Lump Behind Ear

[Sharon99]

I have a problem which I wonder if anyone can help. I noticed on Sunday my White Albino Guinea pig has a grape sized lump behind her ear which feels quite hard. I am taking her to see the Vets this evening but am worried they are going to say it is an abcess. I have not had much luck with guinea pigs in the past with abcesses as the hole ends up closing up and forming an abcess again even after squeezing all the pus out 2/3 times a day for over a week.
I really don't know what to do especially as I have only had Pippa for 3 weeks and she is only around 10/12 weeks old so is still young. Other than that she is full of life and is eating her food, popcorning around still and purring/popping when I stroke her, she is a very happy piggie otherwise. I don't know what to do as I feel I am in a no win situation, if I let them operate on her to remove the abcess, there is a good chance it may come back then she will have to be pts or whether I should have her put to sleep so she doesn't have to suffer. Was wondering if there are anyone who had had success with abcess removals. Sorry to ramble on but I am really worried and upset about this. I have had guinea pigs for years but don't seem to have much luck with them and it isn't due to lack of care as mine are probably cared for better than a lot of piggies. Any comments before I go to vets this evening would be much appreciated.

 

[caviaporcellus]

Hello and welcome to the forum. I am sorry that I don't have any advice but I am sure someone will come along soon as a number of people on the forum have had pigs with this problem and had them treated successfully.

I do hope your little piggy is okay.

 

[Suzygpr]

Hi Sharon and welcome to the forum - sorry to hear your little girl is causing you so much worry!

Abscesses aren't usually a big problem if dealt with quickly - as it's so close to the ear it may be the result of an infection there, but as she's acting so normally it probably isn't - it's a painful condition and she would be feeling poorly.

I would lance it under a local anaethetic and treat as you have outlined in your post - cleaning and draining through the day. If an antibiotic is given, use a probiotic 1-2 hrs after the dose so her gut isn't too badly affected. Baytril is the usual AB given by vets - though Septrin and Zithromax are very good and seem to have less effect on the gut.

If you give your location, the forum mebers may know of a piggy savvy vet in your area.

Suzy

 

[Sharon99]

I am based on Sutton, Surrey. I am always sceptical about vets as I feel they don't always know enought about piggies but if you know of a good one to recommend please do. I work in London so unfortunately I can only get late evening appointments.

Hi Sharon and welcome to the forum - sorry to hear your little girl is causing you so much worry!

Abscesses aren't usually a big problem if dealt with quickly - as it's so close to the ear it may be the result of an infection there, but as she's acting so normally it probably isn't - it's a painful condition and she would be feeling poorly.

I would lance it under a local anaethetic and treat as you have outlined in your post - cleaning and draining through the day. If an antibiotic is given, use a probiotic 1-2 hrs after the dose so her gut isn't too badly affected. Baytril is the usual AB given by vets - though Septrin and Zithromax are very good and seem to have less effect on the gut.

If you give your location, the forum mebers may know of a piggy savvy vet in your area.

Suzy

 

[Pebble]

There is a very cay savvy vet in Ewell which is not far away from Sutton
and in view of your past experience I would strongly advice you seeking out a cavy savvy vet who is experienced in abcesses......and the best ways of treating them.....


Hang on and I will find her contact details

http://www.omearavets.co.uk/

These guys were trained by Peter Gurney......

and I note from following the link on their homepage that the practice has joined Goodards vet group so here is the info:

EWELL
Goddard Veterinary Group
150 Kingston Road
Ewell
Surrey KT17 2ET

Tel: 020 8393 6049
Fax: 020 8786 7589

email: [email protected]

Vets Anne O'Meara MRCVS & Sam Price MRCVS

Consultation hours:
Monday - Friday 9-10:30, 2-3, 5-6:40
Saturday 9 - 11am, 2-4pm

In the event of an emergency ring:

Ewell Branch on 020 8393 6049
Stone Lion Veterinary Hospital on 020 8946 4228


HTH
xx

 

[Pebble]

Note saturday surgery/appointments.......

x

 

[Sharon99]

Many thanks for this. I did take her to my usual vet last night and as suspected it was an abcess which they lanced and drained. They have given in Baytril and told me to squeeze any pus out of hole from abcess twice a day. I had a go at squeezing this morning but nothing came out and it seemed to be causing Pippa quite a bit of distress squeezing it naturally. I phoned the vet and said it is a good sign if nothing more is coming out which would mean the abcess is not re-forming. I do have to take her back tomorrow night for them to look at her again and they said they will flush it through again just to make sure, so fingers crossed she may recover from this. I could do with some luck with my piggies at the moment as not seemed to have had much luck this past year or so.

I will keep the details of this vet to use in future. Will keep you all posted on Pippa's progress. Fingers crossed for me everyone.

 

[Sharon99]

Here's an update of Pippa's progress. I took her back to the vets last night and there was quite a bit of pus which the vet had to drain out. He said that this could go on for some time having to drain the pus out and as a last resort may have to perform surgery which isn't always successful. Everytime I go to squeeze the abcess I don't seem to get much out and this is causing Pippa some distress, but as soon as I finish squeezing she is fine again, but obviously I don't like having to make her suffer. If I knew it would definately aid her recovery I wouldn't mind. I am going to carry on for the time being, got another appointment Monday night so will see what the vet says then. I don't really want to have to have her pts as she is young and other than that she is very much alive and perky. I know from past experience I don't seem to have much luck with abcesses and wondered if anyone knows of the success rate of the abcess healing up on its own without surgery. I also feel it is all very well the vet saying to keep squeezing the abcess but I am no vet and not experienced in this kind of thing. He did say I was doing it the correct way so I just hope things improve.

Any replies would be much appreciated.

 

[Sharon99]

Just to update you on progress of little Pippa. The abcess has completely gone from behind her ear, touch wood not returned and has been abcess free for 3 weeks now so hopefully I have had some luck with abcesses this time.