Guinea pig. Cyst and drainage wounds *pictures*

[JustKickOn]

Took my guinea pigs Babe to the vets day before yesterday because the huge cyst that she had on her back was seeping this greyish cream.

The vet explained that she could either stick a large needle in it to drain through a small hole or lance it (would be quicker as the slit would be bigger than a hole) so we decided it should be lanced.
Upon examination the vet found another little cyst by her rear back leg. She was quite worried about this one because of it's position and it was quite solid, yet still felt a little soft. She explained that if this one didn't drain when pierced with a small needle that it maybe cancer. She then explained that if it was a cancer lump that Babe would have to undergo an operation to have it surgicallly removed. Because she is a guinea pig there is around a 20%-30% chance that she would pull through (because of fear, adrenaline and anesthetic)

We were asked to leave the examination room whilst the draining was done.

I was so proud of my little piggy though, she didn't squeal once and the vet said she sat really still for the nurse who was holding her and behaved impecibly!
The smaller lump was non cancerous and was full of a reddish water liquid (not blood). The other cyst decreased in size and the difference is amazing!!!

It's now nearly completely flat and Babe seems alot happier.

She has to been given half a dropper ful of antibiotics.
Made of Bay-- something. Natural remedie or something like that. She's on that for 5 more days and she takes it really easily. She drinks it straight from the dropper and doesn't seem to have a problem with it.
It's bright pink. Gorgeous colour!!

She got it on her nose. Whoops

I also have to use diluted hibiscrub on the wound on her back and on the little mini wound by her leg. The one by her leg is hardly noticible!!

The back wound yesterday

And today before Hibiscrub. It seems to be healing nicely.

Bad light, sorry

After Hibiscrub. Not very good pictures, piggy kept moving.

And a few cute ones.

The lancing and draining were really effective, so when the cyst fills up again (It will keep filling up unless the hair folicle is removed) we will have this process done again. Piglet seems happy and I'm happy that it's worked.

Has anyone elses guinea pigs gone through this??

 

[shellonabeach]

One of my boys has one - it's a blocked gland - hence the greyish stuff that comes out.

My boys is pretty big approx 1inch x 1 inch at the moment. I've had it removed twice but it keeps coming back. As I keep my pigs like my horse - out 24/7 on grass over summer and in the house over winter - I am waiting until it is time for him to come in before I have it removed again. I'm not too worried about it as it is not seeping or causing him any problems except if I press on it by accident when picking him up.

I take my pigs to the Cambridge Cavy Trust to see a guinea pig specialist and will leave my boy and his companion there whilst he has to stay in. Some vets don't really know much about piggies so I am happier to travel to have mine seen to.

 

[brighteyes]

I wish we lived near the CCT. The piggy vets round here are dire. I refused to let one of them jab mine - with oxytetracycline

We had a pig with a cyst under her chin but it was full of inky black liquid. We had it drained without any anaesthetic (best to do this if you can) but it came straight back. We left it and it caused no problem. They are prone to sebaceous cycts.

 

[Alibear]

One of mine had one on it's back as well. Nothing could be drawn off with a needle so vet said leave it a month later it exploded and healed up nicely all of it's own accord. Piggy didn't seem remotley bothered by it and thanks to this thread I shall not panic if it comes back.

mine are due to move insdie for the winter tomorrow as well

 

[JustKickOn]

Ours have been inside all summer!!! We put them in their outside hutch for a week in summer and they hated it!!!

Normally they love it!

 

[GinaB]

Ah she sounds like she was a good girl then

I used to keep GP but haven't had them in years. It'll be baytrill (I think that's what it's called) as they use it with hammies too

 

[JustKickOn]

Yeah thats the one

Babe absoloutely loves it

 

[Daffers]

My piggy had a cyst well 3 or 4 actually on her rump. The vet decided to cut the whole lot out. Was worried if she'd come round, but she was absolutly fine, I too had to keep bathing the stitched wound with hibi and give her baytrill, she is now the biggest pig i've got!!! ( Current count half hour ago was 18-long story!!!)

 

[JustKickOn]

Just out of intrest, how old was your piglet when she had her cysts removed?? And was it under general anesthetic??

And again out of intrest, what ratio of water to Hibi did you used??

 

[Daffers]

Piggy was about 4 and half yrs old, still going strong, she had them done under general anesthetic, all i can remember the solution was quite weak, eventually went over to warm salt solution, just to keep the area clean. About 10 days later stitches came out and continued to bath it for few extra days. She did look odd with a huge bold bum for a while too!!! Had to keep her on newspaper bedding too.

 

[JustKickOn]

Ours are 5 at the end of November (they're sisters) and the vet said she may not pull through so it's good to hear that they can!!
Yep Hibi soloution is weak so I'm on the right track

Vet said she's ben fine in the shredding bedding that we use but I only put a fine layer down because it can be dusty depending on what we get.

Do you still have your pigs??

 

[custard]

Awww poor little mite, I love guinnea pigs, hope she's feeling better soon

 

[JustKickOn]

Her wound tonight.
Seems to be getting smaller by the day don't you think?

Lizzie x

 

[JustKickOn]

It got more pus type stuff in it and burst

The scab came off and it was seeping

Pictures...

If it gets worse even with her on the antibiotics and hibiscrub going to take her back to the vets.