Guinea pig and abcess?

Question

Hi, I own a 6 year old guinea pig who had an abcess five months ago. We opted out of surgery and the abcess seems to have returned. However, we don't have the money for a surgery and we are treating it ourselves by squeezing the pus out, as a wound has opened itself up, allowing us to squeeze out the pus. My father is the one brave enough to do this and he asks what sort of ointment he can apply onto the open wound. This is making our family really sad and we'd really like some help with this. We've called the vet and we're waiting for the veterinarian to call back and answer. Thanks so much for your time. -Kyani

Answer 1

Don't use an antibiotic ointment--guinea pigs have antibiotic sensitivities and it could make him sick. Just squeeze out the pus, then you need to flush it out. Use Betadine solution (from a drug store) and dilute it so it is the color of iced tea. Use a syringe (also can get from a drug store) and flush it out several times. Do this once or twice a day. This will dilute and clean out the bacteria. Keep his cage very clean and dry, and make sure he has plenty of fresh timothy hay and pellets. Be sure to supplement with Vitamin C--you can get the childrens liquid at any pharmacy. Give him 50mg a day (with a syringe or dropper--they usually learn very quickly to love the orange flavor). Good luck.

Answer 2

D, grow up! Not having money isn't always people's fault.. not everyone has a silver spoon in their mouth.

Asker, unfortunately some idiots on here expect everyone to always have money.

A couple of sites to help you:
http://www.oginet.com/pgurney/abcess.htm
http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/about-guinea-pigs/103-abscess.html

Main thing I'd think is to keep it clean as best you can.

Other than that, try and save some pennies to see a vet when you can.. hopefully the one you've phoned iwll come through for you.

Hope this helps, and good luck with your piggy!

Answer 3

Oh stop the excuses and stop being cheap! There are many vets that will arrange payment plans for such a surgery.

It is your pet's RIGHT BY LAW to receive proper medical care and to deny it is abuse. You can even be doing more harm by your fiddling and unsterile procedures. If you cannot properly care for a pet then you have no right to have one. This is the RESPONSIBILITY of pet ownership and it is also the law. Get a second job if you have to, but get that guinea pig to the vet.

Stop wasting time on the computer asking unqualified strangers who have never even seen your pet, let alone examined him/her. And do NOT go to a petstore and ask some minimum-wage clerk who could have been hired 3 days ago your medical question. Again, you have no idea what their training is, if any. Go to a vet! This is SURGERY we are talking about.

www.carecredit.com or www.imom.org

Answer 4

i owned a hampster that had an abcess, i don't know if i was puss-filled though. do you have a petco or petsmart near you? if so, then take your baby down there and ask an employee. they can't ignore you (you will be standing right in front of them!) and they will give you an educated answer. i'm so sorry i couldn't help more!!!