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Post by perdylilo on Jul 15, 2005 18:52:33 GMT
I picked up my guinea pig, Storm after I had been at my grandmas for a day. I noticed a lump on his cheek. I thought it was dirt so I took a rag and wiped it off. It turned out to be a scab. Now Storm has a pretty good sized open wound right underneath his nose. When the scab came off, it smelled so bad that I had to turn my head away. The cut isn't bleeding, but it is red, and off-white on the inside. There is also a black dot inside of it. Storm's nose is also running, there is a bunch of dried stuff underneath it. What should I do!? Is it infected?? Should I find a vet?? Help, please!!
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Post by Janet on Jul 15, 2005 19:01:46 GMT
It does sound like an infection. If it has a bad smell that isn't a good sign. Storm does need to see a vet. Do continue to keep it clean. Try to have him seen right away with the weekend coming up. Best wishes for good health.
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Post by perdylilo on Jul 15, 2005 20:47:04 GMT
I can't get him to the vet today! My mom is really sick, and refuses to take him. Should I try finding ones open on Saturday? Or do you think he'll be alright until next week? Sorry, I'm REALLY worried =(.
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Post by samnbud on Jul 15, 2005 21:15:00 GMT
That doesnt sound good at all. I would say please got to the vet as soon as possible. In the mean time you could clean the wound with some Aserbine Dermisol lotion or mild non fragrant soap and rinse well with water and swab it with povidone iodine (Bentadine). I have had to gently sqeeze the puss out of a wound until the fluid runs clear. I don't suggest this unless you have an adult supervising. And have a towel wrapped around the cavy and under your lap and do it gently. If you don't think you could then call a vet.
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Post by samnbud on Jul 15, 2005 21:17:18 GMT
Moms can be trying. You could always call the vet and ask for guidance. They may suggest something until you can take him. Just keep the wound dry after doctoring if you can and watch it closely.
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Post by Alix on Jul 15, 2005 21:45:05 GMT
Poor Storm! I'd say the off white colour and bad smell would be puss. If it is still open you should clean this out and put him in a cage with just his pellets, veggies and towels instead of shavings or any flaky bedding you have. You want to avoid any chance of something embedding in the wound and making it infected. At this stage all a Vet could do is clean it which you are very capable of doing yourself. Just keep it clean and watch it's progress. It should heal up pretty quickly.
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Post by skipperdoo on Jul 15, 2005 22:07:13 GMT
What is the black area inside the wound? Try to keep the area open and clean it at least twice a day so that the wound heals from the inside out and doesn't close in the infection. He does need to be seen ASAP so that antibiotics can be started. Is Storm housed with another pig?
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Post by kingscountry on Jul 16, 2005 0:12:29 GMT
Sounds like an abcess to me......
See the vet if you can, if not then keep clean like everyone else has said..
Cheers fee
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Post by perdylilo on Jul 16, 2005 2:21:57 GMT
ok, thanks for all the replies. Storm is with his friend Butterscotch, but they don't fight or anything. I don't know what the black area is. And it doesn't smell any more, it only did when the scab first came off. I rinsed it out, but I don't know what kind of soap or antibiotical creme is ok to use...
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Post by Janet on Jul 16, 2005 6:14:38 GMT
Povidone iodine (Bentadine) would probably be best for cleaning the wound. I don't know if you are in the U.S. or the U.K., here it is called Bentadine. Let us know how Storm is doing.
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Post by Clover on Jul 16, 2005 10:50:23 GMT
I would suggest going to the vets for antibiotic to and the vet will also show you how to keep the area clean.
Bactrim or Bayril are safe commonly used antibiotics for guinea pigs. I hope little storm will be alright.
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Post by skipperdoo on Jul 16, 2005 15:56:36 GMT
I use diluted Betadine (it will be the color of weak tea) or diluted Nolvasan (it will be the color of a light blue sky) to clean any wounds. Peroxide used to be used but its not longer since it it has been found to destroy the tissues. Keep us updated as to what the vet says and good luck.
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Post by perdylilo on Jul 16, 2005 16:51:16 GMT
Thanks for all the suggestions on what to put on it, I told my mom and she says she'll "check into it." My stepdad says it's probably not infected and I shouldn't worry about it, but I don't know if he's right. He said if it doesn't look like it's getting any better, then he'll take Storm to the vet on monday... Storm seems alright, he's not acting sick or anything, he just doesn't let me touch his cheek. Again, thanks for all the replies. I will get Storm to the vet as soon as possible.
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Jemima
Bronze Member
Posts: 223
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Post by Jemima on Jul 16, 2005 17:34:21 GMT
I sure hope Storm will be fine, and please let us know if anything changes, and what the vets says after you're home.
Hope your mom feels better soon, too!!
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Post by Alix on Jul 16, 2005 21:50:41 GMT
Good luck with Storm!
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Post by kat0521 on Jul 20, 2005 0:40:59 GMT
If you can't get in to see the vet, you can call him on the phone and, often, he will recommend an over-the-counter med or antibiotic to use. Some really good vets will even make house calls. Good luck!
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Post by Clover on Jul 20, 2005 7:48:58 GMT
Here in England, most vets insist on seeing a pet before offering advice over the phone as it really is the only way to get a proper diagnoses.
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Post by Josie on Jul 20, 2005 7:51:38 GMT
thats what our vet does, we took tufty in to them when she had an ENORMOUS scab on her back cause they wouldn't do house calls.
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Post by perdylilo on Jul 21, 2005 2:38:07 GMT
Well, just to let you all know, the cut has completely healed and Storm is fine. I don't know what happened, but I am starting to suspect that Storm and Butterscotch shouldn't be kept together. I'm going to watch them closer from now on. I really hope I don't have to separate them, one would have to go back to the small pet-store cage. =(
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Post by Susie on Aug 7, 2005 19:48:36 GMT
Hi there, glad storm is better. if the boys are fighting and drawing blood they will carry on doing it and there will be more wounds. And will need sepetating right away for good. So keep a close eye. Check out my website www.barmy4boars.co.uk which i set up mainly to help people with problems like this! Have a look under options. There is lots of stuff on what to do if they are falling out or if they are not how to try stop them... good luck. Feel free to contact me and ask me anything you like. I'd be happy to help.
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