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Repeated infected cyst

Liz47

Liz47

Junior Guinea Pig
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Ellie is a 5 year old guinea pig. In April last year she had surgery to remove a cyst which histology told us was a trichofolliculoma (spelling?), a benign cyst arising from a hair follicle. She developed 2 more within a couple of months and we decided to monitor rather than go straight to surgery again. She had to have the previous one removed as it was on her leg and suddenly grew meaning it would affect her movement. One on her back recently changed appearance to scabby so I took her to the vets and they drained it as it was filled with pus. We were cleaning it with salt water and giving oral baytril and metacam. It remained empty for about 2 weeks but has filled again and leaks pus when cleaned, Ellie does not seemed bothered by it. It is only very small but I'm not sure where to go from here. I'm currently covid positive so can't take her back to the vets just yet but will be doing but would like to know what options we have. The vet wasn't keen on surgery again since she seems to be prone to these lumps and they'll likely reoccur. Would it be best to keep it open, draining and cleaning alongside antibiotic cover? Or leave it alone to close again? I'd like to hear some similar treatment stories on abscesses/cysts? Thank you
 

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Liz47 said:
Ellie is a 5 year old guinea pig. In April last year she had surgery to remove a cyst which histology told us was a trichofolliculoma (spelling?), a benign cyst arising from a hair follicle. She developed 2 more within a couple of months and we decided to monitor rather than go straight to surgery again. She had to have the previous one removed as it was on her leg and suddenly grew meaning it would affect her movement. One on her back recently changed appearance to scabby so I took her to the vets and they drained it as it was filled with pus. We were cleaning it with salt water and giving oral baytril and metacam. It remained empty for about 2 weeks but has filled again and leaks pus when cleaned, Ellie does not seemed bothered by it. It is only very small but I'm not sure where to go from here. I'm currently covid positive so can't take her back to the vets just yet but will be doing but would like to know what options we have. The vet wasn't keen on surgery again since she seems to be prone to these lumps and they'll likely reoccur. Would it be best to keep it open, draining and cleaning alongside antibiotic cover? Or leave it alone to close again? I'd like to hear some similar treatment stories on abscesses/cysts? Thank you
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Hi

I am very sorry that you are having a piggy with a genetic disposition for them. Some piggies are unfortunately 'lumpier' than others. :(

Once you have got a cyst actively cycling through filling and bursting, then it is generally best to remove it as you are always running the risk of an infection at some point. Thankfully the removal is a comparatively easy and low risk procedure with a very high success rate. Use homemade saline solution for disinfection, when cleaning the pus away unless you already have something else at home.
First Aid Kit: Easily available non-medication support products for an emergency

However, it is by no means an urgent issue so it can wait until you are fit and ready again to see a vet and discuss things with them in the coming weeks.
 
Thank you. I do feel removal is the only option really, the vet was hoping she'd have a longer gap since I made a mistake in my first post and it was April this year she had one removed and very soon after the same one has reoccured on her leg plus the one on her back. The vet was saying keep a close eye and they'll remove them all under the same GA if she develops more, so far the leg one is smooth/not infected or showing signs of bursting.
 
Liz47 said:
Thank you. I do feel removal is the only option really, the vet was hoping she'd have a longer gap since I made a mistake in my first post and it was April this year she had one removed and very soon after the same one has reoccured on her leg plus the one on her back. The vet was saying keep a close eye and they'll remove them all under the same GA if she develops more, so far the leg one is smooth/not infected or showing signs of bursting.
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We can unfortunately never choose how things run. I wish I had better news. :(

But please concentrate on your own wellbeing and recovery for now. Your precious girl will hold until you are ready. ;)
 
Thank you both :) It's typical, I had a fair amount of appts to attend including vet appts when I had to isolate! But yes nothing urgent I do tend to over worry! Will keep cleaning at home for now.
 
Liz47 said:
Thank you both :) It's typical, I had a fair amount of appts to attend including vet appts when I had to isolate! But yes nothing urgent I do tend to over worry! Will keep cleaning at home for now.
Click to expand...

These things always happen the most inconvenient of times (not that there ever is a good time). Hang on in there and look after yourself.
 
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