My guinea pig has small lumps on her belly. Should I be concerned?

Thank you for reaching out about Piglet - that is a very cute name. I didn't see how old he was? The reason that I ask is that it is common for older guinea pigs, including males, to have problems occur with their nipples. This can include trauma, masses, and crusting. This can be due to hormonal changes, other systemic disease processes, and cancer. I would recommend one of two courses of action - you can continue to monitor the masses for changes (if this occurs, please take Piglet to a veterinarian) or you can take him to a veterinarian for evaluation now, and get additional recommendations based on the exam that s/he performs. I hope that gives you a place to start, and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thank you for your question about Pickles. There are a couple of things that the lumps could be. You are correct that they could be abscesses, as these don't occur uncommonly in guinea pigs. Another potential is a type of tumor called a trichofolliculoma. This is a special tumor that occurs in guinea pigs, and typically occurs around their rear ends/hip/back region. It would be a bit strange to have multiples of them, but it can happen. I would recommend taking Pickles to the veterinarian. Depending on your area, the exam fee may range from $50-80 typically. After a thorough examination, your veterinarian can perform a fine needle aspirate and cytology of the masses. This means that they put a needle into the mass and extract some cells. They put these cells on a slide and look at them under the microscope. If they see bacteria, it is likely to be an abscess. If they see other cells, then it would be something else (such as the trichofolliculoma). A fine needle aspirate and cytology can vary in price, anywhere from $30-60 depending on the practice. After that, depending on what is found, the veterinarian may make further diagnostic recommendations, such as a culture if the masses are abscesses, or surgery if they are tumors. Thankfully, if it is a trichofolliculoma, surgery is curative. They may also have treatment recommendations, including pain medications and antibiotics. Please don't give Pickles any human medications, as many of them are harmful to our furry friends. If you are unsure about what veterinarians are comfortable seeing guinea pigs in your area, you can look at the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians website. They have some resources on finding a vet in your area. I hope that gives you a place to start, and I wish you the best of luck!

I can see that Lilo has a swelling over her jaw, which may be a sign of a tooth root abscess. This can result in discomfort and difficulty eating. I recommend having this evaluated by a vet as soon as possible, as she may need to have teeth extracted or dental x-rays. In rare cases, this can also be caused by a growth on the bone, either due to a tumor or inappropriate nutrition. In the meantime, you should ensure that Lilo has a well balanced diet and keep an eye on her for issues eating, weight loss, or any nasal discharge. I hope all is well and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Hello! Masses near the breast area of a guinea pig could be a few different things. My first thought is a mammary tumor, which is common in rodent species, especially as they get older. Mammary tumors in rodents are usually benign, but rarely they are malignant and could spread to other parts of the body, so most vets generally recommend surgical removal of these masses if the guinea pig is healthy enough for surgery. The mass could also be a fluid-filled cyst or an abscess. All of these diagnoses will require the help of a veterinarian to confirm. At the vet, they will give Lola a complete physical exam, and they will most likely collect a small sample of cells from the mass to look at under the microscope with a small needle. This is called a fine needle aspirate, or FNA. The type of tissue or liquid that comes out, as well as what those cells look like under the microscope, will determine the recommended course of action. If it's a tumor, they may suggest removal. If it's a cyst, they may just drain it and ask you to watch for recurrence. If it is an abscess, it will also likely be drained, and Lola will probably be put on antibiotics. I strongly suggest that you make an appointment with Lola's regular vet, or, if you don't yet have one, with an exotics specialist. Here is one that is nearby: Northwest Exotic Veterinary Clinic 572 S Bartlett Rd, Streamwood, IL 60107 (630) 540-2490 Good luck, and I hope Lola recovers well!

Have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating pocket pets. A fine needle aspirate can be done to collect a sample for pathology. This may lead to a diagnosis. In the meantime, make sure he is eating, drinking and eliminating normally.

Thanks for reaching out about Meeko and including pictures. This appears to be benign growth called a trichofolliculoma. These are tumors of the skin with very low likelihood of metastasis but likely to recur if not surgically removed. Hair should be gently clipped around the mass in an attempt to decrease bacterial contamination. Clean cotton tipped applicators can be used to gently remove the debris from inside the lesion. Gentle flushing with sterile saline can help irrigate the lesion, then allow to heal on its own. As previously stated, these are likely to recur. Do not apply any topical antibiotics such as Neosporin or triple antibiotics since guinea pig gastrointestinal tracts are very sensitive to antibiotics. Good luck.

I am sorry to hear about Chewy! A photo of the bump may help us in providing you with a better answer. I would be concerned if this is a large bump about a possible abscess (pocket of infection), cyst, or tumor. I would recommend having her seen by a vet since she obviously seems to be bothered by it. The vet may aspirate the bump by putting a small needle into it to help identify what the bump is and how best to treat it.