Recurring Abscess

[Angeladeedah]

My boar, Patch, who is just over 5 & a half years old, had been attending the vets for the last 6 weeks for an abscess under his chin. He had an operation to remove it and I've been flushing it. No antibiotics.
It was thought it had gone but sadly it has come back again so back to the vets we went on Thursday. I'm now back to flushing. Vet advises that x-Ray is required but she wouldn't recommend putting him under again so soon. So really I'm facing making life comfortable for him until the time comes.
I don't know what to do for the best for him. He doesn't appear to be suffering and is eating perfectly fine.
Anyone had experience of abscesses?

 

[*kate*]

I only have experience with a jaw abscess in a rabbit. She had it removed and packed with antibiotic beads and it cleared totally.

 

[DM030819]

It sounds like the vet didn't manage to get all of it last time. They can be really tricky and have multiple pockets so you might clear one area with flushing but there's another closed area you can't get to.

If he's fine in himself you could opt for another operation to fully remove it. He will need antibiotics too, just to help you fight it when flushing.

If you don't want him to have the op yet it'll need to be cleaned and flushed still otherwise it will grow and possibly burst on it's own. If there isn't an open hole anymore the vet should be able to give him a lighter anaesthetic and clear it for you. You can then keep flushing it until he's ready for the op.

I have heard of people holding a warm compress on the abscess to burst it, but I'm not sure whether I would do that myself, I would prefer a vet to look at it.

I looked after a friends pig last year who had just been neutered. I was given Manuka honey to put in the wound and fight infection. I've never heard of that before but it helped. Ask the vet about it.

 

[Wiebke]

I am a bit amazed that you are not getting any antibiotic for the abscess. My Hywel has been on zithromax each time his dental abscess has come back. His is unfortunately sitting in the jawbone, which means that it is verydifficult/near impossible to get out of, but he still has got quality of life.

Abscesses need to heal from the inside out; if any bit of infection is left in a pouch, it will come back. You need to peel off the scab for as long as there is any pus sitting behind it (and then 1-2 days longer to make sure).

@furryfriends (TEAS) @MintyAndGarry (TEAS) @helen105281

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

An abscess doesn't have to be a death sentence. However, I am somewhat mystified as to why your vet hasn't prescribed an antibiotic. Without an antibiotic it is bound to keep recurring.

 

[Angeladeedah]

Neither of the vets seemed to think that the antibiotics were necessary as I've asked every time I've taken him in.
There's still a very slight hole but not that great for flushing and there's still a teeny amount of liquid comes out, not always pus sometimes it's clear.
It's so difficult to argue with vets when you don't have a clue.
They did say that it was a massive abscess and its in a really difficult position. Think I'll go back and push for antibiotics. And if no joy then I'll need to try another vet for another opinion.
Thanks for all your advice.

 

[Angeladeedah]

Thanks for all your help. Patch's abscess has cleared up well but there's still a little infection so he's going on antibiotics......and they're getting Zithromax for him too at my request. Hopefully this sorts it out for him.