Enlarged tear duct

Question
Hi!  I have my eye on a piggie at the pet store.  He is 3 months old, and when I saw him last, his lower eyelid was sagging a bit and he had a light pink lump under his eye.  The pet stor owner said that it was an enlarged tear duct.  He also told me that this is hereditary and will not go away.  Is this true? And if not, what can be done to take care of it.  Also, how much does it cost to neuter a guinea pig, and do you think it is safe?  Thanks a lot!

Answer
Hi Claire.  The lump under his eye is called pea eye.  The book definition:  A VISIBALE ABNORMAL SWELLING  OR FATTY GROWTH UNDER THE EYE LID.  It is not an enlarged tear duct, the pet store guy was wrong about that.  It is hereditary, and it will not go away.  It doesn't do any harm at all, it is just there and usually gets slightly larger with age.  I've never known anyone to have pea eye removed, surgery around the eye can be very delicate and expensive I imagine.  As far as cost to neuter a guinea pig I would venture a guess at the same it would cost for a male cat, depending on where you go.  Your local humane society may be able to give you a better indication as to price to that; they usually neuter their animals.  Personally, I don't think its safe.  The smaller the animal, the more possibility for overdose of the anesthetic and then possibly not wake them up.  HOWEVER, the humane society in indianapolis seems to have mastered the skill (or their veterinarian has).
I hope this helps, sorry I couldn't answer all your questions but hopefully you'll find outlets with what I've given you!
Anngela