Teeth and blood

[GuineaDobbin]

Hi folks, my year of piggie problems has rolled over into 2025.

Some time ago, I noticed a patch of purple urine and traced it to Carmen. She did I think one, and the vet wasn't concerned.

I noticed over the last few weeks Carmen was a little less active and there was the odd small poo, most were normal however.

Today and yesterday she was less active still, on inspection I found red/purple marks on the bedding. I scooped her and noticed she had red on her nose, and feet.

She had, in her mouth at the top of her incisors, a beige mass the size of a small pea. There was blood around it and running between her teeth.

I have given loxicom and used tweezers to remove the mass (which smelt bad). She is eating hay and lettuce.

Obviously a vet trip is in order, but I can't find anything much about teeth/dental care for what I can do in the meantime.

She was reluctant to let me take a picture, but I can take a better one later when MrsGuineaDobbin gets home.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m sorry to hear this

All you can do is switch to daily weight checks to ensure she is eating enough hay to keep her weight stable, and syringe feed if necessary.

Let us know how you get on at the vet

 

[weepweeps]

Good luck at the vets.

 

[GuineaDobbin]

Thanks folks. She seems much happier now the painkillers have kicked in.

I have managed to remove a respectably revolting plug of abscess stuff, I'm going to flush with saline and water in a minute when she has forgiven me.

 

[Claire W]

I hope she will be ok x

 

[GuineaDobbin]

Just been at the vets, painkillers and co trimoxazole as expected.

2.5ml trimoxazole seems high so will double check before administration!

 

[GuineaDobbin]

She's been quite perky today, but she is still producing abscess-goop. I have had a pig before who needed an abscess flushing regularly but that was on her bottom so easy enough to do.

Does anyone have advice on keeping keeping it clean when it is in such an awkward spot? I think the hole goes through to the left nostril as well so I am wary of too-vigorously flushing it.

It smells quite rancid so I'm trying to keep her from swallowing too much.

Also, glad I checked on the dose, it was miles out

 

[weepweeps]

Yes that is an awkward place. She’s not going to like water being squirted in her face. It’s good it’s draining though and not filling up again. Good luck.

 

[Truffolo]

Good that you found it and know what it is and know about meds. I hope it gets better soon

 

[GuineaDobbin]

Well, just scooped her and there was an alarming amount of red around her bum.

 

[Qualcast&Flymo]

Well, just scooped her and there was an alarming amount of red around her bum.

It couldn't be because she had blood from the mouth thing in her mouth while grooming her bum area, could it?

 

[fluffysal]

That's my first thought...

 

[GuineaDobbin]

It couldn't be because she had blood from the mouth thing in her mouth while grooming her bum area, could it?

I wish

Looks like it's coming from her bum to me. She's pootling, eating and looking comfortable in the circs.

I'm wondering if she's having to swallow it and it's coming out intact, peegs not really being designed to digest animal products.

 

[GuineaDobbin]

Hi folks, thought I should update this, as often these sorts of threads drop off with no further information which leaves others searching for answers in desperation!

Carmen was on a long course of painkillers and antibiotics, and this combined with twice daily teeth checks, flushing and scraping as required emptied the abscess. I also fashioned a toothbrush from hay each dayto clean between the problem teeth which seemed to help. Her gums have now sealed up nicely around her upper incisors again and she is no longer dribbling blood everywhere (yay).

She has however had a juicy but tiny cyst open up on her back and has started emitting red from her backside since meds were withdrawn a few days ago. Once again, it isn't testing positive for blood on pee sticks but it damn looks and smells like it.

We have too many pigs needing vet attention... I really need some to just be well for a while

 

[Claire W]

Thank you for the update. I hope you catch a break soon x