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Operation For Abcess? What Should I Do?

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annaa

annaa

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Patch has a small abcess from what looks like a bite from Mouse. I took her to the vet on Sunday who squeezed a small amount of pus out and gave her some baytril and metacam - we went back today and it's not better (but not any worse either)
The vet had hoped that, as it was small, it might have responded to the antibiotics, but as there has been no improvement it is unlikely to and advised that a small op under GA might be necessary. Having done a quick Google it would seem that abcesses in gp are unlikely to clear by themselves - but I am really worried about Patch having a general and the risks to her with this. I was wondering if there was something else that we could try. But at the same time I don't want her on antibiotics for a long time either as I know that can create problems as well. Help!
 
Do you keep pulling the scab off to ensure that any pus is got rid of? Also baytril isn't very good for dealing with abscesses. It sounds a fairly superficial abscess so hopefully by pulling the scab off, and seeing if your vet will prescribe Zithromax instead of Baytril, you may get away without her needing an op.
 
Thanks @furryfriends (TEAS) - yes, I keep softening the scabs with saline and lifting them off, but there is no pus at the top of the wound. The lower one is quite deep and I think there is some at the bottom, but I can't squeeze any out. The tissue around the wounds is hard, and it is obviously still painful. I will ask about Zithromax, thank you.
 
Hopefully, with zithromax the abscess will clear on its own. You need a strong antibiotic for that; very often, baytril will not cut through it.
I agree with @furryfriends (TEAS) .
 
I have rung the vet and left a message asking if she would consider trying patch with Zithromax, unfortunately I couldn't speak to her as she was in a consultation. Fingers crossed she is willing to try it. As Zithromax is stronger is it more likely to cause GI problems?
 
annaa said:
I have rung the vet and left a message asking if she would consider trying patch with Zithromax, unfortunately I couldn't speak to her as she was in a consultation. Fingers crossed she is willing to try it. As Zithromax is stronger is it more likely to cause GI problems?
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We recommend to give probiotics generously, but on the whole, it seems to go down well with guinea pigs and causes less problems than baytril. I have never had any issues with any of my piggies that needed it.
 
annaa said:
Does it taste better? Baytril is obviously pretty unpleasant with the struggling we have had trying to get it in her! Thanks for the advice @Wiebke - I'll definitely push for it then.
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Most piggies are not keen on it, but my Hywel for instance likes it - it has saved his life five years ago when he to take it for several weeks. It doesn't taste quite as bad as baytril.
 
Would she consider marbocyl? It is a stronger form of baytril that can work on abscesses.
 
The alternative that she said she would use instead of baytril wasn't marbocyl, but I can't remember what she said. It was something sulfate or sulfacin....? I'm not very familiar with animal antibiotic options!
 
Agree please give probiotics while on the antibiotics and weigh piggy daily during this time and for a week after - (speaking from personal experience when Noodles had a nasty deep abscess)
 
Probiotics being given :) @TAN and I'll weigh her daily (her appetite has deffinately reduced today, she wasn't even particularly interested in the small amount of fresh grass I gave her)
Having looked at guinea lynx I think the vet's alternative suggestion would be Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole) though I can't be 100% sure that was what she said.
 
annaa said:
The alternative that she said she would use instead of baytril wasn't marbocyl, but I can't remember what she said. It was something sulfate or sulfacin....? I'm not very familiar with animal antibiotic options!
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Sulfatrim is the new unflavoured exotic animal version of septrin/bactrim. It is about double the strength of pediatric septrin and the same strength as adult septrin.

My Bedo was put on it in consultation with Simon Maddock (the vet that also looks after the TEAS sanctuary piggies) when his bite abscess blew up on a Saturday morning, as that was the antibiotic I still had a small amount at home. Simon put him on the highest dose he dared, 1 ml of adult septrin twice daily (i.e. the same dose as if it was sulfatrim). The abscess was coming down noticeably by the time I could take Bedo to have him seen by Simon on the Monday and have him switched onto Zithromax.
 
You may have better success with a different antibiotic (Baytril isn't strong enough to clear abscesses.) Otherwise, the options for surgical treatment are either to lance and drain the wound and then keep it open with antibiotics until it clears, or depending on location sometimes the entire abscess capsule can be removed and the skin simply stretched over and stitched closed. My pigs have had both of these done- Linney had a cyst/abscess removed from her back completely and stitched up, requiring no real aftercare, and Sundae/Frenzy had facial abscesses lanced and drained, requiring them to be kept open.
 
I wouldn't worry too much about surgical removal, I've had 2 piggies with abscesses removed in this way, 2 by Simon (Who has unrivalled stitching ;) ) where he removed the entire capsule without need for flushing afterwards.
 
It is my understanding that in the UK, generally topical antibiotics aren't prescribed for abscesses, or at least I've never read about that here. In the past, I have dealt with a smaller abscess that had burst without the use of oral antibiotics, just with diluted hibiscrub + antibiotic ointment in and around the wound, trying to get as much of the antibiotic inside the abscess hole.The ointment that is prescribed for abscesses here contains neomycin, tetracycline and bacitracin, as well a small amount of prednisolone (this is a type of steroid). Its use in guinea pigs is off label (its actually labeled for mastitis in cattle), but my vets assured me they prescribe it often and without issues to small furries. The ointment should never be ingested, as its pretty strong and toxic for pigs. I used the same product last month for a larger abscess in conjunction with azithromycin, just to be on the safe side.

You could discuss this with your vet and check whether they may be willing to prescribe something similar.
 
Thank you everyone for your advice. Having discussed it with the vet, she is more confident with the surgical option for successful treatment with less chance of reoccurrence. So she's booked in for tomorrow (my birthday :( )
 
Hey Annaa - and happy birthday! I will keep my fingers crossed for your little girl today. :hug: Just think how good it will be to bring her back home in the afternoon.
 
Just dropped her off - saw a different vet this time who remarked that the abcess did seem smaller than noted, and thinks that they may manage to do the op with just a light anesthetic/bit of gas, so keeping my fingers crossed.
 
Yeah, I know how you feel - I think hate the waiting room at the vets even more than my pets,. But at least you will get to spend your birthday evening with her :)
 
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