Large Abscess On Left Hind Leg - Please Help!

[hellonasty1982]

Hi Everyone,

I'm reaching out to ANYONE with experience in treating abscesses. My wife and I adopted a 2 month old guinea pig, Tarly (he was put out with the garbage by his previous owners when we found him and took him in). We already have a 5 year old female pig, Boom Boom, so we have experience in looking after/caring for pigs. When we found Tarly, he was in good health, no issues what so ever. We've also been keeping Boom Boom and Tarly separate on the account that Boom Boom is female and Tarly is male. My wife and I went on a week long vacation, while my mother in law was caring for the pigs. We got a message from my mother in law that Tarly's left hind leg was swelling and he was favouring it, not putting any weight on when he walks. By the time we got back, Tarly's leg had swelled up considerably. It's hard to the touch and when we apply pressure, he wheeks.

We immediately took him to the vet for medical attention. It's important to note that we live in Shenzhen, China. Besides dogs and cats, vets here don't have much experience treating exotic pets. We took x-rays, no broken bones causing infection as initially thought (I also have photos but not sure how to post to the thread). The vet lanced Tarly's affected outer thigh area and a sh*t load of pus oozed out. The vet continued to squeeze the pus out and flush. Since then his inner thigh is still very swollen, also hard to the touch. He used a needle to "pop" the abscess on Tarly's inner thigh, but only some blood came out (from the swelling, I do think that there's more pus that could be flushed, but that's just my guess). The vet chose not to proceed with lancing for fear of further complications. I don't see any vital organs that could be impacted (again, not a vet, just based on what I can see from the x-rays).

Tarly's been home for 2 days now, we've been flushing and draining Tarly's outer thigh. Have literally watched every abscess flushing video on YouTube and read all kinds of articles and forums on related subject matter. We've been using saline and a diluted Betadine solution to wash and disinfect. There doesn't seem to be much pus left. We also ordered Bactrim, just waiting for it to arrive so we can give to Tarly. We figured out the dosage using a antibotic calculator on another site. His appetite has been unaffected as he's been eating his food as usual. He is however starting to favour his front left paw. He can use it to clean his face and scratch himself, but doesn't put any weight on it. Is it possible that the infection is spreading? We are really desperate. I want to cure Tarly and I obviously don't have the experience to treat him myself (nor does the vet). I don't want to put him down or amputate his leg. Again, we are hard pressed in finding a qualified vet that can treat guinea pigs. We don't know what else to do so I'd appreciate ANY advice anyone can offer. Thanks in advance for your help.

Regards,
Terrence.

 

[VickiA]

It’s quite early in the morning for a Sunday here in the UK. I’m sure one of our health and illness advisors will come along soon. Sorry I don’t have much experience of abscesses.

 

[DM030819]

You're doing right with the flushing.

It could be an spreading infection so you need to get the antibiotics into him as soon as possible. Your vet should be able to get access to them quicker. They should also be able to give your pain relief for him. The common one here in the UK is Metacam. I'm sure your vet could find out the equivalent name of it for you.

@furryfriends (TEAS) You have way more experience in abscesses than I do. Do you have any ideas on how to deal with this, without access to a good vet? Or what to ask the vet to do?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome!

Please make sure that you keep the abscess open as long as possible (ideally up to two weeks). Abscesses heal from the inside out, so every bit of infection needs to come out or it will flare up again in a few weeks. You need to peel the scab on the opening off if necessary. It is not pleasant, but very important. Your guinea pig will forgive you again once its abscess is healed! The longer you can keep going with the flushing, the better!

You need ideally a strong antibiotic to get on top of the infection.
Here are lists of antibiotics that are safe to use in guinea pigs and medications that are unsafe. Can your vet prescribe an antibiotic based on that? The sooner, the better! Please note that any penicillin brand is lethal for all rodent species!
Guinea pigs have a much faster metabolism, so your vet has to double the dosage that he would give to a cat of the same weight. In guinea pigs, you ideally give half of the daily dosage in the morning and the other half in the evening.
Safe medications for guinea pigs: Guinea Lynx :: Medications
Dangerous medications: Guinea Lynx :: Dangerous Medications

It would also be good if your vet prescribed an analgesic (painkiller and anti-inflammatory) like meloxicam - it is on the list of safe medications, so your vet should be able to work out a brand that is available in China as it is being commonly used for both cats and dogs. Because of the fast metabolism in guinea pigs, it is usually the dog strength meloxicam that is given to guinea pigs, simply because you only have to give a third of the same amount and not nearly a syringe full every time.
You can give up to 0.25 ml of dog meloxicam safely every 12 hours if your guinea pig is in major discomfort.

Could you please add your country to your details, so we can always automatically switch our advice to using active ingredients instead of UK brand names for medications and work out recommendations that a vet with only access to dog and cat medications can safely implement.
Please click on your username on the top bar, go to personal details and right down to location. this makes it appear with every post of yours and makes our job a lot easier. Thank you!

 

[DM030819]

They are in China @Wiebke

 

[Wiebke]

They are in China @Wiebke

Yes, I know that is why I have added the links and have given detailed advice.

However, for ongoing support it is helpful if the location is displayed on the left under the username. I switch between lots of different threads in the Care section in a day, never mind over a number of days, so I can easily lose track of which thread is which when it gets busy. Being able to re-check the origin allows me to make sure that I can formulate any advice according to the vet access the poster has, so they (and their vets) can provide the best medical care available to them.
We ask our members to keep all updates on an ongoing health problem to the same thread so we can check what we have recommended before and do not give controdictory or confusing advice.

 

[DM030819]

Ok

 

[hellonasty1982]

Yes, I know that is why I have added the links and have given detailed advice.

However, for ongoing support it is helpful if the location is displayed on the left under the username. I switch between lots of different threads in the Care section in a day, never mind over a number of days, so I can easily lose track of which thread is which when it gets busy. Being able to re-check the origin allows me to make sure that I can formulate any advice according to the vet access the poster has, so they (and their vets) can provide the best medical care available to them.
We ask our members to keep all updates on an ongoing health problem to the same thread so we can check what we have recommended before and do not give controdictory or confusing advice.

Hi Jaycey/Wiebeke/VickiA,

Thank you for the advice. The Bactrim arrived today, but it's in pill form I had asked our vet previously for Bactrim and he doesn't have any (in pill or liquid form). Each pill is 25mg. I tried calculating the dosage on Guinea Lynx, but I am unsure as to how the dosage can be correctly calculated because it isn't liquid form.

Dose in cc - I have no idea on this. Any advice?
Weight in kg - Tarly weighs 0.4KG (400g)
Concentration in mg/ml - Each pill is 25mg

The only option I see here is to break the pill up into pieces and crush it into a powder and mix with water. The use a syringe to administer. I have no way of accurately calculating how small each piece would need to be in order to administer the correct dosage. Tarly also has his left front paw balled up. Again, vets in China have 0 expertise treating guinea pigs. Is lancing the other side (inner thigh) to flush an option at this point?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi Jaycey/Wiebeke/VickiA,

Thank you for the advice. The Bactrim arrived today, but it's in pill form I had asked our vet previously for Bactrim and he doesn't have any (in pill or liquid form). Each pill is 25mg. I tried calculating the dosage on Guinea Lynx, but I am unsure as to how the dosage can be correctly calculated because it isn't liquid form.

Dose in cc - I have no idea on this. Any advice?
Weight in kg - Tarly weighs 0.4KG (400g)
Concentration in mg/ml - Each pill is 25mg

The only option I see here is to break the pill up into pieces and crush it into a powder and mix with water. The use a syringe to administer. I have no way of accurately calculating how small each piece would need to be in order to administer the correct dosage. Tarly also has his left front paw balled up. Again, vets in China have 0 expertise treating guinea pigs. Is lancing the other side (inner thigh) to flush an option at this point?

Going on the assumption that the 25 mg is the active ingredients, according to Guinea Lynx 30 mg is the daily dosage for a guinea pig that is one kilo. This means that you can give safely half a tablet daily to your guinea pig, ideally in two lots 12 hours apart.
Guinea Lynx :: Antibiotics

Please crush the tablets and mix with an amount of water that is divisible by four (either 2 ml or 4 ml); ideally you use a little plastic medicine bottle for this. Keep the mix in the fridge and shake thoroughly before use. Give one quarter of the mix every 12 hours. You have to repeat this every two days; do not make up a lot of the mix to make sure that it doesn't go off and keeps it optimal effectiveness.

Is the swelling getting worse on the inside of the thigh? Please contact your vet. It is going to take a day or two before the medication will kick in. It is Sunday here, so I have no chance in contacting a vet to ask him what is the highest safe dosage you can give to help cut through the abscess.
I know that you can up the dosage, as I have had to do it once on advice of the treating vet (a guinea pig specialist) when Bedo developed a fast swelling abscess on a Saturday morning, but the earliest I could have him seen was the following Monday and the only antibiotic I had in the house was a bit of leftover septrin (a UK brand for bactrim). In his case, the highest possible dosage did stop the abscess and actually started to swell it down again by Monday when he was seen.
I will try to enquire to tomorrow, so you will know how high you can safely go.

 

[gizzy]

Hi there , Dosnt look like it has infected the bone yet,
I've had several pigs with this problem in the past and flushing is probabaly your best tool!
With this particular abscess l would have suggested to my vet that she make 3 further incisions at equal distances from the original and flush with sailine 4 to 5 times a day!
The extra holes will give you a better shot at sussesfuly flushing the whole abscess!
Tools
Ask your vet for the smallest boar flexible teat cannula he has
The flexible cannula fits on the syringe and should be gently inserted into each hole in turn, and gental but firm pressure should be applied

15 ml syringe! This makes it easier to flush the abssess in one sitting without having to distress your pig by stopping to reload the syinge !

A 1ltr bag of Hartmans should cost no more than £8 and it is clinical grade saline (usfull and sterile, but not essential ) and for an abscess like that it should last for the duration!

A narrow strip of cotton soaked in warm water and gently raped around the abscess on your pigs leg will help sofen the puss and make it much easier to flush !



Hipiscrub sanitising fluid is usfull to keep everything hygienic

Lastly having to get the leg amutated should not be nessasy if the sight is flushed regularly, but if it were to become nessessary, your pig would very quickly adapt

 

[hellonasty1982]

Going on the assumption that the 25 mg is the active ingredients, according to Guinea Lynx 30 mg is the daily dosage for a guinea pig that is one kilo. This means that you can give safely half a tablet daily to your guinea pig, ideally in two lots 12 hours apart.
Guinea Lynx :: Antibiotics

Please crush the tablets and mix with an amount of water that is divisible by four (either 2 ml or 4 ml); ideally you use a little plastic medicine bottle for this. Keep the mix in the fridge and shake thoroughly before use. Give one quarter of the mix every 12 hours. You have to repeat this every two days; do not make up a lot of the mix to make sure that it doesn't go off and keeps it optimal effectiveness.

Is the swelling getting worse on the inside of the thigh? Please contact your vet. It is going to take a day or two before the medication will kick in. It is Sunday here, so I have no chance in contacting a vet to ask him what is the highest safe dosage you can give to help cut through the abscess.
I know that you can up the dosage, as I have had to do it once on advice of the treating vet (a guinea pig specialist) when Bedo developed a fast swelling abscess on a Saturday morning, but the earliest I could have him seen was the following Monday and the only antibiotic I had in the house was a bit of leftover septrin (a UK brand for bactrim). In his case, the highest possible dosage did stop the abscess and actually started to swell it down again by Monday when he was seen.
I will try to enquire to tomorrow, so you will know how high you can safely go.

Hi Wiebke,

Just gave Tarly his first dose of Bactrim. We crushed 1/4 of a tablet and mixed with 2ml of water. Everything went smoothly. We are taking him to the vet for Metacam. Should Metacam be administered orally or via injection/shot? I read on Guinea Lynx typical dosage for an adult pig is 0.2ml. Should I half that to 0.1ml for Tarly since he's only half the weight?

Is it advisable to lance Tarly's inner thigh? Or should we wait a day or 2 for the Bactrim to kick in first? Thanks again for your help and guidance.

Terrence.

 

[gizzy]

Question! In the top pic !
Is that an auxiliary nipple (could be important )

 

[hellonasty1982]

Hi there , Dosnt look like it has infected the bone yet,
I've had several pigs with this problem in the past and flushing is probabaly your best tool!
With this particular abscess l would have suggested to my vet that she make 3 further incisions at equal distances from the original and flush with sailine 4 to 5 times a day!
The extra holes will give you a better shot at sussesfuly flushing the whole abscess!
Tools
Ask your vet for the smallest boar flexible teat cannula he has
The flexible cannula fits on the syringe and should be gently inserted into each hole in turn, and gental but firm pressure should be applied

15 ml syringe! This makes it easier to flush the abssess in one sitting without having to distress your pig by stopping to reload the syinge !

A 1ltr bag of Hartmans should cost no more than £8 and it is clinical grade saline (usfull and sterile, but not essential ) and for an abscess like that it should last for the duration!

A narrow strip of cotton soaked in warm water and gently raped around the abscess on your pigs leg will help sofen the puss and make it much easier to flush !



Hipiscrub sanitising fluid is usfull to keep everything hygienic

Lastly having to get the leg amutated should not be nessasy if the sight is flushed regularly, but if it were to become nessessary, your pig would very quickly adapt

Hi Gizzy,

Thanks so much for the detailed next steps. I do need some clarification:

With this particular abscess l would have suggested to my vet that she make 3 further incisions at equal distances from the original and flush with sailine 4 to 5 times a day!
[TL] Please confirm if my understanding is correct: My vet should make 3 additional incisions spaced equally on the abscess? 2 more incisions on his outer thigh and 1 incision on his inner thigh?

The flexible cannula fits on the syringe and should be gently inserted into each hole in turn, and gental but firm pressure should be applied.
[TL] Do you mean apply pressure pushing the syringe with cannula tip attached to the syringe and inserted into the incision holes? What does this do exactly?

 

[gizzy]

I

 

[hellonasty1982]

Question! In the top pic !
Is that an auxiliary nipple (could be important )

Hi Gizzy,

Yes, I think it's Tarly's nipple. His other leg has the same in a similar spot. Anything to consider medically?

He's balled up his front left paw and is not putting any weight on it. Cannot see any swelling or visible injuries. Is this the result of the infection spreading along his left side?

 

[gizzy]

Hi Gizzy,

Thanks so much for the detailed next steps. I do need some clarification:

With this particular abscess l would have suggested to my vet that she make 3 further incisions at equal distances from the original and flush with sailine 4 to 5 times a day!
[TL] Please confirm if my understanding is correct: My vet should make 3 additional incisions spaced equally on the abscess? 2 more incisions on his outer thigh and 1 incision on his inner thigh?



The flexible cannula fits on the syringe and should be gently inserted into each hole in turn, and gental but firm pressure should be applied.
[TL] Do you mean apply pressure pushing the syringe with cannula tip attached to the syringe and inserted into the incision holes? What does this do exactly?

With this particular abscess l would have suggested to my vet that she make 3 further incisions at equal distances from the original and flush with sailine 4 to 5 times a day!
[TL] Please confirm if my understanding is correct: My vet should make 3 additional incisions spaced equally on the abscess? 2 more incisions on his outer thigh and 1 incision on his inner thigh?

The flexible cannula fits on the syringe and should be gently inserted into each hole in turn, and gental but firm pressure should be applied.
[TL] Do you mean apply pressure pushing the syringe with cannula tip attached to the syringe and inserted into the incision holes? What does this do exactly?

]

Do you mean apply pressure pushing the syringe with cannula tip attached to the syringe and inserted into the incision holes? What does this do exactly?


Insert the cannula into each hole in turn and gently but firmly press the syringe plunger, squirting the saline warter into the whole,s , the additional hole's are there to vent the puss and sailine, though, in an idea situation sailine sqerted into 1 hole should freely come out of the other holes l t may not do this at first, It all depends on how deeply you vet makes the incisions, and of course the international structure of the abssess it's self

 

[gizzy]

Hi Gizzy,

Yes, I think it's Tarly's nipple. His other leg has the same in a similar spot. Anything to consider medically?

It is doubt full that a nipple in that situation would actually be conected to the mamary gland!
The nipple could be a malfunction of cells and could? Have trigerd the abssess? ..

 

[gizzy]

It is doubt full that a nipple in that situation would actually be conected to the mamary gland!
The nipple could be a malfunction of cells and could Have trigerd the abssess? Though l can't see it being a problem! Though worthwhile mentioning to your vet

 

[gizzy]

Sorry for all the doubled up posts, l am having trouble with my ipad

 

[Wiebke]

]

Do you mean apply pressure pushing the syringe with cannula tip attached to the syringe and inserted into the incision holes? What does this do exactly?


Insert the cannula into each hole in turn and gently but firmly press the syringe plunger, squirting the saline warter into the whole,s , the additional hole's are there to vent the puss and sailine, though, in an idea situation sailine sqerted into 1 hole should freely come out of the other holes l t may not do this at first, It all depends on how deeply you vet makes the incisions, and of course the international structure of the abssess it's self

When doing things this way, please please make VERY sure that you only go into the cavity and not into any fleshy part! It can however work for deep and very large abscesses.

Good that you have got the meds in. You give 1/4 of a tablet, dissolved in either 0.5 ml or 1 ml of water. It is much easier to crush one tablet, mix it with 2 ml (or 4 ml) of water shake and give 0.5 ml (or 1 ml) of solution every 12 hours. It is much more difficult to explain clearly than it is in practice! Whether you go for the smaller or the larger amount of water depends on which is more easy to mix and to syringe.

@gizzy Please keep in mind that the member is from China, a new guinea pig owner with only access to a general vet that has zero experience with guinea pigs. Please take the member's limited experience into account when giving advice that requires some experienced handling.

 

[hellonasty1982]

Hi Wiebke/gizzy,

Your advice and guidance has made me feel much better and at least better armed to help Tarly. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. Noted on not hitting the fleshy part. The incision should only be made deep enough to expose the cavity of the abscess to drain/fulsh.

@gizzy - I guess you can't tell from pics of Tarly's x-rays, right? I am just concerned that if an incision is made along Tarly's inner thigh, it might do more harm than good. The vet did previously try to "push" what he suspected as the pus from the inner thigh to the outer thigh where the original incision was made. Though I am doubtful how successful this was, as it is still pretty swollen.

@Wiebke - How long should I be giving Bactrim to Tarly?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi Wiebke/gizzy,

Your advice and guidance has made me feel much better and at least better armed to help Tarly. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. Noted on not hitting the fleshy part. The incision should only be made deep enough to expose the cavity of the abscess to drain/fulsh.

@gizzy - I guess you can't tell from pics of Tarly's x-rays, right? I am just concerned that if an incision is made along Tarly's inner thigh, it might do more harm than good. The vet did previously try to "push" what he suspected as the pus from the inner thigh to the outer thigh where the original incision was made. Though I am doubtful how successful this was, as it is still pretty swollen.

@Wiebke - How long should I be giving Bactrim to Tarly?

Until the abscess has fully healed; it takes as long as it takes. Your first aim has to be to keep the lanced hole open (a good vet can stitch the hole open to make it heal up more slolwly, but I am not sure how experienced your own vet is and to stop the abscess getting larger/getting it to shrink.
I've been prescribed a very strong antibiotic (stronger than bactrim) for over a month to get on top of a deep sitting recurring dental root/jawbone abscess.

Please weigh your guinea pig daily and support it with syringe feed and water if it is not eating properly and is losing more than 50g of weight. Our detailed illustrated syringe feeding guide will talk you through it all. If you feed pellets that are all the same, you can soak them in warm water and use them for top up feed. Antibiotics, pain and infections are all appetite dampeners/killers.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

 

[hellonasty1982]

Until the abscess has fully healed; it takes as long as it takes. Your first aim has to be to keep the lanced hole open (a good vet can stitch the hole open to make it heal up more slolwly, but I am not sure how experienced your own vet is and to stop the abscess getting larger/getting it to shrink.
I've been prescribed a very strong antibiotic (stronger than bactrim) for over a month to get on top of a deep sitting recurring dental root/jawbone abscess.

Please weigh your guinea pig daily and support it with syringe feed and water if it is not eating properly and is losing more than 50g of weight. Our detailed illustrated syringe feeding guide will talk you through it all. If you feed pellets that are all the same, you can soak them in warm water and use them for top up feed. Antibiotics, pain and infections are all appetite dampeners/killers.
Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

Hi Wiebke,

Noted with thanks. It will be a challenge to flush/drain based on the recommended frequency as I will be on business trip starting from tomorrow. It'll just be my wife taking care of Tarly, so it looks like it's going to be once day at most if she makes daily trips to the vet. Should we also administer Metacam? Suggestions on whether or not we should administer orally or via injection/shot?

 

[gizzy]

When doing things this way, please please make VERY sure that you only go into the cavity and not into any fleshy part! It can however work for deep and very large abscesses.

Good that you have got the meds in. You give 1/4 of a tablet, dissolved in either 0.5 ml or 1 ml of water. It is much easier to crush one tablet, mix it with 2 ml of water shake and give 0.5 ml of solution every 12 hours. It is much more difficult to explain clearly than it is in practice!

@gizzy Please keep in mind that the member is from China, a new guinea pig owner with only access to a general vet that has zero experience with guinea pigs. Please take the member's limited experience into account when giving advice that requires some experienced handling.

Sorry, l realise what you are saying , l just though that between her and her vet they may have made use of the information

 

[hellonasty1982]

Hi All,

Took Tarly to the vet for a flushing. A bit more pus was drained from the original incision. A second incision was made just under his nipple. However, only blood came out. We had to apply pressure for a while to stop the bleeding. He also seems to be putting some weight on his front left paw now. I've attached some photos and you can see that when he's NOT using his paw, he's got it balled up. His appetite is as voracious as ever. Eating his pellets, vegetables and fruit (and still wheeking for more). He's had 3 doses of Bactrim so far. We're keeping a close eye on his weight and cleaning his leg regularly with antibacterial wipes and betadine.

 

[Wiebke]

All the best! Hopefully the bactrim will do the trick and ease the swelling and pain from the abscess. Has your vet given you some metacam to help ease the discomfort?

 

[hellonasty1982]

All the best! Hopefully the bactrim will do the trick and ease the swelling and pain from the abscess. Has your vet given you some metacam to help ease the discomfort?

Hi Wiebke,

He gave us some, but we are unsure how to administer. How do we calculate dosage? And, should we administer orally or via injection/through a shot?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi Wiebke,

He gave us some, but we are unsure how to administer. How do we calculate dosage? And, should we administer orally or via injection/through a shot?

You administer orally. Please check whether you have got cat or dog metacam. Cat metacam is one third of the strength of dog metacam.

For a 400g guinea pig you can syringe up to 0.2 ml dog metacam safely (ideally 0.1 ml every 12 hours).
If you have got cat metacam, the maximum dosage is 0.6 ml (0.3 ml every 12 hours).

 

[hellonasty1982]

Hi Wiebke,

Thanks for clarification. I checked with the vet and it's for dogs. One more question, is should I administer the Metacam at the same time as the Bactrim or should wait a few hours to administer separately? Thank you.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi Wiebke,

Thanks for clarification. I checked with the vet and it's for dogs. One more question, is should I administer the Metacam at the same time as the Bactrim or should wait a few hours to administer separately? Thank you.

You can give both at the same time. All the best!