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Infected Wound (photos - Might Be Gross)

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Liane

Liane

Teenage Guinea Pig
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I've just discovered a small infected wound on Elma's back. There was a scab on top that was only held on by hair, and thick green gunk coming out.

I've cleaned out a fair bit (by far the most disgusting thing I have ever had to do!) but I doubt I got it all.

How urgently does Elma need to be seen by a vet? It's quite difficult to get an appointment with Simon or Kim, and I'm starting work tomorrow which limits what time I can go as well! I'd prefer to see Simon or Kim, but if it's an emergency, I can take her down to our local vet? She seems fine in herself, weight is good, still eating etc, but I know that these things can be nasty if they get a hold.

Bottom is the cleanest I could get it. Small amount of blood. The area was quite lumpy and a LOT of thick gunk came out.

image.webp image.webp
 
Was what came out sort of thick whitish paste? It's just that it looks a bit like a sebaceous cyst. Quite common in dogs but not seen one on a guinea pig before.
 
Are there any other holes around not just that one? I don't know how urgent it is so can't help there, but do you have a syringe? You could clean the wound out with cooled boiled water and a syringe and then do the same with some dermisol cream after, getting out all the water and any gunk, it keeps the hole open to prevent scabbing but is also a healing cream. It needs to heal from the inside out, so no scabs!
I imagine your piggy would need some antibiotics too. I'm no expert this is just what I was told to do with a deep infected hole and it worked wonderfully.
Good luck and hope your piggy is ok
 
Bluebell said:
Was what came out sort of thick whitish paste? It's just that it looks a bit like a sebaceous cyst. Quite common in dogs but not seen one on a guinea pig before.
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It's definitely a wound - I suspect it was Clara, she's been in season and has been a bit aggressive.

It's a thick paste, greenish-yellow in colour. One bit came out as a squishy lump.

Galaxy&nibbles said:
Are there any other holes around not just that one? I don't know how urgent it is so can't help there, but do you have a syringe? You could clean the wound out with cooled boiled water and a syringe and then do the same with some dermisol cream after, getting out all the water and any gunk, it keeps the hole open to prevent scabbing but is also a healing cream. It needs to heal from the inside out, so no scabs!
I imagine your piggy would need some antibiotics too. I'm no expert this is just what I was told to do with a deep infected hole and it worked wonderfully.
Good luck and hope your piggy is ok
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That's the only one I found, and I inspected her thoroughly.

I've cleaned it as best I could - the bottom picture is the end result. I could still see a bit of gunk in there, but id have had to have applied a fair amount of pressure to squeeze it out and I didn't want to do that invade I made things worse. I've covered it in wound cream as well, but I'm worried about infection. I just emailed by Dad and he thinks antibiotics might be a good idea.
 
Galaxy&nibbles said:
Are there any other holes around not just that one? I don't know how urgent it is so can't help there, but do you have a syringe? You could clean the wound out with cooled boiled water and a syringe and then do the same with some dermisol cream after, getting out all the water and any gunk, it keeps the hole open to prevent scabbing but is also a healing cream. It needs to heal from the inside out, so no scabs!
I imagine your piggy would need some antibiotics too. I'm no expert this is just what I was told to do with a deep infected hole and it worked wonderfully.
Good luck and hope your piggy is ok
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:agr: you could also add a pinch of salt to the cool boiled water to make a saline solution.

when my Erin had a cyst drained at the vets, she was given a weeks dose of baytril to prevent any infection so a good idea to see a vet when you can.
 
If you can squirt as much water in as possible to get out as much puss as possible (it's not too comfy for them so maybe wrap in a towel) and do it daily or need be a couple of times a day..
What cream have you used?
I'd defently try to get some antibiotics to help heal it!
 
Thanks so much everyone!

Do you think it would be classed as an emergency, or do you think she could wait a day or two? Just waiting for my Dad to get in so he can check what time we could go...and praying Simon&Kim have a slot free!
 
My piggie was ok for a few days, but I don't know if they need to be seen quicker or not
 
I'd try to take her as soon as you can. She'll need antibiotics and the wound cleaning out daily. Fingers crossed you can see Simmon or Kim, but if not any vet should be able to handle it.
 
Liane said:
Thanks so much everyone!

Do you think it would be classed as an emergency, or do you think she could wait a day or two? Just waiting for my Dad to get in so he can check what time we could go...and praying Simon&Kim have a slot free!
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If cannot get a slot with Simon and Kim tomorrow, I would recommend to see a local vet, so you can start on an antibiotic promptly.
 
Galaxy&nibbles said:
Did you have any luck with getting an appointment?
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We got an appointment with the local vet, she said I'd done a good job cleaning and flushing it out, and prescribed septrin. If it doesn't respond to the antibiotics then she may need surgery, but I hope it won't come to that!

It scabbed over overnight...any tips on how to remove the scab without causing Elma too much distress?
 
Tamodine is quite good, it dosent sting
I use it if i have a cut
 
Keep soaking the scab in with water until it's soggy and soft and you can pick it off easily.
Lots of luck.
X
 
I managed to get some more out last night, and again today. The amount combined isn't anywhere near as much as Wednesday, which is good. It is, however, proving difficult to get all of the pus out at each clean, as the 'pocket' where the abscess is is quite deep.
 
I had difficulties with red getting all the pus out and keeping it clean, and within a few hours it was scabbed over again, I just soaked the scab in water then slowly tried getting it off with tweezers.
 
Galaxy&nibbles said:
I had difficulties with red getting all the pus out and keeping it clean, and within a few hours it was scabbed over again, I just soaked the scab in water then slowly tried getting it off with tweezers.
Click to expand...

Having no trouble removing the scab, there's just always a pesky bit of pus that I just can't seem to squeeze or flush out :(
 
No puss today...should I allow the wound to scab over?
 
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