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Lump on nose

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Rachel WD

Rachel WD

Adult Guinea Pig
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Frankie has a lump on his nose and I've no idea what it is. The vet looked at it yesterday but couldn't work out what it was, he said it was possibly an absess and has prescribed a week of septrin.

I only noticed it as his hair was sticking up in a weird way so I tried to stroke it smooth and felt the lump underneath. There is no cut or anything else visable.

Anyone any ideas of what it could be? I know there isn't much to see.


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Aww thanks :) It is difficult to see but really obvious when you stroke him. Usually the hair on his nose is flat, not sticky out bits. It doesn't seem to hurt him, he just gets fed up of me messing with his head.
 
Poor little guy! I can tell where the lump would be- I can see where the fur is disturbed. Really, there are lots of reasons for lumps- I'm surprised the vet didn't try a needle aspiration or something like that to see if it's liquid or solid inside. Sometimes antibiotics alone is not enough to clear an abscess and they needed to be lanced and drained or surgically removed. If the antibiotic alone doesn't help, I would go back and ask for a needle aspiration or other test to see what is inside the lump. HTH a bit and hope it goes away without needing further treatment!
 
Thanks guys, it is a mystery at the moment. I was told to give him septrin for a week, then have a week off and then back to the vets. Thanks for your advice Freela, that will be my next request.
 
Frankie was back at the vets today with his nose. The lump had got bigger over the last 2 weeks but yesterday I had noticed a bit of a scab under the hair. The vet had a good mess with it, then Frankie gave a squeak and the vet had a big piece of his hair (and some scab) in his hand! Poor Frankie did not look very impressed. He now has a big hole on his face :( He has made himself cry (and bleed) by scratching himself too hard. I want to make him better!

So, 10 more days on Septrin. I hope that clears it up. I'm still not really sure what it is/was but the vet thinks an abscess. Anyone know what causes them?

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That does look very similar doesn't it. Thanks Toffeewoffee. Might be wise if I start treating it as if it was ringworm.

What is the best topical cream to use? I actually have some Daktacort which is 2% miconazole nitrate - do you think this would be suitable to use? It's my own cream from the doctor.
 
One of my piggies ended up with an abcess following a scrape with his cage buddy (which resulted in them being separated). I think it occurs when a wound or a scratch doesn't heal properly and fills with pus.

The abcess looked like a lump that was quite soft to the touch, and when it was drained there was quite a bit of gunk and liquid removed. Does that sound similar to your piggie's nose? There was no scabbing or anything like that with ours, but i'm guessing an infected scrape could present in a couple of different ways. :)
 
Rachel WD said:
That does look very similar doesn't it. Thanks Toffeewoffee. Might be wise if I start treating it as if it was ringworm.

What is the best topical cream to use? I actually have some Daktacort which is 2% miconazole nitrate - do you think this would be suitable to use? It's my own cream from the doctor.
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Personally I wouldn't use anything unless directed by the vet. The Daktacort you mention contains a mild antibiotic ingredient to ward off specific bacteria so would check with your vet before applying. It has been prescribed for piggies but better to be safe than sorry :)
Poor boy, bet he's sore :( Sending healing vibes and piggy hugs for a speedy recovery x>>
 
Thanks Murmur. There has been no sign of an injury until the tiny bit of scab appeared yesterday. From what the vet pulled off there was more scab under the hair.

Thanks Guinea pig slave, you are right. I've left a message at the vets querying ring worm and treatment so should get a call back shortly.

I couldn't see any harm in treating for both...but I'm no vet :) and as you say there is already an antibiotic in the cream so don't want to overdose him.
 
Oh poor Frankie! I hope his nose gets better soon. :laluot_29:
 
Poor guy! Since it started as a lump, I suspect it was an abscess or cyst that ruptured... it's good that it's at the surface of the skin. Abscesses form when there is a break in the skin that infects and accumulates pus- the abscess forms as the body walls off the products of infection. Rabbits and guinea pigs are particularly prone to abscesses because their pus is very thick and difficult for their body to clear away. One of my pigs had a skin abscess a couple of years ago and this looks similar to what she had once the vet drained and lanced the abscess and the skin over top flaked off. I would keep an eye on it to make sure it is clean and perhaps rinse it with something antibacterial... my vet told me to rinse out my piggie's abscess with sterile saline. If it starts to look more raw or to form a lump again, go back to the vet. Sometimes abscesses can recur. Hope it clears up soon- poor little guy!
 
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