Guinea pig Abscess experience

[Hollyjenks]

Hello, just took my guinea pig to the vets today as he had a lump on his back, they think it is a abscess but want to make sure and said he may need an operation. I’m a bit (very) worried about him as they mentioned things about guinea pigs being at risk of not surviving the anaesthetic. Does anyone have any positive experience with this to put my mind at ease?

 

[Siikibam]

I think quite a few people on here have had abscesses removed with a good outcome. Any surgery is a risk but with an experienced vet this risk should lessen.

I’ll tag our abscess queen, @furryfriends (TEAS) but I’m sure others will be along to tell you their experiences.

 

[Betsy]

Almost 3 years ago my Rainbow Piggy Christian had this MAHOOSIVE abscess removed:-




This was all that could be seen from the outside.


He was under anaesthetic for just over an hour and the abscess was attached to many internal organs. He recovered well and lived for another two and a half years.

There is always a risk with any anaesthetic but the abscess won't go away on its own. The vet will either remove the whole capsule as in Christian's case or drain it and marsupialise the wound (stitch it open) for you to flush out.

 

[Swissgreys]

I have had different piggies with abscesses over the years, and in most cases surgery was not the first option.
I know for deep abscesses this can be the case, but for mine opening them and doing daily flushes alongside antibiotics was enough.

In the first instance they should be able to confirm the abscess by doing a quick needle biopsy (no anaesthetic needed).
What has the vet done so far to confirm the diagnosis and rule about things like cysts or harmless lumps?

 

[Hollyjenks]

I have had different piggies with abscesses over the years, and in most cases surgery was not the first option.
I know for deep abscesses this can be the case, but for mine opening them and doing daily flushes alongside antibiotics was enough.

In the first instance they should be able to confirm the abscess by doing a quick needle biopsy (no anaesthetic needed).
What has the vet done so far to confirm the diagnosis and rule about things like cysts or harmless lumps?

Thanks for your reply! I’m hoping it’s a case of just flushing it but the vet I went to today said he couldn’t diagnose it as that right away as it wasn’t clear and it needed a second opinion so he’s booked in for a day at the surgery. Just a bit worried about it but good to hear other experience have gone well

 

[Hiitshannah]

Cinnamon had an abscess form on his back (caused by a bite from his naughty cage ex cage mate!) about a year and a half ago when he was about 3 years old. We had it operated on and he came through really well, I was amazed at how quickly he healed up, I think he was only under light anaesthetic for 10 minutes or so! And then he had a course of Baytril to prevent infection, and it hasn’t caused any issues since I hope it goes well for your little one!

This is the post surgery wound: