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Lump Under My Gpig's Chin Burst And Bleeding

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GIBBYALASKA

Junior Guinea Pig
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I have a six year old male gpig Gibby, and a four month old female Alaska. They are in separate cages obviously! :) we got our new little lady last month totally unexpectedly. We went to Petco to get supplies for Gibby and our other pets and stopped to quickly look at the babies they had. When one of the employees noticed us smiling at them he came over. He let us know that they had all just arrived, except for the white one with the red eyes and black feet. He told us she had been there for a month, and was on her third group of cage mates, all the others were in new homes but no one wanted her because of how she looked, people thought she looked creepy he said. He told us she would soon be sent to a shelter or anywhere that would take her. That was heartbreaking to hear. So we took her home. I know buying pets from pet stores is not right, but we felt like this was an exception. She has been with us a little over three weeks. She is so happy. She gets tons of floor time we are always holding her. Last night we noticed a lump under her chin, about the size of two peas. Bigger than a pea smaller than a grape. This morning it was smaller. Called our vet they can't see her until Wednesday. Just a little while ago we took her out of the cage to check the lump and it seems like it has burst and her neck is covered in blood, trying to get a good look at it but she is so squirmy it's hard to really see what's going on. Do any of you know if it was an abscess would it burst and bleed? Could it possibly be a spider bite or something like that? Our other guinea pig has had other health issues and seeing the vet several times but never anything like this. Please let me know if you have any advice on how to clean it I've been researching everything I will call the vet first thing in the morning but if any of you can help me out tonight I would really appreciate it.
 
I would start by giving the whole area a good clean with sterile saline solution (dissolve salt in boiling water and leave to cool).
It could be an abscess that has burst, or something else entirely. Only a vet will be able to say for sure.

How does she seem within herself? Is she still happy and active and eating, or does she seem quiet and withdrawn.
She definitely needs to see a vet asap as she may be in pain which can trigger a lot of other issues like not eating.

But for now just try and keep the area clean, and possibly also tempt her with some food and water, until she can see a vet.
Good luck.
It sounds like you are an experienced and committed owner and she is lucky to have found you.
 
Hello and welcome. It does sound like an abscess or cyst that has burst. I would ask if the vet could see her sooner if possible, but in the meantime I agree with @Swissgreys that cleaning in cooled boiled water with salt (home made saline) is a good idea.

She sounds like a pink eyed White piggie (PEW) and they do often get overlooked sadly as a result of prejudices. I'm glad she's found her way to your loving care.
 
Thank you for responding! I just made saline, it's cooling down now. I will put that on the wound once it's ready. She is ok, her crazy hyper self. But if I get near the area she screams in pain. It's so hard to get a good look. When I place her on her back to see it, she squirms so much. She is eating and drinking. Thank you so much for taking the time to write to me! Thank you both. It means a lot. She is anot extraordinary little creature, my daughter and I are so happy she has found her way to us. I will keep you posted! ♡♡♡
 
If she's in pain then in the UK the Vets code of practice means they have to see them and treat them immediately. Not sure if the USA has similar. Poor girl - it does sound like an abscess. The important thing is to keep it open and clean draining (gross) so that no further infection can get inside. Off to work now but others will be along to advise soon
 
Yes, use a clean piece of cloth (an old face cloth or a cotton pad will do).
Be generous - don't just dab a little, really wipe the whole area. If she gets too wet you can always gently dry her a bit afterwards.
Also most guinea pigs don't like being flipped on their backs.
If you have someone else there to help you, have them hold her on their lap.
Put her bum on their lap and lift her up so her back is supported against their stomach, and her belly is facing you (sort of in a begging position if that makes sense). Have them hold her firmly around the middle under her front legs.

Good luck with it all.
You are doing a great job.
 
Thank you so much. You are so kind to take the time to help me. I'm doing this alone it's 245am here, so no one to help but I'm getting a good amount on there. Thank you again. I really appreciate your advice. ♡♡
 
I just wanted to say i have been thinking of you and your piggy today and hope the vet was able to help him.
I also hope you eventually managed to get some sleep :hug:
 
Thank you so much! I was up all night! She eventually realized I was trying to help her, and she let me clean it out really good. I took everything out of her cage scrubbed it down, and put a couple of towels and fleece blankets down (clean ones obvioulsy) to reduce the possibilty of infection over night in her cage. She is on an antibiotic and is healing already. I couldn't believe the hole that was there after I was able to clean all the blood off. It was really awful. She was a sport though! She is running and spinning around like the little spaz that she is! I feel bad she really wants to play with the cat, they absolutely love eachother, but I will wait until she is fully healed before they chase each other around :- ) THANK YOU for your concern. It means a lot! :- )
 
I'm glad she's doing better! Probably better for her that the abscess burst on its own. I'm glad she's got a good home! I always feel bad for the red-eyed pigs, I know that a lot of people think that red eyes look creepy, but I've always thought they are beautiful and always try to have at least one of my pair with red eyes (right now it's Sundae!) I have also heard that, like black animals, they have a harder time being adopted, which is so unfair!
 
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