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Ricky has a 3rd lump

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OK all...Ricky goes in tomorrow at 4:30, which will be really late for all of you over there. I'll post his results. I decided to go with the vet who treats all animals. When I called again, the girl there said he lances abscesses all the time and actually thought surgery was kind of odd. She said the doctor will check first to see if it can be lanced. She knows my concern over him not being an exotic specialist and she assurred me that he is very good with small animals. He did treat Ricky the week after I got him for an eye infection. He put cream on it and gave me stuff to take home and an eye rinse. Ricky was fine after that. I thought his bedside manner was a little rough and chose to bring him to an exotic specialist when he had his first abscess. Maybe that was a dumb move. But I had no idea of what to do. I hope I didn't do the wrong thing. Today I was picking up Ricky and kept giving him constant kisses! He just stays still like he likes it! He is so sweet. I began to cry and said I have to keep going with him. He's to full of life. If he constantly keeps getting this one after another then I will think further. I can't see what quality of life he would have if he just keeps getting abscesses over and over. It's his 3rd and he's only 6 months old. Maybe if this doc just lances it, it won't seem as bad. All I want is him to be healthy. I am going to ask about the strong series of Baytril. The vet that did his surgeries said he's to young for strong antibiotics and wouldn't try other ones, only the one he was on. (Choromenphal - something like that) I don't know if that's true. Has anyone ever had a young piggie on Baytril? I think this vet just goes strictly by the rules. Ricky's lump felt big today. It's weird because it feels like it's hanging in the flesh that hangs under his neck. It almost feels like it's moving in there. It feels different then the others but maybe because it's in a different spot. Well, I'll post after his visit tomorrow! Keep Ricky in your thoughts! We need all the help we can get! Love to all of you and your little piggies! :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
 
Annmarie you and Ricky will be very much in our thoughts O0 :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
I know our times have changed so not sure now what time you'll be on after his op :-\ :-\ :-\
We'll have paws and pinkies crossed for this brave little trooper :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
and sending you some ((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))) to help you get throught the day as well :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
 
anne marie and ricky, you know you'll be in our thoughts, sending you both, hugs, cuddles, prayers and good vibes for ricky for tomorrow :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: you are both troupers and real fighters and this little fella deserves a good dose of good health. :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: the girls send their USA fella :-* :-* :-* wish we could give you both hugs, be with you in spirit. :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
 
Thanks everyone. I did go see the new vet today and thought it would be all done. But I'm back to square one. He said he could lance it, but he'd rather not. He said it's very big and in a delicate spot. He said lancing might not do the job. Plus it's very close to nerves and could hurt his throat. Basically he said it could get infected and I mentioned what all of you have told me about your own experiences. And that most of your little piggies have had abscesses lanced. He just seemed so much like he didn't think it would be good enough. He actually told me to go back the the original vet and have it done as a surgery again. He said they would get it all with no risk of infection. I almost left in tears. I can't believe I have to go through this again. They know the first vet because they send over their animals that need surgery since my original vet is in a hospital. He said she is wonderful and would know what was best. I told him they are bleeding me dry with the money. He was sypathetic and said he would do the follow-up visits at a lot cheaper rate. I just can't believe Ricky will have to go through this again. I'm so sick. I've been crying all night and feel completely numb. I wish there were another way to do this. He is going to try to scratch and scratch. How the heck are they going to get him to not scratch? Well, I guess I'll post tomorrow night. I'm going to go lay down for a while. I need a good strong drink! :'( :'( :'( :'(
 
Oh sweetie :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
Dam i was hoping it could be lanced :( :( :(
If they're not confident tho it might be for the best that he does have the surgery :(
Wish we were all closer to each other you need a big huge (((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))) from us all and some piggie kisses too :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
Have a nice glass of wine and try to relax love.... no use making yourself sick and Ricky will pick up that you're upset too and your daughter :'( :'( :'( :'(
Get your lovely OH to give you a big hug :smitten: and then have Ricky on your lap and tell him how much you love him and i bet he looks up at you with his cute little nose and eyes :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
My vet also charged less if the ops were related... so i'd def push in this area and ask if you can pay off as well O0
All our love for you all :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
 
What Glynis said :'( very sorry to hear this Ann marie :'( :'( :'(
Hope the other vet can sort it out and you can find a way of paying for it. Love to you & Ricky :smitten:
 
like glynis said wish we were closer so we could just hug you and ricky. i know the other vet likes money upfront, hoping you can work something out. we really feel for you and ricky. this has all been a nasty shock for you and ricky, take a deep breath and just think about it and see what you can do. but don't give up on ricky and i am here if you need to rant. sending you both hugs and cuddles :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: girls send :-* :-* :-* for ricky boy. give him a kiss from us.
 
Thank you guys. It means a lot to see how much you care. I sure wish you guys were here too! I have a 3:00pm appt. today with his vet who did all the surgeries. I'm dreading this one because of where the abscess is. I was just with Ricky and you would think nothing was wrong. He just was popcorning and jumping everywhere. He gets so excited in the morning when I clean out his cage and refill everything. Darn, I'm even giving him carrots, even the vet said not to. I only give him a small amount. He loves them. She insists that's how guineas wind up with diabetes from the sugar. Last time I told her I gave him a carrot, she almost had a heart attack. It will be Ricky and my secret! I'll let you all know how he does today. I'm going to try to post a picture. Don't know if I can. I don't think it's going to work because I have no idea what I'm doing. I'm going to try. I hope I don't bring someone else's picture up!
http://www.shutterfly.com/view/pictures.jsp.Ricky.jpg
 
Ive never heard of carrots giving piggies Diabetes. Mine have them all the time.

Does this abcess have to be drain? Ive had piggies with abcesses in the past and they have either gone away of popped of their own accord. They have all gone on to heal completely and the piggies have a happy normal life.

How many times has Ricky been through surgery now? I would seriously think about putting him through surgery again, there is only so much their system can take.

Sorry if I sound a bit negative but I think you really need to consider if its a wise move to put him through surgery again.

Fingers crossed for you that things go right.

Vicky xx
 
Gosh, what a difficult position you are in, I really feel for you.

Whatever they do this time, I would insist on a strong course of antibiotics to try to kill this infection once and for all. You and Ricky cant keep going through this. It just sounds like the other vet didnt want to take a chance which is a bit of a cop out really :-\
 
We are in the same boat after surgery complication Jumbo has been battling abscesses for 2 months he is still good in himself but is going for surgery on Thursday to re-sect out the abscess this is risky but necessary for him to make hopefullly a fully recovery, he has been lanced and drained more times than I care to think of so surgery is a last well considered option. He is such afighter like ricky and is still doing well despite his problems, strong antibiotics and many prayers hopefully they will both come throughthis O0
 
sending ricky and jumbo hugs and cuddles, prayers and good vibes :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: and the girls send :-* :-* :-* really hoping all goes well for them both, both are fighters so hang in there. :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
 
i really hope he's ok today... :'(

it is very hard saying goodbye to our first pets- it doesnt feel like Xavier has been gone 2 months already. but it was better for him to go, and i couldnt really afford the costs the vets were talking about.

i really do hope that a vet is able to help you though, you have both been through so much which you dont deserve...

:smitten: :smitten: :smitten: sorry my words dont help much :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
 
Hugs for Jumbo too Vikki, I hope it turns out well for both little guys :smitten: :smitten:
 
Vicky(Smudger) said:
Ive never heard of carrots giving piggies Diabetes. Mine have them all the time.
Click to expand...

Mine also have carrots regularly. I don't think there's any harm whatsoever in giving everything in moderation. However I have heard root veg can have sugars in them which may add to a diabetic pigs problems. It's just not a good idea to give too many root veg in one go I believe (eg don't give carrot and swede)
 
First off, Vikki, my prayers go out to you and Jumbo. Please keep us posted as to his progress. I know first hand how frustrating this all is. I thought this was all over and boom, his third abscess appears. I do hope Jumbo comes through this ok. My vet did the opposite. She operated first and luckily both operations went well, but it was a 4 month recovery. Lots of visits to the vets. PLEASE update us on Jumbo. (what a great name for a tiny guinea pig). And Nutty Lou, your words do help. Just by posting your concern helps more than you know. I feel like you just told me about Xavier. I hope you feel better soon. I cry just thinking about Ricky dying. I'm dreading that day.
Well, Ricky is home again from the vet. I should have never sold my vet short. She was wonderful with him today. I went in there all choked up. Trying to hide the tears. She was so sympathetic. I did tell her all your advice. And she first thought it may be a swollen lymph node, but she poked it with that little pin they use (much to Ricky's dislike) and pus came out. She gave me a few options and she said the best thing would be to lance it and drain it. She said she would do everything possible to save me money. She said he would need a much stronger antibiotic this time and I said what about Baytril? I know that is what all of you have been telling me. She feels he's old enough now for it. She said she couldn't give him that before because he was to small. And when you lance it, there is a stronger chance of infection. She said it should be fine with the Baytril. I hope this works. You know Lavenderjade, I agree with you about the other vet being a bit of a cop out. If she did it with no problem, why couldn't he? Well, I must admit, I was more comfortable with her doing it. Although, I'm sure he's a good vet. Well, she didn't bandage his paws, but she gave me bandage to take home. I caught him trying to scratch so I bandaged his back paw and he's just freaking out in his cage. I gave him a strong painkiller to calm him. He's just sitting there now just zoning out! I want him to lay down and sleep awhile. I feel horrible. I see the blood all over his neck. She said the blood will come out a little then stop. I don't know how I'm going to clean it in that spot. He just goes crazy when I try to look at it. I'm a little worried because he's acting odd. I'm hoping it's the painkiller. Like I said he's zoning out, but he looks like he's wobbly. I'm gonna go check him now. I just had him out and he seemed fine, (biting my shirt as always) but in his cage he looks like a lump. Well, I'll let you know how the Baytril works. It looks like such a tiny amount he has to take. I have to call the vet to see if I'm reading the bottle right. I want to make sure he's getting the proper amount. Well, I'll log back in later and hope to see all your babies are getting better! Love to all from me and Ricky!
 
am so glad ricky has had his abscess taken care off and that he didn't need surgery. i am think as the abscess was in the thoart area the other vet wasn't comfortable doing it. anyway hoping ricky soon recovers, perhaps keep him warm and syringe feed him mashed up pellets(grinder or food processor) mash in preboiled water, and 1-2 teaspoons of baby food like sweetcorn puree mix together so it will go into a syringe and feed him this. give gentle cuddles and kisses from us :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: and again am so happy for you both! :-* :-* :-* please keep us posted. :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
 
Annmarie i'm so so pleased for you :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
This will be much better for Ricky O0 O0 O0 O0
It's going to be awkward cleaning it and he'll tick you off and wriggly like a little worm but be firm and talk to him the whole time and then give him a big love and some treats straight afterwards O0 :smitten:
Yep i'm with Mary top him up with some syringe feeding and keep him warm he's probably feeling pretty lousy and a bit stressed out from his visit and then the abscess being lanced etc.... :( :( :( :( :(
Loads of gentle kisses for Ricky from us both :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
I hope you can sleep better tonight love :smitten:
 
i cried when the vet first told me it was a lump, then when she said about having him PTS then for the entire weekend i was saying goodbye, i cried before he'd gone from my arms, while he was being put under...then i was a complete wreck seeing him on the table asleep...then god i had to wait another 10 minutes before it was over and i had to pay, then there was more tears on the way home, in my room seeing his empty cage....

yes its hard but my boy was in pain and i couldnt do it to him. *also am an emotional person...aka soft as s***!*

i still cry about xavier when my new boys do something which reminds me of Xavier.

it does sound as though Ricky is a tough little cookie, he's been through alot already but he's not given up, he must love being with you guys alot :)

i hope he gets better, with his zoned out thing- it cant be that pleasent having an abcess- he'll be back to himself soon i think once he's got over the mini op.

hugs and kisses from the Kat *he cant spell* naughty bing....delicious darce and a tearful me!

Lucie
 
hello annie,
just wondering how ricky is today? been thinking of the little mite. is he on a probiotic to protect his tummy from the baytril? hoping he gets back to his normal self soon. sending you both hugs and cuddles and know we're thinking of the both of you. :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: girls send :-* :-* :-*
 
HI Anne I hope Ricky is doing well, he might need a probiotic to help him tummy as the antibiotics can make it upset but with probiotic they are finbe (jumbo has had this everytime he is on antibiotics and his tummy is fine)
Jumbo had been lanced before but as it is the same abscess due to an allergic reaction to chromic it is operation time for him, he goes in tomorrow morning to have the abscess taken out (they are using vicryl as a suture not chromic as he had before) and it is being done by a different vets as my usual vets had no idea what the green discharge from his abscess was and wanted to 'investigate' the vets I was recommended by a friend gave me a clear idea of what it could be and what they would do for each option which gave me much more confidence.
We have had two months with this abscess and it is a miracle he is still alive he has lost some weight and is not looking his usual self but he is a fighter and still trying and as long as he does so shall we. We all have our moment sin tears I am wellign up now thiking of what Jumbo will go through tomorrow but it is his best chance to kick the infection for good and the right decision so Jumbo and I send Ricky huge healing wheeks and hope he gets better soon x x x
 
Hi Anne I've just read the whole of your post for the first time and cannot imagine what you are going through. I really hope the Baytril works for the little fella. I wish I could come and give you a big cuddle. so I'll just have to send you :-* :-* :-* Please keep us all informed and try and look after yourself too x
 
Glad it has been lanced now, really keeping my fingers crossed for you. What dosage of baytril is he on? Yes, a pro biotic as Vikki says, is important as baytril can upset their tummies. The one I use is bio lapis. I make up a sachet every day with 50ml water and syringe it to Sunny 5 ml at a time, 2 hours after the anti biotic and throughout the day as well. He hasnt had any diahorrea fingers x'd.

Keep us posted :smitten: :smitten:
 
Hi Annie,
I am glad Ricky has had his abcess sorted and the vet was good with him. Fingers crossed this is the last one! Hope he is OK, you must be stressed out!

x
 
Thank you all again! And welcome rw3399! Thank you for your well wishes! I'm glad to report that Ricky is doing great. Still eating like a pig. Hoping he keeps it up. I will take your advice and give him something for his tummy. I found a pro-biotic once in the petshop and it was expired a while ago. The manager pulled it off the shelf and suggested something different. Don't know how to spell it, but it's acidofalas, somehting like that. It's for the digestive system. I also have a prescription drug from last time his belly was not right. Propulsid? Very strong and gets his appetite back quickly. But so far he's fine. I may go back to the petshop and see if they got the probiotic in. She was supposed to reorder. As far as the cut, man, what a struggle this morning. I can't even get at it. I tried every different position. He goes crazy. Not the best patient. I managed a little, but I know I didn't get in there. Earlier he made some horrible raspy throaty noise which lasted about a minute. Then it sounded like a big cough and then stopped. He did this a few months ago. I'm hoping it was just something stuck while he was eating and then he coughed it out. He has'nt done it again. Other than that, he's as perky as ever. I'm giving him very little hay so it does not get stuck in his cut and he's angry about that. He loves his hay so much that he just rolls in it. The other day I found him just sleeping in it. But that's about it with him.
Vikki, as far as Jumbo, my best wishes are with you. Listen, Ricky has had 2 surgeries with his abscesses. He did fine. The good thing is that they are asleep during it and feel no pain. At least with surgery, they can really clean it out. Are they going to stitch him up, or will you be flushing it. They stitched Ricky up the first time. Unfortunately, he kept ripping the stitches open, so finally they took the stitches out and I had the flush the first and second absesses. If Jumbo is not bothered by the stitches, it's wonderful to not have to clean it. Also a side affect of surgery is they stop eating. Make sure they give you something for his tummy. Like I posted above, the Propulsid really helped his belly when he stopped eating. And I also gave him Rimadyl everyday for pain and swelling. It was a longer recovery because they go very deep, but I know Jumbo sounds like a real trooper. I am saying a little prayer that he comes through everything ok. Give him a big kiss from me and Ricky. When everything is done, please let us know. Everyone on the forum is thinking of little Jumbo. Love to you both...... :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
 
Oh Lavenderjade, sorry, I forgot to answer your question. I believe it's .3 ml's of Baytril. I don't know if that's considered a lot or a little. He is still pretty young so I believe that's probably not a lot. He has to be between 6-7 months old, but not quite sure. We decided to give him a birthday of Oct. 1st, since we figure that's about when he was born. How much do they usually prescribe for a grown piggie? I'll let you know how it goes. How is little Sunny today? I'm going to go off of here and see what your latest post says! Give him a big kiss from me and Ricky! :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
 
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