5 year old Guinea Pig with inflamed lymph node and abcess

[cortney]

I had my Guinea pig Chai at vet last week Monday, what appeared to be abcess. The Vet yes exotic, went to do surgery, there was abscess but small and was drained ; but behind the lymphnode looked inflamed. He is on Rheumacam, enifloacin,metronidazole. The lump seemed okay until today an its gotten bigger. Side note happy running around a eating veggies, critical care, hay so much hay and doing all piggie things. I lost his brother a month ago due to just too many health issues at once. Chai has had abcess before responded well to Azithromycin but given the lymph node inflammation vet used other meds. He is going back tomorrow an honestly i can't afford another 1600 dollars in vet bills i am beside myself. any advice.....

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome

HUGS

I am so very sorry for the very difficult situation you are finding yourself.

There comes a point where vet cost sadly play a major and legitimate part in any decisions in an ongoing case that is turning into a protracted battle or an operation/procedure under GA; it is not a failure of being a loving or decent owner.
Vet cost have simply exploded and Canada is country in which the difference between average salary to veterinary fees is the highest. More and more of us are confronted with having to make heart-breaking decisions, even those of us that have made provisions for vet fees - you can survive one or two major battles in quick succession but after that it gets tight.

Is the growing lump the drained abscess lump? Has it been kept open to drain? Abscesses heal from the inside out; any speck of infection that is still left in one of the pouches and is not pushed out will restart it again.

My heart goes out to you when you and your vet have to weigh up just how much you can afford throw at it and where you have to draw the line; especially in view of the inflamed lymph node as an added complication and especially if you cannot afford having the abscess reopened and marsupialised (stitched open) under GA again to see whether twice daily flushing with a mild antiseptive for as long as possible (ideally at least 5 days and as close to 10 days as you can get) will do the trick.

I will be thinking of you and Chia tomorrow.

 

[cortney]

sadly i had spent soo much on his brother severus, This the absess incision was so small we did pack it with flamazine and i am hoping change in antibiotics will help. The head vet was make sure he poops an if not come back an he has quite a bit going on. Gastis statsis which i got him going, teeth did need work they do not see any abcess there. i honestly don't know what to do an when i spent 1600 all i could think of was well there is half rent gone, i can't get my brake done but i had to try i just could not try to o something. Thank you for understanding. He is eating right now doing well i just can't imagine what is in store.

 

[Swissgreys]

sadly i had spent soo much on his brother severus, This the absess incision was so small we did pack it with flamazine and i am hoping change in antibiotics will help. The head vet was make sure he poops an if not come back an he has quite a bit going on. Gastis statsis which i got him going, teeth did need work they do not see any abcess there. i honestly don't know what to do an when i spent 1600 all i could think of was well there is half rent gone, i can't get my brake done but i had to try i just could not try to o something. Thank you for understanding. He is eating right now doing well i just can't imagine what is in store.

I am so sorry you are going through this, but clearly you are a devoted owner and giving him every chance.

I know it is easier said than done, but try to take it day by day.
Remember that piggies do not measure the greatness of their lives by the number of days they live. They measure it in the quality of each day, and it sounds like he has a great life with you.

A vet once told me that when you are in the middle of a medical crisis with no end in sight it is important to try and step back and look at your finances.
Try to be honest about the money that you can afford to spend, and set a limit.
After that (even if it sounds awful) it is important to stick to that limit, and if you spend that amount then be realistic - is the end in sight or are there still multiple problems that may end up costing a lot more without a clear outcome.
If so then it is fine to admit that you are at the end of your budget.
We should always seek medical care for our pets, but we should not allow this to stop us eating or paying the rent.
It is a sad but also true fact of life - for most of us money is a finite resource.
My vet told me that he has seen people take out loans and end up in debt to treat their pets and they end up feeling angry and resentful if the outcome isn't what they hoped. The loss of a pet is always hard, but it is made worse when that is accompanied by a huge debt.
No one here will judge you no matter what you choose to do, and we are all here to support you.

 

[cortney]

I am so sorry i sounded like i was complaining i honestly spent money to try as it was a month to the day for the other pets loss. We go at 2pm and will see. he is eating on his own, an happy little guy running, wheeking an been out with his other brother running around. Thank you i had almost put him down on March 27th but we really thought it was only Abcess i think there is more going on he is 5. Vet was sure this was nothing more than an abcess we will see maybe we can try something else not as evasive and move forward or i make his final day happy loving and lots of cuddles

 

[Wiebke]

I am so sorry i sounded like i was complaining i honestly spent money to try as it was a month to the day for the other pets loss. We go at 2pm and will see. he is eating on his own, an happy little guy running, wheeking an been out with his other brother running around. Thank you i had almost put him down on March 27th but we really thought it was only Abcess i think there is more going on he is 5. Vet was sure this was nothing more than an abcess we will see maybe we can try something else not as evasive and move forward or i make his final day happy loving and lots of cuddles

You didn't sound like you were complaining and your distress is real, honest and legitimate. We do feel for you; as a long term owner you have to sooner or later make some hard decisions that can leave you feel very guilty because it is not what you (or any of us) would have ever chosen. You can also never choose where the tiger will take you when you are dealing with an increasingly complex serious illness; all you can do hang on for as long as possible and affordable.

As long as you put Chai's quality of life in balance with his future prospects and your remaining medical options, you are not failing him. Guinea pigs measure their lives in happy todays; you have given your boys a normal life span filled with those, so you have given them what they want out of their life - and plenty of it.
We can never choose when and what from the end comes; that is not in our control.

 

[cortney]

Back from Vet this was an abscess. Lanced, cleaned out packed with Flamazine, Azithromycin. She loved that I did poop soup for him an said yes do that. He ate lettuce while there so vet was ok so we gained, we are trying to eat more......looked said this is so better placed for lancing. Did came up said there was fluid and stinky, nothing came out of mouth like before. Got him home he is obviously sore but he dove into eating a bit of hay some parsley and chilling. I did tell vet this is the last thing, i can do follow ups and medication that is all and by now i really should be getting one procedure free or free check ups because i have spent so much time there with him an his brother. Sheesh.

Anytime i say we are getting there, we take steps back so Fingers toes eyes crossed that this is all good very soon. Thank you for the support and love i really do appreciate it!

 

[Wiebke]

Back from Vet this was an abscess. Lanced, cleaned out packed with Flamazine, Azithromycin. She loved that I did poop soup for him an said yes do that. He ate lettuce while there so vet was ok so we gained, we are trying to eat more......looked said this is so better placed for lancing. Did came up said there was fluid and stinky, nothing came out of mouth like before. Got him home he is obviously sore but he dove into eating a bit of hay some parsley and chilling. I did tell vet this is the last thing, i can do follow ups and medication that is all and by now i really should be getting one procedure free or free check ups because i have spent so much time there with him an his brother. Sheesh.

Anytime i say we are getting there, we take steps back so Fingers toes eyes crossed that this is all good very soon. Thank you for the support and love i really do appreciate it!

Hi
Have you been told to flush the abscess in order to flush out every little bit of the very stinky infectious fluid (once you have smelled and abscess you'll never forget) that gets produced for several days more? That is crucial in order to prevent it from coming back and for a chance of a lasting success.

 

[cortney]

Cleanse it 2 times daily and pack with Flamazine which helps with infection, its draining i am putting in clean pads for him to sleep on. Tomorrow morning i will redo cleanse and packing. Incisions on these little guys close up so fast! And just keeping an eye on things. With Easter weekend they are closed this weekend so Monday if anything comes up. He is eating well so I am helpful.

 

[Wiebke]

Cleanse it 2 times daily and pack with Flamazine which helps with infection, its draining i am putting in clean pads for him to sleep on. Tomorrow morning i will redo cleanse and packing. Incisions on these little guys close up so fast! And just keeping an eye on things. With Easter weekend they are closed this weekend so Monday if anything comes up. He is eating well so I am helpful.

I know. Abscesses are my least favourite health issue.
You have to work off the crust that forms after a few days (very unpleasant) in order to get to the hole - it will make a difference. Every day more that you can flush and pack the abscess means a greater chance of it not coming back again, so it is worth the struggle.

All the best!

 

[cortney]

When we got home he got into his enclosure started eating hay, parsley and even pellets. Today flushed it out and packed it is draining, and he is munching a lot more its been a while since he even took water by himself he has been so good so far i am hopeful and hoping i don't jinx it. thank you

 

[Wiebke]

When we got home he got into his enclosure started eating hay, parsley and even pellets. Today flushed it out and packed it is draining, and he is munching a lot more its been a while since he even took water by himself he has been so good so far i am hopeful and hoping i don't jinx it. thank you

Hang on in there. It is not fun but worth it.

 

[cortney]

i went to pack it again tonight he kept moving lol It is still pretty easy to get the ointment in an draining quite well. Silly piggie take the medicine! He is munching a lot on hay, pellets not as much but is loving Romaine lettuce and red peppers. And is angry that he can't go see his brothers but they nose at one another from enclosure and visit. The other two are being good.

With losing Severus, i had to keep his carrier and hair bag in the floor time area vet was nice to give me paw print an hair. I moved it Thursday thinking 6 weeks they know he is gone, they all started to look for it an were wheeking put it back they want over went in came out and it was good mom its back don't take that out. Wickett the youngest very skittesh came to me when i put it down an crawled up purred and left.

Broke my heart and made me realize i had made the right decision to try and help Chai the other younger ones aren't ready for it to be just them. When time comes i will likely take them with me so they can say good bye and know if i know its time. Sev passing was sudden and not expected but for now Chai seems to be doing ok, active,eating, noisy and cuddly. He an Severus got me through so much, including losing our Dalmatian 3 year years ago and have been my boys for so long. I know the time will come but i am taking each day as a blessing.

Again thank you for advice, shoulder and love I appreciate it. This Forum has been my go to for reading up on care for piggies for a while and i finally posted because i needed someone that could advise and not be judgmental. So many feel it's just a guinea pig they don't do much but these little guys are honestly one of best pets i have had. They make a mess and are a lot of work but they are well worth it! My Dal was my best dog and these little guys are just as special.

So fingers crossed we get over this hurdle and be healthy for a long while....at least a year mom needs a break!

 

[Wiebke]

i went to pack it again tonight he kept moving lol It is still pretty easy to get the ointment in an draining quite well. Silly piggie take the medicine! He is munching a lot on hay, pellets not as much but is loving Romaine lettuce and red peppers. And is angry that he can't go see his brothers but they nose at one another from enclosure and visit. The other two are being good.

With losing Severus, i had to keep his carrier and hair bag in the floor time area vet was nice to give me paw print an hair. I moved it Thursday thinking 6 weeks they know he is gone, they all started to look for it an were wheeking put it back they want over went in came out and it was good mom its back don't take that out. Wickett the youngest very skittesh came to me when i put it down an crawled up purred and left.

Broke my heart and made me realize i had made the right decision to try and help Chai the other younger ones aren't ready for it to be just them. When time comes i will likely take them with me so they can say good bye and know if i know its time. Sev passing was sudden and not expected but for now Chai seems to be doing ok, active,eating, noisy and cuddly. He an Severus got me through so much, including losing our Dalmatian 3 year years ago and have been my boys for so long. I know the time will come but i am taking each day as a blessing.

Again thank you for advice, shoulder and love I appreciate it. This Forum has been my go to for reading up on care for piggies for a while and i finally posted because i needed someone that could advise and not be judgmental. So many feel it's just a guinea pig they don't do much but these little guys are honestly one of best pets i have had. They make a mess and are a lot of work but they are well worth it! My Dal was my best dog and these little guys are just as special.

So fingers crossed we get over this hurdle and be healthy for a long while....at least a year mom needs a break!

I am keeping my fingers firmly crossed for Chai!

You often need a bit of emotional distance to be able to understand that your medical/end of life decisions have been the right ones. I call this the time when heart and head come back together and you can start make peace with yourself again instead of being torn into two different directions in the immediate wake of the loss.

Each time you are in that situation, you have to make that decision from scratch because each case is different but knowing in your heart and on a visceral level that you have been able to make the right decision before and have been able to bear the pain of the loss (which never gets any less since every bond is unique) does help and it does make the inevitable initial guilt loop that little bit easier on you.

You are a very loving owner and your pets have been lucky to find you.