2cm round lump near castration site 6 weeks on. Advice please?

[Hogmex]

My boys were castrated before I adopted them from the sanctuary, mid December. One has developed a large lump on one side approx 2cm in size.
I've been reading through other peoples experiences. I have a non-cavy vet appointment today. I'm just wondering what would be the basic plan of treatment first.
Antibiotics like Zithromax in case it is an abscess, could it be something else? It doesn't feel hot. Should I try non surgical treatments first or does it sound like it has to be completely removed surgically?

 

[Hogmex]

Reading other peoples experiences it could be hernia, haematoma or abscess? It doesn't feel hot, close to the surface or have a head and about to pop.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Generally, abscesses are more common in the earlier stages of recovery but of course doesn’t mean one can’t form in later stages.
A hernia is a possibility. While not common, it is something which can happen.

The guide below explains further.

Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths, Facts and Post-op Care

 

[Wiebke]

Reading other peoples experiences it could be hernia, haematoma or abscess? It doesn't feel hot, close to the surface or have a head and about to pop.

Hi

Please see your vet for a hands-on examination. Abscesses and hernias can sometimes happen months after a neutering operation.

 

[Hogmex]

Hi

Please see your vet for a hands-on examination. Abscesses and hernias can sometimes happen months after a neutering operation.

He is booked in for an appointment today. I just wanted ideas for the best treatment, like knowing Zithromax is the best antibiotic if needed, neither the vet nor me would have known that!

 

[Bill & Ted]

Hope you find out what it is and it’s easily sorted

 

[Wiebke]

He is booked in for an appointment today. I just wanted ideas for the best treatment, like knowing Zithromax is the best antibiotic if needed, neither the vet nor me would have known that!

Any abscess near the surface should be lanced, drained and marsupialised (stitched open for twice daily flushing with a mild antiseptic for as long as possible, ideally as close to 10 days as you can come (including working off the scab that starts foring over the opening to do so) in order to allow it to heal from the inside out and to allow every little speck of infection to come out and not restart another abscess. You will ideally need a needled syringe so you can target the flushing fluid t good strength into abscess to ensure that the various bags get flushed.

Internal abscesses may need operating if the antibiotic doesn't work.

 

[weepweeps]

He is booked in for an appointment today. I just wanted ideas for the best treatment, like knowing Zithromax is the best antibiotic if needed, neither the vet nor me would have known that!

Good luck at the vets.

 

[Hogmex]

He's been seen, vet did a scan just to make sure it wasn't a hernia. It's an abscess and he drained a small amount of puss with a syringe but it clogged up.
Ordered in some Zithramax hopefully in tomorrow morning.
The vet wanted to try antibiotics before an operation. Is lancing done under a general or local anaesthetic? Does it need draining? He said that it didn't feel hot to the touch, does that mean its not close to the surface?

 

[weepweeps]

It’s good you are getting Zithromax. I have had a piggy with a tooth root abscess. It wasn’t hot to the touch either. It was stitched open under general anaesthetic.

Zithromax did knock his appetite. He was on it for 6 weeks. But it cleared up nicely. I suppose with a long course of antibiotics then it MAY clear up without an operation but then it may not. Good luck.

 

[Hogmex]

Does anyone think I should find a guinea pig vet and get the abscess drained? Would it be quite hard to keep it stitched open in that location and keep clean?

 

[Bertie & Jelly]

Bertie had an abscess in his preputial gland (reproductive gland) so it couldn’t be lanced and stitched open. The vet had to regularly squeeze the pus out through his penis shaft and he was treated with antibiotics and pain relief for several weeks - during this time the bacteria changed from aerobic to anaerobic so we had to change the antibiotic (Marbocyl to Metronizadole). It did eventually reduce significantly although there is still a small lump which may be scarring or the remnants of the abscess capsule.