Abscess/tooth extraction

[Sarah1515]

Hello everyone.

My 2 year old boy is currently dealing with an abscess in his chin. When I took him in a week ago, our vet was able to drain it as the pus was quite watery.
She prescribed antibiotics, and sent me home with saline to flush the tiny incision around 3 or 4 times a day.

Today we have been back. The abscess itself has reduced in size, it is now about pea sized.
Our vet was examining it, and only by luck when she squeezed it, some pus came out. However it was thicker that it was a week ago. She went off to give it a flush, and although no more pus came out, she said that doesn’t mean there isn’t any thicker pus hanging about in the cavity.

So - the next stage may be the procedure to open up to abscess and stitch open.
However, dues to its location, she said there is a chance that it could be a tooth root/dental issue that has caused the abscess. They can’t confirm this though without an xray.

We would need to be referred to another practice which has more dealing of this nature, which is no problem.

I just wonder if anyone has had a similar experience, and could share a rough idea of cost, and how their piggy responded to the procedure.

I am currently continuing on with his antibiotics until we hear from the other clinic with their coatings and availability.

Thank you so much for any advice

 

[weepweeps]

Hi. What happens is that the antibiotics kill the bacteria and it makes the abscess thicker. It’s dead cells and bacteria. So a good thing.

I’ve had a piggy with a tooth root abscess. It’s likely that your piggy has a root abscess (but not 100%).

Peppers was stitched open to drain. His was 4cm in diameter. So a very large one. 20ml of fluid was drained at his vet appointment. He did NOT have an X-ray or ultrasound. My vet referred me to an exotics vet and they were going to charge me over £1,000 for an initial consultation and ultrasound. I could not afford this so drove 2 hours to the Cat and Rabbit Clinic in Northampton. They are amazing piggy vets. If there is any way you can get there please go.

At his appointment there, they drained it, stitched it open, prescribed pain killers and Zithromax antibiotics (6 week course). This is a very good antibiotic for abscesses. Baytril that was prescribed by my usual vet had not helped at all. Unfortunately this antibiotic did stop Peppers appetite and I did have to syringe feed him for 8 weeks in total. Hopefully this won’t happen to your piggy bit it could. This all cost about £500.

Also he did not have to have a tooth removed. It did fall out itself a few weeks later. Then regrew, then fell out again. It was an incisor and didn’t cause him any trouble. Good luck.

Here is his thread if you’d like a read. It’s quite long but there is lots of advice from people on here

Dental? Pepper is off to the vets tomorrow

 

[Sarah1515]

Thank you for your reply.
So you are saying that the bit of gunk that came out yesterday could be from the antibiotic? My vet was sure it was thicker pus.
She has updated me with a reply from the exotic vets, and they have said to see how we go with carrying on with flushing for now.
I haven’t spoken on the phone, but I’m wondering if it is because the abscess has shrunk from its initial size.
It’s so stressful! Xx

 

[weepweeps]

That was how it was explained by my vet. But obviously your vet saw it so go with their advice. Yes it’s so stressful when they are poorly. Good luck. You’re are doing great.

 

[Sarah1515]

So my boy has an appointment with an exotic vet on Friday. They will assess him and potentially do an xray and assess him with a scope to really check the area.
I’m pleased he will get a good check over and that he will be in good hands, but the worry hasn’t stopped! Think I’m just so desperate for some clarity on how he’s doing and if there is any more that we need to do in terms of procedures and/or medication.

I’m sat with him now as I’ve just fed them, he’s been chomping away at his salad, and he’s just gone off into his hay box and is rummaging around in there. I’m hoping that is a good sign as he’s been eating normally (at least as far as I can tell) right from me noticing the lump xx

 

[weepweeps]

Good luck at the vets. I’d weigh him daily at the same time in the morning just to make sure he’s eating enough.