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Rocket's carbuncle - what is it?

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AndreaJane

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Picked Rocket ( 8 and a half weeks old ) up this evening and felt something hard on his tummy - was shocked to find some sort of lump. Phoned the vet's who'd just finished evening surgery ( typical! ), they say if he's eating etc and seems alright in himself ( which he is ) then he should be okay for a morning appointment so I've booked him in the see the vet tomorrow morning. Meanwhile of course I'm worried about what it is and wondered if anyone else had seen anything like it. I'm pretty sure it's only appeared in the last 12 - 18 hours as I didn't notice it yesterday when I picked him up for a cuddle and tummy rub. It's not hot to the touch ( thank goodness or I'd have been straight over to the vets ) and whilst it looks like a swollen nipple it is in fact right next to his nipple.
Here's a picture ( warning - it's pretty gruesome so don't look if you're eating ).
http://www.flickr.com/photos/48805774@N04/5985794168/[/IMG]
5985794168


Please let me know if you think you know what it could be. Thanks

Andrea x
 
Looks like some kind of growth (obviously duh! mallethead), maybe a cyst or something? Difficult to say without poking it unfortunately!

definitely doing the right thing taking him to the vet :)
 
Would one appear that fast? :...
 
As it's right next to the nipple rather than under it I'm hoping that's not the case, really wouldn't like my little Rocket having to have an operation at his tender age. Maybe it's a just boil or something that can be asperated. Finger's crossed it's not serious.

Andrea x
 
been to the vets this morning

Well, I'm glad I hadn't had any breakfast, not sure it would have stayed down. The vet gave the lump a gentle squeeze and when a bit of pus came out he started squeezing with intent - the amount of yucky stuff that came out was unbelievable including a huge gunky lump at the end..bleurgh. Which left Rocket with a huge gaping hole. :...
He gave him an antibiotic injection and we've got to take him back for another on Monday, meanwhile just keep the wound rinsed which btw is already closing up ( thankfully! ). The vet thinks he caught himself on something and the only thing I can find that he might have done this on is his wicker tunnel that he runs through, he's just started chewing the edges, so that's gone in the kindling! Back to paper and cardboard tunnels.
The vet said it was better to just deal with it quickly rather than put him through an operation which I'm inclined to agree with. Hope it heals up soon.
He seemed okay when we got home but he was just sneezing loads and now he's sat hidden under piece of paper all fluffed up :...

Andrea x
 
Well, I'm glad I hadn't had any breakfast, not sure it would have stayed down. The vet gave the lump a gentle squeeze and when a bit of pus came out he started squeezing with intent - the amount of yucky stuff that came out was unbelievable including a huge gunky lump at the end..bleurgh. Which left Rocket with a huge gaping hole. :...
He gave him an antibiotic injection and we've got to take him back for another on Monday, meanwhile just keep the wound rinsed which btw is already closing up ( thankfully! ). The vet thinks he caught himself on something and the only thing I can find that he might have done this on is his wicker tunnel that he runs through, he's just started chewing the edges, so that's gone in the kindling! Back to paper and cardboard tunnels.
The vet said it was better to just deal with it quickly rather than put him through an operation which I'm inclined to agree with. Hope it heals up soon.
He seemed okay when we got home but he was just sneezing loads and now he's sat hidden under piece of paper all fluffed up :...

Andrea x

Ahhh abscess squeezing.... sooooooo satisfying! Is he on antibiotics? Pleased for you and little Rocket that it was nothing more sinister :)
 
Thanks everyone, very relieved but going to keep a close eye on him anyway as he's still not looking his usual self, hopefully it's just sulking and not a reaction to the antibiotics.
Have popped them all outside for a bit, maybe that will cheer him up after his awful Mummy put him through a trip to the vets!:)

x
 
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