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What on earth is this?

Heather B

Heather B

Junior Guinea Pig
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This started as a large cyst (or so it seemed from the outside and needle aspiration). It burst and was drained and flushed by the vet. It scabbed over and I assumed it was healing but last night I could see the scab had lifted and that there was pus underneath. I drained and flushed it best as I could but it looks beyond weird. I should add that the cyst chamber is deep and runs along where the bare skin is. I’m taking her to the vet later but I’m worrying myself sick in the meantime 😭😭 could it be a fatty lump? Does it need surgery?
 

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Heather B said:
This started as a large cyst (or so it seemed from the outside and needle aspiration). It burst and was drained and flushed by the vet. It scabbed over and I assumed it was healing but last night I could see the scab had lifted and that there was pus underneath. I drained and flushed it best as I could but it looks beyond weird. I should add that the cyst chamber is deep and runs along where the bare skin is. I’m taking her to the vet later but I’m worrying myself sick in the meantime 😭😭 could it be a fatty lump? Does it need surgery?
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Oh gosh I’m sorry you’re seeing that - no wonder you’re worried - it’s good you are taking her to the Vet
I think it may need thoroughly checking and cleaning and dressing and she will probably have antibiotics - they might even suture the wound
Try not to worry you’re only doing the best you can - she’s lucky to have an observant and caring owner ❤️
 
Roselina said:
Oh gosh I’m sorry you’re seeing that - no wonder you’re worried - it’s good you are taking her to the Vet
I think it may need thoroughly checking and cleaning and dressing and she will probably have antibiotics - they might even suture the wound
Try not to worry you’re only doing the best you can - she’s lucky to have an observant and caring owner ❤️
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Thank you ❤️ I’m so worried. My poor wee Poppy 🥺
 
Heather B said:
This started as a large cyst (or so it seemed from the outside and needle aspiration). It burst and was drained and flushed by the vet. It scabbed over and I assumed it was healing but last night I could see the scab had lifted and that there was pus underneath. I drained and flushed it best as I could but it looks beyond weird. I should add that the cyst chamber is deep and runs along where the bare skin is. I’m taking her to the vet later but I’m worrying myself sick in the meantime 😭😭 could it be a fatty lump? Does it need surgery?
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Hi

It sounds like an infected or possibly abscessing cyst. Please have it vet checked as you may need an antibiotic and also trying flush any pus out for as long as possible (abscess care) unless your vet prefers to operate. It will need a hands-on examination to see what is going on and how it is best dealt with.

Wishing you all the best.
 
Thanks everyone. That’s us home. Vet flushed it again but looks like I got most of it. She says that’s granulated tissue. I’ve got a week of antibiotics and to flush for a couple of days (got metacalm too) and to see how it goes, but likely to need to get it removed 🥺 I’m a nervous wreck about surgery having lost one of my angels under anaesthesia in the past 💔

Here’s my special Poppy, she’s at the front 💖
 

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Heather B said:
Thanks everyone. That’s us home. Vet flushed it again but looks like I got most of it. She says that’s granulated tissue. I’ve got a week of antibiotics and to flush for a couple of days (got metacalm too) and to see how it goes, but likely to need to get it removed 🥺 I’m a nervous wreck about surgery having lost one of my angels under anaesthesia in the past 💔

Here’s my special Poppy, she’s at the front 💖
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All the best. Poppy is a very pretty lady! I love her little skirt at the back. I hope that you get on top of the infection quickly. ❤️

The problem with burst and infected cysts is that they refill and come back again and again... Having been there repeatedly, I know how much more jittery you are after a bad experience. :(
However, the next time it generally goes well - at least that is what happened with mine. :tu:
 
Poor girl! One of my past pigs had something similar-appearing in a similar location. It was an inflamed sebaceous cyst. It kept refilling and the skin wouldn't heal over top, so she ended up having the entire cyst capsule removed surgically and the skin stitched over top. Luckily it never bothered her again after that. I can understand why, having had a bad situation with anesthesia in the past, you're worried about any kind of procedure that involves anesthesia again. Hopefully this time things will go smooth and she will soon be on her way to a full recovery. All the best!
 
What fabulous guineas you have. Sending healing wishes to dear Poppy your worry is understandable but if it comes to it we pray all will be well. 💐
 
Ah she is beautiful ❤️- I’m glad the Vet visit went well and that hopefully it’ll heal quickly with the meds - (but if not there is an option) I know you are very worried about an anaesthetic but try to be hopeful
Keep us updated
 
Just a wee update. Nearly a week in now. I’m still flushing twice daily (you can see a bit if gunk at the bottom of the pic which I’ve flushed out). I’m going to ask my vet for a further week of antibiotics and metacalm (she’s not sore but to help inflammation). I’m still utterly terrified of surgery so going to keep at this as long as I can 🥺 My special wee Princess 👑 is tolerating it so well. I’m just wondering if you guys see any improvement and/or suggest anything else I can do? Thanks so much for your support, it really helps 💞IMG_7875.webp
 
Heather B said:
Just a wee update. Nearly a week in now. I’m still flushing twice daily (you can see a bit if gunk at the bottom of the pic which I’ve flushed out). I’m going to ask my vet for a further week of antibiotics and metacalm (she’s not sore but to help inflammation). I’m still utterly terrified of surgery so going to keep at this as long as I can 🥺 My special wee Princess 👑 is tolerating it so well. I’m just wondering if you guys see any improvement and/or suggest anything else I can do? Thanks so much for your support, it really helps 💞View attachment 269725
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It’s definitely improved and your care and diligence will be helping - I know it can a while to see improvement but hopefully if you keep doing what you are …..❤️
 
Heather B said:
Thanks everyone. That’s us home. Vet flushed it again but looks like I got most of it. She says that’s granulated tissue. I’ve got a week of antibiotics and to flush for a couple of days (got metacalm too) and to see how it goes, but likely to need to get it removed 🥺 I’m a nervous wreck about surgery having lost one of my angels under anaesthesia in the past 💔

Here’s my special Poppy, she’s at the front 💖
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She is gorgeous 🥰
 
Heather B said:
Just a wee update. Nearly a week in now. I’m still flushing twice daily (you can see a bit if gunk at the bottom of the pic which I’ve flushed out). I’m going to ask my vet for a further week of antibiotics and metacalm (she’s not sore but to help inflammation). I’m still utterly terrified of surgery so going to keep at this as long as I can 🥺 My special wee Princess 👑 is tolerating it so well. I’m just wondering if you guys see any improvement and/or suggest anything else I can do? Thanks so much for your support, it really helps 💞View attachment 269725
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Yes it’s definitely looking better than it was. 😁

I agree with you that she will need more antibiotics as there is still pus/infection present. Good luck at the vets. You are doing brilliantly. ❤️
 
Back for more advice - sorry if I’m being annoying. This is it today. I’m still getting tiny amounts of puss but very little. However it definitely looks more open than before and wanted your opinion?

I’m flushing twice a day with 20mls saline and 10 mls of either vetricyn or lucillin each time, getting the needles right up inside. Am I opening it too much? I want to keep it as clean as possible obviously and she doesn’t bother with having it done so it’s clearly not sore.
Bonus pic of my beautiful, brave Poppy 💖🥺
Thanks ☺️
 

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Poor Poppy. I’m glad it doesn’t seem to be bothering her. When I had a piggy with a tooth root abscess he was on a 6 week course of antibiotics. So she may just need longer treatment.

Looking at Poppy’s wound I wouldn’t be surprised if she will need some sort of reconstructive surgery to close the wound.
 
Also if I have to go ahead I’m very torn between two options. One would be to take her to the exotics vet practice (about 50 minutes away), drop her off in the morning and wait. I’m very scared of this as when I last did this with my angel Brownie I got a call to say she wasn’t waking up. I’ll never forget that even though it was 3 years ago 💔 My second option is to take her to my local vet/ 5 mins away. Not an exotic vet but has experience with piggies ( including operating ) and communicates with the exotics practice. She’s confident to do it and has agreed to give me an appointment time for me to wait. This calms my nerves a LITTLE. I’m also considering this as she’s 5 mins away if I need help. I’m so desperate to avoid it though 🥺
 
Oh gosh that’s so hard for you and lovely Poppy
I’d keep doing what you are doing and get advice from your vet ( I’d go with your local vet as 5 mins away and has seen Poppy thru this so far)
Ensuring no pus is there will aid any surgery so you may need to keep doing what you are for a while
Sending you a big hug …it’s a difficult situation for you both and your love for Poppy is clear for us all to see ❤️
 
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