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Post surgery infection

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Jeniva

Jeniva

Junior Guinea Pig
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My piggie had three abscesses on his face, I took him to a vet - they lanced and flushed and I continued to flush for a few weeks. After a while another abscess formed. I went to a specialist and left him at the vets whilst I was on holiday, he had an op to have them all removed as whole capsules. He was taken home and had his surgery site bathed twice a day. However the other day (whilst I was still away), he had pulled out his stitches on the larger area - and has caused an infection. He was taken to the local vets (not the specialist), which were the ones he saw in the first place - they said bathe the area and give him antibiotics. But is this all I should be doing? There was a ton of pus last night but I got home at 2am from my flight and couldn't do much at that time. Today wasn't as much and just looked a little bloody. However when I was bathing and pressing a little, some pus came out of a hole where the stitch was, and also in the large gash wound.
I'm bathing with saline and iodine.
Does it need flushing though? I'm not sure how to flush it as it's such a large area.

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He is eating well but seems to be in pain when I'm bathing the area ):
 
Hi, I would take him back to the vet who did the surgery for them to flush out. What type of antibiotic is he on? Sounds like he needs a different one, such as zithromax. Also if he is in pain he would benefit from pain relief such as metacam. Abcesses can be difficult to get on top of but with correct medication it can be done.
 
Hello, I gave you advice on Guinea Pig Haven Forum and I am sorry to hear things are still not good. Is he still on baytril? You really do need to get an antibiotic such as Zithromax, as I said to you a few weeks ago. Please get your piggy back to your vet and get the abscess flushed again. Which vet are you using now?
 
I've seen all the vets at the first surgery I went to and none wanted to use zithromax, the second one I went to also didn't want to use zithromax. No one will give me zithromax!
I keep asking to no avail and I don't drive, I can't go all over the country to find a vet to give me the meds I want for him : /
I'll try and get back to the specialist but don't know when and how I'll be able to get there.
 
I too have replied to your thread in the haven.

If your vet is unwilling to prescribe Zithromax, could you ask for Marbocyl? Eliza had just been moved over to this but the infection was already thankfully better. It is a tablet antibiotic used for cats and dogs but also comes in liquid for. My vet doesn't stock the liquid version but ordered some in for me.

Unfortunately it can be a long process and the flushing needs to be consistent as that is responsible for removing the pus and keeping the area clean.

If your piggy is on Baytril, did your vet give you a probiotic as Baytril can cause upset tummies and lack of appetite.

All the best. I know how hard it is x
 
Claire W said:
I too have replied to your thread in the haven.

If your vet is unwilling to prescribe Zithromax, could you ask for Marbocyl? Eliza had just been moved over to this but the infection was already thankfully better. It is a tablet antibiotic used for cats and dogs but also comes in liquid for. My vet doesn't stock the liquid version but ordered some in for me.

Unfortunately it can be a long process and the flushing needs to be consistent as that is responsible for removing the pus and keeping the area clean.

If your piggy is on Baytril, did your vet give you a probiotic as Baytril can cause upset tummies and lack of appetite.

All the best. I know how hard it is x
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I have also found Marbocyl an excellent antibiotic for dealing with abscesses. xx
 
I would also give him a probiotic which you don't need a prescription for. The one I've used for my piggies is Fibreplex which you can get from Vet UK. Usually just one dose (1 click on the plunger) is enough but in extreme cases then 3 doses for 2 days. Regarding the wound, you could also use manuka honey on it. It can even be applied into the drain hole (if there is one) by cotton bud. This worked wonders with Minky when she had post-op problems after an abscess removal. Before antibiotics, honey was often used in battlefield surgeries to prevent infection. I got this tip from my local guinea pig rescue & checked with my vet first who OK'd it.
 
I don't think the specialist works Wednesdays. I'll have to try and get him in Thurs night after I finish work : /

I've got a probiotic he gets 1-2 hours after meds. He seems fine in himself, just when I touch the wound and the fact that it looks horrible ): it's been going on for about a month now. My mum thinks he should be put down. He's only a baby.
 
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Jeniva said:
vets and pets - Amir I think his name is, might have spelt that wrong.
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I went to Amir many years ago as he was the vet that Vedra at the CCT used. I am surprised he won't consider using Zithromax. See what he thinks about changing to Marbocyl. I just feel very frustrated for you as I am currently dealing with a piggy with an abscess who had it lanced and drained last Friday and is on Zithromax, and she is already very much better and we are hopeful that the abscess will be completely sorted very soon. xx
 
furryfriends Excellent Adventure Sanctuary said:
I went to Amir many years ago as he was the vet that Vedra at the CCT used. I am surprised he won't consider using Zithromax. See what he thinks about changing to Marbocyl. I just feel very frustrated for you as I am currently dealing with a piggy with an abscess who had it lanced and drained last Friday and is on Zithromax, and she is already very much better and we are hopeful that the abscess will be completely sorted very soon. xx
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Hopefully I'll be able to see him thurs and I'll mention it again. I only was able to ask him once as I've been abroad. I'm very frustrated too, £300 down the drain and a month with my poor piggy in pain and unhappy. But there was 4 abscesses and one was hugeee. I regret going to the vets I went to previously. I really didn't think a common pet such as guinea pigs are classed as exotics and vets don't really know what to do with them. My mum really thinks he should be put down at the rate he is healing : /
I'll just keep cleaning it for now and trying to flush it, and keep him on his baytril until I get to Amir. He might keep him in and sort him out himself.
 
Jeniva said:
Hopefully I'll be able to see him thurs and I'll mention it again. I only was able to ask him once as I've been abroad. I'm very frustrated too, £300 down the drain and a month with my poor piggy in pain and unhappy. But there was 4 abscesses and one was hugeee. I regret going to the vets I went to previously. I really didn't think a common pet such as guinea pigs are classed as exotics and vets don't really know what to do with them. My mum really thinks he should be put down at the rate he is healing : /
I'll just keep cleaning it for now and trying to flush it, and keep him on his baytril until I get to Amir. He might keep him in and sort him out himself.
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I see see no reason why your boy will need to be pts so don't worry about that. I have just seen your photo and Eliza's eye cavity didn't look much better. Not once did my vet recommend pts and Eliza is 6.

The problem with open wounds is that you don't oh have the battle with the pus, but also you have to wait for new granulated tissue to form which fills in the hole which of course takes time.

Your boy may benefit from having metacam I he isn't doing so already. It is a pain reliever.

i would also suggest you using hibi scrub rather than iodine as this can sting where as hibi scrub is milder.
 
I'll mention all to the vet, he's at our work tomorrow so I'll see him there and bring Han in. He might end up taking him in, he usually takes animals in to treat himself.
I've got hibiscrub hand wash for when my hedgehog had fungal problems I was using it to clean her cage, but its a soap basically so I'm assuming its not fit for wounds?
 
You can bathe the wounds with dilute hibi (at lease 1:10 with warm water), or you could use warm salt water (half a teaspoon in half a pint of water).

In terms of picking and choosing antibiotics...you'd be better off asking for a culture and sensitivity to be done (if it hasn't already?). They'll grow the bacteria in the lab then see what antibiotic(s) its sensitive to. Then you know which antibiotic will be best for the job.
 
Simon has found, with experience, that pus from abscesses very frequently doesn't culture and comes back as sterile. He has said you would need to send a sample of the capsule to be sure of getting an accurate result. We have found that going straight in with Zithromax has sorted the abscess very quickly and easily.
 
Do Vets not like prescribing other ABX due to licensing ?
I thought if you signed a disclaimer, they would allow other ones that may help...seems that this wee guy needs serious help asap and too feel frustrated :(
 
Guinea pig slave said:
Do Vets not like prescribing other ABX due to licensing ?
I thought if you signed a disclaimer, they would allow other ones that may help...seems that this wee guy needs serious help asap and too feel frustrated :(
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There's still a cascade of treatment to follow unless there's reasonable evidence to divert from that eg culture results
 
Baytril is the only antibiotic specifically liscenced for guinea pigs. The cascade system means vets are required to try drugs that are licenced for specific species before moving onto drugs licenced for other species and humans. reasonable evidence includes the failure of the licenced drug to work, the vet then needs to inform the client if they are going to try a drug licenced for an other species/humans and should get the client to sign to confirm they understand this.

many vets are unfamiliar with zithromax ( which is a drug licenced for human use) and so, understanably, are reluctant to use it. However, there is nothing to stop them contacting specialist vets who do use it to discuss its uses and results and then make an informed decision on whether it is appropriate.
 
Pound Shilling & Pig said:
Baytril is the only antibiotic specifically liscenced for guinea pigs. The cascade system means vets are required to try drugs that are licenced for specific species before moving onto drugs licenced for other species and humans. reasonable evidence includes the failure of the licenced drug to work, the vet then needs to inform the client if they are going to try a drug licenced for an other species/humans and should get the client to sign to confirm they understand this.

many vets are unfamiliar with zithromax ( which is a drug licenced for human use) and so, understanably, are reluctant to use it. However, there is nothing to stop them contacting specialist vets who do use it to discuss its uses and results and then make an informed decision on whether it is appropriate.
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Ah, thanks for clarifying :) I understand about Baytril only being licensed etc. we have been prescribed other ABX but only from our Exotic practise.
 
Pound Shilling & Pig said:
Baytril is the only antibiotic specifically liscenced for guinea pigs. The cascade system means vets are required to try drugs that are licenced for specific species before moving onto drugs licenced for other species and humans. reasonable evidence includes the failure of the licenced drug to work, the vet then needs to inform the client if they are going to try a drug licenced for an other species/humans and should get the client to sign to confirm they understand this.

many vets are unfamiliar with zithromax ( which is a drug licenced for human use) and so, understanably, are reluctant to use it. However, there is nothing to stop them contacting specialist vets who do use it to discuss its uses and results and then make an informed decision on whether it is appropriate.
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I know for a fact this vet has used zithromax on our bunnies at work, don't think he treats our gpigs often though as they're always healthy. So I'm hoping he will use some zithromax.

Bathed Han's wound a couple of times already today. Tiny bit of pus came out - hoping non is stuck underneath but I guess the vet tomorrow will let me know what needs to be done.
 
Hope all goes okay at the vets tomorrow. Please let us know how you get on. Lots of cuddles to Han
 
Good luck for tomorrow. If your vet has experience of zithromax in rabbits that is a good thing, it usually works just as well for piggies with the same type of conditions (eg abscessses). It is not a drug that should be used in a general kind of a way like baytril often is but for certain things, mainly abscesses and pneumonia it can, literally, be a life safer.
 
I would definitely echo the recommendation for Zithromax for abscesses. I had a very frail pig who developed a huge facial abscess - he was treated and put on Zithromax. A matter of days later and he was healing very nicely.

Baytril clearly isn't working so keep pushing for Zithromax. Although it is technically not licensed for pigs, I guess I'm just lucky to have vets who have wealth of experience with the little furries! :) Lives in our household have certainly been saved due to their knowledge and quick actions regarding medicating illnesses.
 
OK so I only spoke to the best super briefly as I was working and he was leaving. He looked at Han, said see how he goes with cleaning etc for a while and he will likely need another op. I'm really hoping he won't need another op as it would be the third one in the space of a month! He's only 5 months old.
I asked if I could try zithromax and said that you all say its great. He said OK and will bring it in tomorrow as he's back in my work tomorrow to treat the tortoises. My boss told me its about 46 quid though! Ouch. Oh well, I've spent 300 on him already. Just want my baby better. I really hope the zithromax will work. Who knows a rough dosage I should be expecting? And is it once or twice a day? Will he still need probiotics?
I completely forgot to ask about pain killer, but he only seems in discomfort when I'm cleaning it and last time he was still in pain on painkiller.
 
Pound Shilling & Pig said:
How is your piggy doing? Has he started on the zithromax yet?
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Vet was meant to bring it today but forgot, so he will bring it tomorrow hopefully.
It was a little bloody tonight. Not much pus, little bit when I pushed down but only a little - so hoping its getting better. I don't want him to have another op!
 
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