Giant Abscess Under Chin Overnight!

[lauryn1289]

We are going in for surgery tomorrow morning

Thinking of you and your piggie Sending lots of love and good vibes

 

[Wheekallweek]

All the best for the surgery. I hope it will be successful

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

I’ll be thinking of you both xx

 

[Claire W]

All the best for the surgery x

 

[piggieminder]

Sending you both hugs. I will be thinking of you tomorrow, I hope it all goes well.

 

[weepweeps]

I’m so sorry you are going through this. I dealt with this last summer. But my piggy was only 2. He only had to have one operation. I did all the flushing at home. I had to syringe feed him for quite a long time as the antibiotics (Zithromax) made him stop eating. His thread will hopefully help you. There is lots of great advice on there from everyone on here. I really needed the advice at the time. Good luck. I’m on holiday at the moment so won’t be online often. Sending healing vibes to your piggy and a hug to you.

Dental? Pepper is off to the vets tomorrow

 

[Doragon]

I dealt with something similar last year with my Skinny Pig - he only needed one operation and then I manually flushed twice a day. Thinking of you and your boy xx

 

[Bill & Ted]

Thinking of you both, I hope it goes well for the little man, you both deserve it

 

[Angela99]

Hello he’s back with me! Everything went good but he’s going back Saturday and Wednesday to replace antibiotics they implant so 3 anesthesia in a week. I’m nervous but I couldn’t euthanize him I felt nauseous just thinking about it. I won’t lie, it’s expensive… $2,000 but he’s my earth Angel! Please send healing vibes! I’m syringe feeding I need to keep his strength up! Thank you everyone it means a lot that you are here !

 

[lauryn1289]

Hello he’s back with me! Everything went good but he’s going back Saturday and Wednesday to replace antibiotics they implant so 3 anesthesia in a week. I’m nervous but I couldn’t euthanize him I felt nauseous just thinking about it. I won’t lie, it’s expensive… $2,000 but he’s my earth Angel! Please send healing vibes! I’m syringe feeding I need to keep his strength up! Thank you everyone it means a lot that you are here !

What a gorgeous little boy! Wishing you both the best and sending so much healing vibes

 

[Angela99]

What a gorgeous little boy! Wishing you both the best and sending so much healing vibes

Thank you !

 

[Swissgreys]

You are doing the right thing by giving him the absolute best chance.
I will be sending lots of healing vibes your way, but he looks like a fighter.

 

[Claire W]

Aw bless him. I am sending lots of vibes for a speedy recovery x

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

Sending loads of healing wishes for a good recovery xx

 

[RosieLily]

Just got caught up with you both. Sending lots of healing vibes and wheeks, I'm so sorry you've been going through this! What a handsome little chap he is.

 

[piggieminder]

Sending your adorable piggy healing vibes.

 

[Wheekallweek]

Great news he's back home with you. I bet he'll be feeling a lot more comfortable already. Good on you for taking a chance with him, I hope he's feeling 100% better soon!
Gorgeous piggy

 

[Angela99]

I've just caught up with your thread and I'm so sorry. The thing with older pigs is that it tends to be one thing after another and as much as we try to help them their bodies aren't what they used to be and physically they're not always up to it. Their immune systems don't work as they should. And very often they don't realise that we're actually trying to help because their instinct doesn't have 'vets' and 'medicine' programmed into it.

One of my pigs got a huge growth under her chin (although I can't remember now what it actually was) but the vet said they couldn't drain it and stitch it up again because it would refill. So the hole was literally left open and it was a great gaping wound a couple of inches across. She had antibiotics and I had to rinse it with a dilute solution of hibiscrub (the pink stuff doctors wash their hands in before surgery) twice a day and make sure no bits got in. The idea was that it healed from the inside out. Well it actually worked for her - and bless her she never flinched. She was tough as old boots. But there was no indication that this had gone into her gums or anything like that - it seemed quite superficial - and she was fine in herself. It sounds like your poor boy has been through a difficult time already.

If the vet says he has to keep putting him under every few weeks it's going to be a challenge for any pig, never mind an older boy. He's going to get very tense every time he has to go back because he'll remember what happened before. There is a lot to weigh up and I agree with @furryfriends (TEAS) in that just because something is medically possible it doesn't always mean it's the 'best' option... especially if he doesn't understand you're trying to help. I've had a piggy pts in the past who was very obviously ready to go - she'd had enough. But I've also had a lovely mature girl pts at a point where she still felt OK in herself, because her infected pressure sore was going to kill her within days, and as she'd lost the use of her back legs there was nothing we could do about it. I broke my heart both times, obviously, but one of the vets told me that they don't put a healthy animal to sleep so the fact this was offered as an option meant my vet knew it should be considered out of kindness. It's an important part of pet ownership but one of the hardest decisions to make, even when it's made out of love. It's a decision I've always taken for myself because I've felt I know my pigs better than anyone so it was my place to make the call.

Perhaps you could also factor in how easy/difficult it is to get to your vets and get an appointment. If you have to wait 2 weeks at a time and then have a 4 hour drive it's going to be tough in an emergency. They say a day too early is better than a day too late. but if you can be fitted in at any point and it's only a 30 min trip you can afford to 'go with the flow' a bit more and see how he is day by day.

We'll be thinking of you all x

I've just caught up with your thread and I'm so sorry. The thing with older pigs is that it tends to be one thing after another and as much as we try to help them their bodies aren't what they used to be and physically they're not always up to it. Their immune systems don't work as they should. And very often they don't realise that we're actually trying to help because their instinct doesn't have 'vets' and 'medicine' programmed into it.

One of my pigs got a huge growth under her chin (although I can't remember now what it actually was) but the vet said they couldn't drain it and stitch it up again because it would refill. So the hole was literally left open and it was a great gaping wound a couple of inches across. She had antibiotics and I had to rinse it with a dilute solution of hibiscrub (the pink stuff doctors wash their hands in before surgery) twice a day and make sure no bits got in. The idea was that it healed from the inside out. Well it actually worked for her - and bless her she never flinched. She was tough as old boots. But there was no indication that this had gone into her gums or anything like that - it seemed quite superficial - and she was fine in herself. It sounds like your poor boy has been through a difficult time already.

If the vet says he has to keep putting him under every few weeks it's going to be a challenge for any pig, never mind an older boy. He's going to get very tense every time he has to go back because he'll remember what happened before. There is a lot to weigh up and I agree with @furryfriends (TEAS) in that just because something is medically possible it doesn't always mean it's the 'best' option... especially if he doesn't understand you're trying to help. I've had a piggy pts in the past who was very obviously ready to go - she'd had enough. But I've also had a lovely mature girl pts at a point where she still felt OK in herself, because her infected pressure sore was going to kill her within days, and as she'd lost the use of her back legs there was nothing we could do about it. I broke my heart both times, obviously, but one of the vets told me that they don't put a healthy animal to sleep so the fact this was offered as an option meant my vet knew it should be considered out of kindness. It's an important part of pet ownership but one of the hardest decisions to make, even when it's made out of love. It's a decision I've always taken for myself because I've felt I know my pigs better than anyone so it was my place to make the call.

Perhaps you could also factor in how easy/difficult it is to get to your vets and get an appointment. If you have to wait 2 weeks at a time and then have a 4 hour drive it's going to be tough in an emergency. They say a day too early is better than a day too late. but if you can be fitted in at any point and it's only a 30 min trip you can afford to 'go with the flow' a bit more and see how he is day by day.

We'll be thinking of you all x

Hi sorry I just saw your message! Yes I had less than 24 hours to decide between euthanasia or surgery! His abscess was destroying his gums. He lost his bottom tooth. He has had two surgeries now. They implant antibiotics and closed it up. Wednesday we go back again and I thought it was the last time but they said they don’t know… it depends if infection is gone. He is doing REALLY well despite all this but I’m asking that Wednesday be the last time. The problem of course is it will return if not done properly. I couldn’t bring myself to putting him to sleep bc I wanted to be sure I did everything for him. 6 years is a long time to be with him. He was really grumpy after yesterday but his energy was good. The Vet is 10 minutes away and an emergency is a block away .

I know the Vet will push to continue so this is my dilemma!

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

Glad to hear he's doing well so far! Is he having oral antibiotics as well, or just the implant antibiotics? I've always had just oral antibiotics (usually azithromycin) when dealing with abscesses and the wound has been left open for twice daily flushing.

 

[Bill & Ted]

Hi sorry I just saw your message! Yes I had less than 24 hours to decide between euthanasia or surgery! His abscess was destroying his gums. He lost his bottom tooth. He has had two surgeries now. They implant antibiotics and closed it up. Wednesday we go back again and I thought it was the last time but they said they don’t know… it depends if infection is gone. He is doing REALLY well despite all this but I’m asking that Wednesday be the last time. The problem of course is it will return if not done properly. I couldn’t bring myself to putting him to sleep bc I wanted to be sure I did everything for him. 6 years is a long time to be with him. He was really grumpy after yesterday but his energy was good. The Vet is 10 minutes away and an emergency is a block away .

I know the Vet will push to continue so this is my dilemma!

Oh bless him, fingers crossed, hope you can get rid of that infection

 

[Wheekallweek]

At least things are improving! Good boy

 

[Angela99]

Glad to hear he's doing well so far! Is he having oral antibiotics as well, or just the implant antibiotics? I've always had just oral antibiotics (usually azithromycin) when dealing with abscesses and the wound has been left open for twice daily flushing.

Hello yes he is on oral antibiotics as well twice a day for life Vet said, but the only way to completely clear that abscess was through implant of antibiotics. He’s had two implants so far and Wednesday he’s goes under again! I’m asking that it be the final time but Vet says if it’s not gone it’ll return. He is a super pig for going this all. He is eating normal and I’m syringe feeding to keep his energy strong. He’s on Metacam only bc morphine makes him not eat. And he is playing with his brother. I hope Wednesday goes well!

 

[Angela99]

Hello I just talked to Vet .,. He said it would be a few more weeks of surgeries to heal the abscess. It’s gotten really expensive and his energy is pretty low. I’m trying to keep him alive but I feel stuck financially and the stress it’s causing him. I have to tell doctor tomorrow morning how to proceed with surgery. If they close him up and it returns I’ll have to say goodbye. At least I bought more time with him.

 

[Claire W]

I am very sorry Sometimes we have to be realistic in terms of how much we can put our piggies through and how much we can afford See what happens tomorrow and then make a decision on how to proceed but whatever decision you make will be the right one for you and your boy x

 

[Angela99]

I am very sorry Sometimes we have to be realistic in terms of how much we can put our piggies through and how much we can afford See what happens tomorrow and then make a decision on how to proceed but whatever decision you make will be the right one for you and your boy x

Yes I think tomorrow will be last time and I will love him and pray for the best. Thank you

 

[Pound Shilling & Pig]

Wishing you all the best for tomorrow

 

[weepweeps]

Hello. Did you read Peppers thread that I posted above? If your vet can prescribe Zithromax for at least 6 weeks (2 bottles) and you flush the open wound three times a day for at least two weeks until healed and syringe feed as much as you can (as Zithromax can stop their appetite) then you should, hopefully, have a good chance of fixing this. My Pepper has lost one bottom incisor because of his infection. But he can eat fine and is putting on weight slowly. I cut his veggies into long strips instead of chunks now. Good luck. It’s hard going. But hopefully you will get there. Pepper only had one anaesthetic. Plus metacam throughout.

 

[eileen]

I'm sorry you are going through this.@weepweeps has given some good advise to discuss with your vet.Good luck with whatever decisions you make.

 

[Angela99]

Hello. Did you read Peppers thread that I posted above? If your vet can prescribe Zithromax for at least 6 weeks (2 bottles) and you flush the open wound three times a day for at least two weeks until healed and syringe feed as much as you can (as Zithromax can stop their appetite) then you should, hopefully, have a good chance of fixing this. My Pepper has lost one bottom incisor because of his infection. But he can eat fine and is putting on weight slowly. I cut his veggies into long strips instead of chunks now. Good luck. It’s hard going. But hopefully you will get there. Pepper only had one anaesthetic. Plus metacam throughout.

Hi thank you I read it… no it’s not an open wound… they implant an antibiotic to clear the infection then stitches. So I can’t do anything about it now. He is on good antibiotics twice a day for life. The Vet said several more weeks of surgery at $400 a week… and I just can’t afford that. It cost $2,000 so far. I’m hoping the antibiotics will keep it a bay. He also lost his lower incisor from the infection and cut his veggies into strips as well. Thank you

 

[lauryn1289]

Hi thank you I read it… no it’s not an open wound… they implant an antibiotic to clear the infection then stitches. So I can’t do anything about it now. He is on good antibiotics twice a day for life. The Vet said several more weeks of surgery at $400 a week… and I just can’t afford that. It cost $2,000 so far. I’m hoping the antibiotics will keep it a bay. He also lost his lower incisor from the infection and cut his veggies into strips as well. Thank you

I’m so sorry you both are going through this. I’m really rooting for you and your piggy to pull through. Thinking of you and sending you the best wishes You really are wonderful for all that you’re doing to save your little guy