u/Evil_Monkey_4

This is my 3rd post on the subject regarding Mei’s mass. I got to talk to the vet last week directly after Mei’s xray. The news was grave.

Mei, according to my vet, has the largest mass she has ever seen on a guinea pig. She was at a loss of what to suggest as surgery is extra risky with a mass this large. It’s likely taking a large portion of her blood supply, and removing it may simply take too much blood from her system and kill her. However, it won’t be long until the mass grows and kills her on its own, especially since it appeared so rapidly.

She’s still behaving normally, maybe slightly lethargic since the mass is heavy, but eating, wheeking, drinking, and slightly more cuddly. I’d never know she was ill except for the massive lump on her side which has already grown a bit since last week. I’m so scared for her.

Vet gives her a 30% chance of survival. And that was last week. Her surgery is Wednesday. It might be even lower at this point.

We elected for surgery because we know her decline isn’t far from now and would be rapid and miserable for her. At least with surgery she had a chance. Even if it is a “small miracle” that she survives like the vet said. 3 times.

Im devastated. She is only 3. I have to work W Th Fri. My partner will luckily be able to stay home with her for recovery assuming she makes it. My dad is also visiting coincidentally so that’s nice. He’s likely driving us to the vet Wednesday morning.

I really need her to make it. She deserves more time. Maddie wouldn’t be able to sniff her corpse or anything and may wonder where she went… that makes me cry every time I think about it.

I’m trying to enjoy my remaining days with her before surgery. She’s getting spoiled as all hell, cuddles like crazy, and supplemental critical care to make her as healthy as can be before the surgery. I’ve been giving her the heating pad and keeping the house a little warmer too for them.

Picture above is her sleeping. Shitty quality because I had to take it from afar not to wake her, but I find it truly beautiful. She is a gorgeous pig.

Please send your thoughts and prayers for Mei pig ❤️

She was doing great all weekend with no change in behavior and normal eating and drinking habits and pulled through until the vet this morning.

The diagnosis: ovarian cyst.

I honestly didn’t expect this outcome… she’s only 3, and freshly 3 at that. I know ovarian cysts are common in guinea pigs but i am so upset. My vets only options for treatment is palliative care or a hysterectomy. They said there’s a high risk of her not surviving. They refused to give me any tangible numbers.

For now, we opted for just the X-Ray, which they also claimed risks her not waking up, but allows them to see the extent of the cyst and confirm the diagnosis. It’s estimated to be 450-650+ alone (including the initial exam) for the Xray. I can’t imagine how much the surgery will cost.

Assuming the Xray confirms the cyst, my partner and I will likely opt for surgery as this cyst appeared FAST. While she has no hair loss or behavioral changes, she has a very clearly distended abdomen that I have noticed causes her to rest more and has made her slightly less active. Poor thing. And it hurts to the touch for her as well.

I don’t know anything about ovarian cysts in guinea pigs. When is surgery the best option? Why doesn’t my vet offer me the hormonal injections? Is surgery worth the risk at her age? I don’t know if I could find another friend for my poor Maddie… who will never know what happened to her best friend and sister. It makes me cry just thinking about it.