reaction to stitches

[earniethepiggie]

Hi, It seams like Earnie has had a reaction to his stitches post neuter (3 weeks). A couple days ago we took him to the vets after noticing swelling around where the procedure took place and they prescribed antibiotics and anti-inflammatory in case of an abscess. However, after closer inspection one of the ‘dissolvable’ stitches was slightly visible. Just wondering if this rejection of stitches could explain the swollen area? And wondering how expensive a potential removal of stitches would be, obviously it changes depending on where however a rough idea would be greatly appreciated- thankyou!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, It seams like Earnie has had a reaction to his stitches post neuter (3 weeks). A couple days ago we took him to the vets after noticing swelling around where the procedure took place and they prescribed antibiotics and anti-inflammatory in case of an abscess. However, after closer inspection one of the ‘dissolvable’ stitches was slightly visible. Just wondering if this rejection of stitches could explain the swollen area? And wondering how expensive a potential removal of stitches would be, obviously it changes depending on where however a rough idea would be greatly appreciated- thankyou!

Hi and welcome

It is more likely an infection or an abscess by this stage.
Neutering operations: Considerations, post-op care and complications and a successful recovery example

What antibiotic and anti-inflammatory and at which dosage/strength has he been prescribed?
You can upload any pictures best via the Attach Files button under your post when you write it.

 

[earniethepiggie]

Hi and welcome

It is more likely an infection or an abscess by this stage.
Neutering operations: Considerations, post-op care and complications and a successful recovery example

What antibiotic and anti-inflammatory and at which dosage/strength has he been prescribed?
You can upload any pictures best via the Attach Files button under your post when you write it. I’m pretty

It’s loxicom (0.25 once a day) and baytril twice a day however not too sure on that amount as someone else does it. It’s strange because it doesn’t seam like puss underneath the skin as it’s quite hard underneath rather than soft and he doesn’t seam in pain when you feel around.

 

[earniethepiggie]

Hi and welcome

It is more likely an infection or an abscess by this stage.
Neutering operations: Considerations, post-op care and complications and a successful recovery example

What antibiotic and anti-inflammatory and at which dosage/strength has he been prescribed?
You can upload any pictures best via the Attach Files button under your post when you write it.

after reading the complications part of that article it seams like an early abscess, maybe that could be pushing the stitches to the surface.

 

[Wiebke]

after reading the complications part of that article it seams like an early abscess, maybe that could be pushing the stitches to the surface.

My thoughts, too.
Stitches don't usually cause bad reactions and fluid collecting around th wound happens in the days after an operation but usually disperses again within a few days or a week. From about 10 days on, infection and abscesses become the most common post-op complicaton. They need a bit of time to get going.

What antibiotic and analgesic have you been put on and at which dosage and strength?

 

[earniethepiggie]

after reading the complications part of that article it seams like an early abscess, maybe that could be pushing t

My thoughts, too.
Stitches don't usually cause bad reactions and fluid collecting around th wound happens in the days after an operation but usually disperses again within a few days or a week. From about 10 days on, infection and abscesses become the most common post-op complicaton. They need a bit of time to get going.

What antibiotic and analgesic have you been put on and at which dosage and strength?

My thoughts, too.
Stitches don't usually cause bad reactions and fluid collecting around th wound happens in the days after an operation but usually disperses again within a few days or a week. From about 10 days on, infection and abscesses become the most common post-op complicaton. They need a bit of time to get going.

What antibiotic and analgesic have you been put on and at which dosage and strength?

yep so he’s on baytril 2x a day i’ll just double check the amount and loxicom x1 at 0.25. Have you got a rough idea of the removal price? I’m aware it changes depending where you go but a rough idea would be greatly appreciated!

yep so he’s on baytril 2x a day i’ll just double check the amount and loxicom x1 at 0.25. Have you got a rough idea of the removal price? I’m aware it changes depending where you go but a rough idea would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi

An abscess close to surface will have to be lanced and then marsupialised (stitched open) to allow twice daily flushing and any pus draining out while it slowly heals from the inside out. Any speck of infection left in the pouches can restart the abscess. Your vet may prefer to use GA, which is the most expensive part of an operation bill. You will have to ask the clinic for an estimate and can ask for a payment plan if needed.
Is the loxicom (another UK brand name for better known metacam; the active ingredient is called meloxicam) cat strength (0.5mg/ml) or dog strength (1.5mg/ml)?
Cat strength is officially licenced for guinea pigs but if it is that, the dosage is very low indeed with 0.25 ml once daily for cat metacam. Because guinea pigs have a much faster metabolism, they tolerate much higher amounts and should have it ideally twice daily.

 

[earniethepiggie]

Hi

An abscess close to surface will have to be lanced and then marsupialised (stitched open) to allow twice daily flushing and any pus draining out while it slowly heals from the inside out. Any speck of infection left in the pouches can restart the abscess. Your vet may prefer to use GA, which is the most expensive part of an operation bill. You will have to ask the clinic for an estimate and can ask for a payment plan if needed.
Is the loxicom (another UK brand name for better known metacam; the active ingredient is called meloxicam) cat strength (0.5mg/ml) or dog strength (1.5mg/ml)?
Cat strength is officially licenced for guinea pigs but if it is that, the dosage is very low indeed with 0.25 ml once daily for cat metacam. Because guinea pigs have a much faster metabolism, they tolerate much higher amounts and should have it ideally twice daily.

it is cat strength, which as you say isn’t strong enough and I’ve heard from multiple sources baytril isn’t very effective either. this is really annoying and although it is a small animal vet, I wish they had told me more about the strength of the antibiotic and anti-inflammatory. it’s already costed up to £200. for consultation (which was less than five minutes) and the two small medicines came up to £60. Very expensive little boy! I also don’t know how much I want him going through another surgery as I don’t think it’s fair on him and it’s very expensive. it’s all so stressful and I feel so bad for putting him through this!

 

[earniethepiggie]

I was also wondering as to why the stitches hadn’t dissolved yet as they seam very intact..

 

[Wiebke]

it is cat strength, which as you say isn’t strong enough and I’ve heard from multiple sources baytril isn’t very effective either. this is really annoying and although it is a small animal vet, I wish they had told me more about the strength of the antibiotic and anti-inflammatory. it’s already costed up to £200. for consultation (which was less than five minutes) and the two small medicines came up to £60. Very expensive little boy! I also don’t know how much I want him going through another surgery as I don’t think it’s fair on him and it’s very expensive. it’s all so stressful and I feel so bad for putting him through this!

Hi

Would it help you knowing that several of my adopted 'husboars' have had post-op abscesses and of them was the one with the gut adhesion that basically had been given up by the operating vets 10 years ago; but they all have/have had a very happy and long life with 1 to 13 sows afterwards?
Stitches may take a bit longer to dissolve but that is not a question I can answer. I am neither a vet nor a nurse; just a long term owner.

Please keep in mind that the medication would be OK for a minor infection issue (as which your piggy presented when you had him seen) but it won't be effective against a full blown abscess.

Here is our recommended vets list: Recommended Guinea Pig Vets

 

[earniethepiggie]

Hi, thankyou that’s very reassuring to hear! he’s seeing them on tuesday hopefully we’ll book an appointment for the abscess removal then!

 

[Stewybus]

We've had two boys who came into the rescue after both being neutered at different vets miles from here. They both had post op abscesses.

The first was a very hard lump which could have been there a while and our vet lanced & removed it and he was put on Baytril & Loxicom. He went back 4 days later and it had fully gone.

The second had a more conventional abscess with cream pus. Same meds given but this time it took about 12 days to go.

Both boys are fine now and living with female piggies. I think your boy seems to be more like our first boy so hopefully it shouldn't take too long for him to be right again. As far as cost goes, witj most vets any followup treatment would be free.

 

[earniethepiggie]

Thankyou, that’s very helpful. Great to hear the boys are happy now. Earnie seems very happy in himself, he started squeaking and popcoring when he had the fridge opening earlier!