Does poor Jezebel's nose bite need the vet?

[PigglePuggle]

Poor fluffy Jezebel got a nose bite over the weekend when we introduced little Theo and there was total piggy chaos... it didnt look too bad at the time but today she's a bit quiet and I think she's been scratching at the bite and made it worse? Is it time to consult the vet? Should I try bathe it with something or would that just upset her? The scab is much bigger than the original bite and her nose looks a bit swollen today... typically its a bank holiday! Should I phone the vet tomorrow? I could get the emergency vet today but she's still eating and alert, just a bit quiet... with such a poor sore nose! Nobody is bullying her, I think she just deflected little Theo's boarly advances and got nipped... I'm probably more upset than she is, but her pretty fluffy face looks so sad...

 

[Claire W]

Aw bless her. I would see a vet tomorrow if I was you as she may require antibiotics to prevent infection.

In the meantime, you can bathe it with a saline solution. Mix 1 teaspoon of salt with 1 pint of cool boiled water from the kettle

 

[Merab]

Have you got any Hibiscrub in?
Poor girl.
Hope it heals quickly for her but I would see a vet for that one.

 

[PigglePuggle]

I'll make some saline and phone the vet first thing tomorrow. It looked quite minor at the time but she has been hiding all day and when we got her out it looked a bit sore... I've seen her scratching at it and not been sure if I should try clean it up a bit or whether that would upset her getting a nose full of salt water!

 

[PigglePuggle]

Not got any hibiscrub but I'm definitely going to order some just in case this happens again! I have a similar disinfectant wash my mum uses on her leg ulcers but not sure I'd try it on a piggy without the vet saying its ok... saline bathing, extra coriander and carrot treats, and call the vet first thing tomorrow I think. Thanks everyone, its really nice to get extra opinions on stuff like this

 

[PigglePuggle]

Saline worked quite well except she tried eat the saline soaked tissues and is happily licking saline solution off her paws!

 

[Posyrose]

Bless her

Hope it gets better overnight.

 

[Betsy]

Ouch that looks saw poor Jezebel! Pleased she didn't mind the saline and that she likes the taste!

 

[PigglePuggle]

Having a saline flavoured face has made her a very popular piggy, she's getting her face licked a lot and has cheered up quite a bit. Think that big scab was quite itchy and annoying, but she let me bathe it all off and I cant see any obvious infection- I'll still phone the vet first thing tomorrow though to make sure!

 

[Betsy]

That's good to hear. Is Theo part of the licking crew? It'll help the bond between them.

 

[PigglePuggle]

Theo tried a bit of face licking but she was quite scared, so Theo has been strategically removed for cuddles while Jezebel has her dinner in peace because he has stealing her cucumbers and putting his willy in her pellets and rumble strutting her into a corner... poor floofy pants doesnt seem quite as socially adaptable as the other piggies, they've all put Theo in his place and chased him about today but Jezebel is such a sedate and ethereal creature she's not too sure about it all... she keeps hiding and shivering out of all proportion to what Theo is actually doing! She was the same when she first met Piggle though and now they are great friends so hopefully given a bit of time and a bigger cage she will get used to Theo (if he puts his willy away).

 

[Flutterby]

Bless her, sending healing vibes x

 

[PigglePuggle]

Thank you! I feel so bad that I put a naughty nose biting boy in her cage and she's scared... but the other girls have adapted quite well so hopefully it will just take some time. Once I get my hay wing extension on wednesday or thursday and add a man loft I think Theo will be much less trouble because Jezebel prefers the far end of the fleecy wing...

 

[Posyrose]

putting his willy in her pellets and rumble strutting her into a corner.

Oh Theo; put your bits away and let the girls have access to unadulterated nuggets

Boys will be boys!

 

[PigglePuggle]

Jezebel is a much happier floofy pants this morning, her nose bite looks nice and clean and there's no swelling, and she's decided she isnt scared of Theo any more- she's been following him round tipping over every hidey house he goes in like a big fluffy bulldozer, and now she's taken up residence in the haycube which is usually reserved for whoever is being the boss piggy

 

[VickiA]

These things usually settle down once the young bachelor realises he doesn’t need to wave his bits around constantly. Glad to hear that Jezebel is feeling more confident and her nose is looking better.