Tumor My guinea pig has cancer. What do I do? Advice please

[Tia2684]

Hello Everyone, I was researching on guinea pigs with uterine cancers and found this website and I need another opinion from other guinea pig owner who have more knowledge and experience. Last week I lost one of my 2 guinea pigs - snuggles to unknown causes. She seemed completely fine is only a bit lethargic but we thought it was due to her getting older and the heat ( she's 5 and a half). Anyways we decided to bring my other guinea pig to the vet (her sister) to check she was healthy and the vet discovered a tumour in her uterus. She said its completely separate to why snuggles passed. I have 2 options: give her 3-5 months and watch over her closely and when I notice she's in pain to put her down, or to get her spayed and live another year or 2. I want to do whatever is best for her.

I know guinea pigs are very social animals and I know her and snuggles were close and I don't want her to be lonely but I can't get another guinea pig. I'm also worried about the risks of surgery and if she'll be in too much pain or the risk of complications during and after the surgery. I'm worried she'll be in pain, lonely and die of complications, but I don't know the severity of those or if there is anything I can do to prevent that if I decide to get the surgery. She is also coming up on 6 and I don't know if she will live much longer anyways? Any advice or opinion will help. Please and thank you.

 

[4boipigs]

I've never had females, but knowing what I do about all of this and from my many piggy problems, I wouldn't do the spay surgery. She's older, and a spay is rough on a sow. If she were my sow, I would choose to 'watch and wait' until her quality of life suffers. It's a hard choice, but it's way better than paying for a surgery she may or may not survive.

 

[Tia2684]

Thank you so much for replying, it really helps and means a lot.

 

[bpatters]

I agree. At that age, I don't think I'd do the surgery. And since you've just found it, you don't know how fast it's growing. She could have quite a bit of time left before it impacts her life.

 

[Tia2684]

I agree. At that age, I don't think I'd do the surgery. And since you've just found it, you don't know how fast it's growing. She could have quite a bit of time left before it impacts her life.

Thank you for your advice and opinion, it means a lot. I think what I'm going to do now.

 

[torybarnard]

My sincerest condolences.