https://www.vetsurgeon.org/f/clinical-questions/15502/pygmy-hedgehog-recurrent-abscess Hello all - a fun one for advice! I have just seen a pygmy hedgehog who has a recurrent ?abscess on her lower jaw which is currently discharging through the mouth. She is bright, well and eating fine at the moment, but after 4 weeks on Baytril PO isen-USTelligent Community 10https://www.vetsurgeon.org/thread/90219?ContentTypeID=1Tue, 11 Jun 2013 20:32:29 GMT146601cc-3922-4be7-9974-7e1d4e45a66b:f80a82c8-7cdf-4a21-b3dd-8bacc0af95e9Marie Kubiak<p>Hi,</p> <p>beware squamous cell carcinomas in pygmy hedgehogs! They are common in the mouths of older animals (&gt;3yrs) and can present in a similar way to non-responsive infections, non-healing wounds, tooth root abscesses or clear tissue swellings. Dental disease with abscessation and osteomyelitis or trauma and secondary infections are also differentials.</p> <p>I would premed with buprenorphine (0.1mg/kg) and medetomidine (0.1mg/kg) and then place a small mask over the nose and induce with sevo or iso. If she balls up then place a mask over the ventral break in the ball and eventually you will have a sleeping hog.</p> <p>You won&#39;t get very far trying to do things on a shoestring - this animal needs radiographs, biopsy and bacterial culture really +/- dental extractions - I would have a serious chat with the owner and see whether they are prepared to look at diagnosing and treating or just want a prescription for antibiotics and won&#39;t consider work-up. If the second then euthanasia will be next line if a change in antibiotics doesn&#39;t resolve anything. They are omnivores and you can safely use a wide range of antibiotics - if no work-up is permitted then I would broaden your cover, with something like amoxy-clav, or azithromycin plus analgesia (0.5-1mg/kg meloxicam).</p> <p>Marie</p><div style="clear:both;"></div>