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Large Abscess On Left Hind Leg - Please Help!

I have only just seen this thread and have been reading thru it.

I am shocked his former owners put him out with the garbage :yikes::yikes::yikes:, but I am eternally glad that this poor unfortunate piggy happened to be spotted by such a good and caring new owner, it sounds like a real rollercoaster ride of lumps and pus but I really hope it will all work out in the end and that they will stop appearing.
Had anyone else picked him up from his dumping spot he likely would have either been dead by now or in a great deal of untreated pain.

I don’t have any medical advice to give, I just wanted to thank you on behalf of Tarly for doing so much for him and making a real fighting effort to give him the life of luxury and care that he always hoped for.

Paws crossed that a full recovery is just around the corner.
 
Hi Everyone,

We found a very who has experience treating small animals. We got x-rays done which I've attached below:

_20171230_203002.webp
Unfortunately, the vet said that there's not much we can do as far as surgery goes. Based on his diagnosis, he said Tarly could be suffering from one of the following:

1. Broke his leg previously (which we didn't notice) and the break got infected and worsened over time
2. Possibly cancer, (though not confirmed)
When we brought him home he was hopping around, climbing and continued to be very mobile despite the swelling. We don't think that he broke his leg so to speak, but maybe might've sprained it? I'm kinda choked that we couldn't diagnose this earlier as there could've been a chance Tarly would be cured by now =(

The x-rays show that the infection has spread into his leg bone (the black spots on his left hind leg vs. his normal right leg). The only option is to totally amputate his whole leg, but if it really is cancer, there's a chance that it'll still spread. Flip side is that if it is just a bone infection, we can get the infection under control with weekly anti-inflammatory injections and metacam dosages. Tarly did get an injection today and we will take him again next week for another. Vet's recommendation was to leave Tarly be, give him weekly injections/daily metacam doses and spoil him with lots of fruit and veggies. Tarly has also been constipated for the past 2 days as a result of the baytril we gave him (which we've stopped). We've given him probiotics twice a day and pieces of banana which will hopefully make him poop. We even gave him some of Boom Boom's (our other healthy pig) dark green poop so he can eat it (I read somewhere on this forum that pigs eat green poop to help them un-constipate). So far, he's only pooped a couple of nuggets over the past 2 days. We're keeping a close eye on him and will continue with the probiotics. You've all seen pictures of Tarly's x-rays and leg, but thought I'd share some pics of the handsome fella:

_20171230_203002.webp

_20171230_222254.webp _20171230_222217.webp
I'd like to thank everyone on this forum who has given advice and support. We wouldn't have been able to treat Tarly and at least have had an idea of how to make him feel better. THANK YOU =)
 
Hi Everyone,

Some have sent me DMs asking about Tarly so I thought I'd post an update here. Tarly's condition unfortunately has worsened. The abscess on his inner leg has come back. The abscess on his outer thigh also has come back. We took him to the vet for a lancing on his outer leg last week and we've been draining with saline and treating it with antibacterial ointment ever since. His inner thigh abscess was still small when we took him to the vet so we didn't lance, but it has grown much bigger now and I foresee another trip to the vet for another lancing. He seems to be in greater pain when we drain now vs before. His appetite hasn't been affected as he's eating non-stop still. He's almost 700g now. I mentioned in my previous post that his entire leg, as well as the area around his hip and rump has become hard to the touch. When I squeeze this area Tarly is clearly in pain. The vet said that it could be a "hyperplasia" as a result of a build up of the excess junk from his femur infection. It's difficult for me to describe this "mass/lump" but I've shaved his leg and the areas you see in the photos where I'm NOT in contact with his leg is this "mass/lump" area. The area between his inner thigh and his balls are also hard to the touch. The vet said the only way to treat this is to amputate his whole leg along with the "mass/lump" tissue =( I am reluctant to go forward this, but I've been told that it could prolong his life because the infection will continue to spread if we don't keep it under control with ongoing medication, lancing/draining. I feel guilty that we're causing Tarly so much pain and discomfort with his treatment, but I want him to have a long and happy life. Vet gave him a bicillin injection and also prescribed daily doses of metacam for the next 2 weeks. We were advised that Tarly would weekly bicillin injections for the next 3 weeks. I'd appreciate anyone's advice in this very tough situation, thank you.
 
Oh that sounds very nasty for him and you! It is a dilemma what to do for the best. He is lucky to have such a dedicated and loving slave in you. I can't see any photos you have mentioned in the post. Maybe you haven't posted them yet?
 
hellonasty1982 said:
Hi Everyone,

Some have sent me DMs asking about Tarly so I thought I'd post an update here. Tarly's condition unfortunately has worsened. The abscess on his inner leg has come back. The abscess on his outer thigh also has come back. We took him to the vet for a lancing on his outer leg last week and we've been draining with saline and treating it with antibacterial ointment ever since. His inner thigh abscess was still small when we took him to the vet so we didn't lance, but it has grown much bigger now and I foresee another trip to the vet for another lancing. He seems to be in greater pain when we drain now vs before. His appetite hasn't been affected as he's eating non-stop still. He's almost 700g now. I mentioned in my previous post that his entire leg, as well as the area around his hip and rump has become hard to the touch. When I squeeze this area Tarly is clearly in pain. The vet said that it could be a "hyperplasia" as a result of a build up of the excess junk from his femur infection. It's difficult for me to describe this "mass/lump" but I've shaved his leg and the areas you see in the photos where I'm NOT in contact with his leg is this "mass/lump" area. The area between his inner thigh and his balls are also hard to the touch. The vet said the only way to treat this is to amputate his whole leg along with the "mass/lump" tissue =( I am reluctant to go forward this, but I've been told that it could prolong his life because the infection will continue to spread if we don't keep it under control with ongoing medication, lancing/draining. I feel guilty that we're causing Tarly so much pain and discomfort with his treatment, but I want him to have a long and happy life. Vet gave him a bicillin injection and also prescribed daily doses of metacam for the next 2 weeks. We were advised that Tarly would weekly bicillin injections for the next 3 weeks. I'd appreciate anyone's advice in this very tough situation, thank you.
Click to expand...

Sorry, forgot to post the pics. Here they are:

_20180129_221441.webp

_20180129_221520.webp
 
So sorry you are in such a difficult situation.
I can’t add to the advice as Tarly’s abscess is unlike the more straightforward ones I’ve had to deal with.
Just wanted you to know that I ‘m still thinking of you
 
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