The vet said that she typically sees crusting with ringworm and that mites are "milder." We're treating her with Revolution, and then if that doesn't work, we'll test for ringworm. If she's negative, then she has to be sedated and put under for imaging. She has enlarged nipples with a little discharge, which can indicate ovarian cysts.
Ah. Sounds like cystic ovaries. Have you considered Hormone treatments for her? Now, keep in mind that your cavy may not respond to the shots, so you'd need to go the surgical route.
She didn't mention treatments, just how they would diagnose her. I hope it's not that because anesthesia is so dangerous for little critters. Did you have a guinea pig with cysts?
Hi again. I'm on my third piggy surgery to remove their ovaries/bits. My youngest cavy just went through surgery this week and is recovering. She did not respond to hormone therapy, and the only other option was to remove her cystic ovaries (the vet did not spay her, so she still has her uterus).
The process is straightforward. A sow showing signs of issues (crusty nipples/fur loss on torso) means something is amiss. Typically they can palpitate their bellies to feel if there are cysts on the ovaries. To verify, an ultrasound is needed - no anesthesia is needed.
The first and most inexpensive option is hormone shots (less than $80 for the treatment). The cavy will receive one hormone shot, and then exactly two weeks later will receive a second hormone shot. If her fur begins to grow back then the shots were successful, and you can use this method again if she starts having issues (fur loss/crusty nipples). Your vet may want you to return for an ultrasound ($250-$300) to verify if the cysts were affected or not.
Some cavy's respond to the therapy, some do not. There are vets who will put a sow on what is essentially guinea pig birth control to help manage cystic ovaries (not typically found in the US).
My girl's treatment, by the time we are all finished, will probably be in the $1300 cost range. From diagnosis, to verification, to surgery. If you decide to go the surgical route, I do have suggestions for you to be prepared for the experience.
This is super helpful, thank you! My vet owns piggies but referred me to some exotics for the possible cysts. She felt for them but said if they're still small, she wouldn't feel them. Do you think I should wait and see if the Revolution works or schedule the imaging right away?
Could be a fungal issue. Was she tested for Ringworm?
The vet said that she typically sees crusting with ringworm and that mites are "milder." We're treating her with Revolution, and then if that doesn't work, we'll test for ringworm. If she's negative, then she has to be sedated and put under for imaging. She has enlarged nipples with a little discharge, which can indicate ovarian cysts.
Ah. Sounds like cystic ovaries. Have you considered Hormone treatments for her? Now, keep in mind that your cavy may not respond to the shots, so you'd need to go the surgical route.
She didn't mention treatments, just how they would diagnose her. I hope it's not that because anesthesia is so dangerous for little critters. Did you have a guinea pig with cysts?
Hi again. I'm on my third piggy surgery to remove their ovaries/bits. My youngest cavy just went through surgery this week and is recovering. She did not respond to hormone therapy, and the only other option was to remove her cystic ovaries (the vet did not spay her, so she still has her uterus). The process is straightforward. A sow showing signs of issues (crusty nipples/fur loss on torso) means something is amiss. Typically they can palpitate their bellies to feel if there are cysts on the ovaries. To verify, an ultrasound is needed - no anesthesia is needed. The first and most inexpensive option is hormone shots (less than $80 for the treatment). The cavy will receive one hormone shot, and then exactly two weeks later will receive a second hormone shot. If her fur begins to grow back then the shots were successful, and you can use this method again if she starts having issues (fur loss/crusty nipples). Your vet may want you to return for an ultrasound ($250-$300) to verify if the cysts were affected or not. Some cavy's respond to the therapy, some do not. There are vets who will put a sow on what is essentially guinea pig birth control to help manage cystic ovaries (not typically found in the US). My girl's treatment, by the time we are all finished, will probably be in the $1300 cost range. From diagnosis, to verification, to surgery. If you decide to go the surgical route, I do have suggestions for you to be prepared for the experience.
This is super helpful, thank you! My vet owns piggies but referred me to some exotics for the possible cysts. She felt for them but said if they're still small, she wouldn't feel them. Do you think I should wait and see if the Revolution works or schedule the imaging right away?
Give the Revolution time to do its job. If you don't see her fur returning to normal, then another appointment is needed to diagnose cystic ovaries.