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Abscess Surgery - Specialist Needed In/near Southampton Uk?

Fluffbabies

Fluffbabies

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi everyone,

My Ginger (8 months old) has had an abscess under her chin/on her neck for 5 weeks. My first visit to the vet I was advised to see if it goes by itself and if not come back in 2 weeks. I went back in 3 weeks as I couldn't get an appointment and in that time it had gone from the size of a grape to size of a golf ball and back a bit smaller again. This time the vet gave me 2 weeks of antibiotics to give her and told me to go back if it wasn't gone.

It's 2 weeks later and it hasn't gone. It has shrunk to about a peanut/small grape size but now there is another one the same size further down her neck too :'( So I took her to a different vet today who was recommended to me by someone who had had their guinea pig's abscess operated on by him. He said I have two options 1) have it operated on but he wouldn't remove the whole things because of where they are but leave them open so I can flush them. 2) leave them because of the risks of anaesthetic. Both options have risk. She is perfectly happy in herself and it hasn't stopped her eating, drinking or popcorning/running around although she doesn't like us touching her near it. However, because there is now a second one he said it's possible she's got a foreign body in there that's making its way down or the infection is spreading.

We're uncertain what to do because we don't want to put her through all the risks and invasion of surgery when she's perfectly happy in herself but we don't want it to spread or burst making her very ill and possibly life threatening.

This vet said he didn't believe antibiotics would have any affect on an abscess which I didn't understand at all!

Does anyone know a good guinea pig specialist who has successfully operated on abscesses in the Southampton area? Or Hampshire area I'm willing to travel to get her the best chances! I can't believe this as she's so young :(
 
Anton Vets
John Chitty
Units 11-12
Anton Mill Road
Andover, Hampshire SP10 2NJ
01264 729165
 
Grove lodge Vets 24 hr Hospital
Laurel Bowker
18 Upper Brighton Road
Worthing, West Sussex BN14 9DL
01903 234 866
 
Are two closest recommended vets to you. Will ask around also
 
I've seen John Chitty Anton Vets mentioned around the forums so I'm hopeful with going to him. I've also seen Simon Maddock in Northampton recommended a lot as a very experienced vet for guinea pigs. Northampton's a 2.5 hour drive for us but if Ginger would be okay with that long a car journey (I've read guinea pigs can be fine for 3 hour trips?) then I'd be willing to take her up there for it. As she's only 8 months old I want to give her the best chance money permitting.
 
How you treat the abscesses depends generally on how deep they are seated. If they are close to the skin, they are marsupialised (stitched open) and are treated with a strong antibiotic and regular twice daily flushing with a mild disinfectant to make sure that the abscess can heal from the inside out. The problem is to keep the abscess opening open for as long as possible to allow all the infection to come out and to let the abscess heal from the inside out. From my own experience with my fast healer Hywel and his repeated jaw abscess, this can be a rather tricky!
Simon Maddock uses zithromax or in very persistent cases a combination of zithromax and marbocyl as antibiotics to get on top of the abscesses.
What you can feel from the first abscess is likely the hard shell of it now that is has drained.

The other way of getting on top of a usually deep seated persistent abscess is by operating it out completely without it opening. This then just requires the usual post-op care. This is more common with neutering post-op abcesses, which are usually more deeply seated than abscesses in the face or neck.

If you can travel as far as Northampton, this may be good as Simon has got plenty of experience with abscesses in the wake of dental issues and is experienced in dealing with them. Guinea pig can travel that far. I have just adopted Gareth from Sheffield and Beryn all the way from Colwyn Bay in North Wales by train. Beryn's trip took over 3 hours. I have travelled similar distances repeatedly with piggies aged between 7 weeks and 9 years old to either adopt them or help getting them into a rescue.
Here are our travelling tips: Travelling with guinea pigs

@furryfriends (TEAS) who runs a sanctuary for guinea pigs with chronic dental issues in Northampton (and is the reason why Simon Maddock is so experienced in that area) is our most experienced member with abscess care.
 
Thanks that's very informative. I've just rung Anton Vets and they told me instead of their first consultation price of £31 because it's already been looked at by another vet it would be a second opinion consultation and will cost £103! Even though it's a guinea pig. To be honest I just started crying down the phone. The other vets haven't even said/done much so to charge more than 3x the amount to talk to them is a lot! I was quoted about £150 for the entire operation by the other two but they didn't seem confident to do it so I'd rather take her to a good vet but I dread to think of the cost of it all if he's going to charge me over £100 just to look at it!

Maybe I should phone Simon Maddock and see how much he would be?

I'm just shocked how much money they want just to look at her. :'( Money's a struggle as it is and they said they couldn't even give a ball park estimate on the cost of surgery without looking at her. But if it's going to be £400+ we probably can't even afford to have it done. We did budget for vets bills but they've already had to go to the vet several times and they're only 8 months old we didn't expect all this so soon.
 
Fluffbabies said:
Thanks that's very informative. I've just rung Anton Vets and they told me instead of their first consultation price of £31 because it's already been looked at by another vet it would be a second opinion consultation and will cost £103! Even though it's a guinea pig. To be honest I just started crying down the phone. The other vets haven't even said/done much so to charge more than 3x the amount to talk to them is a lot! I was quoted about £150 for the entire operation by the other two but they didn't seem confident to do it so I'd rather take her to a good vet but I dread to think of the cost of it all if he's going to charge me over £100 just to look at it!

Maybe I should phone Simon Maddock and see how much he would be?

I'm just shocked how much money they want just to look at her. :'( Money's a struggle as it is and they said they couldn't even give a ball park estimate on the cost of surgery without looking at her. But if it's going to be £400+ we probably can't even afford to have it done. We did budget for vets bills but they've already had to go to the vet several times and they're only 8 months old we didn't expect all this so soon.
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I Would strongly recommend you see Simon.I take my pigs there and one of them had an abscess and both Simon and his wife Kim are brilliant.I think it's £29.99 for a consultation regardless of whether you've already seen another vet x
 
Simon's clinic just fetches a standard fee for consultations. The whole cost of dealing with the abscesses depends on how long/how tricky it is to deal with, plus meds prescribed. It can come to between £100-200 (including consultation and medication) in my own experience with my piggies, but you get value for your money.
 
It's a good 2.5 hour drive from Southampton will have to plan a proper road trip! Do you know if we're going ahead with the operation if Ginger could stay with them? Actually that would probably be a lot more than making a second trip up there later
 
It sounds as though the vet you have been seeing does not have a lot of experience with abscessed in guinea pigs. Abscesses in guinea pigs do not generally clear just with antibiotics, because guinea pigs form very thick, clumpy pus. Basically it is very hard for the body to clear that thick pus away. Throwing antibiotics at an abscess may help with a cat or dog (who have far more watery pus), but it typically will not help with a guinea pig.

As others have said, the typical treatment of abscess with guinea pigs is to lance, drain, and leave open for more aftercare, along with antibiotics. In some cases, an abscess can be removed totally along with the capsule and the area be stitched shut. I've had guinea pigs have both of these procedures done with success.

Prices are going to vary by the vet (being in Canada, I can't even give a ballpark for usual prices in the UK.) Price depends on their own pricing system, compounded by how quick/simple or long/complex the surgery itself is. It is better to have surgery done by a vet familiar with guinea pigs who knows the safest means of anesthetizing them and has the most experience with their specific problems.

Best wishes and I wish I had something more to tell you! Abscesses are terrible!
 
Okay I've made an appointment to see Simon Monday morning. I think he's viewed as one of the best in the country as I've been told people take their guinea pigs to see him as far away as from Scotland! I'd rather just take her to the best instead of keep paying for these vets to give me very little information.

I'm not sure if it's related to her teeth but it'd be great for them to be checked out as she does drink from her water bottle funny although she'll eat anything so maybe she's just got a weird style of drinking. And the last vet didn't even look in her mouth! He just squeezed more creamy stuff out of her lump and didn't even try the second lump with a needle because it might not work -_-

But sounds like Simon has a lot of abscess experience so I'm feeling relieved. Need to stop my crying now and look after myself this evening. My boyfriend's also been in tears because we're not sure if we should put her through the operation as we don't want to risk losing her when she doesn't seem bothered by it if she can live happily with it. But as she's only 8 months that's a long time to hope it doesn't get any worse especially now there's a second one so it might already be spreading. If we get Simon to do it I believe she has the best chance of making it through an operation and we'll do our best with the post-op care. Our piggies are like our babies! I'm just as upset about Ginger as I have been with any of my dogs, cats or other furries being ill !

Thanks for all the help and kind words everyone! This forum is a real blessing for worried piggy owners.
 
Simon has removed several abscesses successfully from my pigs, one if them was just 7 months old. He removed the whole capsule so no flushing was necessary with mine I think he does try to do that if possible. He normally operates over lunch so you would need a morning appointment then you would be able to take her home from 5 or 6 pm.
 
Ooh that would be good if he could! I'm glad to hear from someone else who has had their piggies' abscesses removed from Simon specifically. It's really good to know that a vet has done it successfully many times before!

I'm sorry your young piggy had an abscess too. It really is new to me that they can have this happen so young! I also had to have all three of them treated for early stage bumblefoot when they were very young. (If that's what it was because I'm doubting that vet now! Although he's thought of as a very good pig vet down here.. hmm) Their feet were rough and growing little rough bits (I thought they looked like spur type growths) But they had me massaging stuff into their feet much to their dismay.. I did tell them during their resistance foot massages are supposed to be relaxing! Luckily their feet are fine now I swapped from shavings to fleece very quickly and they love it :)
 
I would recommend Simon (and his wife Kim) any day. My Tim had an abscess behind his eye and he would not be here without him. We are now 2 years down the line too.
 
Fluffbabies said:
Ooh that would be good if he could! I'm glad to hear from someone else who has had their piggies' abscesses removed from Simon specifically. It's really good to know that a vet has done it successfully many times before!

I'm sorry your young piggy had an abscess too. It really is new to me that they can have this happen so young! I also had to have all three of them treated for early stage bumblefoot when they were very young. (If that's what it was because I'm doubting that vet now! Although he's thought of as a very good pig vet down here.. hmm) Their feet were rough and growing little rough bits (I thought they looked like spur type growths) But they had me massaging stuff into their feet much to their dismay.. I did tell them during their resistance foot massages are supposed to be relaxing! Luckily their feet are fine now I swapped from shavings to fleece very quickly and they love it :)
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If you can get a morning appointment for the pre-treatment consultation, you will hopefully be able to take her and her mate back home in the evening - even if you come home fairly late! I would speak to the receptionist if you need to change the appointment. The Cat&Rabbit encourages you to bring companions as it is a lot less stressful for the piggies if they can stay together.

Hub and I have occasionally made it a day out in Northampton or the surrounding area during the op wait with our own piggies... Make sure that you get a solid meal into yourself while you are there! ;)

Simon will use the appropriate method depending on the size and seat of your abscess. He or his wife Kim (who is also a brilliant vet) will have a good look at the teeth and face to see what is causing the problem with the abscesses; they are very keen to treat the root of the problems. A standard consultation usually takes 20 minutes (a double slot), but it means that they take the time to really look at the issue before making any decisions as to the best way forward. You will be in the safest hands possible in that respect.

My Hywel would not have had the last year of his life without Simon and 5 1/2 years as a very happy husboar of a large group of sows without Kim after the local rescue's neutering op vets gave up on him and his rare post-op complications. The two have saved/prolonged the life of several often frail piggies of mine over the years (Hywel (neutering op complications in 2011, recurring dental root/jaw abscess which my local vets could not deal with during Simon's holiday absence), Cariad (stones/emergency spay), Ceri (massive rabbit sized bladder stone with Ceri down to 540g during the op), Iola (large ovarian cyst spay), Tesni (infected cyst removal at 6 years old).
 
Mine is 11.40am on Monday. They had 10.40am but I work 'til 11pm the day before and wanted to get some sleep before the big day but do you think I should ring back, move it forward and ask if they'll have time to do the operation while I'm there for the day?

I have 3 guinea pigs... if they suggest taking companions I expect I should take all three together or one will be left home by itself all day which will probably upset her a lot. I don't have a big box for them to travel in though. I only have the standard cardboard ones you get from Pets At Home because I haven't found a good quality pet carrier big enough for all three to be comfortable without big holes for them to potentially get their heads stuck in. I don't think they'd like all the travelling in the small box unless they're just going to snuggle up together.

Any suggestions for a good 3 pig carrier?

Here's my babies for some cuteness :) No prices for guessing who's Ginger ;) The middle one is Leia and the long haired is Oreo.

orca-image-1501254785870.jpg_1501254786347.webp
 
Fluffbabies said:
Mine is 11.40am on Monday. They had 10.40am but I work 'til 11pm the day before and wanted to get some sleep before the big day but do you think I should ring back, move it forward and ask if they'll have time to do the operation while I'm there for the day?

I have 3 guinea pigs... if they suggest taking companions I expect I should take all three together or one will be left home by itself all day which will probably upset her a lot. I don't have a big box for them to travel in though. I only have the standard cardboard ones you get from Pets At Home because I haven't found a good quality pet carrier big enough for all three to be comfortable without big holes for them to potentially get their heads stuck in. I don't think they'd like all the travelling in the small box unless they're just going to snuggle up together.

Any suggestions for a good 3 pig carrier?

Here's my babies for some cuteness :) No prices for guessing who's Ginger ;) The middle one is Leia and the long haired is Oreo.

View attachment 71727
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That apppointment should be OK, but it may worth confirming considering the distance, which you better mention! ;)

Your little girl is gorgeous!
 
It's all fine I gave them a quick ring and they are aware I'm travelling from Southampton. They said it's fine as they don't start the treatments 'til 12pm anyway.

Thanks Wiebke ^_^ They're our beautiful three. They came together from Pets At Home rehoming section at 5-6 weeks old and they're such a close little family. Ginger's top piggy, Leia's the most shy but getting braver all the time and Oreo's the real greedy foodie.
 
Aww they are lovely. I hope the op goes well for Ginger on monday.
 
I don't suppose there's anyone or any reasons for leaving the abscesses as they are and avoiding surgery? We weren't keen on the idea before but as she's got two now it seems like it's likely to spread or cause trouble. It's just that there is that risk there and we'd be devastated as would the other two fluffies. But I'm guessing the odds are in her favour as she's generally healthy and happy and we're taking her to one of the best vets
 
I'm not entirely sure what would happen if an abscess isn't treated, presumably if they are filled with pus there is a risk of it entering the bloodstream maybe? Ginger is gorgeous, I have a soft spot for Abys as you can see <<<<<< :) My Aby had an abscess removed from under her chin by Simon, it was encapsulated so he removed it all in one go, it was very close to her jugular though & was getting bigger, really quickly :( Simon did such a fab job, I am sure there is a photo on here somewhere, my girl's scar was barely noticeable, Simon is a very neat stitcher :)
 
Fluffbabies said:
I don't suppose there's anyone or any reasons for leaving the abscesses as they are and avoiding surgery? We weren't keen on the idea before but as she's got two now it seems like it's likely to spread or cause trouble. It's just that there is that risk there and we'd be devastated as would the other two fluffies. But I'm guessing the odds are in her favour as she's generally healthy and happy and we're taking her to one of the best vets
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You can't leave abscesses, as they will continue to fill with pus, spread, damage any bone they come into contact with and the poisons will enter the blood stream and will kill your piggy. Benji, who we sadly lost a few months ago, had an abscess that wasn't dealt with appropriately initially, and it did a huge amount of damage. You can read about Benji here Benji - Forum Sponsor Piggy - Teas.

If you get this dealt with properly, then it should be sorted permanently and won't cause any further damage. Here at TEAS, we have had numerous piggies operated on by Simon Maddock, all with excellent results. They come round quickly and are eating well, straight after surgery.
 
Fluffbabies said:
Any suggestions for a good 3 pig carrier?
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I have an old cat basket given to me by my neighbour that you can borrow if you like. I have only had 2 piggies in it but it will hold up to 3. I live in Southampton too. Below is a picture of it.
IMG_3268.webp

I have 2 old pee pads lining the base (recently cleaned) and I put about 6" of hay on top of the pee pads. Then the pigs on top. My piggies love to burrow under the hay. I always put cucumber and pepper in for them to nibble on as this keeps them hydrated as a water bottle just drips and empties itself with the joggling motion of the car.

If you would like to borrow it pm me and I will let you know my address.
 
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