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Abscess one week post-op

HeatherRose

HeatherRose

Adult Guinea Pig
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Anna had her abscess removed a week ago and today it is starting to look a little swollen. She is taking antibiotics and was on metacam for 5 days after surgery. She also had pain meds for a few days. Is it swollen because she is off the anti-inflammatory, or is the abscess coming back? It burst during the surgery, does that make it more likely to come back? How common is it for an abscess to come back? I plan on calling the vet tomorrow but I know he is in surgery on Mondays so I might not get to talk to him until later in the day.
A few more questions... Anna weighed 800g before surgery, she got down to 670g and has been steady at about 700g for the last few days. She will not leave her hidey so I have been giving her hay, pellets, and veggies in there. I started syringe feeding her again today since she is not gaining weight back. She also seems to eat more if I hand feed her hay and veggies. It seems like the other piggies are bullying her as I have heard a lot of submissive wheeks from her lately. She has always been the most submissive and lowest in the hierarchy. Is that normal for them to do that to an injured/sick pig? I’m worried that she is not venturing out around the cage because of it, I know she is not going to the water bottle (I have been syringe feeding water since she is not drinking). Sorry for the long post and all the questions.
 
Sorry to hear Anna is doing so well. I'm afraid I can't offer any advice but I'm sure some of the experts will be along soon to offer advice.
Sending healing thoughts for Anna. ❤️
 
I have no experience of a burst abscess on removal so can't advise either. Just wanted to say I think you are doing a wonderful job with Anna and looking after her really well. As @YvonneBlue has said one of the experts will be along soon to help.

Sending healing vibes across the pond for little Anna and my five piggies say "wheak wheak" to gorgeous Anna.
 
Hi. Sorry to hear of your problems with Anna.
I am not sure where the abscess is but yes they can recur if the abscess has not been fully excised. Normally vets recommend flushing the abscess cavity daily with dilute hibiscrub and possibly instilling something like medical grade Manuka honey to prevent the abscess refilling. I recommend getting her back to the vets and back on pain relief asap. Plus l would separate her until she has recovered. Keep her alongside the others. It's common for piggies to bully a sick pig sadly.
She should make a full recovery I due course once you get the abscess under control
 
HeatherRose said:
Anna had her abscess removed a week ago and today it is starting to look a little swollen. She is taking antibiotics and was on metacam for 5 days after surgery. She also had pain meds for a few days. Is it swollen because she is off the anti-inflammatory, or is the abscess coming back? It burst during the surgery, does that make it more likely to come back? How common is it for an abscess to come back? I plan on calling the vet tomorrow but I know he is in surgery on Mondays so I might not get to talk to him until later in the day.
A few more questions... Anna weighed 800g before surgery, she got down to 670g and has been steady at about 700g for the last few days. She will not leave her hidey so I have been giving her hay, pellets, and veggies in there. I started syringe feeding her again today since she is not gaining weight back. She also seems to eat more if I hand feed her hay and veggies. It seems like the other piggies are bullying her as I have heard a lot of submissive wheeks from her lately. She has always been the most submissive and lowest in the hierarchy. Is that normal for them to do that to an injured/sick pig? I’m worried that she is not venturing out around the cage because of it, I know she is not going to the water bottle (I have been syringe feeding water since she is not drinking). Sorry for the long post and all the questions.
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Please contact your vet clinic promptly; the swelling returning is serious. She will need a strong antibiotic and may need another operation depending on your vet's findings.

Keep on top-up feeding and separate her if she is being bullied; it can happen, especially when a piggy is not feeling well at all and could be a source of infection for the rest of the group. The piggy itself will usually remove itself from the group, but that is not possible in a cage set-up.
Tips For Post-operative Care
 
I've just seen your post and I agree with @pig in the city and @Wiebke that she needs to go back to see the vet as soon as you can get her seen. I would also separate her so that she can recuperate in peace and without being bullied. I'm afraid piggies can be quite horrid to each other when one is poorly. Poor Anna. Sending huge healing wheaks to her and support to you.
 
I’m going to call the vet as soon as they open and try to get her seen later today. The other piggies were being nice to her until yesterday and that is when the swelling started. I guess they know somehow. Anna isn’t acting any different, she has been hiding since surgery, but they didn’t bother her until yesterday. She is separated now.
 
Isn't it amazing how piggies just know? If it is the abscess that has come back again it could be the smell.
 
We have an appointment to see the vet at 10:30. From his voice on the phone, I can tell that he thinks the abscess is coming back. 🙁
 
Oh no! Gosh! You guys just can't catch a break! Prayers that all goes well! Glad they got you in! They are pretty awesome at squeezing in appointments. I love that about them!
 
Oh dear! Not good news then. He may marsupialise (stitch it open) then so you can have the delightful and not at all disgusting :vom: job of picking off a scab :vom::vom: and washing it out :vom::vom::vom::vom:!
Edited to add:- Poor you and poor Anna I hope the vet can sort out what the problem is and show you how to get her better again.
 
Betsy said:
Oh dear! Not good news then. He may marsupialise (stitch it open) then so you can have the delightful and not at all disgusting :vom: job of picking off a scab :vom::vom: and washing it out :vom::vom::vom::vom:!
Edited to add:- Poor you and poor Anna I hope the vet can sort out what the problem is and show you how to get her better again.
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Better than another surgery though hopefully!
 
Aw I’m sorry that it seems like the abscess is coming back :( I’ve never had an abscess removal but I have had an eye removal that became infected so I had to treat it like an abscess removal. The eye socket was left open and I had to pick the scab off (horrible to do) daily and flush the socket out with a syringe and water to remove the pus and let it heal from the inside out. Poor Eliza was separated from her friends for a long 6 weeks as I was worried about her being bullied and her friends licking and interfering with her eye socket. Thankfully, she rebonded with her friends after the 6 weeks ( she too was bottom of the hierarchy) but I didn’t have the option of letting her live side by side through grids like you do.

I am sending lots of healing vibes for Anna and (((hugs))) for you xx
 
Betsy said:
Oh dear! Not good news then. He may marsupialise (stitch it open) then so you can have the delightful and not at all disgusting :vom: job of picking off a scab :vom::vom: and washing it out :vom::vom::vom::vom:!
Edited to add:- Poor you and poor Anna I hope the vet can sort out what the problem is and show you how to get her better again.
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Gross, but I’ll do whatever it takes for my sweet Anna!
 
I’m at the vet now, he is aspirating it now to see what we are dealing with, I can hear the poor girl squealing in the back.
 
So sorry to hear Anna is struggling.
Abscesses can be so nasty.
Hope there’s something positive comes out of the vet visit.
Love and prayers for you all - human and furry
 
Poor Anna and poor you :hug:
I hope the vet can do something to get rid of the abscess asap. Generally Zithromax is the best antibiotic for abscess type infection, perhaps you could ask for that if he doesn't know about it.
 
Well I guess I will be flushing an abscess for the next 3-5 days. The vet lanced it and sent me home with all kinds of supplies. I do my first flushing tonight so any helpful tips from anyone are appreciated! It was cage cleaning day anyway so I came home and cleaned the cages really well and made Anna a recovery cage on the first floor of the cage so I can get her easier. He also gave me a stronger antibiotic.DE137966-AA88-4E36-91DF-B69EA1CDFC7B.webpCF427226-AB5D-48EE-B8C1-7DC7A4B2177C.webp
 
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