[Gpdd] (Health) Daphne Update

[pat schuett]

Hi again,

After posting that message on Saturday about Daphne's
uterine tumor, both the vet and I did some research
and discovered that, though piggies do get uterine
tumors, ovarian cysts are apparently more common.  The
vet assumed from the size of the mass that it had to
be a uterine tumor, but she found evidence in some of
her textbooks that ovarian cysts can be that large as
well (she thinks it is about 5-6cm or about 3 inches).
 We conferred again on Saturday after her clinic
closed; unfortunately, she is off now until Wednesday,
but Wednesday morning I am going to bring Daphne is
for an ultrasound, which the vet feels should give us
a much better idea of exactly where and what this
thing is.

One of the problems with surgery is that, though this
vet has done very well with my piggies up to now, she
is not experienced with guinea pig surgery --- really,
there is no one locally who is experienced, mainly
because very few owners around here will pay for it. 
IF it is a cyst, though, she is prepared to do a spay
which should <hopefully> correct the problem; whether
Daphne would survive the surgery is another question,
but at least there is hope that way.

At the moment, Daphie is still eating, pooping and
generally behaving like herself (it's me who has been
reduced to a twitchy weepy mess, while my little
piggie girl soldiers on with business as usual).  This
makes me feel she is a fairly good candidate for
surgery despite the seriousness of her condition.  I
adopted her from the local Humane Society shelter
about two and a half years ago and she was grown up
then, had been dumped there by her third owner, so I
would estimate she is at least four years old but
don't know for certain. 

I will keep you updated; thanks so much for all the
messages of support --- I am trying to respond to them
all individually, but my attention is on research at
the moment.  It's wonderful to have contact with other
people who don't think I'm insane for being so upset
over "a mere guinea pig"...

                                          Pat S. 




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