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Post by gpmum2 on Nov 19, 2006 15:59:54 GMT
Hi
I am new to this forum but I have been looking over it for a while and you all seem kind and knowledgeable people so I wonder if you can help.
I have recenlty got an long haired piggie from the RSPCA. He has been neutered about 8 weeks ago. He was found in a garden with lice on the 7th August. The RSPCA sorted out the lice then got him neutered.
I met him about 4 weeks ago and he was really smelly but I wasn't sure if this was due to his long hair or that he couldn't be bathed as of his recent op approx 4 weeks before. The day I collected him he had had a bath and was clean and he has been ever since.
Until yesterday when I went out to clean the cage and run out. I had been ill for two days so the boys hadn't been out for their usual cuddle/groom and run round but I had changed their toilet area and fed & watered them etc. I picked Ranger up and he stank and all this cottage cheese like stuff was around his rear end.
I didn't investigate, I put him in a box and ran him to the vets. Who have said that he has abscesses on both wound sites! I was devastated that I hadn't noticed this. He had been eating well but maybe a little quiet.
I would like to know is this common to have abscesses such a long time after an op for neutering. And will they re - occur again. When I collected him from the RSPCA they were told he was completely recovered and that I didn't need to do anything.
The vet has kept him this weekend and she is flushing out the wounds and giving antibiotics and he should be home on Monday.
Any advice much appreciated - sorry for the long text.
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Post by heatherjhenshaw on Nov 19, 2006 16:37:09 GMT
Unfortunately abssesses are one of the most common complications after neutering, they can also come up in a flash, so dont feel bad for not noticing them
I flew out to Denmark recently with a friends cavy, when I left her at Manchester airport she was 100% fine, no absess, by the time I gave her to her new owner just 24 hours later she had a large absess under her chin, thats how fast they can come up
Your vet is treating him right, he probably just got a small gap in the wound and thus debris found its way in and formed an abssess, it can lurk for weeks and then suddenly blow up into an absess, unfortunately being 'underneath' isnt excatly a clean area so when you get him home make sure you clean it every day until it has totally healed. I use tea tree in water to clean the wound and you must make sure any puss is squeezed out, not a nice job, it stinks, but its a must or it will recur
I hope your poor little man feels better really soon, I am glad he has a new loving home who will care for him as much as I can see you do already
Love Heather
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Post by kayjay on Nov 19, 2006 17:34:06 GMT
Hiya, welcome to Cutiecavies! I'm a new piggy mum myself so don't have any advice but I hope Ranger's abcess clears up soon, he sounds very lucky to have been found and adopted by you  |
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Post by gpmum2 on Nov 19, 2006 17:39:54 GMT
Hi Heather
Many thanks for your reply. Dawn put me in touch with this forum and searching through I have found how to set up a hospital cage (Never needed one in 7 years - lucky me). Which is all done and ready for Ranger to come home on Monday from the vets - fingers crossed.
Ranger will be kept inside until he is well enough to go back outside with Chips who is already pinning in the shed (which is well insulated). Although the two of them don't get along - unfortunately, they do like each others company. I was thinking of putting the hospital cage in the middle of the run - so that they can both hear each other, when Ranger is feeling a little better as it seems it could take a long time to clear up - especially where the abscess is.
I have asked all relatives for C & C cage grids for xmas so they should soon have a multi -room and level complex to share - side by side.
Love Karen
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Post by gpmum2 on Nov 19, 2006 17:51:15 GMT
Thank you Kayjay
I try to do my best. I would love my piggies to have all my attention inside but my hubby flatly refuses.
He has insulated the shed - just waiting for the carpet - anyday now! He has made a large 3m square run and ramp to lead off the hutch. I go out 1st thing in the morning to give them a quick clean and breakie. Then at lunch time they come in for a cuddle/groom and play for 1-2 hours. They have the run of the sun room. Then back out at tea time and then a quick chat at bedtime when I cover them up to keep them warm.
I am green with envy at all of you who have them inside. But I think you would agree Ranger is better off than when he was first found in a garden covered in lice.
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Post by rayfay on Nov 19, 2006 20:46:58 GMT
Abcesses are just annoying aren't they. Our cat had an abcess and our vet put her on antibiotics and she said just to let the abcess pop. We did and it popped all over my clean new sheets. ... It did not come back. Since it is around his less clean parts you definatly want to keep it clean. What bedding do you have them on? Make sure the bedding itself is clean.
You're doing good for rushing him to the vets and getting his hospital cage ready. He is very lucky to have such a loving owner!
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Post by gpmum2 on Nov 20, 2006 7:59:32 GMT
In the bedroom part of the hutch is full of hay one piggy likes to hide in it the other likes to lie on top - the rest of the hutch and the run floor is covered with untreated wood shavings (not sawdust) in the igloos and tunnels are towels or fleece which are changed daily. Hay for eating in hay rack!
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Post by heatherjhenshaw on Nov 20, 2006 9:05:50 GMT
Your vet may recommend he stays off shavings until he is totally healed, when I had a sow with an absess under her chin she was on towels for what seemed like months
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Dawn - Admin
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Post by Dawn - Admin on Nov 20, 2006 10:27:57 GMT
Hello and welcome to the forum Yes I think you should try towels like Heather said that way shavings can't get into his wound and irritate it. I hope Ranger is feeling better very soon. Dawn |
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Post by gpmum2 on Nov 20, 2006 13:26:48 GMT
Well Ranger hasn't come back from the vets today. Apparrently the nurse syringe fed him over the weekend - which made me panick as he had eaten well the day I took him to the vets. The Vet has checked him over today and he is looking better, still some pus so they have kept him for another day. He is now eating carrots and leaves - phew.
I wouldn't put an unhealthy piggy on shavings, he has a whole heap of towels waiting for him.
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Dawn - Admin
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Post by Dawn - Admin on Nov 20, 2006 13:34:46 GMT
Oh I am sorry to hear he isn't home, but glad he is back eating. Lets hope he is well enough to come home very soon.
Dawn
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Post by gpmum2 on Nov 21, 2006 15:51:11 GMT
Ranger is home with Baytril antibiotics twice a day. To be given by syringe.
Nurse said place syringe in side of mouth and he is very good - well lets hope he is for me. I have never had the need to give any of my piggies medicine.
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Dawn - Admin
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Post by Dawn - Admin on Nov 21, 2006 19:47:14 GMT
Most piggies are very good at taking medicine I hope he gets better very soon. Dawn |
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Post by gpmum2 on Nov 21, 2006 20:54:01 GMT
Ranger was a star and took his medicine beautifully and I think I coped OK with the cleaning of the wounds with the help of a very green looking husband !
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Dawn - Admin
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Post by Dawn - Admin on Nov 21, 2006 21:06:10 GMT
Ranger was a star and took his medicine beautifully and I think I coped OK with the cleaning of the wounds with the help of a very green looking husband ! Hehe men are so squeamish, glad you are coping well, you will ahve Ranger better in no time I am sure Dawn |
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Post by gpmum2 on Nov 22, 2006 7:03:39 GMT
Thanks Dawn for all your help and support
Karen X
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Dawn - Admin
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Post by Dawn - Admin on Nov 22, 2006 11:39:52 GMT
It's my pleasure karen, only too happy to help |
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Post by gpmum2 on Nov 22, 2006 17:05:55 GMT
I am a little concerned that since I bought Ranger home yesterday we haven't had any poop! Lots of wee. He is eating and drinking - not a huge amount - more dried food and hay than fresh food. Which he has always been quite fussy about.
I have phoned the vet who wants to see him again tonight, but can they Baytril cause constipation - although the vet said he was passing lots when he was there.
Thanks
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Post by gpmum2 on Nov 22, 2006 20:46:25 GMT
The vet had a good feel of Rangers tum and said she would see him again on Monday but thought he probably not eating enough. He had put on weight since Saturday.
Gave him some grass tonight and he woofed that down. She said wounds have healed really well and I can stop washing them so- that sounds good.
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Post by jessegee on Nov 22, 2006 20:56:38 GMT
Hi Gpmum2
Really glad your little boy is on the mend, I'm sure you were worried there for a while
jessegee
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Dawn - Admin
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Post by Dawn - Admin on Nov 22, 2006 21:32:04 GMT
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Post by gpmum2 on Nov 23, 2006 17:27:58 GMT
The vet didn't offer anything so thanks for the link. I have gone and bought some cucumber his favourite - and things are now moving - yipee
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Dawn - Admin
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Post by Dawn - Admin on Nov 23, 2006 20:07:09 GMT
Brilliant that's great news Dawn |
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Post by gpmum2 on Nov 25, 2006 8:52:39 GMT
Just to let you all know Ranger is over the worst and he has moved back into a bigger cage. I think with more movement to run around he feels a whole lot better.  Wounds are more or less completely healed. (Approx 1 week) My C & C grids arrived yesterday but hubby wont let me set them up because they are for christmas  . So I have been away since 3.00am planning cage designs.  BFN Karen X |
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Post by Dawn - Admin on Nov 25, 2006 15:27:43 GMT
Awww... he is a spoil sport hehe, ah well the best thigns come to those who wait I am really glad Ranger is over the worst and his wound is almost healed. That is quick in just a week  |
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