Open wound :(

[cally]

Hi all,

I picked up my piggie tonight and felt damp on my hand, when I looked it was blood. He’s got a decent sized open wound on his side, on his hip. Must be about half an inch in diameter and is almost a perfect circle.

After 2 hours deliberating, as it’s not bleeding, I’m waiting to call the vet first thing, although if you suggest calling the emergency vet I’m willing to do so.

There wasn’t anything visible when I looked at them when I got in from work, but both boys usually come to the cage so I see them facing me, not side on, plus he’s a Swiss and is very fluffy so not sure I would’ve seen it anyway? I’m just wracked with guilt that I could’ve seen this when I got in and taken him to the vets tonight.

Is this a wound from a fight? When I got him out the cage both were laying down together. Is it an abscess I’ve somehow missed? There’s no blood on my other pig or anywhere else on the cage. Or did he get caught on something? Are his nails too long, can that happen?

He’s his usual self and didn’t cry out or anything when I picked him up, I’ve separated them in case it was a fight but he was happy to wander around my kitchen floor whilst I cried on the phone to my mam about what to do. He’s also still eating.

I know you probably can’t answer my questions but he’s nearly 7 and if he’s been in pain I’ll be heartbroken.

 

[Betsy]

Sorry I can't advise what is best to do one of our Health Experts will be along soon.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all,

I picked up my piggie tonight and felt damp on my hand, when I looked it was blood. He’s got a decent sized open wound on his side, on his hip. Must be about half an inch in diameter and is almost a perfect circle.

After 2 hours deliberating, as it’s not bleeding, I’m waiting to call the vet first thing, although if you suggest calling the emergency vet I’m willing to do so.

There wasn’t anything visible when I looked at them when I got in from work, but both boys usually come to the cage so I see them facing me, not side on, plus he’s a Swiss and is very fluffy so not sure I would’ve seen it anyway? I’m just wracked with guilt that I could’ve seen this when I got in and taken him to the vets tonight.

Is this a wound from a fight? When I got him out the cage both were laying down together. Is it an abscess I’ve somehow missed? There’s no blood on my other pig or anywhere else on the cage. Or did he get caught on something? Are his nails too long, can that happen?

He’s his usual self and didn’t cry out or anything when I picked him up, I’ve separated them in case it was a fight but he was happy to wander around my kitchen floor whilst I cried on the phone to my mam about what to do. He’s also still eating.

I know you probably can’t answer my questions but he’s nearly 7 and if he’s been in pain I’ll be heartbroken.

Hi

Fighting wounds are deep needle-like bite wounds (two sets of two for each incisor) and your boys would most certainly not be lying next to each other but be rather shell-shocked and tense with each other.

It is most likely a burst lump of some sort (cyst or abscess) if there is a bit of a hole. Otherwise, it is much rather self-inflicted from pain/discomfort in or just below the skin (mange mites etc.). Sight unseen, I can of course only list possibilities and only through the filter of your own presentation and thoughts.

PS: If the bleeding has stopped, then I would not panic. It needs disinfecting though and you wish to have it assessed in case you need further medication or treatment.

All the best!

 

[Elizabeth Beadle]

I hope your Piggy is ok. ❤

 

[cally]

Hi

Fighting wounds are deep needle-like bite wounds (two sets of two for each incisor) and your boys would most certainly not be lying next to each other but be rather shell-shocked and tense with each other.

It is most likely a burst lump of some sort (cyst or abscess) if there is a bit of a hole. Otherwise, it is much rather self-inflicted from pain/discomfort in or just below the skin (mange mites etc.). Sight unseen, I can of course only list possibilities and only through the filter of your own presentation and thoughts.

PS: If the bleeding has stopped, then I would not panic. It needs disinfecting though and you wish to have it assessed in case you need further medication or treatment.

All the best!

Thank you for your reply, especially at this time of night! I’m nervous to clean it as I don’t want to cause pain, but have made up a saline solution so will get it cleaned. I need to be brave for his sake!

I’ll be on the phone to the vets first thing. I’ll keep you all updated.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for your reply, especially at this time of night! I’m nervous to clean it as I don’t want to cause pain, but have made up a saline solution so will get it cleaned. I need to be brave for his sake!

I’ll be on the phone to the vets first thing. I’ll keep you all updated.

If it is a burst cyst, then the pain/discomfort from the pressure of the filled cyst will actually be gone.

 

[weepweeps]

Good luck at the vets

 

[cally]

Thank you all for your kind words!

It had scabbed over this morning, so I wondered if it was an abscess that I accidentally burst when I picked him up last night. The vet thought the same, she said not to bother with cleaning it as it looked good - no pus or anything- although I can’t say I saw any last night either.

We’ve got antibiotics to take for a week and he’s back with his friend.

Panic over, thanks again everyone for your support!