Starting To Feel Really Disheartened

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LydiaMinx

LydiaMinx

Teenage Guinea Pig
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Just need to come here to unload a little bit as I'm sure everyone physically in my life is sick of hearing about it - but I have yet to shift the infection in Badgers jaw.

He's had his lower right incisor permanently removed, leaving a hole which I am able to squeeze pus out of, but the fact that pus is still coming out almost frustrates me to tears.

The vet performed another operation on him on Friday to drain the infection from his chin, but the pus has filled his bone again already (as it is still coming out of the hole inside of his mouth) and flushing the wound and keeping it open for absolutely no point now feels needlessly cruel.

The vets are suggesting continued flushing and antibiotic treatment, which is making Badger slumpy and not like himself. And clearly not working.

I am out of money - I was paid on Friday and am now broke again until next pay day because I'm throwing money at this and it doesn't seem to be helping. I've tried to make threads on here asking for people who have been in similar positions and the threads have largely been buried and I am essentially replying to myself at this point, so I've just given up.

I am honestly just at the point where I could cry continually. I'm so frustrated, because I don't understand why he even has this in the first place, and nothing is helping. And I can't afford to do anymore - what am I meant to do now? The vet he is seeing is my local 'specialist' (and they're still 50 miles away), while they're more helpful then his previous, they're just telling me to see how it goes and come back in a week. Which is something I can't afford to keep doing.

I also found a cyst on Badgers back last night.

No one in my physical life cares, they just say keep doing what you're doing, or it's clear they're just fed up with me talking about it. I'm fed up with it now too. I honestly am beyond frustrated and just feel like this is never going to go away.

Badger must be totally fed up and I wish I could just magic the sodding infection away :(
 
Hi Lydia,

I haven't seen your previous posts and I apologise if you have done this already.

My Fred had a jaw bone abscess, we also removed his incisor. The abscess it's self was flushed by a wound in the neck.

I tried numerous antibiotics, nothing worked. In the end my vet prescribed Zithromax initially he was reluctant but given all the avenues we'd exhausted we had nothing to lose. Fred didn't respond well to Zithromax I ended up syringe feeding him thoughout the course but the abscess did clear and we haven't had any further problems.

I hope this helps.
 
flintstones said:
Hi Lydia,

I haven't seen your previous posts and I apologise if you have done this already.

My Fred had a jaw bone abscess, we also removed his incisor. The abscess it's self was flushed by a wound in the neck.

I tried numerous antibiotics, nothing worked. In the end my vet prescribed Zithromax initially he was reluctant but given all the avenues we'd exhausted we had nothing to lose. Fred didn't respond well to Zithromax I ended up syringe feeding him thoughout the course but the abscess did clear and we haven't had any further problems.

I hope this helps.
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I appreciate this reply so much, thank you flintstones. How long did Fred have his jaw abscess? I know they can take a long while to heal but haven't heard the average time.

We've tried or are currently trying all of the above - the hole in his neck doesn't seem to be connected to the infection at this point. It must have been originally as the vet said he got a pea sized lump of pus out but since then I've never gotten anything out of it when flushing and it isn't lessening the pus coming out of his mouth :( I have to re-open the wound twice a day to flush also, it's really eager to heal.

I keep forgetting to mention Zithromax (I know this seems ridiculous given my desperation to get rid of this infection, but I get so flustered at the vets), but may ring tomorrow and ask them to send some. Out of curiosity flintstones, what were you flushing the wound with? Our vet just suggested water, and said hibiscrub could be toxic? I've gone with saline as I know it's safe but again, doesn't seem to be helping :(

Thank you so so much for replying.
 
If the vet is reluctant to prescribe it mention there is a vet paper about abscesses in rabbits. It shows the success rate with different antibiotics and Zithromax was over 90%. This is the reason my vet prescribed it.

We tried 3 antibiotics before trying Zithromax, we also lanced the abscess but it closed up. I think it returned but can't remember exactly. He was then taken in to have his incisor removed.

It took 6 weeks, I think. It was the Zithromax that definitely beat the abscess.

I documented Fred's on-going issues it started off with a mouth infection then the abscess developed. This is Fred's thread.

Fred is poorly
 
Hi @LydiaMinx , so sorry you are going through all this with Badger, it can be so stressful nursing any animal through an illness and abcesses are notoriously tricky! Sounds like Zithromax is worth a try and if you can get Badger over the worst hopefully things will look brighter. You are doing your very best for your piggy and sometimes they just seem to have problems out of the blue. Take care and cyber hugs coming your way too.:)
 
flintstones said:
If the vet is reluctant to prescribe it mention there is a vet paper about abscesses in rabbits. It shows the success rate with different antibiotics and Zithromax was over 90%. This is the reason my vet prescribed it.

We tried 3 antibiotics before trying Zithromax, we also lanced the abscess but it closed up. I think it returned but can't remember exactly. He was then taken in to have his incisor removed.

It took 6 weeks, I think. It was the Zithromax that definitely beat the abscess.

I documented Fred's on-going issues it started off with a mouth infection then the abscess developed. This is Fred's thread.

Fred is poorly
Click to expand...

Thank you for linking the thread, will give it a read through now! Did you find that the infection cleared with the Zithromax alone, and no flushing? It's clear the opening of the wound and flushing is causing Badger a lot of discomfort (he bites me, something he has never done in his life) and I loathe to do it. I'm going to do it until Friday, a week after the op, but then let it heal if there isn't a significant improvement.

I just hate causing him pain and him not knowing that I have no choice in the matter :(

Thank you for replying again x

AuntyC said:
Hi @LydiaMinx , so sorry you are going through all this with Badger, it can be so stressful nursing any animal through an illness and abcesses are notoriously tricky! Sounds like Zithromax is worth a try and if you can get Badger over the worst hopefully things will look brighter. You are doing your very best for your piggy and sometimes they just seem to have problems out of the blue. Take care and cyber hugs coming your way too.:)
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Thank you, it means so much! I know in the grand scheme of things it's a very minor illness, but it's such an awkward one to try to beat. Such a slow process and frustrating :( Thank you for the kind words x
 
I think the 2nd time round we didn't flush with the Zithromax the vet just cleaned it out when he took his incisor out.

I really would recommend asking for Zithromax especially well it's still open.

What antibiotic is he on just now?
 
flintstones said:
I think the 2nd time round we didn't flush with the Zithromax the vet just cleaned it out when he took his incisor out.

I really would recommend asking for Zithromax especially well it's still open.

What antibiotic is he on just now?
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He's on Baytril and Flagyl, he's was only put back on Baytril today as it makes him really quite poorly, but needs must I guess:(

I just really can't tell if the flushing is doing anything, nothing is coming out and the lump seems to still be there afterwards, but it is fluctuating in size more I believe, and it is definitely smaller than when we started treating it.

It's now small enough that it could be missed if you didn't know it was there - just the fact it is there at all is still baffling to me.

I don't think the hole in his neck that I'm flushing is connected to the hole that's secreting pus into his mouth anymore


I am able to massage it now, whereas before it was solid - hopefully that's a sign it's starting to decrease more and more.

The entire situation is confusing to me, feels like we're getting nowhere fast and poor Badger is the one suffering :(

I'll ring the vets and ask about Zithromax, hopefully they won't want to see him again (as we were there yesterday afternoon) before prescribing it and they can just post it to me.

Sorry if this reply is muddled, trying to write it all out on mobile! Thank you again x
 
We also tried Flagyl and Baytril initially but stopped it as Fred didn't tolerate it very well.
 
I don't have any useful advice for you but wanted to wish you & Badger the very best of luck.
 
Sue and Smartie said:
I don't have any useful advice for you but wanted to wish you & Badger the very best of luck.
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Thank you so much x

flintstones said:
How did you get on today, did you call the vet about Zithromax?
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Hiya, I gave the vets a ring and managed to speak to a nurse, who spoke to the vets and then rung me back - They will consider Zithromax if the infection hasn't cleared by next week. It does seem to be a fair bit better today, still some pus coming out of the hole when I press it, but I can just about feel the lump by his jaw bone, it's absolutely tiny now. So hopefully it really is on the way out now, and Zithromax can be used to give it the final kick it needs.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed and going to try to stay optimistic x
 
flintstones said:
Good news, hopefully this is the move in the right direction.
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Thank you, he's still improving bit by bit. Pus is still coming out of the hole but the lump is decreasing from what I can tell.
Only I'm very much down again as Boris (my other boar) was breathing shallowly this morning and is now at the vets have X-rays for suspected heart failure :(
 
Cookies&Glitter said:
I'm in thenUS so sont know how it works but is smthn where TEAS could help? Have you reached out?
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I have spoken to TEAS and they've given me some really helpful information over this forum, unfortunately I live too far away to go to their suggested vets. Would love to but it's a case of money and logistics :(
 
Hi,I can also vouch for the power of Zithromax where abcesses are concerned. My Bubble was prescribed a 4 week course of Zithromax for a jaw bone abcess by Simon Maddock and it did the job with no other intervention whatsoever. He tolerated it really well with no loss of appetite at all. That was back in December. Simon is just seeing him at ten week intervals now to keep an eye on him. In fact we're going for his check up next Wednesday.
 
Sundae also had a large jaw abscess, though it did not require removal of the tooth. I flushed it for months... and I do mean months. It was not a short process. The pus did gradually become less over time, but I was expressing some level of pus for months. I have heard good things about Zithromax and abscesses, but it's not commonly prescribed in Canada where I live. We are behind on small animal medicine, I think. She was on chlormaphenicol the whole time, along with Baytril (which she takes long-term for recurrent UTIs.) But I feel your pain here, because it was many months of flushing twice a day and wasn't fun for either of us. The good news is that she did go on to make a full recovery and is still alive and kicking at age 6 and some months, but it was not a short-term problem or a quick fix, unfortunately.
 
piggie smitten said:
Hi,I can also vouch for the power of Zithromax where abcesses are concerned. My Bubble was prescribed a 4 week course of Zithromax for a jaw bone abcess by Simon Maddock and it did the job with no other intervention whatsoever. He tolerated it really well with no loss of appetite at all. That was back in December. Simon is just seeing him at ten week intervals now to keep an eye on him. In fact we're going for his check up next Wednesday.
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That's great to hear, as the hole I'm using for draining is slowly getting smaller and smaller despite me flushing it twice a day! His vet wants him to complete 6 weeks on the Baytril and Flagyl (which will be up on the 6th July) and if there's still infection, he'll give me Zithromax and another AB. It is getting there though, I'm just so impatient when it comes to these things.

Freela said:
Sundae also had a large jaw abscess, though it did not require removal of the tooth. I flushed it for months... and I do mean months. It was not a short process. The pus did gradually become less over time, but I was expressing some level of pus for months. I have heard good things about Zithromax and abscesses, but it's not commonly prescribed in Canada where I live. We are behind on small animal medicine, I think. She was on chlormaphenicol the whole time, along with Baytril (which she takes long-term for recurrent UTIs.) But I feel your pain here, because it was many months of flushing twice a day and wasn't fun for either of us. The good news is that she did go on to make a full recovery and is still alive and kicking at age 6 and some months, but it was not a short-term problem or a quick fix, unfortunately.
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Wow, I honestly can't imagine having to do it for months :( That's great to hear, that she's doing well! We are making progress, albiet slowly. I will keep pushing for Zithromax after this course is completed, and hopefully that gives it the nudge it needs to clear off!
 
So 10 weeks later and Badger is still on AB's for this abscess! The infection in the bone/the lump has entirely gone and it's literally just tiny amounts coming out of his tooth hole now, mainly when he has a bit of hay stuck in there! He doesn't tend to have pus if there isn't hay in there, so I'll be discussing with the vet withdrawing AB's (we tried about a month ago and the pus increased!) and maybe trying to find a way to close the tooth hole. Slowly getting there though!
 
I'm sorry to hear badger has been poorly too! Did he have zithromax in the end? May still be a option to rid him of the abcess completely x
 
Claire W said:
Everything crossed for Badger.

I'm afraid I have no advise but you are both in my thoughts xx
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Thank you! Seems like we're out of the woods with it though, so hopefully it's just finding the right treatment plan to give the infection the final push it needs xx

Adelle said:
I'm sorry to hear badger has been poorly too! Did he have zithromax in the end? May still be a option to rid him of the abcess completely x
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He didn't, I suggested it to his vet who said we could look at it if the Flagyl and Baytril didn't work well enough. They've certainly done enough to nearly get rid of the infection, it just needs a final push! I'm going to ring and hope they can send me some through, it has been long enough now for them to consider it I think x
 
Hi Lydia,i had a piggie with an unseen abcess,zithromax was given and worked a treat.I am lucky enough i could go to cat and Rabbit clinic.you can ask your vet if you can set up an installment plan,so if any vet fees arrive you can pay a set amount each month.i come from maidstone,there is an guinea pig friendly vet there,april lodge rescue are very good for information.hope badger improves.:hug:S to you.x
 
eileen said:
Hi Lydia,i had a piggie with an unseen abcess,zithromax was given and worked a treat.I am lucky enough i could go to cat and Rabbit clinic.you can ask your vet if you can set up an installment plan,so if any vet fees arrive you can pay a set amount each month.i come from maidstone,there is an guinea pig friendly vet there,april lodge rescue are very good for information.hope badger improves.:hug:S to you.x
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Hiya, I actually take both of my boys to Trinity in Maidstone, and they've been fantastic. They certainly know what they're doing, but I think they underestimated just how bad Badgers abscess was, hence us still having issue with it now. It was so bad that his jaw bone was nearly cleft into two! The bone is regrowing now and it's very odd to see and feel that part of his face get back to normal after so long looking sunken!

Where his tooth was removed is a little pocket (literally like the pocket in trousers) that gets debris stuck in and that seems to be causing most of the pus he's getting now, so I'm taking him back this Friday to hopefully get that sealed/removed so we can finally be done with this!

But Trinity are lovely, and April Lodge are looking after my boys when I go on holiday in October (dreading leaving them when they're both not 100%).
 
april lodge are excellent,have a guinea pig hospital,so it is always a worry.they are in the best hands.I'm sorry Badger is slow progressing,but its worth it when they get better.x
 
LydiaMinx said:
So 10 weeks later and Badger is still on AB's for this abscess! The infection in the bone/the lump has entirely gone and it's literally just tiny amounts coming out of his tooth hole now, mainly when he has a bit of hay stuck in there! He doesn't tend to have pus if there isn't hay in there, so I'll be discussing with the vet withdrawing AB's (we tried about a month ago and the pus increased!) and maybe trying to find a way to close the tooth hole. Slowly getting there though!
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Hi, Did you ask the vet about the Zithromax if by redrawing the ABs the pus is returning the current medication is just not working & you have to stand up to him. If he's been on ABs for 10 weeks that vet is not doing his job, plus Badger will become immune to it & it can't be used for any other illnesses that Badger gets.
I'm really sorry for what you've been through. It's heartbreaking when you can't help the pet that, you can always come on here for support, rather & throwing the TV at the wall. Fingers crossed for Boris too I hope he's improving.
:luv::luv::luv:
 
eileen said:
april lodge are excellent,have a guinea pig hospital,so it is always a worry.they are in the best hands.I'm sorry Badger is slow progressing,but its worth it when they get better.x
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It's comforting to know they're experts, I've heard nothing but good things and Val has reassured me that she's totally comfortable with the boys and their current additional needs...would still rather just have a week off at home with them though I think! :P x

Tiamolly123 said:
Hi, Did you ask the vet about the Zithromax if by redrawing the ABs the pus is returning the current medication is just not working & you have to stand up to him. If he's been on ABs for 10 weeks that vet is not doing his job, plus Badger will become immune to it & it can't be used for any other illnesses that Badger gets.
I'm really sorry for what you've been through. It's heartbreaking when you can't help the pet that, you can always come on here for support, rather & throwing the TV at the wall. Fingers crossed for Boris too I hope he's improving.
:luv::luv::luv:
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Hiya! I have asked about Zithromax, many times sadly :( They said it's quite narrow spectrum so they'd consider it if his current didn't work, they didn't work but they sent me the same ones. I'm taking him back on Friday and hopefully we'll come away with an opened/closed and sterilized toothy pocket and some different AB's. It's a tough one because he's back to himself entirely since his last op (the drain) but when I go to empty the pocket he hates it, and he's lost a fair bit of weight throughout the entire process (he's maintaining now, still a healthy weight).

I feel bad because whilst Boris has been really touch and go, Badger has fallen slightly to the wayside. Hence me not pushing for a permanent fix sooner, as I kept thinking 'Badgers ok for the moment, need to focus on Boris!'. They've both been taking turns all year and I've not just had a chance to relax and enjoy my piggies without worrying.

And thank you! Boris is doing well, all things considered, and Badger hopefully will be 100% soon! x
 
if all fails at your current vets ,have you thought of taking him to the cat and rabbit clinic?they are very expert in this area/dental?I'm sure i could help you out if needed.:)
 
eileen said:
if all fails at your current vets ,have you thought of taking him to the cat and rabbit clinic?they are very expert in this area/dental?I'm sure i could help you out if needed.:)
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I wish I could have gone there to begin with! All of the replies on here were essentially suggesting to go there but unfortunately for me it's a near impossibility :( Thank you so much for the offer though, everyone on here is so so kind, why I love this community x
 
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