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Guinea Pig Cut? Beginning of an Abscess?

M

maria3247

New Born Pup
Joined
Feb 7, 2022
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Location
New York
Hi guys,

Today I notice that my guinea pig, Hamlet, has a small red cut or wound under his chin. There is no swelling, but this is extremely concerning. I am turning here to see if anyone has ever experienced something similar to this. I have called the vet, but the guinea pig doctor is booked all week and I am wondering if there is anything I can do in the mean time to make sure this does not progress into anything worse. If anyone has any ideas or experience with this, please reach out to me because I am very concerned for my little guy. I have attached a picture to show what it looks like as best I can.
IMG_3877.jpg
 
Hello and welcome to the forum. I think that you can clean the wound with a saline solution. Half a pint of boiled water (cooled) and 1 teaspoon of salt. And keep an eye on it. Do they live with another piggy. Just wondering if it’s a bite from a cage mate. How old is he?
 
weepweeps said:
Hello and welcome to the forum. I think that you can clean the wound with a saline solution. Half a pint of boiled water (cooled) and 1 teaspoon of salt. And keep an eye on it. Do they live with another piggy. Just wondering if it’s a bite from a cage mate. How old is he?
Click to expand...
Hi! Thank you very much. Do you think epsom salt would be best? Do you mean letting the salt boil in the water and then cooling that off before cleaning? I have just gotten him through a little case of bumble foot by giving him antibiotics from the vet & epsom salt soaks for his feet, so I have that on hand. He does not live with another guinea pig anymore, its been about a year and a half since I lost my other guinea pig. He is about 4 years old.
 
Boil the water first and let it cool a bit. Then dissolve the salt in it and then let it cool more. Use it when it’s warm not too hot. I’m not sure what Epsom salts are. Sorry. If a vet prescribed it for their bumble foot then I’m sure it’s ok to use.
 
maria3247 said:
Hi guys,

Today I notice that my guinea pig, Hamlet, has a small red cut or wound under his chin. There is no swelling, but this is extremely concerning. I am turning here to see if anyone has ever experienced something similar to this. I have called the vet, but the guinea pig doctor is booked all week and I am wondering if there is anything I can do in the mean time to make sure this does not progress into anything worse. If anyone has any ideas or experience with this, please reach out to me because I am very concerned for my little guy. I have attached a picture to show what it looks like as best I can.
IMG_3877.jpg
Click to expand...

Hi

Please have it checked by a vet if in the least doubt. No, it is not an abscess. They start as a lump in the skin (one of different sorts that look all the same) or as a swelling deeper inside the body; when they burst they have a very distinctive and strong stink that is unmistakeable once you have smelled it and there would be a deep hole/opening.

However, if you have concerns over an infection (swelling, redness) or if the raw area is getting bigger, please see a vet. It is impossible for us to say what is exactly going on and any wild guesses won't help you.
 
weepweeps said:
Boil the water first and let it cool a bit. Then dissolve the salt in it and then let it cool more. Use it when it’s warm not too hot. I’m not sure what Epsom salts are. Sorry. If a vet prescribed it for their bumble foot then I’m sure it’s ok to use.
Click to expand...
Thank you, I really appreciate the input! I guess my concern is putting salt in an open wound, I am just worried about hurting him
 
Wiebke said:
Hi

Please have it checked by a vet if in the least doubt. No, it is not an abscess. They start as a lump in the skin (one of different sorts that look all the same) or as a swelling deeper inside the body; when they burst they have a very distinctive and strong stink that is unmistakeable once you have smelled it and there would be a deep hole/opening.

However, if you have concerns over an infection (swelling, redness) or if the raw area is getting bigger, please see a vet. It is impossible for us to say what is exactly going on and any wild guesses won't help you.
Click to expand...
I definitely am intending to see a vet! I just wanted to see if anyone has had any similar experiences and might know how to go about handling the time before I can see the vet. Thank you for your response, I appreciate that.
 
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