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Original poster

One of my Piggies is unwell

11 replies

Evenstar · 07/11/2013 21:47

My eldest piggy who is only about 2 and a half is showing some symptoms of ovarian cysts, she has suddenly seemed a bit poorly today although she seemed a bit brighter this evening and is eating some food.

I am planning to ring the vets in the morning if she isn't improving, but am very unsure what to do, if the vet suggests an operation I would be reluctant having seen so many poor outcomes for piggies here and on other forums. What have other people chosen to do in this situation?

OP posts:
FernieB · 07/11/2013 22:05

Sorry, no experience of this but didn't want to leave you unanswered. I hope the vet can offer some advice and I'm sure some kind people with experience will be along. Just hope your pig is okay.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 07/11/2013 22:37

2.6 is a bit middle agey for guinea pigs. Not old but not young .
Hopefully your vet can assess her (do they do scans or ultrasound for guineas? To show what's there?)

fortified had a similar issue with one of her girls Fatimus. Have a look at her thread (it was about a month or so ago IIRC).

Original poster
Evenstar · 07/11/2013 22:46

Yes I remembered reading about poor Fatimus Sad my piggie did have a scan last summer when I thought she might be pregnant, so they can do that. I just don't know what the best thing to do would be if she has cysts, I couldn't bear to put her through an operation and then lose her, it would seem really unfair to her.

OP posts:
fortifiedwithtea · 07/11/2013 22:55

Sorry your piggy isn't wellSad Sadly I was in a similar situation not so long ago and the outcome was I lost Fatimus to the Rainbow Bridge Sad.

Fatimus' problems were made worse by her having a lump on a mammary gland meaning the vet gave her a mastectomy and hysterectomy at the same time and it was all too much.

With hindsight I wish I had just allowed the lump to be removed and as she would have had Baytril anyway post-op that may have cleared up the wee linking. Wee leakage was what made the vet x-ray for ovarian cysts, which she did have. But according to Peter Guerney guinea pig expert now deceased most sows have ovarian cysts by the time they reach old age.

What symptoms has your piggy got Evenstar?

Original poster
Evenstar · 07/11/2013 23:02

She seems to be having wee leakage and also some slight hair loss round her tummy and crusty nipples at the back, also a bit lethargic and not herself. All seem to be symptoms from looking it up, I am also wondering if she had some last year as the vet saw some round blobs on her scan, which we assumed were babies. However no babies ever appeared and the breeder was adamant that neither she or her daughter who I have as well had been near a boar.

She has always been rather pear shaped so I can't say if that is more than before. To make matters worse she is one of the playgroup piggies that lives with me, and although all my girls take turns going to work with me, the children are particularly fond of the two original ones Sad

OP posts:
guineapiglet · 08/11/2013 08:21

Really sorry to hear about your guinea girl, it is very tough when they suffer like this, we had two big pear shaped girls who developed cysts in this way and it was horrible watching them suffer. Because they were both older the vet did not consider operating on them, and I could not bear to watch them decline so dramatically, - in the end, very heartbreakingly we had them both put to sleep within months of each other - I could not watch them keep losing weight despite careful and intesive care and syringe feeding. You need to keep a very careful eye on her which it sounds like you are doing, she is lucky to have you caring for her.

It is sad about her being so popular and loved by the children, it is lovely they have had her to learn about animals and how to care for them. See how she goes, and really hope she may start to rally - you will know which way it is going if she loses her appetite completely and really struggles to pass poos. Bless her. Will be thinking of you. Thanks

Original poster
Evenstar · 08/11/2013 15:56

She seems a little brighter today and less lethargic, so I have decided to just keep an eye on things for a little longer rather than stress her out by taking her to the vets. I am giving her a little pile of veg next to her bedroom so that she can just reach out and have a bit of her favourites. Thanks for everyone for advice and kind thoughts.

OP posts:
Sawdust · 09/11/2013 14:15

Glad to hear that she's feeling better. I have no experience of this so no advice to give I'm afraid. Just wanted to add best wishes.

Original poster
Evenstar · 09/11/2013 22:11

She is doing much better!! She is looking for food, eating without encouragement, her eyes are bright and she is interested in what is going on again. I am hoping she has turned a corner, just wanted to share the good news.

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 09/11/2013 23:59

Good to hear she's eating again Evenstar especially actively seeking food out not just accepting .

(I have to say, I'm always a bit nervous when the original OP posts again on one of these ill guinea-pig type threads, just in case it's not good news)

Bless her little cotton socks Smile

guineapiglet · 10/11/2013 18:20

OOh - so glad to hear your news Evenstar - lovely to hear she is active and eating with gusto - really hope it lasts. It is getting cold and so very damp at the moment, not sure if she is inside or outside, but make sure she is well insulated with lots of hay to keep her perky.

As 70 says, Bless her, hope she keeps eating happily. XXXX

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