Experienced and professional animal trainer provide their insights in answering this question :
A. Monitor it for rapid change or growth. See your veterinarian if it causes pain or impedes movement. A simple needle aspirate biopsy performed in the clinic and submitted for pathology may provide a diagnosis.

How to Identify Common Pet Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced pet care professionals :

The most common skin mass in the guinea pig is trichofolliculoma or benign basal cell epithelioma. These are solitary masses, sometimes cystic, that can grow to be quite large. They are most common along the back and flanks and are treated with surgical excision. Lipomas, and sebaceous adenomas are also seen.
Guinea pigs are capable of getting cancer, but in less serious circumstances the lumps may actually be treatable cysts. If a lump is hard, it may be a harmless fatty cyst, but if the lump grows or is rather large then a trip to the vets is warranted.
Symptoms of Tumors and Cancers in Guinea Pigs

Skin tumors usually occur on the rump but can happen anywhere. Firm, round nodules can become ulcerated and produce a discharge. Mammary gland tumors may cause swelling of one or more glands with clear or bloody discharge.

What Are the Signs My Guinea Pig Could Have Cystic Ovaries? Common signs of a functional ovarian cyst secreting hormones include bilateral symmetric hair loss in the flank region, crusty nipples and being irritable or seeming uncomfortable in their abdomen.
Clinical signs from non-hormonal cysts (sometimes referred to as cystic rete ovarii) are most often associated with pain. These cysts will start small, but can get very large (up to 7cm is not uncommon) – it`s really common for these pigs to have a “weeble” shape with a very wide abdomen.
What causes ovarian cysts in guinea pigs? The main cause of ovarian cysts is a disturbance in hormone levels or as mentioned above, if a follicle in the ovaries doesn`t rupture to release an egg, this can result in the development of a cyst.
Seek veterinary treatment.

Lumps on guinea pigs often require veterinary treatment. Frequently, treatment involves surgical removal of the lump. If the lump is infected, your guinea pig would need antibiotics to prevent the spread of infection after surgery. Do not try to treat a lump on your own.

The cancers I see most commonly in guinea pigs in practice are lymphoma, mammary tumours, skin tumours, and uterine tumours. Lymphoma, also known as lymphosarcoma, is the most commonly diagnosed cancer of guinea pigs. The condition has sometimes also been referred to as cavian leukaemia in some texts.
Typically guinea pigs live for 5-6 years, but some may live longer. Guinea pigs are active up to 20 hours per day, and only sleep for short periods. Guinea pigs are highly social – in the wild they live in close family groups of 5-10 guinea pigs, though several groups may live in close proximity to form a colony.
Tumors may be benign or malignant (cancerous). Benign tumors are not invasive, do not spread to other areas of the body, and are easy to remove surgically. Malignant tumors can spread and cause harm to the animal. Malignant tumors can invade surrounding tissue and spread to distant organs.
It`s important to remember that although guinea pigs feel pain, they don`t show any outward signs of it, so they may suffer before you notice they`re sick. If you notice changes in their normal behaviour, these can be an early sign of illness or pain. They may be unwell if they`re: Not eating.
Since guinea pigs form thick pus that does not drain or get reabsorbed easily, most abscesses in these animals require surgical removal, followed by treatment with antibiotics chosen based on culture of the bacteria growing in the abscess.
Gentle stroking. Your guinea pig may find it soothing if you gently stroke or groom them, this may help them stay calm and reassured. Remember to avoid touching any affected areas as these may be sore or painful.
Abscesses associated with bacteria and fungi can be life threatening if not treated appropriately and in a timely manner.
The Guinea Pig Vet – Bill came in to have a sebaceous cyst removed. These are very common non-cancerous skin lumps in guinea pigs. They usually occur around the rump but can occur anywhere in the skin. Non-painful initially but can rupture and then be painful as an open wound.
Guinea pigs have a relatively high risk of anaesthetic complications, with a perioperative mortality rate of 3.80% compared with 0.24% for cats and 0.17% for dogs (Brodbelt et al, 2008).
Important. Do not squeeze a skin cyst. If it bursts it could become infected, or if it`s already infected you might spread the infection.
You shouldn`t need to do anything to treat the cyst, just cleanse with the saline once or twice more then leave alone to heal. No cream/ointments should be necessary.
Most guinea pigs seem to recover well from surgery and are up and eating right away but recovery can take more time for others. It is not unusual for guinea pigs to be quieter and less active than usual for the first 24 hours after surgery.
It might be tempting, but don`t try to pop or drain the cyst yourself. That can cause infection, and the cyst will probably come back. Keep it clean by washing with warm soap and water. Try putting a bathwater-warm washcloth on it for 20 to 30 minutes, three to four times a day, to help soothe it and speed healing.
Apply a Warm Compress

After cleaning the cyst, hold a warm compress on the area for five to ten minutes. The moisture and the warmth help to encourage the substance trapped under the skin to make its way out of the hair follicle. Repeat this process up to three times per day until the cyst drains on its own.

Normally, a stressed guinea pig will show signs of irritability and more aggressive displays of behavior, such as head tossing, fidgeting, or teeth-baring. A depressed guinea pig, on the other hand, will become very listless and not display much energy.
My guinea pig died – will the other one be okay? Like humans, guinea pigs can behave and react in different ways after the death of a friend. Whether your deceased guinea pig had just one companion or several, they are very likely to feel some kind of bereavement after their friend has passed away.
Bacterial Pneumonia. Pneumonia is probably the most significant disease in guinea pigs, particularly in damp or humid environments. Guinea pigs are very susceptible to respiratory disease caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Q. My guinea pig has a lump on his back I was wondering if the lump is a tumor or a cyst I can’t decipher. The lump appears on the right back
ANSWER : A. Monitor it for rapid change or growth. See your veterinarian if it causes pain or impedes movement. A simple needle aspirate biopsy performed in the clinic and submitted for pathology may provide a diagnosis.

Read Full Q/A … : What is a Cyst? (with pictures) – wiseGEEK

Q. I have found a lump on my five half year old Guinea pig and also noticed she been wetting herself the lump is near her bottom.
ANSWER : A. Lumps and bumps can be caused by a great number of things including tumors or growths, infections, or injuries to muscles or nerves. If your guinea pig is having problems associated with the lump, such as the loss of urinary control you are seeing, it is a good idea to schedule a veterinary appointment to have the spot looked at. It may be the growth is pinching a nerve that helps control the bladder and may benefit from treatment by your vet.

Read Full Q/A … : Veterinarians

Q. Small lump on my dog’s throat, what should I do?
ANSWER : A. Lumps and bumps on the throat or neck can be caused by a wide range of things. Depending on the lumps size, if it is under the skin or appears on the skin itself, and its location on the throat can all indicate different things.

There are a large number of structures in the neck there ranging from thyroid glands, nerves, salivary glands and even lymph nodes. Illness, disease or irritation can all cause swelling or issues there. You may also see additional symptoms such as trouble swallowing, drooling, lethargy or changes in weight and appetite to help narrow down the cause of the lump. Testing via blood work or an X-ray may help to determine the cause and proper treatment.

Lumps and bumps on the skin can also be caused by allergies such as an allergic reaction or sting, or even an abscess under the skin. Allergies are usually treated with an allergy medication to help stop the response and any itching or redness. Abscesses (cuts or scrapes that get infected and swell with fluid) are usually hot or painful to the touch and may ooze debris. These are usually drained at a vet, and then treated with antibiotics.

If the cause of the lump is not known, your vet may also recommend taking a sample of the lump to send to a Lab. This can help to determine what exactly is causing the lump and how to treat it.

Read Full Q/A … : my dog has a lump on his throat. I took him to the vet and

Q. My Cocker Spaniel keeps getting lumps on her body. She has some on the top of her head that feel soft with about six or so clumped together.
ANSWER : A. Lumps and bumps are very common in dogs. They can be caused by any number of things ranging from allergic reactions, to pockets of infection under the skin, to various tumors and cysts. If the bumps are spreading rapidly, or are very bothersome to your dog it is best to have a vet look at it to make sure it is not serious.

Allergic reaction bumps will often appear as small, red, itchy pockets of bumps anywhere on the body. These are usually treated with an allergy medication or over the counter antihistamine. Abscesses are pockets of infection under the skin that usually are one large bump, however in spreading infections may have other bumps appear. These are often painful or hot to the touch, and may ooze debris that is yellow or greenish in color. Abscesses are usually drained and then an antibiotic given to clear up the infection. Some tumors can also appear as small bumps that begin to spread and their type can be determined through biopsy of the site if other more common causes are ruled out.

Until you can have your vet look at the lumps, it is best to stop your dog from licking or chewing at them. Licking and chewing can cause cuts and scrapes to open, allowing bacteria and infection to spread over the affected area. An Elizabethan collar, or a T-shirt over the affected area can help prevent licking and chewing.

Read Full Q/A … : My Cocker Spaniel: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Q. Lump has recently appeared in middle of Tara’s ear. It is soft and squashy, what is it?
ANSWER : A. Lumps and bumps are common in dogs and can be caused by a variety of things. If the lump you are seeing is located on the ear flap (called the pinna), it may also be something called a hematoma. Hematomas are swellings of blood that collect under the skin due to broken blood vessels. The vessels are most often broken by a dog shaking its head repeatedly or scratching at the ear. Care should be made to prevent your dog from pawing at the spot or shaking her head as it can make the problem worse. Hematomas are usually drained or surgically removed by your vet depending on severity, and may also be treated with an antibiotic to prevent infection.

Other lumps and bumps can include allergic reactions (usually small, red, itchy bumps), abscesses (pockets of infection stuck under the skin), or even tumors and cysts filled with material or fluids. It is best to have the ear examined by your local vet as the only 100% way to determine what the lump is, is through aspiration and taking a sample of the materials inside. Your vet can then provide treatment options ranging from draining and antibiotics, to surgical removal of more serious growths.

Read Full Q/A … : Vestibular Syndrome – strokes in dogs

Q. My 10 yr old Lab has a fatty lump the size of a small football on the inside of his rear leg. What can we do?
ANSWER : A. Lumps and bumps are very common in older dogs, and Lipomas (or fatty tumors) tend to be the most common in older dogs. However, if you are unsure of the exact type of lump that is present on your Lab, your first step is to have it examined by your vet. Your vet can take a sample of the lump to send to a laboratory for analysis to make sure it is not something more serious such as cancer.

If the lump is just a lipoma, treatment really depends on if it is affecting your dog (or you) at all. Lipomas tend to be benign and do not need removal unless they are bothersome to your pet or yourself. However, if they are, the usual treatment is to have the lump surgically removed. This usually removes the tumor completely, but in some cases, the lipoma may regrow in the same spot.

Read Full Q/A … : Causes of Limping in Dogs

Q. My cat has a cyst close to his eye. Is there any way to treat this sebaceous cyst?
ANSWER : A. If the cyst is causing problems with sight or having your cat open his eye, it is best to have examined by a vet. Cysts can be drained to help the swelling go down, however cysts can return after drainage. In some cases of returning cysts, surgical removal may be needed to permanently keep the cyst from returning. Keeping the eye clean and free of debris will also help prevent any infection from forming if the cyst allows dirt or debris to stay close to the eye.

Read Full Q/A … : What can I do about my cat's recurring cyst? – Cat Advice …

Q. He has a malignant tumor the size of a small grapefruit on the left side of liver what homopathyic steps can I take to help him or surgery an option
ANSWER : A. I’m assuming the tumor was diagnosed on ultrasound, and a needle aspirate was taken to diagnose the type of tumor? If that hasn’t been done it should be – lots of tumors, especially the big ones, aren’t malignant, and may not cause any big problems if left alone. So let’s start there – get a needle biopsy done if possible.

If you definitely have a diagnosis of “cancer”, and the tumor is confined to one area or “lobe” of the liver, it may absolutely be surgically resectable, which may provide a complete cure. I would discuss this option with a very capable surgeon, perhaps one who is board certified if available, and proceed if he/she thinks the whole tumor can be removed.

Unfortunately I can’t think of any natural or homeopathic treatments that could be helpful. I think first you have to know the tumor is dangerous and then consider removing it, if possible.

Read Full Q/A … : pharm nclex Flashcards

joliana smith

My name is Sarah Smith and I am a dog owner, lover, and trainer. I have been working with dogs for over 10 years and have a passion for helping them learn and grow. I am a certified dog trainer and specialize in positive reinforcement methods. I believe that all dogs can learn and that the best way to train them is to build a strong relationship based on trust and respect.