5 Abscesses for Ricky and counting.....

[Annie59]

Hi all....just a quick update. I just saw on Choloe's (Mary) post where Lavenderjade (Fiona) showed her concern about Ricky's 4th abscess. I haven't even posted anything yet about his 5th one! It's actually been lanced and drained already and almost healed! I neglected to mention it because I figured you all may be sick of hearing me complain by now! He just gets one after another. Whenever one heals, the next one pops up just a few days later. Ever since the doc has been lancing and draining, it's been healing so much quicker than when she operated on the first two. The first two were on his side. The last three were on his neck. Yesterday I felt another one on his neck, BUT, I feel a hard scab over it, so I think it's the last one filling with a little pus again. It's been rough going back and forth to the vet and I have actually never had a time when Ricky was not sick. He's not even 8 months old yet. It breaks my heart to see him constantly getting cut open. But all in all, he seems to handle it all well. He's been on Baytril for a couple of months now and a different antibotic for months before that. He has no problem with his eating, thank goodness! But I have a question for all of you! Have any of you ever had a guinea pig get one abscess after another? It's been 6 months now of non stop vet visits. Why do you think he keeps getting them? The vet is trying to keep him on the Baytril longer to kill the infection, but once he goes off it, another one pops up! I'm pretty much going broke but I love him and try everything to keep him healthy. He is the sweetest guinea pig! I wish someone knew a way to kill this infection completely! I don't know if I'm doing something to cause them? I feed him well and all healthy food. I'm wondering if this is going to go on his whole life. I wish I knew what caused the abscesses. I thought if anyone has gone through something similar, maybe you can advise me of Ricky's future! Thanks for any info!

 

[rw3399]

I'm glad Ricky's lat abscess is healing. I had a rabbit once with recurrent abscesses under his chin but that was to do with his front teeth being continually cut. I don't have any knowledge in this area - I could only guess. Could he be diabetic? Like humans with diabetes get ulcers that get infected quite often? Like I said - just a guess. Hope someone else may be able to help.

 

[Annie59]

Maybe I should ask the vet to do a blood test rw3399. I can't understand why he keeps getting them. I hope you are doing better. I know you lost your little Ginger. Thanks for your input!

 

[Lucinda]

poor Ricky. He look so gorgeous in your avatar.

 

[Vikki]

So sorry to hear of Rickys ongoing problem I hope you find out why this keeps happening x

 

[choloe]

perhaps maryh's vet can be of help to you if you prviate message her she will get back to you as her vet helps vets all over the world. i would NOT get a blood test as they have to take the blood from the neck and it is very stressful for the piggy. sending loads of hugs and healing vibes to you and ricky and think you are doing a wonderful job with him O0 and when i mentioned in my email about something to read, i was being cycptic (sp) aboout you mentioned if i had 100 hours you'd tell me about your life O0
so i would suggest contacting maryh and ask her vet what she recomends for darling ricky :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: girls send their favouirte USA hunkster :-* :-* :-*
hoping ricky has a normal healthy life soon and you too hun sending big hugs :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:

 

[starla]

Poor Ricky I hope this is his last abcsess....really hope O0

 

[Glynis]

Annmarie please do not EVER think that we would be sick of hearing about dear little Ricky and his abscesses > > > you need support and help, please make sure you don't do this again love

awwwww Ricky you poor little guy, these nasty abscesses are really not helping you to get nice and fat are they >
Keeping taking your meds and keep eating up O0

Heaps of loves and wheeeeeks and brrrrrrrrrr's from Duke and I to help you get better :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:

Annmarie i'd also be looking at bloods too, as i told you awhile ago i found that another abscess would form near the previous site as i was convinced not all the infection was gone and also it's a weak point... that's just my observation on Duke's (((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))))) for you too :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:

and once again WE ARE HERE FOR YOU O0 O0 remember that love, everyone here understands how frustrating it can be with a continual sick piggie

 

[Annie59]

Thanks everyone! Your support does help. I guess I've just been so low key about his last couple of abscesses. I love Ricky so much and I my heart breaks everytime he has to get these things cut open. He is just so sweet and so happy. I just add timothy hay to his cage and he runs in circles and popcorns all over the place! His new thing is burying himself in the hay. It's so cute! I'm praying this is the last abscess. I say that everytime and then a new one comes up. Oh Glynis...don't worry about Ricky not getting fat because of the abscesses! I've never seen any living thing eat so much! He comes home after a lancing and can polish off a whole bowl of veggies. I'm constantly filling his bowl. He's goes through a whole cucumber, almost a whole pepper, carrots, bunches of parsley, bunches and bunches of dry hay, a bowl of his dry mix and pellets, etc. etc. a day! I can't keep up with him! My father goes and looks at him and says everytime he goes in the room Ricky's mouth is chomping! Thank goodness he hasn't stopped eating. He only stopped eating during his first two abscesses when they had to be operated on. The lancing doesn't seem to effect his appetite. The vet says it's normal because he's still fairly small and is really growing now. He gains weight everytime we go to the vet. Well, thank you all for your advice. I just hope this strong series of Baytril kills this darn infection once and for all! I promise to update you all and not sit around feeling sad and keeping it all to myself!

 

[choloe]

am so glad all these abscesses aren't affecting ricky's appetite, i would go staedy on the cucumber,parsley as too much cucumber can affect his poop and parsley has alot of calcium in it. have everything crossed that this is his last abscess and he can enjoy some good health and you both can share some happiness. sending hugs to you both
:smitten: :smitten: :smitten: ricky your the man O0 :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: and anne marie you are doing a terriffic job with ricky :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:

 

[LyndsayRDH]

I am assuming his back lower teeth have been checked with x-ray for abscesses. Humans can get abscesses in their teeth that cause neck swelling and abscesses. This could also be the case with your pig. He may need a back tooth out, or a front tooth for that matter. Good luck. The other problem you may be encountering is antibiotic resistance. I don't know if they have cultured one of these abscesses to see what kind of bacteria is in it, but it might be a good idea. If you run out of guinea pig safe antibiotics you will be forced to try some natural alternatives. Good luck

 

[MemberY]

Oh I have just seen this, poor Ricky and such a stress for you :'(

I dont really know what else to suggest except maybe ask your vet to switch antibiotics. How many ml's baytril is Ricky having and how often? The norm for a recurring infection would be 0.4mls twice a day for at least 10 days but maybe longer. Another piggy safe antibiotic is septrin, maybe Rickys infections are not responding to baytril or the dose isnt high enough :-\

I also agree it is worth having his teeth checked but as he is eating fine, it is unlikely, worth the vet having a proper look though with buccal pad separators, no aneasthetic should be necessary for this.

Best of luck and keep us posted, you know we care :smitten:

 

[Annie59]

Thank you lavenderjade and everyone else for your caring so much! Ricky would be so happy to know how many people care! He is taking .3 ml of Baytril 2x per day. The vet was going to up it but felt he is a little to small. Yes LyndsayRDH, he did have one of these abscesses cultured. I can't remember what kind of bacteria the doc said it was but she said she chose the antibiotic that was right for the type of bacteria. I should pay more attention! He has a vet appt. tomorrow morn. (she is in on Sundays!) If all is well with this followup, I might suggest he stay on the antibiotic longer this time. He seems to develop these things always a week after the old one is healed. And I will mention the problem with the teeth. I'll see if she can check them for me. Thanks also Mary for mentioning the parsley. I didn't realize about the calcium. Ricky will almost grab your hand off when he smells parsley coming! He is mad about it! His new thing is basil. I don't give him much, but we plant it every summer and alot of it! This year we planted extra, just for Ricky! He screams if I give him a little and then come back in the room a couple of minutes later. He just wants more and more of it! He jumps around like crazy and then runs around his pen! Crazy little guy! Thank you all for your well wishes! I'll let you all know how his vet visit went!

 

[sarsmccabe]

Poor wee thing. It will be hard for you not knowing what will happen next. Keep us updated and hope the next vet visit goes well. x