This week’s segment features Alfie the 2 year old guinea pig!! Alfie came to us after his owners noticed that he had a mass developing in his mammary gland. Guinea pigs, both male and female, have normal mammary (nipple) chains that run along the underside of the body. While these structures are normal, guinea pigs can develop mammary masses, which are one of the more commonly seen tumors in this species. These masses can occur in both sexes, though they are more frequently diagnosed in females.
The good news is that most mammary masses in guinea pigs are benign, meaning they are not cancerous and do not spread to other parts of the body. However, even benign masses can grow quickly, ulcerate, become infected, or interfere with movement and comfort if left untreated. Because guinea pigs are prey animals, they often hide discomfort, allowing masses to grow quite large before obvious signs are noticed.
Prompt surgical removal is both safe and strongly recommended once a mammary mass is identified. Early surgery allows for smaller incisions, faster healing, and a lower risk of complications. Guinea pigs generally recover very well from mammary mass removal, especially with appropriate anesthesia, pain management, and postoperative care. Alfie did great for his mass removal and has made a full recovery!!