Bite wounds...

[Wilbur&Otis]

I've just been at the vets with the boys as I was worried about them having cold symptoms yesterday. That all went fine thank goodness - vet listened to chest and it sounds fine - she's given me a short course of antibiotics to use if needed but they both seem better today anyway and are still eating well and active.

My nearest cavy savvy vet is an hour away. The boys traveled together in their beds in a big box but when I've got back and got them out there's blood on the side of the box and both boys have blood on them. Wilbur has blood behind his ear and otis on his shoulder - no blood behind their nails so must be a bite. I've used some damp cotton wool to clean them up a little but cant even tell if they're both injured or the blood is from one cut. I'm so upset. Poor little guys look traumatised and they'd been getting on well. I've let them both go back into their cage together to calm down and am watching like a hawk for any aggression.

Can anyone advise whats best to do in terms of treating the wounds? Is there a suitable antiseptic cream i could buy over the counter to put on the cut/s? Do bite wounds heal well by themselves? The bleeding had stopped by itself i didnt need styptic powder.

Feel so bad that they were stressed enough for this to happen. I was trying do my best for them by taking them to the cavy savvy vet but it's turned into an ordeal.

 

[Suzygpr]

It sounds as though the bites were through fear, possibly when the second pig was placed back in the carrier, the first thought the vet was going to get them again and bit in defence.

Superficial bite wounds usually heal very quickly, just a simple clean with some salt water (one teaspoon in a pint of boiled water) should be enough. As they are on antibiotics now anyway there is very little chance of a problem developing with the wounds.

Some quiet time with plenty of hay to munch should help them get over the journey and vet exam, I bet the were as shocked as you!

Suzy x

 

[Wilbur&Otis]

Today just gets worse! I popped out to buy supplies after phoning my vet for advice and my car broke down. grrrr

Thanks Suzy, the piggies seem to have made friends again and are munching on some green wheat forage together now - my boyfriend's gone to the supermarket to buy them their favourite veg by way of apology for their ordeal.

I'm going to bathe the wounds in salt water shortly once the veg arrives and my vet suggested arnica gel to reduce swelling / bruising. I've got antibiotics for Otis incase cold symptoms recur but she said his lungs were ok so i'm keen not to use them unless i need them as he seems fine today.

The annoying thing now is that all my family keep saying i shouldn't take them so far to the vet and to use one of the closer (non cavy savvy) ones. x