Guinea pig: subcutaneous abscesses

Re: Guinea pig: subcutaneous abscesses

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Tue, 20 May 2014 15:39:32 GMT

[quote user="kathryne hodgson"]The lower incisors on inspection do appear to have lingual enamel damage so I suspect they are the root (joke:) of the problem. [/quote]

Not necessarily. It's quite possible that the proximity of the abscess to the dental sac is rendering it sick and interfering with enamel production.

[quote user="kathryne hodgson"]Would you recommend removing all the incisors like a rabbit,[/quote]

Not if you can possibly help it.

Re: Guinea pig: subcutaneous abscesses

kathryne hodgson — Tue, 20 May 2014 12:04:17 GMT

Hello,

Thankyou everyone for the replies.

Happily it looks wonderful at recheck today after 2 weeks of ab's. The skin has healed over nicely and the mass of the abscess has disappeared. I think I am very lucky to have a diligent owner! The lower incisors on inspection do appear to have lingual enamel damage so I suspect they are the root (joke:) of the problem. I am x-raying it this week to check, and if the teeth are involved I have a question.

Would you recommend removing all the incisors like a rabbit, or continue with longer course ab's and sx excision of scar/capsule tissue and leave the teeth alone?

Thanks in anticipation.

Kathryne

Re: Guinea pig: subcutaneous abscesses

Glenn Hodgson — Wed, 07 May 2014 22:32:37 GMT

Hello!

If not related to teeth excise.enbloc. I usually reach for the scalpel promptly.

Probably is related to teeth though.. X-ray and look for dental problem. I marsupialis these sometimes if related to teeth and get owners to clean Them Bid. Still usually close up after 5-7d.

Septrin/metronidazole a good choice. No harm in a c&s

If it's anywhere near teeth tell the o at the start that not an easy fix. Possibly can't fix..

Re: Guinea pig: subcutaneous abscesses

Emma Middleton — Wed, 07 May 2014 22:27:16 GMT

I agree, surgical excision seems to be the only real solution to these abscesses in rabbits and gps. If that's not possible due to location, I have found systemic antibiotics ineffective at best, but perhaps you could dissect out the abscess wall, leaving the skin intact? I'm no expert and haven't tried this myself but trying to be vaguely helpful...

I have seen vets fill the abscess with antibiotic in various forms but again, no evidence that this works and I think generally out of favour.. I hope an exotics person has some more useful advice!

Re: Guinea pig: subcutaneous abscesses

Rob Davis — Wed, 07 May 2014 14:21:16 GMT

I'm no expert, but as nobody else has replied...

I agree that surgical excision, where possible, usually seems to give the best chance of resolution. I would, however, be concerned about the possibility of dental involvement with an abscess at this site. Radiography would be useful to rule this out.

I'm sure others with more expertise will post soon!