Pip's Abscess Burst

[3piggles]

We noticed the Blood spatter on the sides of the cage, first. Vic washed her wound and got the remaining puss out of it. I called every vet in and out of my area, and there's a 4-6 week waiting period just to be seen, especially if you're a new patient. So unless you(Bean) know some reason not to wash the area regularly, put wound wash on it and Neosporin, that's what I plan to do.

[Bean]

It's good it's now open - if it's not too big and doesn't look infected, the regular cleaning sounds like a good plan. I haven't seen one for a while, but remember the vets suggesting three times a day to flush it out and express any pus (I hope everyone's already had their breakfast!). If Pip did start to seem unwell (it sounds like she's fine in herself now) I do hope the vets would be able to make space for an emergency. 4-6 weeks is a very long time to wait with a poorly pet.

I'm sending lots of well wishes to Pip, and to Vic as chief pus extractor. Keep us posted with how it's going.

[3piggles]

We're using wound wash and Neosporin, so I may not have antibiotics, but I have antiseptics. We're keeping it clean. Trying not to upset her too much, as she's in good spirits otherwise.

[Bean]

And if you did have antibiotics, you'd have the worry of her gut health, so fingers crossed it will sort itself by being kept clean - she doesn't sound like she's been remotely bothered by it, which is very promising.

[bazookagoof]

I hope Pip is okay. 

[3piggles]

The abscess is much better. Even yesterday, the day after it burst, it didn't smell as bad as the first day. Yes, gut health is always an issue when you use antibiotics, and vets who don't know much about guinea pigs tend to prescribe Baytril for everything. That is so strong it kills everything including the good gut flora. She's eating, pooping and generally asking for snacks all the time. I've had pigs dies suddenly when they seemed fine, so I'm keeping a close eye on her. Thank you for asking about her, Baz. I know you're incredibly busy.

[Bean]

Another good sign the smell isn't so bad - you mentioning it transported me back in time to the last time I was dealing with guinea pigs with abscesses, it's a distinctive smell for sure! Like you say, you never know what guinea pigs are masking, but I will keep everything crossed that this abscess is healing up as well as it sounds to be.

[3piggles]

It's looking pretty good, smelling better every day. We keeping a close eye on her which she probably doesn't appreciate

[Bean]

I can imagine she'd rather be left alone, but hopefully if things carry on healing up so nicely, she'll get some peace very soon. I'm really glad she's doing so well.

[3piggles]

Pip's abscess is almost dried up and gone. No more necrotic smell. She is much more back to her old self, which is so good to see

[Bean]

Great news all round, but especially for Pip!

[3piggles]

It is, but the availability of vets is really concerning me. I shouldn't have to pay emergency vet prices, but guinea pigs aren't popular here, the way they are in other states, and to have to drive over an hour, or go to Boston to get a vet, really concerns me. I don't know if I'll get more pigs after these girls, and I'm not ready to go pigless.

[Bean]

Yes, that would worry me too.

With an increase in online doctors' appointments, I wonder if there are any vets that offer something like that for certain common problems? I know it's not the same as having an animal in front of you, but for situations where it's not possible to visit a knowledgeable vet in person, and the problem is a reasonably obvious one (like a URI or wound) online consultations could have their place. Obviously getting any medications would be another issue - maybe they could coordinate with other vets to supply the prescribed medications, or even post them. Not ideal in emergency of course.

What vet does the rescue you got the girls from use, or is that to much of a trek to be helpful?

[3piggles]

I called the rescue Danny takes all her animals to, and they had a 6-wk wait. Danny said her vet tried to get one of her emergency cases taken, and no vet could fit him in. He died, which really upset her and her vet. The other thing is Danny's vet is in Dover, which is over and hours from here. I called 13 vets, all recommended by the last vet I called, and some of the vets were in Massachusetts. No luck It's particularly scary as the girls get older.

The vet I took Oodles to didn't really know anything about guinea pigs. Oodles had a UTI, and didn't get any help until it was too late I can have pigs, but I don't want to put them through that, if they get sick, going to a vet who doesn't know guinea pigs. That's not fair to the guinea pigs. Oodles suffered needlessly. I wasn't allowed in the exam room because of the pandemic, and a dog got hit by a car and it was all vets on the dog case. We sat in the car in the parking lot for over and hour before the checked her in, and over 3 hours while she apparently was along in the exam room while the vet helped with the dog. Not a good situation.

Several of the vets suggested Weare Animal Hospital. Every pet I ever took there died. They wouldn't keep Momma overnight, despite me saying I couldn't give her the sub!Q fluids she needed. I hade braces on both my wrists, which they ignored. They told me to find someone to do it. I couldn't, and Momma died

This is not a good place for guinea pigs

[Bean]

It's sad thinking of how many small animals will be missing out on the care they need, and that their owners want them to have. I don't suppose most new owners think of finding a vet before they actually need one.

And as a rescue, that must be especially hard, as you're more likely to have numerous guinea pigs with health issues that need treatment.

I don't blame you not wanting to go back to Weare after your awful experiences. Even with all new staff, it'd be hard to trust that lessons had been learned.

Anyway, I'm glad Pip's abscess was able to heal without needing any more specialised treatment than flushing, and fingers crossed the girls stay in good health so you don't have to deal with the reality of this difficult situation.

[3piggles]

Woke up to blood spatter all over the cage. The abscess seal itself off, developed another abscess, and that burst night before last. We changed the bedding today, and I found the spatter inside both houses. I think I have it all, now, but that means we're back to cleaning and disinfecting the wound. Pip's not going to be happy about that. We'll do a buddy bath tonight, clean out the would as much as possible, and disinfect it. Here we go, again.

[Bean]

Ah I'm sorry to hear that - no fun for Pip and no fun for you to have to do stuff you know she doesn't like. I hope she's otherwise okay in herself?

Have you considered booking in a vet's appointment for when you can get one, just in case it's still causing problems in a few weeks? You can always cancel it if you end up not needing it.

[3piggles]

I've been considering it. I checked the cyst last night, and it dried up again. I'm watching it closely, and if it fills one more time, I'm going to call the emergency vet where we used to live, and call it an emergency. I just hope they have a cavy savvy vet.

[Bean]

I hope it continues to dry up, but also that if you do need to, you can get sorted with a vet.