First Aid For Infected Bite?

[Liv]

Hi All,
My dominant boar Puck has been heavily bullying my other boy Bhalu lately. I just had Bhalu on my lap to give him a break from harrassment by Puck and I was devastated to find two bite marks on him. One crust on his rump and another on his ear. The ear crust worries me because the ear feels a bit hot and swollen under the crust, which makes me think it's infected. This ear is black so I only noticed it because I felt it. I obviously can't see a vet until Monday so what can I offer for first aid? I have an antiseptic cream for humans containing allantoin and cetrimide - would this be safe? Is there anything else I can pick up from the store quickly to prevent the infection from getting worse? Please help.

P.s.: the boys have been separated and Puck is trying to tear down the dividing bars with his teeth...

 

[Lady Kelly]

Oh no! I have no idea what's safe to use on guinea pigs. Tagging @Wiebke and @helen105281 as they might have a better idea.

Do you have any metacam/loxicom left over from any other incidents/illnesses that you can give? Pain relief but also it's an anti inflammatory so might help with any inflammation on the ear

 

[Liv]

Oh no! I have no idea what's safe to use on guinea pigs. Tagging @Wiebke and @helen105281 as they might have a better idea.

Do you have any metacam/loxicom left over from any other incidents/illnesses that you can give? Pain relief but also it's an anti inflammatory so might help with any inflammation on the ear

I don't have any metacam. I'm guessing it's prescription only?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! Can you please have your boy checked at this clinic tomorrow? They have weekend cover; during day time hours you are not paying a lot extra for a consultation.The problem doesn't sound like an absolute emergency, just something you don't want to wait until Monday for.

I use the Coventry branch for emergencies with my own piggies and have made good experiences. I am paying £8 supplement for a weekend daytime consultation.
Emergency Out Of Hours Veterinary Clinic, Edinburgh | Vets Now

 

[Lady Kelly]

I don't have any metacam. I'm guessing it's prescription only?

Yes it is prescription only. I think Where's suggestion would be best

 

[VickiA]

I agree that you need to have your piggy seen by a vet before Monday as it does sound infected. Wiebke's suggested practice is a great recommendation. Vets now is a chain and they have access to exotics vets for advice. Please let us know how you get on.

 

[Wiebke]

Please have a read through this very detailed guide to figure out whether the bond between your two boars is still viable or not: Boars: Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

 

[Liv]

I called Vets Now and they said they could see him tonight but said it would cost £99 just for the consultation. *gulp* They suggested bathing it in saline (which I have done). It's really not obvious, just a small swelling under a tiny crust, and he is behaving normally. I will check it first thing tomorrow morning. If it's worse, I will cough up the extortionate Vets Now fee and eat stale bread for a month, otherwise I will take him to a standard vet on Monday. Are there really no antiseptic creams that can be safely used on piggies?

@Wiebke, I've read the boars article many times because of my boys' complicated love-hate relationship. They don't like being apart but when they're together, Puck is sometimes so vicious. Sigh. But tonight was the final straw. I think I will have to get them castrated. I think Bhalu would be a lot happier with lady pigs.

 

[Wiebke]

I called Vets Now and they said they could see him tonight but said it would cost £99 just for the consultation. *gulp* They suggested bathing it in saline (which I have done). It's really not obvious, just a small swelling under a tiny crust, and he is behaving normally. I will check it first thing tomorrow morning. If it's worse, I will cough up the extortionate Vets Now fee and eat stale bread for a month, otherwise I will take him to a standard vet on Monday. Are there really no antiseptic creams that can be safely used on piggies?

@Wiebke, I've read the boars article many times because of my boys' complicated love-hate relationship. They don't like being apart but when they're together, Puck is sometimes so vicious. Sigh. But tonight was the final straw. I think I will have to get them castrated. I think Bhalu would be a lot happier with lady pigs.

Did they say how much it is going to cost tomorrow during regular daytime consultation hours as I have suggested in my previous post? Just try again tomorrow morning after 9 am and see what they say then.

Overnight fees are extortionate; but your piggy doesn't need to be seen as a life or death emergency.

Not easy when you have a pair of boys that cannot live apart and cannot live together. Just be aware that any hormones take a few weeks to settle down... as my little Nye is currently proving! And neutering doesn't do anything for personality clashes.

 

[Liv]

I asked how much it would cost during the day tomorrow but she didn't tell me! She said, "well, we could see him tonight..." Haha
Will try again tomorrow. Maybe they'll suggest I come tomorrow night.
My sweet gentle Bhalu is now fast asleep squished against the dividing cage bars. Puck is lying right on the other side and they were nuzzling each other across the bars. See what I mean? Such a weird relationship they have...

 

[Wiebke]

I asked how much it would cost during the day tomorrow but she didn't tell me! She said, "well, we could see him tonight..." Haha
Will try again tomorrow. Maybe they'll suggest I come tomorrow night.
My sweet gentle Bhalu is now fast asleep squished against the dividing cage bars. Puck is lying right on the other side and they were nuzzling each other across the bars. See what I mean? Such a weird relationship they have...

All the best for tomorrow and for your boys!

 

[Liv]

All the best for tomorrow and for your boys!

Thanks, Wiebke!