Guinea pigs with molar tooth root abcesses

[evictedpig]

Hello everyone!

One of my piggies has had two abcesses, we went to the vet and had them lanced and then they came back, so we went back to the vets like a week later and had an xray and surgical removal. One of them has not came back, and the other did. Both were molar abcesses, one on top went away, and bottom one has came back. The vet said nothing can be done and it is waiting until how long untill his welfare is not worth it and then he will have to cross the rainbow bridge. However, the vet I saw was not a specialist, she was only working towards becoming a certificate holder in exotic animal medicine. She did not do some things like marsupialization, she just cut it and let it heal just as.

I would like to know other people's experience with molar tooth root abcesses, and if anyone thinks I should see another vet. Unfortunatley, I am quite young and still live with my parents and they arent too willing to spend much more on his health because the dental xrays costed about 500 pound. I have a few hundred I can contribute but I am only a sixth form student so do not have much, and my parents will contribute a few more hundred. Maybe a budget of 600 more quid?

 

[Merab]

I suggest that you check the recommended vet list for a specialist vet near you.
They may have an exotic vet who has more experience.

 

[weepweeps]

Hello. I’m sorry your piggy is poorly. I do have some experience of tooth root abscesses. My piggy Pepper had one under his chin. It was his bottom incisor but it should be the same advice for a molar too.

Firstly the best thing to do would be to get it marsupialised (lanced and stitched open). It needs to heal from the inside out. They will also need a good amount of pain killers and also antibiotics. Zithromax is a very good one for abscesses. But it may knock out their appetite. Pepper had a six week course of it but it cleared it up.

Here is his thread if you’d like to have a read. There is a lot of info and help from members on there.

Dental? Pepper is off to the vets tomorrow

If the abscess is small it may be able to be cleared up with the long course of antibiotics. But I’m not sure. You’d have to check with your vet. Are you anywhere near Northampton? There is a very good vet there. The Cat and Rabbit.

Are they eating ok? How is their weight?

Good luck I hope they are feeling better soon.

 

[evictedpig]

We are based in the north west. I am going to sort out an appointment at the new urmston clinic that Molly Varga runs and see what she says, it seems as if even though the vet is was insistent that that was all that could be done, most people get the other things too like marsupialisation so I will seek a second opinion from her.

My piggy is acting normally and is at his stable weight, I am now weighing him twice daily due to concern. Hes still very cheeky and energetic, but the abcess is so large. He is on rheumocam (meloxicam 1.5mg/ml) 0.6ml twice a day and he takes it very easily

 

[weepweeps]

I’m pleased he’s doing well. It’s only necessary to weigh once a day in the morning. If you weigh more it just fluctuates more.

Good luck at the vets.

 

[Truffolo]

Good luck with the vet appointment

 

[Merab]

We are based in the north west. I am going to sort out an appointment at the new urmston clinic that Molly Varga runs and see what she says, it seems as if even though the vet is was insistent that that was all that could be done, most people get the other things too like marsupialisation so I will seek a second opinion from her.

My piggy is acting normally and is at his stable weight, I am now weighing him twice daily due to concern. Hes still very cheeky and energetic, but the abcess is so large. He is on rheumocam (meloxicam 1.5mg/ml) 0.6ml twice a day and he takes it very easily

Molly Varga is very good and is one of the best piggy vets.
She’s also very nice so you’ll be in good hands.
Hope it goes well

 

[BossHogg]

@evictedpig can you please respond to your personal message, it's the envelope at the top of the forum. Many thanks.

 

[evictedpig]

Hes just got back from the vets today! He had the abcess completely removed, hes on pain medicine and antibiotics, and hes clearly very happy to have it gone! The vets concluded that it isnt actually a tooth root abcess, and its been removed and we have a post op check booked! Most likely he will be fine but if it comes back he will be taken care of very well. Good news :-)