Renal abscess - any experiences?

[moodysuzy]

Hello!

Our guinea pig, Goose, had a check-up today because of some very gradual weight loss and loss of appetite, and a few pink wees over the last few weeks.

The vet could palpate a mass in his abdomen so they did an ultrasound and they’ve said there is an ‘entity’ attached to his right kidney. The nature of the mass is highly suggestive of an abscess.

We’ve been given 10 days of baytril and metacam before they re-scan him to see if there’s been any improvement. The next step if the mass hasn’t improved would be to drain it using a needle (shudder).

Has anyone had any experience with anything like this? Luckily we’re well versed with sick pigs, but it always does seem to be something new…

 

[Merab]

Sorry, I don’t have experience but want to assure you of my support

 

[Wheekallweek]

Wow, never heard of this before, poor piggy
Fingers crossed the baytril does its job. It's not the same thing but Daisy has an abscess on her back and the baytril is clearing it up nicely, with no squeezing required as it's not refilling at all!

 

[moodysuzy]

Wow, never heard of this before, poor piggy
Fingers crossed the baytril does its job. It's not the same thing but Daisy has an abscess on her back and the baytril is clearing it up nicely, with no squeezing required as it's not refilling at all!

The vet said it was quite unusual! I’m really glad to hear Daisy’s abscess cleared up just with antibiotics, fingers crossed for Goose!

 

[weepweeps]

Good luck Goose. I hope the antibiotics clear it up.

I’ve had a piggy with a large 4cm tooth root abscess. It was drained and the antibiotic used was Zithromax. It’s a very good one for abscesses. So if the Baytril doesn’t work you could try that.

Just wanted to say it was a six week course so just be aware 10 days may not be enough.

 

[moodysuzy]

Good luck Goose. I hope the antibiotics clear it up.

I’ve had a piggy with a large 4cm tooth root abscess. It was drained and the antibiotic used was Zithromax. It’s a very good one for abscesses. So if the Baytril doesn’t work you could try that.

Just wanted to say it was a six week course so just be aware 10 days may not be enough.

oh gosh that’s a long time, Goose has never had antibiotics before so I just hope he reacts ok, we had one guinea pig that would completely shut down when given antibiotics, we’d have to syringe feed him all his food.

It’s good to know there’s another antibiotic we can try as well if the baytril doesn’t work

 

[weepweeps]

The not so good news was that Pepper ate nothing for himself while on the Zithromax and was completely syringe fed. We got him through it though. I hope Goose gets on ok with the ABs.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi

HUGS

I am very sorry. Abscesses on inner organs, especially liver and kidney, can occasionally happen. They are sadly not quite as rare as you may think.

Anyway, I sincerely hope that antibiotic treatment can help but because your vet needs to use really strong antibiotics, it is more likely to also knock out the gut microbiome and the appetite completely. You may have to brace for a real battle for your piggy's life sadly. Inner organs like kidneys and liver are unfortunately rather difficult to treat in guinea pigs. Draining internal abscesses is unfortunately not an option, nor is an operative removal in that place.

Thread 'All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures'

Mar 9, 2022

Introduction
1 Choosing the right place to medicate/feed your piggy
2 Guinea pig whispering and asserting your authority
3 Recovery products and emergency improvisation
4 Syringe recommendations
5 Weight monitoring: your biggest ally
6 Weight loss guidelines and when to step in with feeding
7 Syringe feeding amounts/frequency advice
8 Practical medication and syringing tips
9 Medicating and feeding cooperative guinea pigs (videos)
10 Medicating and feeding uncooperative guinea pigs (hold pictures and tips)
11 The line between life and...

• Wiebke
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Health & Illness Support Corner

• 
• 

Wishing you all the best. We are here for ongoing moral support.

 

[moodysuzy]

Hi

HUGS

I am very sorry. Abscesses on inner organs, especially liver and kidney, can occasionally happen. They are sadly not quite as rare as you may think.

Anyway, I sincerely hope that antibiotic treatment can help but because your vet needs to use really strong antibiotics, it is more likely to also knock out the gut microbiome and the appetite completely. You may have to brace for a real battle for your piggy's life sadly. Inner organs like kidneys and liver are unfortunately rather difficult to treat in guinea pigs. Draining internal abscesses is unfortunately not an option, nor is an operative removal in that place.

Thread 'All About Syringe Feeding and Medicating Guinea Pigs with Videos and Pictures'

Mar 9, 2022

Introduction
1 Choosing the right place to medicate/feed your piggy
2 Guinea pig whispering and asserting your authority
3 Recovery products and emergency improvisation
4 Syringe recommendations
5 Weight monitoring: your biggest ally
6 Weight loss guidelines and when to step in with feeding
7 Syringe feeding amounts/frequency advice
8 Practical medication and syringing tips
9 Medicating and feeding cooperative guinea pigs (videos)
10 Medicating and feeding uncooperative guinea pigs (hold pictures and tips)
11 The line between life and...

• Wiebke
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Health & Illness Support Corner

• 
• 

Wishing you all the best. We are here for ongoing moral support.

Thank you I’ve got all the supplies for syringe feeding and I’ve already started him on fibreplex to support his guts

The vet said that they would probably be able to drain it using a (I’m not 100% on the word) percutaneous? needle - is that not typically an option (or not a good one)? We’re at an exotics specialist although their dedicated guinea pig specialist isn’t there anymore.

 

[moodysuzy]

The not so good news was that Pepper ate nothing for himself while on the Zithromax and was completely syringe fed. We got him through it though. I hope Goose gets on ok with the ABs.

Gosh, that amount of syringe feeding is exhausting isn’t it?

My other other guinea pig never had any appetite-related side effects even when he was on an absolutely enormous Baytril dose, I hope Goose is in this camp

I also saw that critical care is basically out of stock everywhere now (people on amazon are trying to sell it at like £50 a bag ) I’ve got alternatives but it’s such a shame because Goose LOVES critical care