Can we all cool it, please? I don't think anyone cares who "started" it but now we're getting kind of off topic here.
Rach, based on the nutrition information your vet gave you, I think it might do you some good to find a second opinion. Has that vet treated your pigs before? If so, with what outcome? I just wish I knew if he knew more about lumps than he did about nutrition. Given the information you were, I would've made the same call: no surgery unless absolutely necessary. I'm just a little suspicious, based on the nutrition info.
As for the vitamin C issue, everyone's pretty much gone over why they're not a good idea, they don't provide vitamin C and a lot of cavies won't drink as much water because of them, though you don't seem to be having the second problem. If you have a chance though, I'd compare the veggies you're feeding to Ly's nutrition chart, especially the vitamin C levels, to make sure they get as much as they're supposed to be getting. The reference point my old vet gave me was 55mg per pig, per day. 1/8 bell pepper is the easiest way to go, but if you can find something in season that works better for you, just please make sure they're getting what they need.
But, that's really a side issue, the real issue is the lump and the lethargy. How is Taco doing today? Basically what your vet recommended is consistent with what I've read about cysts: they can be removed if they get too big, but if they're small and not causing any distress, they can be left alone. So that sounds valid to me (once again, DON'T trust my medical info, I'm just offering an opinion). If it were me I'd definitely be keeping an eye on it though, since he keeps making his "distressed" noise. (Question for Ly, if she's still reading: I know that I'm not supposed to post medical opinions/suggestions because I'm new, which is why I keep clarifying that I'm really not sure of any opinions I'm giving, they're just what I would do personally. Is it OK for me to post these, since they're more personal opinion than medical "fact?")
As for Ani, she seems alright, and from what I felt today, the lumps appear to be getting a little bit smaller. She's not pooing as much and she's eating the strangest things. She's not as eager to eat her hay or pellets -- she'll eat a little bit and then wander off, and come back to it later if Fred doesn't devour them (starting today for their afternoon meals I'm feeding a little bit at a time so she has more chance to eat the pellets, but there's nothing I can do about her not eating the hay). However, she's really enjoying eating her cuddle cup and hammock, both of which have kind of fuzzy fur on them. Should I remove these until she's better? I worry about her choking. Normally they both kind of lick it, but they've never tried to pull the fuzz off and eat it. She's also devouring cardboard. She has a massive pile of hay, more hay in the hay box, hay basically all around her, and she's.... eating the cardboard hidey. And not just little pieces and spitting them back out, she's probably eating as much cardboard as Fred does hay. What the heck is going on here?
Edit: Sorry, I wrote before Ly posted, so I apologize for any unrelated info, especially the vitamin C stuff.
