[juliec]

Hi Guys,

One of my girlies has developed a lump under her chin.  It is where I suppose her skin is loose, and is getting a bit bigger.  She is still a happy girl, is eating and drinking normally, comes out to play every night with us and the other girls and appears no different in herself. 

Does any one have any experience of this? do guinea pigs get lumps and should I take her to the vet even though she seems happy and in no discomfort.  She even lets us feel the lump so its not sore.

Many thanks for any and all help

Jools

[Raven81]

How old is the guinea pig?

I have just been through similar with a gerbil but she was elderly at the time. 

[juliec]

she was only bought in July  as a youngster from Pets at Home.

[Raven81]

So its not an ageing thing then.  Is the lump under the skin or on the top (like a large mole)?

It is quite common for guinea pigs to get lumps of various types.  As the guinea pig is young the vet may lance the lump or give antibiotics.  Guinea pigs find certain antibiotics toxic so if it is an infection it will need to be seen as soon as possible.

I assume it is not a tooth abscess?

[juliec]

Its under the skin and nothing to do with her fur which is perfect.  Thanks for your help, I'd probably best take her to the vets, just think that will be more traumatic for her as she doesnt seem in pain.  Poor little Scritch

[Raven81]

They are known for getting throat infections and (if it is one) it will probably be treated with antibiotics.

If she lives with another guinea pig then if you put them in a carrier together to take her to the vet, it will be less traumatic as they like company- but make sure you mention to the vet that they are only seeing the one before you get charged for two!

Good luck with it and let us know how it goes.

[spottymint]

Is the lump soft or hard ?

If soft an infection or an abcess maybe ?

Bit young for C type lumps, generally they are hard.

::::: WARNING::::

Most ANTIBIOTICS are POISON  to guinea pigs, the vet must prescribe a suitable one that will not kill the piggy.

See I have stupid vets. 

[maxyboo]

I would definitely take such a young guinea to the vets. It may be a simple abscess or something easily treatable. As spottymint asays though, check any antibiotics given are definitely safe for guineas.

[shetan]

i'm sure its nothing to worry about and a trip to the vet will clear things up.

if it does turn out to be more sinister though, remember to let the manager at pets at home know. they should then notify the breeder.

best wishes to you and the little one

[juliec]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all your help and advice.  I can now update you.

We took the girls, Scritch and Speedy to the vets last Wednesday and she wanted us to take them back for a bi opsy on Thursday am.  When I took them back I got upset and asked her if the proceedure could harm them, she said there was always that risk and as I started to cry she suggested Baytril anti biotics.  So the had this until yesterday when I had to take them back, One had a slight improvement.

Yesterday I saw a much better vet who knew exactely what it was absesses caused by a stephococus virus.  He said they could be on anti biotics for a year before it healed and wanted to lance them to  get some of the infection/pus out.  As I trusted him I let him do this and I took them home last night, both have open cuts on their throats so we are keeping them very very clean and they still have anti biotics.

They go back next Wednesday.  I'll keep you all updated.

By the way the bi-opsy would have been £160 each had I let her do it, which was not necessary according to the next vet.  So some  of you are right about vets not always knowing what is  right  for Guinea pigs.  It was'nt the money that stopped me it was the fact it could have killed them though.

Thanks again for your help.