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Recurring Dental Abscess

sophadopha97

sophadopha97

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi all

Clover's abscess was first drained by Simon in August - all seemed well and we were almost down to monthly dentals due to her misplaced jaw when her abscess returned in December. It was drained again by Simon, and refilled in a week so she was put on Marbocyl.

She's still on Marbocyl, Zithromax and Metacam every day, and last time I went to see Kim in the middle of February she said it's likely she'd have to stay on it for at least the next 3 weeks because there could be infection still within the jaw bone/potential for an incisor abscess as pus came out as she was doing the dental!

I'm due back to the Cat and Rabbit on Saturday, but over the past 2 days Clover's abscess site is draining pus pretty much consistently (it's stayed slightly open as I've had to pick off the scab as the infection just will not go away).

My worry is now that she's immune to the Marbocyl which at first, really seemed to help her abscess when the Zithromax didn't in December. Is there a possibility that could have happened so suddenly? If so, is there anything else I can do for her?

I never thought that this abscess would cause me so much worry :(
 
Suki is very similar at the moment and is on Marbocyl and Zithromax. She’s doing well since the abscess has formed a sinus that drains constantly. The amount of pus is definitely lessening now. Is it Simon or Kim you’re seeing on Saturday? X
 
Thanks @Betsy :D

Is Suki doing ok now it is draining even though there is still pus there? I'm so afraid it will come back again, although I'm well aware now that for Clover this is probably a long term thing... Are you still having to clean her abscess up daily? I had stopped and had just gone down to picking off the scab as there was no pus but for the past two days have had to use some cotton pads with boiled water and some salt.

I think it'll be Simon as it was Kim last time and we go every 3 weeks x
 
Thanks @Betsy :D

Is Suki doing ok now it is draining even though there is still pus there? I'm so afraid it will come back again, although I'm well aware now that for Clover this is probably a long term thing... Are you still having to clean her abscess up daily? I had stopped and had just gone down to picking off the scab as there was no pus but for the past two days have had to use some cotton pads with boiled water and some salt.

I think it'll be Simon as it was Kim last time and we go every 3 weeks x
 
Sundae had a really long-term abscess. I kept it open and kept it clean daily in the beginning. Despite several antibiotics, it never 100% cleared completely... it did form a sinus tract that naturally stayed open and allowed it to minimally drain if any pus developed. After some months, this was really, really minimal, but still would drain small amounts of pus very occasionally. Once the abscess was lanced, as long as it was able to drain it never bothered her, though. It was the pressure of the closed that abscess that was causing her dental problems. Without that pressure, she carried on normally and ate normally.
 
Did Sundae manage to ever come off the antibiotics, or was she on them for the rest of her life?

At the minute Clover doesn't seem too bad with eating although she is absolute weight yo-yoer. The week after she has a dental she'll get up to around 970g, then by the time we're due back she'll hover around 870g.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it'll stay open now and drain - I'm on holiday next week so leaving my sister in charge of her :soz:
 
sophadopha97 said:
Thanks @Betsy :D

Is Suki doing ok now it is draining even though there is still pus there? I'm so afraid it will come back again, although I'm well aware now that for Clover this is probably a long term thing... Are you still having to clean her abscess up daily? I had stopped and had just gone down to picking off the scab as there was no pus but for the past two days have had to use some cotton pads with boiled water and some salt.

I think it'll be Simon as it was Kim last time and we go every 3 weeks x
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I just pull off any scab that is forming, although it is usually just a bit of dried pus (this sounds delightful ha ha) I then massage around the area of her jaw, as the abscess is in and under the jawbone. This usually helps a little more pus to seep out. I then give it a good clean. Suki has been on Zithromax for a long time now and we added in Marbocyl about three weeks ago.

What time are you there on Saturday? I need to pop in with something for Kelly, the receptionist.

If ever you are worried about leaving Clover, when going away on holiday, I do guinea pig boarding.
 
I had the dried pus up until a few days ago so I know what you mean! I think I'll try with Clover tonight giving it a bit more of a good massage and see how it does - she smells not so delightful at the minute!

Our appt is 9:40 so fingers crossed it goes ok! These abscesses are the peskiest things!

That's really great to know for the future - it's hard trying to find somewhere where I know they'll get really looked after and be able to administer all the medicines etc it's like a pharmacy by the guinea pig cage at the mo! x
 
sophadopha97 said:
I had the dried pus up until a few days ago so I know what you mean! I think I'll try with Clover tonight giving it a bit more of a good massage and see how it does - she smells not so delightful at the minute!

Our appt is 9:40 so fingers crossed it goes ok! These abscesses are the peskiest things!

That's really great to know for the future - it's hard trying to find somewhere where I know they'll get really looked after and be able to administer all the medicines etc it's like a pharmacy by the guinea pig cage at the mo! x
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I’ll try and pop in around that time and say hello! I’m feeding some cats, close by to the vets, so I’ll be in the area xx
 
sophadopha97 said:
Did Sundae manage to ever come off the antibiotics, or was she on them for the rest of her life?

At the minute Clover doesn't seem too bad with eating although she is absolute weight yo-yoer. The week after she has a dental she'll get up to around 970g, then by the time we're due back she'll hover around 870g.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it'll stay open now and drain - I'm on holiday next week so leaving my sister in charge of her :soz:
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She was on chronic suppressive antibiotics due to chronic bladder problems anyhow, so unfortunately coming off antibiotics was never really an option for her. She did come off the abscess-specific ones eventually (she was on two for awhile.) She did live to be just shy of 7 years old, though, so I can't say that the long-term meds were bad for her at all, though.
 
It’s good to know she still managed a normal happy and long life despite that - I feel like all I’ve done since last August is panic about her every single day, so it’s good to know piggies can make it through and live for a long time.

Clovey is the happiest little piggie in the world still and I’m sure it’s what is pulling her through x
 
sophadopha97 said:
It’s good to know she still managed a normal happy and long life despite that - I feel like all I’ve done since last August is panic about her every single day, so it’s good to know piggies can make it through and live for a long time.

Clovey is the happiest little piggie in the world still and I’m sure it’s what is pulling her through x
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Some pigs are just tough little troopers. That's what we always said about Sundae... she had multiple health problems, but she always fought back, always tried to eat, never just sat in the corner and gave in the way a lot of pigs seem to react to illness. Our vet said she had the heart of a lion in the body of a guinea pig!
 
Absolutely - I agree with your vet! some piggies are definitely little lions in small bodies.

Clover is always squeaking for more veggies and falling asleep with her little leg out looking so happy. :D They’re my favourite little angels x
 
sophadopha97 said:
Absolutely - I agree with your vet! some piggies are definitely little lions in small bodies.

Clover is always squeaking for more veggies and falling asleep with her little leg out looking so happy. :D They’re my favourite little angels x
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They are great little critters! :)
 
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