Continuous eye infection even after removal.

[MohawkandPansy]

Hello all. Its my first post here as I really need some advice.

About early december. My guinea pig had a terrible eye issue. Very crazy abscess. Literally overnight no sign of a problem to almost irreversible. By the time I got him in the vets it had to be removed basically. But we tried antibiotics at first. Ended up going with removal after no improvement. This was mid to late dec by now. So afterwards and it went well I had him back on antibiotics. About mid janruary he seemed really healed and it was already like 3 weeks or so. So I slipped on the antibiotics one night and one morning and it instantly came back. There was an infection in the wound. Although really healed. So I took him back got him back on them as I ran out. This was end of January. It went away and all was well. Now like three weeks passed no antibiotics and an infection came back. Now I am squeezing pus out of his socket. I took him back and he recommended doing a biopsy (which was also recommended when the infection first returned. I opted to see how he does with another shot of antibiotics. Its been 4 days and still much pus ..he sneezed out some too which shows its grown further into his nasal passageways.

Is my only choice a biopsy? Will this even work. Its been a 3 month journey and I'm very tired and this has created many problems and also cost me $2grand. I'm quite sad by all this and he has been trooper the entire time. I feel bad for my pet. But is this problem ever going to go away? Is it best to put him down? I mean I really would not want too...but I cant see how he can be so resistant to antibiotics. I just feel like its a moneyhole and I am thinking doing a biopsy and targeting it..but if that doesnt work I think its best to throw in the towel as it must be some form of cancer or something irrevesible.

Looking forward to making more sense of things if anyone can help. Thanks so much for your time to help my piggys life.

 

[weepweeps]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

I’m so sorry your piggy is unwell. I’ve had a piggy with a tooth root abscess. He was on an antibiotic called Zithromax for 6 weeks. This is a very good antibiotic for abscesses. Also they need a good level of pain relief.

His abscess was 4cm. So very large. What you have to do is keep the wound open for as long as you can. You have to pick off any scabs that form over the wound. Flush the wound three times a day. I just used cooled boiled water. I have to syringe feed my piggy for 8 weeks in total. So it’s not a quick thing to fix. But on a positive note he came through it and has been fine.

Good luck

 

[MohawkandPansy]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

I’m so sorry your piggy is unwell. I’ve had a piggy with a tooth root abscess. He was on an antibiotic called Zithromax for 6 weeks. This is a very good antibiotic for abscesses. Also they need a good level of pain relief.

His abscess was 4cm. So very large. What you have to do is keep the wound open for as long as you can. You have to pick off any scabs that form over the wound. Flush the wound three times a day. I just used cooled boiled water. I have to syringe feed my piggy for 8 weeks in total. So it’s not a quick thing to fix. But on a positive note he came through it and has been fine.

Good luck

Okay I think to transfer to my eye I will trust the antibiotic and keep draining/cleaning and see if it improves without a biopsy. Thank you so much. I shall also bring up zithromax at next appointment.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome

Could it be that the retrobulbar abscess is coming back? In some cases an infection and eye drainage can be very stubborn. Some vets are keeping the eye hole open to allow drainage for that reason.

PS: Zithromax is a UK brand name for azithromycin. It is a very strong not licensed last ditch antibiotic that can cut through an abscess (although not always) but it is often successful where other antibiotics fail.

But yes, when things don't go to plan, it can very quickly turn into a moneyhole. I am very sorry that you are in that situation.

I hope that other members with more practical experience with persistent infections in the wake of a retrobulbar abscess can help you. It is not something I have personal experience of.
@furryfriends (TEAS)