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What Would You Do In My Position?

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Okay thanks @Wiebke I've changed it to friday instead. Is there anything I can be doing in the mean time?

Also the vet mentioned about taking them home with her or a nurse overnight but unless necessary I would really really really like them home with me especially as Hugo is very scared in different surroundings. The vet mentioned about bedding them on newspaper last time but I don't like the thought of this at all so I worry they will keep them on newspaper. I won't know how warm they are being kept in someone else's house etc and with newspaper they will be lying in wee. I can't be sure that they will give probiotics etc. I just don't know what to do. Do pigs normally come home after abscess surgery?
 
Sian25 said:
Okay thanks @Wiebke I've changed it to friday instead. Is there anything I can be doing in the mean time?

Also the vet mentioned about taking them home with her or a nurse overnight but unless necessary I would really really really like them home with me especially as Hugo is very scared in different surroundings. The vet mentioned about bedding them on newspaper last time but I don't like the thought of this at all so I worry they will keep them on newspaper. I won't know how warm they are being kept in someone else's house etc and with newspaper they will be lying in wee. I can't be sure that they will give probiotics etc. I just don't know what to do. Do pigs normally come home after abscess surgery?
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You can have a word with the vet about your reservations pre-op. I would recommend to have them on a more absorbent layer like vetbed or light towels etc. They are not dogs...

Until then I would continue with the antibiotics at least and in doubt as the vet what to do.
 
It's clearly not completely closed if you've got a bit of pus out. This can be sorted without further surgery. I hate to be thinking that the vets are just seeing pound signs. This post may need to be removed but I'm so bloody angry.
 
If your boys have not yet been on zithromax, then it is well worth opting for that instead of another operation. I've not realised that they haven't been on it yet. :(

I am currently having my Hywel on it for his dental abscess, even though it has been a pain getting an emergency appointment locally in Coventry with Simon Maddock on holiday, having Hywel's dental file transferred to the brnach he was seen in time and finally getting hold of the zithromax this week with my hub having a full operation (and us being without a car as a result), and the Coventry vets not having it in stock.
 
Paddy only has a very tiny opening left and Simon managed to put in a canula and to flush his abscess easily. He has told me to massage any pus out of the very tiny hole. Paddy is on a combination of Zithromax and injectable Marbocyl.. There is no reason why this can't be done for your little guys. Please try and get Zithromax though.
 
I've just spoken to the vet and she is not happy to just give Zithromax. She wants me to get a swab done in my local vets and then to see what antibiotic is best :( I feel like no one is helping my boys and I need them better now, this is too long
 
FFS the pus from abscesses rarely cultures, so then it will be oh dear, we still don't know. Also so how come they were happy to give Marbocyl without doing a culture? I wish Simon wasn't on annual leave this week or I would tell you to come and see him.
 
What are the risks of 3 GA's in just over a month. How do the increased amounts of GA's run more of a risk to their life? I need to make a decision on whether to just get them surgically removed or to fight for Zithromax but now I've been put off this vet by the whole culturing of pus if @furryfriends (TEAS) says it rarely cultures. I don't know whether to go back to Molly but time feels like it's ticking and tomorrow is a very bad day for me to be going to the vets and unless necessary I can't take them until friday
 
Their wounds now.. Hugo (ginger piggy) has something inside his wound which I can't work out whether it's pus, scab or fat. It seems stuck so I don't want to be rough if it's fat

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Does anyone know what this is? I don't want to pull it incase it's fat or something not meant to be removed

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Claire W said:
It looks like fat / muscle to me so I would leave it alone. It could also be serum which is nothing to worry about
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What's serum please? See I can't flush the wound as that is in the way :( And milans has pretty much closed up
 
Sian25 said:
What's serum please? See I can't flush the wound as that is in the way :( And milans has pretty much closed up
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It is just a clear liquid that is separated from blood that is quite normal during the healing process of wounds. My Eliza had it when she had her open eye socket. I was terrified it was pus but my vet explained that it was just serum. It can sometimes be wiped away but in my experience, it can dry to be quite hard.

To be honest, I'd leave it alone until your vet can clarify what it is
 
Claire W said:
It is just a clear liquid that is separated from blood that is quite normal during the healing process of wounds. My Eliza had it when she had her open eye socket. I was terrified it was pus but my vet explained that it was just serum. It can sometimes be wiped away but in my experience, it can dry to be quite hard.

To be honest, I'd leave it alone until your vet can clarify what it is
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I'm so lost. I don't know what vet I want to take them too. I don't know what I want them to do to them. I just don't know what to do about anything. I'm going to loose them, I know I am. None of the vets are helping me.

To me I'm thinking surgery may be a more effective fix because I'm clearly not capable of flushing their abscesses effectively if they are still infected. But I need to know what complications there are with the anaesthetics being given so close together. I need to understand why there is more of a risk of the several anaesthetics (if there is one)

Or I need someone with experience to nurse my pigs back to health with flushing because for some reason whatever I do just doesn't help them
 
The fact that the abscesses are still infected has nothing to do with your care. You are doing a brilliant job and have just been very unlucky :( I had a nightmare with Eliza.

I think the risks of having several anaesthetics done in such a short space of time is due to the strain it has on their bodies.

You are NOT going to lose them. You are doing a fantastic job.

May be give Molly a ring and see if she is willing to prescribe Zithromax before going down the surgery route if you are concerned about the risk of them being given another GA?

It's a hard one as there are pros and cons to both.
 
Claire W said:
The fact that the abscesses are still infected has nothing to do with your care. You are doing a brilliant job and have just been very unlucky :( I had a nightmare with Eliza.

I think the risks of having several anaesthetics done in such a short space of time is due to the strain it has on their bodies.

You are NOT going to lose them. You are doing a fantastic job.

I'm afraid I can't advise you on what you should do as it's a hard one. I'm hoping someone else will be able to advise.

May be give Molly a ring and see if she is willing to prescribe Zithromax before going down the surgery route?
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Molly is not in until tomorrow and every time I ring they always say 'she is busy, I'll ask her if she can ring you after tonight's consults are over with' ..and she never does. I will try and ring her though but I don't know whether it will be effective without proper flushing as Hugo's wound has that 'thing' in the way and milans is a very small hole that is very shallow now as it's closing up.
 
Also can I add.. Won't the previous anaesthetics be out of their system by now? The last thing I want is surgery but I feel so unable to nurse them adequately myself that I don't see another way out
 
Sian, l am so sorry that you are going through this. Please take a deep breath and try to focus on the long term. They will be fine, this is all very traumatic and confusing but its unlikely to be life threatening. I can't tell you what to do but follow your instincts, go with the vet you trust and l am sure it will all be good eventually. I can't believe your bad luck. Hang in there x
 
Sian25 said:
Molly is not in until tomorrow and every time I ring they always say 'she is busy, I'll ask her if she can ring you after tonight's consults are over with' ..and she never does. I will try and ring her though but I don't know whether it will be effective without proper flushing as Hugo's wound has that 'thing' in the way and milans is a very small hole that is very shallow now as it's closing up.
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The fact that one is shallow, means it is nearly healed and you are close to getting it sorted. Just massage out any pus that is forming.
 
pig in the city said:
Sian, l am so sorry that you are going through this. Please take a deep breath and try to focus on the long term. They will be fine, this is all very traumatic and confusing but its unlikely to be life threatening. I can't tell you what to do but follow your instincts, go with the vet you trust and l am sure it will all be good eventually. I can't believe your bad luck. Hang in there x
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Not sure I would class this as bad luck, but will keep my thoughts to myself before I get into trouble. However @pig in the city is right, only you can make the decision about which way to go. I am surprised they have said about operating again, without actually seeing the abscesses. I would get them rechecked and see which way the vet suggests to go. It may be that they will say all is going well once they see them.
 
I've just tried massaging the wounds and no more pus come out. Both only produced a small amount of pus this morning anyway. Yes milans is small and shallow but I have no idea what Hugo's is like as the clump of whatever it is is in the way but it still looks deep
 
Sian25 said:
I've just tried massaging the wounds and no more pus come out. Both only produced a small amount of pus this morning anyway. Yes milans is small and shallow but I have no idea what Hugo's is like as the clump of whatever it is is in the way but it still looks deep
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Okay, so just continue to do that, twice a day, so if any pus does start to build up it can be removed. I am guessing you are still giving the Marbocyl tablets? Then get the vet to take a look on Friday and decide where you go from there.
 
Yes we have marbocyl until Sunday (saturday night last marbocyl) am I still trying to flush them? Or just massaging any pus out?

I'm unsure which vet to take them to on friday. Molly is in on friday so I may take them to her as I've been a bit put off by this new vet now. But then again I was also put off by Molly after the surgery.

Also @furryfriends (TEAS) what do you mean by it's not just bad luck? I know it may not seem like it as most neuters go without problems and most people clear up abscesses fine but I've honestly done my best with everything. I'm self employed and have turned down most work to dedicate my every day life to keep their cages and wounds as clean as possible and to make sure they're okay etc. I don't want anyone thinking I've neglected them throughout their treatment as I know that's how it seems with all these problems :(
 
As someone who is following the thread but never posts (because I have nothing useful to say), I'll tell you that no one thinks this is you fault, I'm really sure of it. If something is clear is that you care really much about your piggies and that you're doing everything that is in your hands. So don't worry about that, because everyone here is seeing all your efforts :hug:
I really really hope that your boys get well soon and that way you'll be able to rest and have some time for yourself too, because what you're doing is amazing, really. You're going through a lot.
 
Sian25 said:
Yes we have marbocyl until Sunday (saturday night last marbocyl) am I still trying to flush them? Or just massaging any pus out?

I'm unsure which vet to take them to on friday. Molly is in on friday so I may take them to her as I've been a bit put off by this new vet now. But then again I was also put off by Molly after the surgery.

Also @furryfriends (TEAS) what do you mean by it's not just bad luck? I know it may not seem like it as most neuters go without problems and most people clear up abscesses fine but I've honestly done my best with everything. I'm self employed and have turned down most work to dedicate my every day life to keep their cages and wounds as clean as possible and to make sure they're okay etc. I don't want anyone thinking I've neglected them throughout their treatment as I know that's how it seems with all these problems :(
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@Sian25 It wasn't directed at you. I feel your piggies have been let down by the veterinary profession, sadly.
 
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