). But if not an abscess then clearly some kind of tumour and at 6yo there is no justification for putting him through surgery...he probably wouldn't survive it anyway would he.

But....he is still bright-eyed and glossy coated and eating with pig-like delight (have had him out for extra cuddles and treats - celery tops and a romaine lettuce leaf - this evening and he troughed the lot, and then promptly attempted to steal his cage mate's food once back in their hutch) and even though I know it's not looking good and is unlikely to have a happy ending, I just hate the thought of having him put to sleep when he's so bright and chirpy.

But then again, I know it's better a day too early than a day too late etc etc. And if a lump has grown that big in 10 days what's it going to be like in another 10?

Don't know what I'm asking really. My poor little tricolour boy.

[asd]

[dietcokeandwine]

or even

emoticon fail!

[Isadora2007]

😔 poor piggy. But he sounds happy for now. My 3.5 year old girl has a large tumour (squashed golf ball size) on her abdomen. It grew fast but then stabilised at that size. She is on watch and wait and if and when she goes downhill we will sadly PTS. But she is 6/7 weeks on and doing well.

[Silverthorn]

Aw poor thing. Unfortunately GPs, as prey animals, tend to hide all symptoms until it is too late to help. Hope the vet can help. 🐹🌿🍏

[FernieB]

Sorry to hear this diet, we're keeping fingers and paws crossed that it's something simple. It's good he's not off his food though.

[TitsalinaBumSquash]

Oh poor piggy. I had a hamster then lived for a year with a huge tumour on its chest, it was dumped in its cage (we assume because the owner didn't want to deal with the lump) she was happy right up the end. She died peacefully in her sleep as far as we could tell.
I hope it's not awful news for your GP.

[Jappydooda]

Most likely an abscess - they are prone to abscesses under the jaw - my Himmy had one. Not nice! Especially if you are not good with pus!