What are common health problems in guinea pigs? Part 6

Image by Enrique

Lumps and bumps

Lumps and bumps on or beneath the skin of guinea pigs can be caused by abscesses or cancer.

Abscesses are quite common and often result from fighting, typically appearing on the head and limbs. They contain thick, cheese-like pus that does not easily drain by lancing alone.

Another type of abscess found in guinea pigs is cervical lymphadenitis, which involves abscessation of the cervical lymph nodes in the neck, often due to an infected mouth abrasion. These abscesses can grow large and may obstruct breathing and swallowing.

Surgical removal of the abscess or lymph node is the most effective treatment.

The most frequent type of skin cancer in guinea pigs is the trichofolliculoma (hair follicle tumor), a benign tumor of hair follicles. These tumors appear as solid or cystic dome-shaped nodules with a central depression or opening, usually located on the back near the rump. Since they are not locally invasive, do not spread to other organs and tissues, and rarely recur after surgical removal, the prognosis is good with surgery.