cancer

Question
Hello again. I have three guinea pigs in one big cage that is sappose to be for rabbits, there is a mom and two daughters. Last time, the youngest daughter got abcess, and now its gone, but I think it spreaded to her sister because there is an even bigger lump, but its on her leg intstead of her face, it is not perfectly round, and its hard. Could it be cancer, or another case of abcess? Should I go see a vet? Will it go away if I just let it be?

Thanx

Answer
Hi Elise-  Glad that the first ones abcess is gone.  In theory it could be anything.  But the fact that you had a sow who just had one within the past month I would be inclined to think it was another abcess.  It is possible to be a tumor, but I've never seen one on the outside of the leg.  If you call the vet she'll probably lance (cut open) the abcess and drain it out, and clean out the hole.  I also know breeders who have done this at home with a sterile lancet.  If its an abcess it will pop eventually on its own.  If you have the money and a good vet to go to, I would probably go there because in 7 years of raising/showing guinea pigs I have never seen one on the leg but that certainly doesn't mean it isn't possible.
I hope this helps!
Anngela