Midnight Is Having Surgery

[lexi468]

Hi everyone,
Tomorrow morning midnight is having surgery to remove the absess under his neck. They are going to have put him under for it. They also said they would put a drain in. I'm extremely worried about him. Any support would be greatly appreciated, success stories also welcome.

 

[Freela]

Sending him lots of good vibes for his operation tomorrow! Sundae had an abscess along the side of her jaw lanced and drained a few years ago and came through with flying colors. There are some good resources here as far as abscess cleaning and draining goes. It's important to keep the wound open (the drain will help with that) and to continue to flush it so that it heals from the inside out. It can be gross to have to express any new pus that builds up, but it's important for healing. What you can do is use a sterile saline solution (or ask the vet to provide some sort of veterinary antiseptic) and use a small syringe (like what you'd use to give meds) to flush inside the opening. Then gently use your hands to express any new pus that has formed. It's also important to give antibiotics... my understanding is that zithromax is great for abscesses, but not all vets prescribe it (I see you're in the US- I'm in Canada where it isn't commonly prescribed. Guinea pig care standards in North America seem to be behind the UK.) I've had good success with chloramphenicol for abscesses. Hang in there, hope everything goes smooth, and definitely ask questions in the aftermath, I got GREAT advice here when going through this with Sundae!

 

[gizzy]

Hi , l undeststand your worring , l have had this opp done on one of my pigs a few years ago and she was fine
the proceder is relitivly straite forword and if you follow the post opp instuctions Freela has mentioned he will
be fine ,

 

[LisaAli]

We are tagging @furryfriends (TEAS) for you, as she has loads of experience in dealing with abscess in piggy's and their aftercare... x

 

[helen105281]

I hope all goes ok, you will probably find that they leave the wound open to heal from the inside out and you may need to flush it like Debbie is doing with my Tim at the moment (he had an abscess removed from behind his eye on Tuesday and his eye too). I am not sure if you can get Zithromax (Azithromycin) in the US but if your vet is able to prescribe it, it really is the best for abscesses.

 

[lexi468]

Thank you so much everybody! I am in the US so not able to get Zithromax that I know if. He is currently taking Baytril. He just had his surgery this morning. The vet just called and said it was an encapsulated absess, so she was able kind if "peel it out", not sure what this means as far as the drain, etc, I will definitely ask those questions when I go to get him later this afternoon. She said he has woken up and is doing okay, munching a little already. Being that he's a piggy, hearing that he is eating already sounds fantastic to me! I heard it is important for them to have pain medicine after this type of surgery. What's everybody's opinion on that? Also, I bought some oxbow immune support treat like things, I plan to ask the vet abojt giving them to him, but what does everybody think about that? Will they help him heal?

 

[Poppy'sMum]

The vet has probably given him a pain shot but you may need some pain meds to give him for a couple of days as where it was located will probably be sore when he eats Baytril can be harsh on tummies so try & get some powdered probiotic like Pro C or Avipro we call it over here (Not yoghurt or any dairy stuff though) you can dissolve some in water & give him some to drink about an hour after the antibiotic. Encapsulated sounds like she was able to remove it all, so I don't think you will need to flush the wound but obviously check with aftercare instructions that the vet should give you

 

[lexi468]

The vet has probably given him a pain shot but you may need some pain meds to give him for a couple of days as where it was located will probably be sore when he eats Baytril can be harsh on tummies so try & get some powdered probiotic like Pro C or Avipro we call it over here (Not yoghurt or any dairy stuff though) you can dissolve some in water & give him some to drink about an hour after the antibiotic. Encapsulated sounds like she was able to remove it all, so I don't think you will need to flush the wound but obviously check with aftercare instructions that the vet should give you

Awesome, thank you so much!

 

[Deleted member 114675]

My boar, Max developed and abscess approx 6 months after he was neutered. I was beside myself with worry! He's OK now . You have had some good advice from the above posters. I hope all goes well.

 

[lexi468]

My boar, Max developed and abscess approx 6 months after he was neutered. I was beside myself with worry! He's OK now . You have had some good advice from the above posters. I hope all goes well.

Thank you! I'm glad he's okay!

 

[lexi468]

Sending him lots of good vibes for his operation tomorrow! Sundae had an abscess along the side of her jaw lanced and drained a few years ago and came through with flying colors. There are some good resources here as far as abscess cleaning and draining goes. It's important to keep the wound open (the drain will help with that) and to continue to flush it so that it heals from the inside out. It can be gross to have to express any new pus that builds up, but it's important for healing. What you can do is use a sterile saline solution (or ask the vet to provide some sort of veterinary antiseptic) and use a small syringe (like what you'd use to give meds) to flush inside the opening. Then gently use your hands to express any new pus that has formed. It's also important to give antibiotics... my understanding is that zithromax is great for abscesses, but not all vets prescribe it (I see you're in the US- I'm in Canada where it isn't commonly prescribed. Guinea pig care standards in North America seem to be behind the UK.) I've had good success with chloramphenicol for abscesses. Hang in there, hope everything goes smooth, and definitely ask questions in the aftermath, I got GREAT advice here when going through this with Sundae!

Did you find that after Sundae had her opp she leaned toward the side that the absess was on when chewing? They did not give him any pain meds and I'm worried he's really hurting.

 

[lexi468]

Also, what does everybody think about holding him? How long should I wait to do that?

 

[Freela]

Did you find that after Sundae had her opp she leaned toward the side that the absess was on when chewing? They did not give him any pain meds and I'm worried he's really hurting.

It's been so long that I don't really remember. She did go back to eating again right after the operation (which was a relief, we were syringe-feeding her the weekend prior to the surgery because she could not open her mouth well enough to get much food in.) I'm sure it does hurt, but the fact that he is eating is a great sign! I only gave Sundae the pain meds for the first day after the operation, as they made her REALLY groggy and less willing to eat/drink, and honestly when the pain meds wore off she seemed perkier and in LESS pain than she was prior to the operation (which makes sense, I can't imagine how much pressure pain she must have had in her jaw with that huge, pressurized lump and no relief!)

 

[Freela]

Also, what does everybody think about holding him? How long should I wait to do that?

I would say whenever you like... I held Sundae really frequently after her abscess surgery, in part because I was hand-feeding her and wanted to keep pushing food in her face to make sure she was eating it. The first day after the op she was very doped up from the anesthesia and the pain meds and was content to just sit on my knee and nibble on treats.

 

[lexi468]

It's been so long that I don't really remember. She did go back to eating again right after the operation (which was a relief, we were syringe-feeding her the weekend prior to the surgery because she could not open her mouth well enough to get much food in.) I'm sure it does hurt, but the fact that he is eating is a great sign! I only gave Sundae the pain meds for the first day after the operation, as they made her REALLY groggy and less willing to eat/drink, and honestly when the pain meds wore off she seemed perkier and in LESS pain than she was prior to the operation (which makes sense, I can't imagine how much pressure pain she must have had in her jaw with that huge, pressurized lump and no relief!)

You have no idea how much you are helping me! Every time be does anything weird today I start crying. Just LOOKING at him makes me cry, i feel so awful for him. He seems to ne doing well thoigh, aside from maybe being in aa bit if pain, however he is lying on the stitches so I'm thinking I'm probably more upset than he is. If your Sundae did well without the pain meds that makes me feel better. Thank you so so so much for the support. I'm so thankful! I'm probably going to call the vet tomorrow if he's still leaning into it and let them know, just to be sure! Also, when I held him, some crust seemed to come off his stitches. That seems normal, but what do you think?

 

[irene]

Thank you so much everybody! I am in the US so not able to get Zithromax that I know if. He is currently taking Baytril. He just had his surgery this morning. The vet just called and said it was an encapsulated absess, so she was able kind if "peel it out", not sure what this means as far as the drain, etc, I will definitely ask those questions when I go to get him later this afternoon. She said he has woken up and is doing okay, munching a little already. Being that he's a piggy, hearing that he is eating already sounds fantastic to me! I heard it is important for them to have pain medicine after this type of surgery. What's everybody's opinion on that? Also, I bought some oxbow immune support treat like things, I plan to ask the vet abojt giving them to him, but what does everybody think about that? Will they help him heal?

Ohhh I hope all goes well with Midnight! Zithromax is readily available in the US very common btw

 

[lexi468]

Ohhh I hope all goes well with Midnight! Zithromax is readily available in the US very common btw

Oh good to know! Do you know if you need to go to an exotics vet to get it or do they use it commonly for dogs and cats as well?

 

[irene]

Oh good to know! Do you know if you need to go to an exotics vet to get it or do they use it commonly for dogs and cats as well?

I'm sorry I don't know about cats and dogs but I'm sure the vet would know! I think with piggies they always tend to go right for the Baytril which isn't always the best choice. I do wish Midnight a speedy recovery! It's so hard to see them ill

 

[lexi468]

I'm sorry I don't know about cats and dogs but I'm sure the vet would know! I think with piggies they always tend to go right for the Baytril which isn't always the best choice. I do wish Midnight a speedy recovery! It's so hard to see them ill

Yes I agree, last time he was on antibiotics they gave him baytril. At least it works! It is hard to see him I'll, thanks so much for your support!

 

[irene]

Yes I agree, last time he was on antibiotics they gave him baytril. At least it works! It is hard to see him I'll, thanks so much for your support!

I'm far from an expert but others here on the forum are! Just wanted to add that I always gave a probiotic when mine was on Baytril

 

[lexi468]

I'm far from an expert but others here on the forum are! Just wanted to add that I always gave a probiotic when mine was on Baytril

Yes I was going to give a probiotic but they didn't have any at my local pet store and petsmart is a ways away. So I looked on amazon but it would take too long to get here. So I bought these oxbow immune system treat things. He doesn't like them though! Or they may be too hard for him to eat. But he's eating well so it seems okay.

 

[lexi468]

I have another questions guys! Hes not really eating his pellets. Hes eating his hay and all the veggies I give him and drinking water but his poops are much smaller than normal. Is it okay since he's eating it should I be worried?

 

[helen105281]

Are you able to speak to your vet today about pain relief? If he is not eating as much as normal it would explain the smaller poos and if he is sore pellets will be the most difficult thing to eat.

 

[gizzy]

Hi , irene, l dont beleve there is such a thing as an expert , as an old friend of my says (guinia pigs are a very steep
learning curve , and nobody has all the answers, ) as every problem can have a diferant twist to it
Hopefully we can work as a team as so to speek and share the knolage we have acumalared .

in my opinion the best pro biotic is Fibraplex

 

[gizzy]

Hi lexi, as long as he is enthusiasticly eating his hay, l would not be to worried
a pro biotic like Fibraplex should help his digestion , though if it is still in not eating
his pelets in a few days , withdraw the hay !
as if like mine the can become very found of eating hay, espesiay good qualty feed hay such
as alfalfa Thimathy

mine seem to like it better than there dride food , but they need the veriaty of dried food !
if that do,s not work may be an ider to have a word with your vet

 

[lexi468]

Are you able to speak to your vet today about pain relief? If he is not eating as much as normal it would explain the smaller poos and if he is sore pellets will be the most difficult thing to eat.

Hi, I called the vet. They said to soak his pellets in warm water so well see if he figures out that they're soft now

 

[lexi468]

Hi lexi, as long as he is enthusiasticly eating his hay, l would not be to worried
a pro biotic like Fibraplex should help his digestion , though if it is still in not eating
his pelets in a few days , withdraw the hay !
as if like mine the can become very found of eating hay, espesiay good qualty feed hay such
as alfalfa Thimathy

mine seem to like it better than there dride food , but they need the veriaty of dried food !
if that do,s not work may be an ider to have a word with your vet

Thank you! He does get Timothy hay and he's also eating all of his veggies so I feel good about that! Thanks for your advice!

 

[Caron's Cavies]

I have another questions guys! Hes not really eating his pellets. Hes eating his hay and all the veggies I give him and drinking water but his poops are much smaller than normal. Is it okay since he's eating it should I be worried?

Hi,

I think as long as he is eating and drinking just now that is the main thing. It is so important not to withdraw his hay or anything else for that matter because it is so important to keep his digestive system working.

My advice is to take a big breathe & get yourself a cup of tea & sit down with him and allow yourself time to acknowledge he got through the surgery and is already eating & drinking so he is doing really well. It has been so distressing for you as well as him so look after yourself too remember

I would suggest you write down any questions you have for your vet and perhaps record what and when he eats and drinks and even what is happening with the wound so you can see if it is getting better or worse. It also m evans you can give the vet accurate information if needed.

Even as 'hoomans' if we had gone through this we would still not be feeling ourselves so you need to give him time and if needed speak to your vet who has obviously seen him and is able to give you the best advice. You know him the best though so make sure you ask your vet any questions you may have though

Good luck and sending hugs to you both xx

 

[lexi468]

Hi,

I think as long as he is eating and drinking just now that is the main thing. It is so important not to withdraw his hay or anything else for that matter because it is so important to keep his digestive system working.

My advice is to take a big breathe & get yourself a cup of tea & sit down with him and allow yourself time to acknowledge he got through the surgery and is already eating & drinking so he is doing really well. It has been so distressing for you as well as him so look after yourself too remember

I would suggest you write down any questions you have for your vet and perhaps record what and when he eats and drinks and even what is happening with the wound so you can see if it is getting better or worse. It also m evans you can give the vet accurate information if needed.

Even as 'hoomans' if we had gone through this we would still not be feeling ourselves so you need to give him time and if needed speak to your vet who has obviously seen him and is able to give you the best advice. You know him the best though so make sure you ask your vet any questions you may have though

Good luck and sending hugs to you both xx

Hi, thank you so much! I do need to remember to take care of myself. I just want him to be happy, but its true, if we were in the same situation we wouldn't feel too great either. I will not take away his hay or anything not only for his digestive system but because that's what he's eating so I wouldn't want to take that away from him. I just hope he figures out his pellets are soft now! Thank you so much!

 

[Freela]

You have no idea how much you are helping me! Every time be does anything weird today I start crying. Just LOOKING at him makes me cry, i feel so awful for him. He seems to ne doing well thoigh, aside from maybe being in aa bit if pain, however he is lying on the stitches so I'm thinking I'm probably more upset than he is. If your Sundae did well without the pain meds that makes me feel better. Thank you so so so much for the support. I'm so thankful! I'm probably going to call the vet tomorrow if he's still leaning into it and let them know, just to be sure! Also, when I held him, some crust seemed to come off his stitches. That seems normal, but what do you think?

I think it's sometimes worse for us than for them because we can see how bad it looks! I know when I picked Sundae up from her abscess op, she was a MESS... she looked like she got in a fight with a lawnmower and lost. She had half her face shaved down the skin, the fur that was left was all covered with miscellaneous goo and antibiotic gel, she had a big visible wound that was open to drain... it was really terrible. Is the wound fully stitched shut, or are the stitches holding the drain in place? Or was the vet able to remove the entire abscess capsule and thus close the wound completely? One of my other pigs, Linney, had a cyst/abscess that ruptured on her back and wouldn't heal properly, and the vet was able to remove the entire capsule and just sew the skin over it... very easy because there was no aftercare to it. She did have dried blood and dead skin flake off the area while it was healing. The vet had basically put the stitches inside so she couldn't pull them out and there was a ridge of skin that eventually dried up and flaked off over top. With Sundae, she really did just have an open wound and it really did ooze/crust a LOT during the healing process, plus we had to keep irrigating the wound and squeezing out any new pus that was forming. So I would say crusting is really normal, I would only be concerned about frank bleeding from the wound, but ooze/pus is unfortunately par for the course. It's great if they manage to remove the entire capsule, but it's not always possible depending on the location. I know our vet said with Sundae that the abscess was large enough and in a delicate enough location that there was no way to remove it without damaging important nerves/blood vessels, and that even if it could be dissected out there would probably not be enough tissue along her jawline to close the wound. Eeek!