First experience with an abscess

[Piggiedad0825]

My wife and I have three beautiful boys. One week ago we took our fur son Loki in for a wellness check. The vet found a cut that we treated and is great now. This afternoon I noticed the left side of his mouth is swollen. All research leads to an abscess in his mouth. Have any of y'all dealt with this? How worried should I be (going back to the vet tomorrow)? I hate knowing he is in pain. He has already had a rough week. Please pray for Loki.

 

[Piggiedad0825]

Edit... please excuse the title autocorrect.

 

[Piggies&buns]

@furryfriends (TEAS) has dealt with many abscesses so can hopefully help you further with first hand experience.

If you are keeping three male guinea pigs together, then please be careful. Boar trios are highly unlikely to work out for the long term and almost always result in fights and fall outs. If your piggy is receiving cuts, then maybe it’s because things aren’t working out between them.

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

Please get an appointment with a guinea pig savvy vet asap. Abscesses around the jaw area, often originate from a tooth root, although it does sound like this may be a bite injury. It can often be difficult to remove the whole abscess capsule, when they occur in this area, although this may be possible. If not, then the abscess will be marsupialised (stitched open). This will enable you to flush out the abscess twice daily, as it will need to heal from the inside outwards. Your guinea pig will also need a good and strong antibiotic, such as Zithromax (azithromycin).

 

[Piggiedad0825]

Please get an appointment with a guinea pig savvy vet asap. Abscesses around the jaw area, often originate from a tooth root, although it does sound like this may be a bite injury. It can often be difficult to remove the whole abscess capsule, when they occur in this area, although this may be possible. If not, then the abscess will be marsupialised (stitched open). This will enable you to flush out the abscess twice daily, as it will need to heal from the inside outwards. Your guinea pig will also need a good and strong antibiotic, such as Zithromax (azithromycin).

We have a vet that is amazing. Took him in yesterday and got good news. He said it was infected but not abscessed yet. He said we caught it early and are treating it with antibiotics. We are going to monitor it closely. His mom and I were so proud of him. He took the antibiotic shot better then most humans do.

 

[Piggiedad0825]

@furryfriends (TEAS) has dealt with many abscesses so can hopefully help you further with first hand experience.

If you are keeping three male guinea pigs together, then please be careful. Boar trios are highly unlikely to work out for the long term and almost always result in fights and fall outs. If your piggy is receiving cuts, then maybe it’s because things aren’t working out between them.

He is with his brother that have been together for 1 1/2 years. The 3rd baby is in a separate cage. We will be taking him to a rescue soon that does make bonding. We want him to have a friend. First attempt failed after a week. The vet said the cut did not look like a bite. Said it looked like he got snagged by something sharp. Could have happened during floor time.

 

[Merab]

Well done picking up the problem quickly and getting to a vet.
Sounds as if there’s a good chance of speedy recovery with the meds

 

[Piggiedad0825]

Well done picking up the problem quickly and getting to a vet.
Sounds as if there’s a good chance of speedy recovery with the meds

Thank you! Our boys are our everything. We will always make sure they have the best life and care possible.